Description
Size: 8-10 pounds
Their curly coats, which are frequently a mixture of gentle waves and springy curls that resemble the perm hairstyle worn by people (thus the name) distinguish LaPerm cats. The majority of LaPerms have loose waves on the rest of the body and tight ringlets of hair close to the stomach, neck, and ears. Although the LaPerm is not actually linked to the Devon rex or Cornish rex, the genetic mutation present in rex breeds is what gave rise to their distinctive coats.
Origin and History
Despite the relatively short lifespan of the LaPerm, its history is fascinating. Owners of a brown tabby barn cat named Speedy observed an intriguing characteristic in one of its six kittens in 1982 in a cherry orchard in The Dalles, Oregon: It was completely bald, unlike its velvety, brown siblings. Additionally, despite its diminutive size, it possessed a lengthy body.
The kitten began to develop smooth, wavy hair all over its body after about eight weeks. Its name was Curly, which is hardly surprising. Curly gave birth to a litter of five tabby kittens after maturing and the owners getting to know its gentle, docile disposition. Those kittens were also born absolutely bald, but a few months later they began to grow lovely, curling coats.
The number of curly-haired kittens climbed significantly during the following ten years because Curly’s owners, Linda and Richard Koehl, failed to monitor her breeding or keep track of any of the litters she sired.
Six of Linda’s cats with curly hair were entered into a Portland, Oregon Cat Fanciers’ Association show in 1992. Linda registered LaPerm because the cats’ coats give the impression that they have a constant wave because the show required a breed name for registration. After the event, Linda began a controlled breeding programme to better monitor the growth of LaPerm cats and to win approval from the biggest cat associations in the world.
Behavior
Activity Level: high
Social Needs: LaPerms are sweet and gentle and affectionate to their owners.
LaPerm is a loving, calm cat that adores cuddling with people. This breed will take every opportunity to join you on the couch for a cuddle, and they’ll purr heartily to show it. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, these affectionate cats frequently reach out to brush your face with their paws and nuzzle their heads against yours to express their devotion.
The LaPerm Cat Club’s secretary, Carol Evans, claims that LaPerms are often house cats who adore spending time with their owners. They are curious, enjoy being active, and adore physical contact (some don’t so much, although this is rare). They are pretty peaceful and laid back, and they will approach people rather than flee.”
As Pet
Diet and Nutrition
Your LaPerm needs a diet that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in fat, just like all cats do. The best approach to keep your cat healthy is to feed it premium cat chow that is made for its age. But watch out for overeating. Some cats control their food consumption to keep their weight in check, but others eat until the bowl is empty and risk getting overweight, which is harmful for their health. The majority of adult cats thrive on two meals every day. Kittens require more frequent, but smaller-sized meals. Your cat can eat only canned food, only kibble, or a combination of the two.
Although occasional treats are enjoyable for both you and your cat, don’t allow them account for a large portion of their daily caloric intake. As a very basic guideline, a healthy adult cat weighing 10 pounds needs about 250 calories daily.
Grooming
LaPerms don’t shed much, but they are not fully hypoallergenic cats because of their thin undercoat and curly hair, which tends to stay to the body rather than fall to the ground. By giving your cat a frequent brushing, you can further reduce shedding. Even among the long-haired LaPerms, mats and tangles are uncommon, but if they do happen, carefully comb them out with a slicker brush or comb.
If the curls in your LaPerm need a boost, lightly sprinkle the coat with water from a spray bottle and twist the curls with your hands to create wave and promote additional curls. Dental care is crucial for all cats and can aid in halting the progression of periodontal disease. Although weekly brushing can still provide some protection, daily brushing is usually preferred.
Regularly inspect your LaPerm’s ears, and use a soft cotton towel to gently wipe away any dirt or debris. Get your cat’s ears checked out by your veterinarian right away if they are unusually unclean, red, inflamed, or odorous. These might indicate an infection or wound.
The LaPerm requires more exercise than some other cat breeds because they are descended from extremely active farm cats. When you don’t have time for one-on-one encounters, you can keep your cat entertained with cat toys like crinkle balls, catnip mice, ribbon-wand “cat dancers,” or electronic cat toys. Games like fetch might be very enjoyable for your cat because LaPerms like chasing.
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