American Keuda vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison

It is thought that the cat was brought to America by the Spanish to keep the rat population down.

The name KEUDA stands for Kitten Evaluation Under Direct Assessment which is actually the name of a program that was running in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and was for investigating the kinds of cats that survived as barn cats.

Today the Keuda isn’t registered and it’s not a well-known cat either, being looked upon as being similar to the Egyptian Mau breed as it shares some physical similarities with the Mau.

Bobtailed cats have a naturally shortened tail due to natural genetic mutation. The cat’s original appearance genetics were modified so as to bring about an improved strain that comes in all colors and coat types.

The cat descended from a short-tailed kitten, Yodi. His kittens also had a short tail. Two women selectively bred the cats to be large and strong with a wild look but with a pleasant nature.

The cats used in the development of the breed were domestic shorthairs and longhairs. They are now pedigreed cats without tails.

In 1989, the International Cat Association accepted the American Bobtail into its new breed category, giving it full recognition in 2002. They were accepted for registration by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2000. This is the world's biggest registry of pedigreed cats.

You can’t really pin-point what the American Keuda looks like as it looks a lot like the Maus but it can also look like a Siamese cat or even others.

It is a medium-sized cat and can weigh up to 5 or 6kg while being very lithe and athletic. The head of the cat is medium-sized, the ears medium-large, the eyes almond-shaped, and the tail is slightly tapered.

An unusual aspect with this cat is its belly flap – loose skin that flaps at each elbow. The head is wedge-shaped, it has almond-shaped eyes, large ears and the fur is soft and silky and in a variety of patterns as well as solid colors. The coat is short to medium in length and there is no undercoat.

Temperament:

American Keudas are just your regular cat in personality - active, adaptable, inquisitive, and intelligent while being strong and agile.

They are also adaptable and social, getting along well with children as well as other pets in the home. It is also quite unusual in that it likes playing with water. They are also playful and love running, jumping and climbing and indoors it will want a climbing cat tree.

The American Bobtail is a cat that came about in the 1960s. It is well know as the cat with a bobbed tail. It’s not as vocal as many other cat breeds. It’s not a slender cat but is sturdy and and strong weighing between 3 and 7kg. Their double coats can be short- or long-haired. The coat comes in different patterns and colors, including orange, cream, black, brown, chocolate etc with a shaggy texture. He sheds quite a bit. The body of the American Bobtail is faily long. Its ears are medium-sized and wide-based with rounded tips, the eyes are almond shape. The eyes can be gold, yellow, green or blue. What is interesting is that the hind legs are much longer than the fore legs, and the feet are round.

Tmperament:

Bobtails are friendly cats, enjoying being in the company of their human family as well as with strangers. They are loving and affectionate to the entire family as opposed to just one person.

They’re quiet cats but will chirp when happy and excited. They get on well with all members of their human family and that includes children and the dogs.

They’re intelligent cats too and they can be taught to walk on a leash and to also perform some tricks. There are some people who say that their Bobtails act more like dogs than cats. These cats are sensitive and can sense when their owners are happy or sad and will come and sit with you when you're feeling sad and alone.

The beauty of American Keuda cats is that they are no-fuss cats and they are energetic, amicable, social, and playful and they make wonderful companions.

They are also fond of water and can even strike up a friendship with your dog. By bringing a Keuda into your home you can rely on a steady, loving friendship with your feline friend.

Many people want a dog as a pet but aren’t able to keep one and then the American Bobtail becomes the ideal alternative. These cats aren’t known for their solitary personalities like the many other cats there are and they genuinely love to spend time with their human family. Some will even behave like a dog and be there to meet you at the door when you arrive home.

He is a fairly large, amicable cat and is affectionate and adaptable to your lifestyle. He enjoys all kinds of lifestyles and loves to curl up next to you on your travels, being the perfect road trip companion.

The American Bobtail is a therapeutic cat and is sensitive to the moods of its human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the family and just wants to be a family member.

By bringing an American Bobtail into your home and your heart, you’ll have discovered the most wonderful feline companion there is.

Thes cats enjoy good health and live to be 15 years of age or older even. You just have to watch out for him as they have no undercoats and it’s not a cat to do well in the cold.

Whenever you buy a cat for the first time, try and find out about vaccines and previous conditions that might require special treatment.

Healthy kittens and cats are always alert and energetic with shiny coats and clear eyes.

Dental disease is quite common in cats, and it is always a good idea to have your pet’s teeth checked by your vet. Signs of pain with dental problems can include lethargy, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, and reduced appetite. Get your cat immediately to the vet if you suspect problems with his teeth.

Neutering and spaying are imperative if you don’t want your pet to have kittens. It’s a simple operation for your pet and it comes with many health benefits for your cat. You don’t want your female cat having kittens as there are just already so many stray cats in shelters. Spaying and neutering mellows a cat too, makes them less prone to wandering, spraying, and fighting.

Make sure you have your American Keuda vaccinated against the many cat diseases that there are. Vaccinations are available against feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus, cat flu and feline leukemia virus, a disease that damages the cat’s immune system. Kittens require their first vaccine at around 8 weeks of age.

When you buy a kitten from a breeder, always do research on the breeder so as to avoid a host of health issues down the line.

Apart from the typical cat health problems, the Bobtail is a healthy breed of cat. With proper care from you at home as well as veterinary care, these interesting looking cats can live up to anything between 12 and 20 years.

Every cat needs to be fed a complete, balanced high-in-protein food. There are heaps of different brands of cat food on the market - wet and dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended amounts. If in any doubt about what to feed your cat, speak to your vet. Every cat needs a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise and play:

Both young and older cats love to play so ensure you provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as things such as climbing trees and a scratching post. Cats enjoy a high-up place where they can feel safe and view their surroundings from a height.

Sleeping area:

Cats spend many hours a day sleeping and you need to provide your cat with a warm, dry, comfortable, quiet place to rest. There are many cat beds available, but if you don’t have one, a cardboard box with one side removed and a soft cushion or blanket will do.

Litter box:

Invest in a litter box for your cat to do his business in and keep it in a safe, quiet place where your cat can ‘toilet’ in peace and quiet. These should be placed away from the food and water bowls. Make sure to keep a small plastic rake close by and rake up the cat droppings regularly to ensure the litter tray is nice and clean.

Grooming:

Your American Keuda is a short-haired cat but you want to brush the fur gently at least once a week. Grooming also provides you and your cat with some valuable bonding time.

Microchipping:

Provide your cat with a collar to show everyone that he is yours. Also, have your cat microchipped – a tiny chip that carries your pet’s unique ID number and which is inserted safely and gently under the cat's skin.

Parasites:

Have your cat treated and free from parasites such as ticks, fleas, and worms. Speak to your vet about this.

Keep a close eye on your cat’s weight.

Keep the litter box of your Bobtail scrupulously clean.

Your American Bobtail needs the best quality food there is full of vitamins and minerals if he is to remain healthy. The cat’s diet will depend a lot on his activity levels and general health, but it should always be high protein food. Your vet will always help you with some guidelines on feeding your cat.

Every cat needs exercise, and even though these cats aren’t as energetic as other cats, they are active indoors and out and are also playful. You will need to provide it with some puzzle toys and a climbing tree to keep him mentally and physically active.

Brush his medium-length fur twice a week to keep it shiny and silky.

Trim his nails carefully and check his eyes and inside his ears for abnormal discharges.

Vaccinate your cat to keep it protected from life-threatening cat diseases and take him to the vet immediately you suspect something is wrong.