Cat Views

“Cateristics “of the Turkish Van . We all know that the majority of cats do not like to be wet! These gorgeous Turkish Van cats love water. They are beautiful white cats with red spots on their heads a red tails. They also breed true to their color. Turkish Vans or just “Vans” as they are called have unique personalities.  They are very intelligent and playful cats. Some Vans love to fetch and retrieve and will play with anything they find around and socks are a favored item. Opening cabinets and doors are no problem for them, and if they can’t do it easily the will work out a solution. Dog-like, they will follow their favorite person around. These cats are very adaptable and get along well with other kinds of animals such as dogs, birds and reptiles. Once they meet the other household pets and become a family member they readily establish themselves as the Alpha pet! They do not like being held, but will lie in your lap. Petting and stroking is always acceptable but prefer to have all 4 feet on the ground. Their most distinctive characteristic is the love of water! They love to swim and will swim in streams, ponds, pools, and lakes and even water troughs. Some people will even provide a kiddy pool for them to swim in. After exercising they love to curl up in a cozy cat bed.

Eddie, a black and white cat was given a lovely present by his owner, or shall I say “human” because anyone who has cats knows that they don’t “own” them! It is usually the other way around. In any case, Eddie was given a Cat Cocoon and discovered his playmates (ferrets) also loved the cocoon and he and the ferrets would hide, and play around in and out of the cocoon. Really something to watch, but Eddie’s owner feels that Eddie is really playing “Whack a Mole”. Even though the ferret is quick, I guess Eddie must get the best shots in.

There once was a tabby named Austin
Who was really quite trustin’
What a cutie he was
Literally creating a buzz
Chewing on wires was his thing
They must give him a real zing
Charging him up to start a race
And win over any cat in the place
A winner, he lolls in his condo supreme
Receiving accolades that cause him to beam

These lovely cats are the Japanese Bobtails. The many white cats you see in Oriental Restaurants with the raised paw relates to Japanese folklore that goes back as far as the 17th Century. Maneki-Neko as she originally named, was a small bobtail cat (according to the lore) that beckoned to strangers giving them good fortune. Here in the U.S. these cats are only seen in the fancy cat shows while they are seen everywhere in Japan, China and Korea. The first Japanese Bobtails were brought to the U.S. in 1908, and were not accepted for Championship Status until 1976. The unique feature of these cats is true to their name. They have a shortened rigid tail structure. They are a small to medium sized cat with a long lean body structure, large ears and the eyes are large ovals with an oriental slant. The coat is soft and silky with little or no undercoat and are water-resistant allowing them to swim (which they enjoy doing). These are very affectionate cats, but strong willed and not easily intimidated. They need to be kept active and given lots of attention. Good with children and dogs, easily trained but only if they are having fun doing it. A cat gym would be wonderful for these delightful cats to play on.

There once was a cat named Ogee
Who loved to play in his Pet House Cat Tree
Up he would climb to the top
Where he really would have to stop
At the top he would stay and play
Before he decided to make his way
Layer by layer down he would go
Till he reached each limb below

My grandson has a very acrobatic cat. She loves her Cat Tree House and spends a great deal of time performing regularly in it. One of her favorite tricks is to swing down from layer to layer and hanging over the edge. One day she went too far and found herself caught between the cat tree and the wall. Finally she extricated herself and decided playing on the floor next to it with her tail was safer but she soon got bored with that and was back in her cat tree. Once again she was entertaining us with her antics by swinging from layer to layer like a monkey. She really loves her cat tree!

Cats are natural hunters and predators. It is no wonder they become active during the middle of the night! Mice and small prey come out after dark and the cats “natural instincts” seem to take over at that time.

If your cat is a house pet, evenings are for playing predatory and hunting games. The theory offered is that perhaps the cats don’t get enough play and exercise during the day. Young cats have an abundance of energy, and new kittens often feel insecure in new family surroundings, which factor in to promoting nocturnal activity.

Lady Jane offers some possible solutions:

Ø  Help a new kitten to feel more secure by cuddling and gently petting it.

Ø  Provide more opportunities for play at appropriate times ceasing at least an hour before bedtime.

Ø  If necessary, confine the cat to a bedroom or bathroom providing food and water in their pet feeder, litter box, and a scratching post.

Ø  Keep a spray bottle or gun-shaped hair dryer by the bed to thwart nighttime playful attacks.

Remember, each cat is an individual and by trial and error you can arrive at an acceptable solution for both of you.