If you are looking for a cat breed that won’t mind if your children decide they want to play dress up, you may want to take a look at the Ragamuffin cat breed. These cats are very tolerant of children and other pets and will allow children to play games that would have other cat breeds and even many dog breeds running for cover.

The same characteristics that make the Ragamuffin such a wonderful family pet make it a bad choice for people who are not home for long periods of time. This breed thrives on attention and enjoys ‘helping’ its family do routine household chores, such as putting away groceries or folding laundry. Spending a lot of time alone can make your cat very unhappy. After all, a cat breed that will ride around in your child’s doll carriage or attend a tea party obviously loves plenty of company and attention.

The Ragamuffin is one of the biggest cat breeds, weighing in at a very hefty ten to twenty pounds. Although these cats have larger than normal bones, part of their weight also comes from their tendency to carry a bit of extra fat on their bellies. This breed has a big, solidly built body, a wedge shaped head that is a bit round and large eyes that are so expressive that many people say that their cats seem to talk with their eyes. This breed has a long, gracefully tapered tail that is covered in long hair, giving it a bushy appearance. You can find the Ragamuffin in almost any coat color and any pattern. However cats with points can not be shown.

The Cat Fancier’s Association classifies the Ragamuffin as a member of the Miscellaneous class. This cat breed is the only one currently in this category. As the breed becomes more established, it will eventually move to the Provisional class. While the Ragamuffin can be shown, it can not receive any ribbons or awards until it moves from the Miscellaneous class and into a different class.

Ragamuffins have long hair with an extremely soft texture. Despite the fact that these cats are longhairs, the silkiness of their hair makes them easy to care for. This breed is not prone to developing matted hair and one of these cats only needs to be groomed about once a week to keep his coat looking beautiful and tangle free.

Since these cats have a tendency to carry a few more pounds than necessary around their stomachs, you may need to keep a close eye on your Ragamuffin’s weight. If he grows too overweight, you should ask your veterinarian about feeding your cat a weight management cat food. Except for this weight problem, this cat breed has no hereditary health conditions and is an extremely healthy breed overall.

If you want a large, gentle cat that actually enjoys being around children, then the Ragamuffin is the perfect breed for you.

I would love to share my secrets with you and my new special articles on
ebooks-marketplace.com/cats/index.html cat training do just that! Everything you need to know to train your cat is included in these special reports: See our section on Cat Breads.

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The Ragdoll cat breed consists of a variety of medium to long hair cats. Ragdoll cats are famous for their placid temperaments as well as their affectionate nature. Ragdolls are the most easy going and gentle cat you can own. These cats are not aggressive and should only be kept indoors. They do not have fighting instincts so they will not defend themselves when provoked.

The term “Ragdoll” comes from the way they go totally limp when picked up. The breed originated in California back in the 1960s. The first Ragdoll was a cat named Josephine. There are many myths regarding the history of Ragdoll cats; for instance, one account claims Ragdoll cats were left on earth by an alien race. Many of these wild claims were made by the breed’s founder and are still passed around today.

Ragdoll cats are bred selectively for certain characteristics. These selective traits include size, characteristic limpness when picked up, as well as their easy going nature. The breed was created from a mixture of Birman, Persian, and Burmese cats. The Ragdoll breed has been imitated by other breeds such as the Ragamuffin; however, many of these competing breeds are not recognized by cat registries as there is little differentiating them from Ragdoll cats.

ragdollcats.info/index.php?title=physical_characteristics_of_a_ragdoll_ca Ragdoll Cats come in a variety of patterns and colors. The pointed patterns fall into three categories: mitted, bicolor, and colorpoint. The varieties of colors are lilac, seal, blue, and chocolate. Additionally there are several nonstandard color offerings such as red and lynx point. A typical Ragdoll takes 2 years to fully mature; adult males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds. Female cats weigh in at 9 to 13 pounds. Ragdoll cats are the largest domestic cat and make excellent pets.

Ben Harper is a Ragdoll cat enthusiast and founder of the site

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1. Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common concern among Ragdoll owners. Although there are no recorded cases, the possibility is high because of the Ragdoll’s bulk and weight distribution. It’s important to get a written health guarantee from your breeder to make sure your cat is safe.

2. Feline hypertrophic myopathy

A more serious condition is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle common in many cat breeds. Feline HCM is potentially life-threatening, and in many cases the disease is only discovered when the cat dies at a young age. Studies have shown that HCM is inherited, and runs along several Ragdoll lines. Although it can occur at any age, it is more likely to occur in older cats who would otherwise have passed the disease on to offspring.

3. Constipation

Ragdoll cats normally pass waste one to two times a day. Less frequent or difficult bowel movements are usually a sign of constipation. A constipated cat will frequently run to the litter box but strain to pass stools, sometimes crying or licking the anal area. Lethargy and loss of appetite are also common symptoms. Advanced constipation can cause your cat to vomit liquid faeces.

Although occasional constipation is not a cause for concern, frequent constipation may require medical attention. Chronic constipation may be caused by underlying problems, such as digestive obstruction. This can be as simple as string or hairballs, or something more serious such as a tumour. In either case, the blockage can harden and enlarge the colon, which leads to painful bowel movements.

If your cat is chronically constipated, have him or her checked by your vet immediately. Surgery may be necessary to remove tumours and blockages. These can easily be removed when detected early, but they can be fatal if allowed to develop or spread.

4. Dental problems

A cat’s mouth creates a warm, moist environment conducive to bacterial growth. Bacteria and tartar can build up on your cat’s teeth, and without occasional brushing, this can lead to gum disease or periodontitis. Usually, the only symptoms are toothache and exposed roots, which are hard to detect.

To ensure good dental health, brush your cat’s teeth regularly. It may take two to three weeks for your cat to get used to regular brushing, but it will keep bacteria and harmful microorganisms at bay. You should always use special cat toothpaste; human toothpaste is too strong for regular cat use. Giving them high-quality dry food to chew on can help keep the teeth clean between brushings.

The auther is the writer of ‘The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook, to find out more visit:

ragdoll-cat-care.com ragdoll-cat-care.com

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Is your cat acting strangely? Well it might be pregnant! It is important to recognize when a cat is pregnant so that you can provide sufficient care for your cat. Here are some simple steps that you can do to assure that your female pet is pregnant.

1. Usually when pregnant, your cats nipples will begin to grow and in the same time, become soft and pink.

2. Gently run your hand across your cats abdominal area to see if you feel any sorts of swelling or small lumps

3. When a cat becomes pregnant, her demeanor may change. Most of the time, they becoming more loving and affectionate compared to when they are not pregnant.

4. Take notice of a significant weight gain in your cat. To distinguish pregnant from fat, a pregnant cat will only be fatter around the abdominal area, but a fat cat is fat all over including the neck, legs, etc.

5. Sometimes a pregnant cat may experience morning sickness, similar to female humans when they are pregnant.

6. Your pregnant cat will start eating a lot more and demanding a lot more food. But it is still important to feed it with the correct kinds of food

So you find out that your cat is really pregnant! Don’t panic because now the real work begins. If you are as lost as any other cat lover out there, help is on your way.

Discover the secrets that veterinarians and cat breeders use, to keep your pregnant cat safe and healthy AND raise happy, healthy kittens which would be discussed in part II

Check out squidoo.com/pregnantcat/ squidoo.com/pregnantcat/ for part II on Taking care of our pregnant cat.

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Little is known about the true origins of the Russian Blue cat. Some think Russian Blues are a natural breed originating in the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. It is thought Russian Blues were brought to England and northern Europe in the 1860s. What is known is that Russian Blues were first shown at the Crystal Palace in England in 1875 in competition, but were not recognized as a separate class of cat until 1912. Though Russian Blues were brought to American in the early 1900s, interest in the breed did not develop until after World War II.

Russian Blues have striking green eyes and an expression that makes it look as if they are always smiling. They have a solid slivery blue coat that is short and thick and feels silky. In fact, it is this legendary silkiness that caused Russian Blues to be hunted for the fur at one point. Some Russian Blues are born with ‘ghost stripes’ that fade by adulthood.

Their coats do not require much grooming, though Russian Blues do enjoy being groomed by their human companions. Described as shy (especially around strangers), Russian Blues are still excellent pets especially for people and families with busy lifestyles. Russian Blues do not require or crave much human contact and are able to entertain themselves for hours at a time. However, they are affectionate and loyal towards their families. In fact, Russian Blues have been described as sensitive to their families and will try to lighten up the mood of the house by entertaining those around if necessary. They are good with children and other family pets, but do startle easily and prefer to be handle gently. Russian Blues are prone to obesity so it is important to monitor their diet.

There is a website that has great information on Russian Blue and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

dogandcatfacts.com www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25 years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

RB59 Software

rb59.com/software www.rb59.com/software

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