Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair

The Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair has a peaceful and friendly personality. It is a very mobile and inquisitive cat that does not sit still. It will be a real hunter and fisherman. The pet becomes attached to the owner strongly and forever. The cat treats the whole family but always singles out one person.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The breed originated from wild cats inhabiting the Kuril islands of Kunashir and Iturup back in the 18th century. Its ancestors were Japanese bobtail and cats brought from the mainland. No one paid much attention to peculiar short-tailed cats. Only in the 1980s, Kurilian Bobtails started to be brought to Moscow. And breeding of the breed began even ten years later.

Representatives of the breed gained popularity in 1990. The Soviet Felinological Federation first adopted the standard of the Bobtails breed. It happened in October 1991. The World Cat Federation recognized the Bobtail four years later.

Appearance

Externally, the Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair resembles a wild cat. Representatives of the breed with a well-developed muscular body. The animals are compact but strong. The peculiarity of the Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair is a short tail with a lush pubescence. The chunky cat has a thick and thin coat.

Cats of this breed are much larger than cats and can be easily distinguished by their sex. The shape of the pet’s head is triangular, with rounded outlines. The muzzle is wide; the contour lines are smooth. The Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair has a flat forehead and no protruding chin. The oval eyes stand slightly slanted. In color, there are yellow, green, blue. The ears are medium-sized, set high, and wide. The cat’s limbs are strong and muscular, and the paws are round.

Character

The Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair has a peaceful and friendly personality. It is a very mobile and inquisitive cat that does not sit still. It will be a real hunter and fisherman. The pet becomes attached to the owner strongly and forever. The cat treats the whole family but always singles out one person.

The playful bobtail is very good with babies. He will never hiss at a child or release his claws. It also gets along well with other animals. The exception will be small rodents and birds. The pet of this breed is sociable, loves to mew, and more.

Care

Despite its freedom-loving temperament, the Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair lives well in a city apartment. However, a country house with a garden looks preferable. There the pet will be able to release its energy to the full.

A short cat’s coat does not require special care. Comb it once a week with a metal brush. Bobtails like water procedures, but you should bathe them rarely. Do it no more often than once every three months. Also, keep an eye on the health of the pet’s ears and eyes. Wipe them with a special lotion. Buy a brush and toothpaste for brushing the cat’s teeth. Another important point is to arrange the bobtail’s personal space. Construct a house for him to rest on, and buy a litter box and a tall scratching post.

Education

An intelligent cat is easy to train. It is better to start training from an early age and immediately define the limits of the permitted. Your pet should see you as a leader. But do not go over the top, shouting and abuse will not help. You can teach the Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair to bring prey, to stand on two paws, and other tricks.

The main thing is to choose the right moment for training. The cat should not be tired and sleepy. Say commands clearly, and motivate your cat with a tasty meal for success. Do not drag out the training process for too long. Ten minutes per session is enough.

Common Diseases

Representatives of this breed have a strong immune system. They are resistant to cold and are not predisposed to genetic abnormalities. As they age, there is a risk of the following diseases:

• metabolic disorder;
• vision problems;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• urolithiasis.

Vaccinate and deworm regularly to avoid problems. Also, get your pet a special collar against fleas and other parasites. Once every six months, take your bobtail to the vet.

Nutrition

The cat’s diet must be balanced. Its basis is usually lean meat: chicken, beef, turkey. Before consumption, the products should be thawed and boiled. It is not bad for a bobtail to eat solid food. For this purpose, he can chew on cartilage or chicken stomachs.

Supplement the cat’s diet with porridge and fermented dairy products. Do not forget about the need for vegetables and greens in the cat’s diet. The Kurilian Bobtail Shorthair can also be fed with professional premium food.