Playful Kitty Puzzle: Cat Breeds II

Saturday is Puzzle Day!

Today’s word search highlights 18 different breeds of cat! We love all kitties here at Playful Kitty. Come and play our game with us!

To play choose one of these options:

1. Click on the image of the puzzle and print it from your browser.
2. Right click on the image. Select “Save As” and save the image to your computer. Print as an image or place it onto a word document to print it.
3. Download the PDF version of the puzzle and print from Adobe Acrobat. Click the following link to use the PDF version: Cat Breeds II Word Search.pdf

Want the Answers?

Just send us an email at robinsplayfulkittles@hotmail.com with the subject line “Cat Breeds II” and we’ll send you the answer key.  🙂

Playful Kitty Puzzle: Cat Breeds

It’s Saturday again and Playful Kitty wants to play!

Playful Kitty has created a word search based on the kitties we all love! The words you will be looking for in this word search are all the names of different breeds of cats. To play choose one of these options:

1. Click on the image of the puzzle and print it from your browser.
2. Right click on the image. Select “Save As” and save the image to your computer. Print as an image or place it onto a word document to print it.
3. Download the PDF version of the puzzle and print from Adobe Acrobat. Click the following link to use the PDF version: Cat Breeds Word Search.pdf

Want the answers?

Just send an email with the subject line “Answers to Cat Breeds” to  robinsplayfulkitties@hotmail.com .

Cat Breeds: The American Curl

Photo courtesy of CFA.org

It all started one hot summer day in 1981 when two stray black cats ended up on the Ruga’s door.  One of the cats quickly disappeared back to its life on the streets, but the other stayed and was given the name Shulamith (which is Hebrew for “black but comely). Grace Ruga loved the cat’s funny ears and after some advice from her sister (who breeds dogs) she decided to breed Shulamith and pursue formal recognition for the breed. Famed feline geneticist, Roy Robinson, confirmed that the gene that causes the curly ears was in fact a dominant gene and that the breed did not have any inherent health issues. Remarkably, by 1991 the American Curl was beginning to be recognized by the leading cat fancier associations.

 “They are not just ‘decorator’ cats. You might say that they are ‘designer’ cats, perhaps even signed masterpieces of a humor-loving Creator.” – Grace Ruga

Photo courtesy of CFA.org

The American Curl’s most iconic feature is its back-turned whimsical ears. These ears are made of hard cartilage just like a human ear. American Curl kittens are born with straight ears which begin to curl around 5 days old, but do not have their permanent curl until around 16 weeks of age. The curl can be almost straight, but show cats have a curl of 90º – 180º. An American Curl can be disqualified in competition for having ear that curl back so far that they touch the back of the head.

Curly ears are not the only hallmark of the American Curl. They are also known for their silky, flat-laying coat, which can be found in both long and short-haired varieties as well as in many patterns. There is very little undercoat to the American Curl’s coat so they shed very little and don’t need much grooming.  The American Curl reaches maturity at 2-3 years of age and has a medium-sized body and walnut shaped eyes

The Peter Pan of Cats

Photo courtesy of TICA.org

Fondly known as the Peter Pan of cats, the American Curl maintains its kitten-like playfulness all of its life. These cats are dog-like, energetic, curious, and they easily learn to play fetch. Not very vocal, these cats express themselves in soft voices and with gentle cooing sounds. They are very social and love to interact with humans. American Curl cats love to be around their owners and will follow them around the house. These cats  are not fond of being left alone for long periods of time. They get along great with children, but as always when working with animals, they should be supervised with babies and toddlers who may play a little too rough. Pulling on the American Curl’s unique ears may cause the hard cartilage to break.  On average, the American Curl is a healthy cat that will live 13 year or more.

Cat Allergies 101

What Causes Cat Allergies?

The most common cause of cat allergies is a protein called Fel d 1 which is found in the cat’s saliva, urine, and other bodily secretions. When a cat grooms itself by licking its fur, Fel d 1 is transferred onto the cat’s skin where it dries into tiny little flakes called dander. The dander flakes off of the cat when dry skin flakes off and it sticks to other surfaces. Cat dander is very “sticky” and will remain on surfaces for a long period of time. Unneutered male cats are know to produce more Fel d 1 and can cause more reactions because they use it in their territorial markings. Of pollens and other animal danders, cat dander is the smallest particle. The small size of the particle allows it to remain airborne for 30 minutes or more once it is disturbed.

Note: If you think you might be allergic to cats, get tested by your doctor. Sometimes people who believe they are allergic to cats are actually allergic to allergens their outdoor cat brings into the home on its fur.

 The Solutions to Cat Allergies

Unfortunately, many cats find themselves homeless because doctors tell people they have to get rid of their cat in order to have relief from their allergies. There are several allergists (and pet owners with allergies) that say that you don’t have to give up your cat. Before you decide to give Fluffy the boot, check out the following solutions.

 Solution #1: Take steps to make your home more “allergy friendly.”

• Designate the bedroom of the allergic person as a “Cat Free Zone.” Always keep the door to this room shut. This will help you to be able to keep the person’s bed and clothing dander free.
• Get an air purifier. If you can afford it, get a commercial sized air purifier that can filter the whole house. Air Purifiers will help to eliminate the cat dander that is swirling around in the air in your home.
• Vacuum frequently. Vacuuming will help to keep cat dander from building up in your carpets and rugs.
• Switch from upholstered furniture to furniture with easier to clean surfaces. A leather sofa will be easier to keep dander free than an overstuffed material couch. Wood floors don’t build up the dander that carpet does. Venetian blinds don’t trap airborne dander the way that drapes do.
• Have a non-allergic person clean the litter box. If a non-allergic person is not available, buy a pollen mask to wear while you clean the litter box. Pour the litter slowly so that it doesn’t send a bunch of dust in the air. Use regular clay litter (no fragrances) that is dust free if possible.
• Bathe the cat every 6 weeks or so. Sound like a horrible experience? There are wipes that can be used on the cat to reduce dander. Make sure to use conditioners that reduce shedding and dry skin. Brushing the cat daily can also help to keep dander from building up.
• Keep the cat indoors. Outdoor cats pick up pollens and other allergens on their fur and track them back into your home. Allergies to these substances are sometimes mistaken for cat allergies.
• Keep and eye on the temperature regulation of your home. If it is a baby in your home that is allergic to cats, sudden changes in temperature can make their little immune systems more susceptible to allergy attacks.

Solution #2: Cat Allergy Medications

• Over the counter antihistamines and
  econgestants. These work well for the temporary relief of mild to moderate allergy symptoms. Some examples of antihistamines are Benadryl, Tylenol Allergy, and the over-the-counter versions of Zyrtec and Claritin. Sudafed, Sudafed PE, and Afrin are all examples of decongestants.
• Prescription medications. If over-the-counter medications aren’t doing the trick, talk to your doctor about prescription allergy medications.
• Allergy shots. This is another option available to you through your doctor A series of these shots can help your immune system to “get used to” the allergens.
• Homeopathic allergy remedies. If you would like to stay away from pharmaceuticals, some people say that things like Vitamin C and Eucalyptus are helpful. One homeopathic concoction that gets good reviews is bioAllers.

 Solution #3: Hypoallergenic Cats

Hypoallergenic Cat from Allerca

 Note: This is a HIGHLY controversial topic. Allergists maintain that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.

• Choose a hypoallergenic breed. Some breeders say that certain breeds of cat cause less allergic reactions than others. There are differing explanations for this like that certain breeds of cat produce less Fel d 1, some cats shed less and therefore do not spread Fel d 1 as easily, and those that have less saliva in general. Breeds commonly listed in this grouping include the Russian Blue, Sphynx, Siamese, Balinese, and more.
• Genetically divergent cats from Allerca. Allerca claims to have bred the world’s first truly hypoallergenic cat. They say that through breeding genetically divergent cats who naturally have less Fel d 1, they have made a breed of cat that does not have the usual form of Fel d 1 in their genes. These hypoallergenic cats start at $6,950 and go as high as $27,950. Before you start taking out your check book, please click the link below to watch a video made by ABC News about Allerca.
  http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/case-hypoallergenic-cat-19695208
• Wait for a genetically modified cat from Felix Pets. This is another company trying to create hypoallergenic cats. This company however is actually removing the Fel d 1 gene from a cat’s DNA before implanting the embryo into a female cat. They say that creating this breed of animal is difficult and may take some time.