MyCatBreeds
Both LaPerm and American Shorthair are originated from United States. Both LaPerm and American Shorthair are of same weight. LaPerm may live 5 years less than American Shorthair. Both LaPerm and American Shorthair has same litter size. Both LaPerm and American Shorthair requires Low maintenance.
The LaPerm cat hails from the United States of America but you’ll find him in many other countries around the world.
The cat has a dominant gene which results in the unusual curly coat of the cat. This means he is part of the rex breed. This is a term given for the naturally occurring genetic mutation that gives the cat its wavy coat.
It’s not an old cat breed this and it seems to have come about in the early 1980s for the purposes of controlling rodents. The breed founders were Linda and Richard Koehl from Oregon. They started a formal breeding program and the breed was named after their curly coat.
After the cats got the name LaPerm, it was in 2002 that they got recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association.
Often sailors of old would keep cats onboard to protect their stores from mice and rats, and so it was when settlers sailed from Europe to North America.
They had cats onboard and once onshore they interbred. But in the 20th century, a selective breeding program began to bring out the best qualities of these cats.
The American Shorthair is one of these cats – a pedigreed cat that is accepted by all North American cat registries. At first, the cat was known as the Domestic Shorthair but it was renamed in 1966.
The LaPerm is a medium-sized cat that can weigh anything between 3 and 7kg. They’ve got an athletic build. The legs and the neck are fairly long.
It is thought that they are more hypoallergenic than many other cats but no cat is truly hypoallergenic. The coat is the cat's most exceptional feature, with loose curls. The coat can be long or short. All colors and patterns are acceptable, with red, tabby, and tortoiseshell being more common.
There is no undercoat. The eyes of the cat are medium-sized and almond-shaped.
These are affectionate cats with an outgoing personality. He has a sense of humor so becomes an entertaining cat.
He gets on well with children in the home. People who have owned the cat describe him as clownish. He is playful and that means providing him with some interesting toys.
It’s an intelligent cat and learns to use his paws to open doors and tap you to take notice. He is also fairly active and will willingly retrieve small balls. He is gentle, loving, quiet, and affectionate towards his human family.
The American Shorthair is a large, sturdy cat with a round face and short ears. Their coats can come in many different patterns and colors. They shed so the fur will need to be brushed from time to time.
They stand at about 20 – 25cm in height and they weigh between 5 and 7kg.
The American Shorthairs are easy, no-fuss cats. They’re also low maintenance, healthy, amicable cats, ready to even be friends with strangers and your dogs.
He is an intelligent cat too so it will be important to provide him with toys that challenge him to think. These good-natured cats make perfect famiy companions.
The LaPerm cat is known for its loyal, loving personality. It’s a cat that thrives on being involved with its human family and can easily turn into a lap-cat.
They’re active and also intelligent, and will love you to play some games with him. He will become quite vocal when he demands your attention.
Provide him with a climbing tree as he is active and loves to climb where he can survey the room and decide which human being’s lap he has in mind.
The American Shorthair is a playful cat and is quite capable of amusing himself, but will welcome your games too. He’s a big cat so make sure he gets enough exercise to avoid him becoming obese.
He is a low maintenance cat and you don't have to be worrying about him too much as he just likes to get on with life. He loves being well-fed, getting your attention and lying in the sun.
This is one cat that doesn’t need a lot of attention so being easy to care for, independent, playful, and affectionate, you’re going to have one of a kind companion and friend.
La Perms are generally healthy cats. However, any cat owner needs to recognize the signs of some of the common cat illnesses there are.
Cancer, feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, and heartworm are all diseases that your healthy cat can at some time succumb too.
Keep an eye on your furry friend, and if he is lethargic and no longer his happy self, get him to the vet immediately for a check-up.
With good nutrition and a loving caring lifestyle, the American Shorthair can live to be 15 – 20 years of age and even longer.
Their flattish faces also make the American Shorthair prone to respiratory issues.
The LaPerm’s unusual coat is easy to care for as it isn’t a big shedder. You’d think that the curls would tangle but they don’t. You can gently comb or brush the curls once or twice a week. Just like with a human perm, you can mist the cat’s curls and comb and fluff them out with your fingers.
Cats are particularly prone to periodontal disease, so look into your cat’s mouth occasionally to see that the teeth are as they should be. Brushing the teeth can stress a cat out and make it miserable and the dry cat foods help to keep the teeth clean.
Pet groomers and the vet can check out the teeth for you and make sure they are in tip-top condition.
Make sure your cat’s eyes are clear and bright and free of discharge. Trim the nails as required – something the vet or the pet groomers can also do for you.
Provide your LaPerm with a litterbox and keep it spotlessly clean, ridding it regularly of the cat’s droppings.
Even though there are excellent commercial cat foods on the market, some cats develop finicky eating habits. Don’t start feeding your cat human foods and snacks to coax him to eat. It can cause a host of digestive problems.
Cats are carnivores and require foods high in protein to remain healthy. A veterinarian will need to examine your cat if he is refusing to eat and is losing weight.
Your American Shorthair will benefit greatly from regular brushing and he looks forward to this grooming period and being pampered by you for a few minutes.
It helps to remove the dead hair from his coat and this is important so that he doesn’t ingest the loose hair. While you’re brushing him, you can also run your fingers over him to make sure there are no unusual lumps. Anything odd or any sign of illness you should take your cat to see the vet immediately.
Make sure your American Shorthair has access to the best quality food there is. There are many commercially manufactured cat foods available and your vet can advise you on the best one to choose.
Cats are carnivores so aways choose food that is high in proten. Food must be provided in accordance with the cat’s age and energy levels. Certainly a generic cat or one with a medical condition will need a certain type of food than a young, frisky kitten. Make sure your cat always has access to fresh, cool water.
Make sure your furry feline friend has everything he needs to ensure he is comfortable. This includes feeding bowls, toys, a litter box, soft bedding, nutritious food as well as scratching post and climbing equipment.
Have your pet neutered or spayed if you don’t want kittens from your cat. These procedures have enormous health benefits for your pet and it prevents even more kittens coming into a world that already has far too many unwanted pets.
Make sure your cat is up to date with all his vaccines because without being vaccinated your cat can succumb to any one of the life-threatening cat illnesses there are. Kittens need to have their first vaccines at 8 weeks of age.
If you have to take your cat to the vet you need a carrier basket so that your cat feels comfortable and safe inside it.
You can’t just put your cat on a leash and take him to the vet as inside the car he will lurch around and cause you to lose attention. A transport box that is familiar to your cat will be the best way for you and your cat to travel.