Curing Boredom in Cats

I've often been asked if I think cats get bored. I can understand the question. They seem so aloof and independent that it seems only natural that they would be able to entertain themselves. And to a large extent, they can. But cats still can get bored.

What is the source of boredom in cats? The answer is a little complicated. Cats sleep much of the day. As they sleep, they build up energy. At some point, this energy needs to be worked off. In addition, cats are natural predators. They are designed to hunt, and hunting helps to burn off all that pent-up energy. If your cat's not hunting, she might get bored.

There's still another trait that most cats share that can contribute to boredom. Cats, for the most part, love attention even when they don't show it. So if your cat spends a great deal of time home alone, expect that your cat will be facing long stretches of boredom.

You can help to ward off boredom in your cat. Start by setting adie 10 minutes each day to play with your cat. Your cat will appreciate it and you'll have fun too. Also consider providing your cat with a selection of safe cat toys. Have 4 or 5 toys laying around the house for her to play with. Every 2 weeks or so, rotate toys, bringing out 4 or 5 new toys and hiding the old ones. This will help keep your cat interested, and those old toys will be treated like new again the next time you bring them out.

Bored cats can get into trouble looking for something entertaining to do. So take a few minutes every days to make sure you're providing your cat with enough entertainment and stimulation to ward off boredom.

Hybrid Cat Breed Facts: Marlot

The 20th century has seen many different hybrid cat breeds. A hybrid is defined as a cat whose parents are of two different, but established breeds. The resulting offspring, while not a true breed unto themselves, are unique enough to be given their own name. One of these hybrids, the Marlot, is the result of crossing an ocelot female with a Margay male.

In August of 1976, the Long Island Ocelot Club Newsletter announced the birth of a male kitten into the family of Barbara Brocks. This kitten, with an ocelot mother and a Margay father, was called a Marlot. The parents, both of whom were approximately three and a half years old, were bred in captivity.

A few months later, in February of 1977, a second kitten was announced, a little girl named Precious. She was a vocal little girl with a slick spotted coat. She resembled both parents with rosettes that were dark like a Margay. Her golden coat also seemed to come from her Margay father, but she certainly had the ocelot tail and pink nose. Brocks mentioned another Marlot kitten, Baby, in 1980. It is assumed that there were other kittens, though this hasn’t been confirmed.

The Marlot is a breed typically only known to cat breeders. It is quite rare, and also quite expensive. Very few people have seen one in person, and there aren’t many pictures around, so most people don’t even know what they look like. Marlots are typically sandy in color with a brown marbled pattern. In fact, they look a little like Bengals, but more wild and with more variation in markings, due to their hybrid nature.

With a stripped pattern on the legs and tail, the Marlot could be said to have a tabby appearance. The spots on the main body as well as the general facial structure resemble the Margay parent, though the body seems more like an ocelot. The coat has a wonderful shine, and the entire cat is built for jumping.

As a pet, these cats are very much like their wild ancestors. They are playful and mischievous, and inclined to get into trouble. If left to their own devices, they will climb and jump to the highest places, and tend to knock things over. This isn’t because they’re clumsy. They simply enjoy the pleasure of it.

Marlots are highly clever. They are the type of cat that can figure out how to open a locked cupboard just to get to the food you left in there. Because Marlots are the descendants of wild cats, they require a great deal of socialization as kittens. If you choose to purchase one of these unique cats, you should be prepared to spend a great deal of time with your new family member.

Because of their rarity, information regarding Marlots is limited. Though it is certain that breeders have continued to cross the Margay with the ocelot, it is impossible to estimate just how many of these cats have been bred since the 1970s. It is not even certain that this was the first time these breeds were crossed. Despite their rarity, their unique look and attitude make this hybrid breed an attractive prospect for the cat lover looking for a loving companion.

Amur Leopards Face Extinction

With only 30-35 individuals left in the wild, the Amur Leopard is the world’s most endangered cat of any size. On the brink of extinction, this beautiful cat, known by the scientific name panthera pardus orientalis, is one of the eight subspecies of leopards that range across Africa and Asia. Far only in Far Western Russia and North East China, this cat faces multiple threats, including a decrease in habitat and poaching. Though efforts are underway to save this magnificent creature, the Amur Leopard has been labeled as critically endangered by The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and success is far from assured.

Threats to the Amur Leopard

Loss of habitat can be considered to be the greatest threat to the Amur Leopard. The natural territory of these cats is limited to a stretch of land along the Russia-China border. In recent years, this area has been invaded by developers, loggers, and other humans. This drastically reduces the area in which the Amur Leopards can thrive.

Development, however, is not the only source of danger to the habitat of the Amur Leopard. Habitat loss is also due to forest fires. Some of these fires are naturally occurring, and as such are a part of nature. But a great many of these fires are started by humans, either accidentally or as a method of clearing land. This practice greatly endangers the Amur Leopard.

The decline in numbers have force wild leopards to inbreed in order to survive. Due to this, the Amur Leopards left in the wild have weaker genes than previous generations. Weaker genes mean that each leopard is more susceptible to illness and disease, leading to premature death.

The striking coat of the Amur Leopard is a prime target for poachers. Though illegal to sell, on the black market, the pelt of an adult Amur Leopard is worth a great deal of money. The financial incentive is usually all an unscrupulous poacher needs to justify the elimination of an endangered species. Add to that the local farmers, many of whom are only trying to protect their livestock, and the hunting of the Amur Leopard will quickly lead to extinction.

What is Being Done to Save the Amur Leopard?

There are approximately 300 Amur Leopards currently in captivity around the world. Most of these are located in zoos and conservation centers in North America, Europe, and Eastern Asia. For the most part, these zoos and centers are participating in breeding programs designed to increase the numbers of Amur Leopards, with the hopes of reintroducing them into the wild.

In addition to this long-term plan, there are already measures in place to attempt to protect the Amur Leopard. Anti-poaching efforts are currently underway in both Russia and China. There is also compensation offered to livestock owners who have lost members of their herds to tigers or leopards. This program has reduced the deaths of Amur Leopards due to local farmers.

Efforts are also being made to protect the habitat of the Amur Leopard. Nature reserves are being established, fire-fighting efforts have been increased, and local governments are being made aware of the consequences of developing the land the Amur Leopard needs to survive. All of this is being done in the hope of preserving the Amur Leopard for future generations.

The Amur Leopard is critically endangered. Though human activity is largely responsible for this, human intervention is necessary to the survival of this majestic species. Without this intervention, the Amur Leopard will not be around for future generations to enjoy.

The Difference Between Ragdolls and Ragamuffins

Ragdolls and Ragamuffins are breeds of cat that share many common traits. They are both loving and sweet, very large in size, with long silky hair. Sophisticated breeds, neither the Ragamuffin nor the Ragdoll have any known genetic health problems. They even share common origins. There are some who contend that Ragamuffins are really just a variation of the Ragdoll, and not a distinct breed at all. However, many associations and federations throughout the world accept both breeds for registration. But defining their differences remains difficult, and is best done by first looking at each individual breed.

The Ragdoll and Its Characteristics

Ragdolls are one of the largest of domesticated cat breeds, with males weighing from 15-20 pounds, though some may weigh as much as 25 pounds. These cats are very distinctive, both in coloring and personality. They are intelligent, loyal, loving, and fairly easy to handle. Their docile temperament makes them ideal companions for the elderly and small children. Some Ragdolls, though certainly not all, go limp when lifted, rather like a ragdoll. This is where the name comes from.

All Ragdolls must have blue eyes. Their coats, however, come in several different colors. Cats may be seal, flame, blue, chocolate, cream or lilac in color. Though color begins to development from eight to ten weeks, it can take up to four years for adult cats to truly mature.

Despite the variety of accepted colors, there are only three distinct patterns that are acceptable in competition. These three patterns are: Bicolor, Colorpoint, and Mitted. Any other pattern is ground for penalty or even disqualification in the show ring.

The Ragamuffin and Its Characteristics

The Ragamuffin developed from the Ragdoll. They too are large and loving, and fairly laid back. Breeders tend to focus on a sociable personality, breeding those cats which appear intelligent, sweet, playful, and people-oriented. They love to climb and scratch, and can be easily taught to fetch a favorite toy. However, they tend to have mood swings, having periods of grouchiness throughout the day. This is not to say that they do not make wonderful companions, but they certain have a personality all their own.

Ragamuffins have longer hair than Ragdolls, and their skulls tend to be slightly rounded. Also, their noses are shorter and scooped, lacking the gentle curves possessed by Ragdolls. Finally, Ragamuffins may come in a variety of colors and patterns, and may have eyes of any color, or even bicolored eyes.

Not all associations and federations accept the Ragamuffin for competition, though the Ragdoll is accepted by almost all associations throughout the world. However, the Ragamuffin is accepted by both the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF), and so it is certainly a legitimate breed.

Both breeds love to play and make enjoyable companions for both young and old alike. Almost dog-like in their desire to be with people, they can be taught multiple tricks, and usually come when called. Either the Ragdoll or the Ragamuffin would make a perfect pet or show animal.