Cat Relationships 101: Cats are often portrayed as "solitary" creatures. However, cats in the wild will quite readily and frequently choose to live in colonies, usually consisting of one intact dominant male and/or several subservient intact or neutered males, and a harem of females (both intact and spayed). When it comes to feline behavior and … Continue reading Introducing New Cats: The 4 Steps to Success
Huge news for owners/breeders of Ragdolls, Maine Coons, and Sphynxes! Opal, my beloved Sphynx girl. In case you missed it last year, NC State came out with a genetic test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HCM is a deadly form of heart disease that certain breeds are genetically prone to. NC State now offers genetic tests for … Continue reading Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Genetic Test for HCM!
Meet Sunny: Sunny is a 13-year-old cream point Balinese male. A Balinese is essentially a long-haired Siamese, and is considered a distinct breed among most cat registries. CFA specifically classifies red/cream pointed Balinese (along with lynx points and tortie points) as a sub-breed called "Javanese", but the color is the only difference. TICA recognizes red, … Continue reading Judge, Jury, and Social Executioner: Mob Mentality in the Digital Age
The topic of TNR and managed feral cat colonies is highly controversial. While many in rescue tout it as the self-sustaining solution to overpopulation, those on the opposing side are in constant defense of the devastating impact these cats have on native ecosystems, song birds, wildlife, etc. A recent ecological study in 2010 by the … Continue reading The Downside of TNR: The Ecological Devastation of Feral Cats
The actual pointed coat coloring that Siamese and other breeds are known for (as well as rats, mice, and rabbits) is simply a recessive form of partial albinism called "Himalayan".
The Himalayan mutation alters the enzyme responsible for melanin production, which is called Tyrosinase. The mutation restricts the ability of tyrosinase to oxidize tyrosine only at cooler temperatures; warmer temperatures deactivate the enzyme.
Of course you have! Cats are fascinating animals with very unique physiological adaptations that make them superb hunters in the wild. Sharing your home with a cat is akin to living alongside a miniature leopard; a smaller yet almost identical version of their gorgeous cousins. The cat's tongue is just one of the amazing tools … Continue reading Have you ever wondered about a cat’s tongue?
Vibes from a Veterinary Nurse 