LaPerm Cats: Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever seen a cat with curly hair and wondered what breed it is? The answer may very well be a LaPerm! These medium-sized cats with their distinct curly coats and almond-shaped eyes are known for their affectionate and playful demeanor.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about LaPerm cats from their physical characteristics, temperament, living needs, care, and health to their fascinating history. Let’s dive in!
Physical Characteristics
LaPerm cats are easily recognizable for their curly coats, which resemble that of a perm. While not completely hairless like the Sphynx, LaPerms often have a short and curly coat that can be either wavy or tight spirals.
Their coats come in various colors and patterns, including tabby, solid, and tortoiseshell. Apart from their curly coats, LaPerms have almond-shaped eyes that come in shades of green, blue, yellow, or gold.
Their ears are medium in size and positioned lower on their heads. LaPerms also have a well-proportioned, muscular physique and a broad chest.
Temperament
LaPerm cats are incredibly affectionate and loving towards their human families. They enjoy spending time in their owners’ laps and are playful and active, making them the perfect lap cats.
LaPerms are intelligent and curious creatures, and they love interacting with their owners. These cats are known to be people-oriented and are great with children and other pets.
Their playful and energetic personality makes them a joy to have around, and they are always up for a good game of fetch.
Living Needs
LaPerm cats are adaptable and well suited to indoor living. However, they do need ample space to play and explore, so it’s essential to provide them with tall cat trees and plenty of toys to keep them entertained.
LaPerms are also social cats and do not like being alone for extended periods. Therefore, it’s best to ensure that someone is always around to keep them company.
They are also talkative cats and love to make their opinions known about everything!
While LaPerms are low-maintenance cats when it comes to grooming, they do require mental stimulation and exercise to keep them happy and healthy. LaPerms need regular playtime and interactive toys to satisfy their curiosity and intelligence, so make sure you set aside time for daily play sessions.
Care
LaPerms have a naturally curly coat that does not mat or tangle easily. However, it is recommended to comb their fur weekly to keep it shiny and healthy.
An occasional bath with a gentle shampoo can help remove any dirt or debris from their coat. LaPerms also require regular ear cleaning and nail trimming.
Finally, it’s essential to keep their litter boxes clean as they can be particular about using a dirty one.
Health
Overall, LaPerm cats are healthy and have an average lifespan of 10-15 years. However, like all cat breeds, they are susceptible to certain health conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart condition, and polycystic kidney disease.
It’s essential to take your LaPerm for routine veterinary checkups, and it’s also recommended to have them undergo genetic health testing to rule out any potential inherited health issues.
History
LaPerm cats are a relatively new breed that originated from a genetic mutation found in a barn cat in Oregon during the early 1980s. The cat, named Curly, had a unique curly coat, much like that of a perm, and a tabby pattern.
After Curly’s litter was born with similar curly coats, breeders began selectively breeding these cats. Over time, more curly-coated kittens were born, and the LaPerm breed type was established.
In 1995, the LaPerm received formal recognition as a new breed, and the name LaPerm was chosen to reflect the breed’s curly hair. Since then, the popularity of LaPerms has grown, with more breeders working towards increasing their numbers and refining their breeding standards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LaPerm cats are affectionate, playful, and low-maintenance cats that make a perfect addition to any family. With their unique curly coats, almond-shaped eyes, and charming nature, they are sure to steal your heart.
Remember to always provide them with plenty of love, care and to take your LaPerm to regular vet checkups to ensure a healthy, happy life. LaPerm Cats: Everything You Need to Know PLUS Fun Facts
LaPerm cats are fascinating feline creatures that have unique physical characteristics, a loving temperament, and specific living needs.
But did you know that there are many fun facts and unique traits about this breed that you may not have known before? In this article, we’ll dive deeper into some of the most interesting and fun facts about LaPerm cats.
1. LaPerm cats are a relatively new breed.
As we mentioned in the initial article, LaPerms are a relatively new breed that originated in Oregon during the early 1980s. While other cat breeds have been around for hundreds of years, LaPerms are still considered one of the newer cat breeds.
2. LaPerm cats have a unique and interesting coat.
There is no doubt that LaPerms have a unique and distinctive coat. One of the most unique aspects of their coat is that it is hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause allergic reactions in humans.
This is due to the fewer allergens found in the cat’s saliva, which are spread around while grooming. 3.
LaPerm cats have friendly and affectionate personalities. One of the most charming traits of LaPerm cats is their loving and friendly personalities.
They love being around people and other pets, and they are very social cats. They enjoy spending time in their owner’s lap and love to cuddle, making them an ideal lap cat.
4. They are intelligent and curious cats.
LaPerms are not only affectionate but also highly intelligent and curious cats. They enjoy playing games and solving puzzles to keep their active minds engaged.
5. LaPerm cats are vocal cats.
LaPerms are known to be very vocal cats, and they love to communicate with their owners. They will often meow, chirp, or trill to express their opinions and emotions.
6. They are active cats.
Despite their loving and affectionate nature, LaPerm cats are also very active and enjoy playing. They love to run and climb and need plenty of exercise to keep them healthy and happy.
7. LaPerms come in various patterns and colors.
LaPerm’s curl coats come in many different patterns and colors, including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, and more. 8.
Their name means “curly”. The name LaPerm comes from the French word “La” which means “the” and “perm” which of course refers to the cat’s curly coat.
9. There are two types of LaPerm coats.
While most LaPerms have curly coats, some have a straight coat that can appear at birth and eventually develops into waves or loose curls. These straight-coated LaPerms are known as “LaPerm Variants” and are just as loving and affectionate as their curly-coated counterparts.
10. LaPerm cats do not shed as much as other breeds.
LaPerms are not known to be heavy shedders, making them easier to care for in this regard. In summary, LaPerm cats are unique, intelligent, and affectionate feline creatures that are loved by their owners.
With their hypoallergenic coats, loving and friendly personalities, and unique appearance, it’s no wonder that they’ve grown in popularity over the last few decades. As you can see from these fun facts, there’s much more to learn about these fascinating cats, so don’t be too surprised if you fall in love with this breed and find yourself adopting one of your own.
LaPerm cats are a unique breed of feline that has a lot to offer as pets. From their distinctive curly coats and loving temperament to their active and curious nature, LaPerms are a popular choice for many cat lovers.
As a relatively new breed, LaPerms continue to gain popularity, and owners need to provide them with proper care, mental stimulation, and routine veterinary checkups. Overall, LaPerm cats are a wonderful addition to any family and are sure to steal your heart.