American Curl

If you’re a cat lover, the American Curl may be familiar to you. This endearing breed stands out thanks to its unusual backward-curling ears, which give them a cute and unusual appearance. But these cats are much more than just pretty faces. Their affectionate disposition and lively personalities make them wonderful friends.

The American Curl was first identified in California in the early 1980s after a couple noticed a stray kitten with curled ears. They made the decision to breed her, and soon cat lovers were clamoring for this peculiar feature. The breed became well-known very soon and is now beloved all over the world.

In addition to being adorable, American curls are renowned for being gregarious and outgoing. They frequently follow their owners around the house because they enjoy being among people. They are wonderful companions for both individuals and families because of their lively antics, which can light up any home.

These cats offer an irresistible mix of charm and personality, whether you’re thinking about adopting an American Curl or you’re just inquiring about them. Let’s examine more closely at what makes the American Curl breed unique.

Feature	Description
Breed Name	American Curl
Origin	United States
Unique Trait	Curled ears
Coat	Short or longhaired
Temperament	Friendly and playful
Size	Medium
Color Variations	Various colors and patterns
Health Issues	Generally healthy, but prone to some genetic issues

Breed characteristics

* Characteristic breeds of American Curl based on owner reviews and expert evaluations from Usatik.ru. Since the data is average, it might not accurately reflect an individual’s behavior. It is regrettable that it is impossible to consider every single unique feature of a specific pet.

Brief description of the breed

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Cats of the American Curl breed are friendly, energetic, and outgoing. They come from an unusual background. The breed was essentially bred from a single ancestral cat and was found almost by accident. Owing to years of interbreeding with non-pedigree cats, American Curls have excellent immunity and general health.

Video

American Curl

• History of the origin of American Curls
• American Curl – breed description
• Popular colors of American Curls
• Character and habits of American Curls
• Interesting facts about American Curls
• Pros and cons of American Curls
• Breeding American Curls
• Caring for American Curls
• Diet of American Curls
• Diseases and health problems
• American Curl – price and how to buy correctly

History of the origin of American Curls

The breed was created in 1981. Ruga and Joe Grace, a married couple, discovered a black kitten on the street with peculiarly curled ears. Unaware that Sulamith, the homeless cat they took in and gave name to, would soon become the progenitor of a brand-new breed, they gave her sanctuary. The cat was glossy and entirely black, with silky fur.

The mongrel cat the cat begot four kittens when she grew up, two of whom had folded ears as well. The cat’s owners then realized that half of the kittens in the litter would be unusual if kittens with wrapped ears were crossed with regular cats. Thus, the narrative started. The breed has its roots in America.

Grace’s spouses started breeding new kittens, which they bought from other kitten owners. In 1983, when there were relatively few kittens with wrapped ears, they made contact with the Association of Cat Lovers in order to accomplish this. The breed later acquired its name, Kerle, which translates to "wrapped, upturned, round." The breed made its debut at the California exhibition that same year.

Because American Curls were so well-liked by both the general public and experts, they started to show up in the CFA as an experimental breed. Several reputable organizations had acknowledged the breed as early as 1987, despite its stringent requirement that it only have long hair. Variettas, or short haired curls, were first recognized in 1991.

Fascinating fact: American Curls were nationally recognized in 1993–1994. This breed became well-known throughout the world, was listed on all cat breed lists, and developed its own standards.

The cat Sulamith is the ancestor in every American Curl pedigree. However, there were other cats of the same kind with curled ears. They were discovered in Australian landfills as well as in several other states, including Utah, Oklahoma, and California. These cats all share a gene that gives them the peculiar shape of their ears.

American Curl – breed description

According to the CFA standard, cats with an excellent body balance are American Curls. They are graceful and lean, not at all bulky, but also not overly thin and delicate. These cats typically weigh between three and five kg, though males can weigh up to seven kg. In addition to weight, other characteristics that distinguish males from females include a wider forehead and more prominent cheekbones. For the most part, these variations are typical of many domestic cats.

The wedge-shaped head of the American Curl has seamless transitions. These cats’ features shouldn’t have any sharp angles. The cats are also fairly "cheeky," with noticeable whisker pads and full cheeks. The nose of the American Curl is moderately sized but not very long. It is slightly upturned and rises from the eyes to the forehead. The neck of the cat flows naturally from the back of its head to it without any sharp angles. Additionally, American Curls have a powerful, thick chin. Straight or scissor bites.

The breeders’ commission has strict regulations regarding the turn of the ears. It cannot be less than 90 or 180 degrees. Dense, thick cartilage that spans from the base to about a third of the ear guarantees a consistent bend. The ear’s base needs to be broad, and the bend should be seamless. The ear’s tip is broad and large, perfectly vertically positioned in relation to its base, and not too low so as to touch the head. We love hair tufts in the ears.

Oval, elongated, and large eyes characterize American Curls. From the top of the nose to the base of the ears, it is slanted and wide. It’s a cunning and slightly shocked expression. The mandatory criterion is shiny, bright tints; otherwise, the color of the eyes is arbitrary and unrelated to the coat color.

Popular colors of American Curls

The color spectrum of American curls is very broad. This results from cats constantly and randomly mating with non-pedigree cats as well as with cats of different breeds. Monochrome and mixed colors are both acceptable; what matters is that they can be identified with ease and that there are no strange color combinations.

American Curl fur is silky, glossy, and incredibly shiny. It should feel as smooth as silk to the touch. The primary coat is undercoat, or fluff, and the guard hair is sparse and short. The breed’s undercoat is typically 70% wool. This breed’s long-haired cats have a nice fluffy collar and a lot of fluff in the tail area. The fur lies somewhat near to the body rather than protruding in various directions. Guard hairs should not be very long on short-haired cats.

The color groups that TICA permits for American Curls are as follows:

• Solid color – solid. This can be black, white, blue, red and chocolate. The main thing is that there are no markings and the color is uniform, without sharp color changes;
• Bicolor is a combination of two colors. Background – must be white. Most often, black and white and red and white are combined;
• Silver or silver color. This is a beautiful, smoky blue color. It can also be reddish, tabby or some other, but a cold silver tint is required. This is the rarest color for American Curls;
• Colorpoint – these are tortoiseshell, striped, red with stripes, dark gray and tortie-point cats;
• Tabby – marble color with spots or blurred stripes.

There are variations in colors. Cats of all possible colors are recognized by most associations.

Character and habits of American Curls

Purebred cats are typically temperamental, so American Curls’ unique combination of quiet composure and unquenchable energy makes them stand out from the crowd.

Fascinating fact: These are friendly, gregarious, and inquisitive cats. They develop strong attachments to their owners and require care and attention. Above all, they adore being close to him—they will nap beside him, bounce on his lap, watch him work or prepare, or engage in play with their owner while he cleans.

American Curls are naturally devoted to children. Given that American Curls are safe around children, they particularly enjoy playing with them. These cats get along well with dogs and other animals, including other cats, because they are friendly. Long stretches of loneliness are intolerable to curls, who then start to long for their owner.

American curls aren’t combative at all. They are not inclined to defend their territory and do not attack other animals. Conversely, they greet strangers with a smile and are delighted to have new visitors. A cat will prefer to hide and flee if you offend it.

Even though they are playful and amiable, American Curls are peaceful, quiet creatures. Their voice is hardly audible, so you shouldn’t be concerned about their loudness. Instead of yelling and demanding their own, they will gently purr and touch the owner with their paw if they need something. American Curls are simple to train and pick up on household norms and regulations fast.

Interesting facts about American Curls

The truth is that American Curls are extremely rare. Since the breed is relatively new, it hasn’t been able to produce many offspring yet. The biggest American Curls breeders and clubs produce about 200 kittens annually, which is insufficient in today’s standards.

In an interview, the first American Curl breeder in Russia stated that in 1999 and 2000, just 160 and 185 kittens, respectively, were bred by the largest cat federation—the recognized founder of the American Curl breed. These alarming numbers raise the possibility of the breed’s extinction. The same breeder observed that getting a kitten was really challenging because she was put through rigorous testing in her role as a breeder.

American Curl breeders take great pride in their creation. There was even a period when the catchy phrase "I love my American Curl" was printed on T-shirts. Both men and women were wearing these T-shirts.

Some habits and behavior patterns have not yet been reliably and accurately established due to the relative youth of the breed. Cat owners observe that although American Curls are not obtrusive or muddy, they do love people and are affectionate. These cats adore kids and have a moderate level of energy.

Adult American Curls have ears that resemble horns. Owners of cats even claim that their furry friends enjoy butting heads with their horns, as they climb up on their arms or rub their foreheads against their legs, giving the impression that they are the masters. Cats ask to be petted in this way.

Certain cats enjoy bringing dead animals as offerings to their owners. Due to their near complete loss of their hunting instinct, American Curls do not exhibit this behavior. Instead of such gifts, they would rather please their owner by being around and showing them affection.

Pros and cons of American Curls

American curls come with a lot of benefits.

Among them, the following information is noteworthy:

• American Curls do not require complex care;
• Thanks to crossing with different breeds and with non-pedigree cats, they have inherited good immunity and do not have genetic diseases;
• Cats are friendly, so you should not worry that they will not like a new animal or a new family member. They are ready to meet. American Curls get along well even with hamsters and parrots: they like to play and watch, rather than hunt;
• American Curls are clean. They will not bring dirt or dead animals home, they lick themselves, including their paws after a walk;
• These are intelligent and smart cats that can be trained and are well-mannered. Kittens quickly begin to use the litter box.

American Curls make excellent pets for households with young children. Curls enjoy spending time with kids, playing with them, and sleeping next to them. No matter how much a child annoys them, American Curls will never offend them. Maximum: An American Curl may attempt to evade undue notice.

Fascinating fact: Because American Curls never leave the company of a loved one, they are the perfect breed for lonely people.

There are no drawbacks to this breed. Due to their intense need for affection, American Curls are said to suffer greatly when their owners are gone from home for an extended period of time. For instance, you cannot leave such a cat in the care of someone else for several days at a time because the cat will be depressed and refuse food. Traveling with an American Curl is preferable.

Breeding American Curls

Though there are some exceptions, American Curl cats are used for mating. The most important factors are that the kittens are free of congenital genetic illnesses and that the breeds are compatible. American Curls, for instance, will not crossbreed with Persian cats or any other breeds whose craniums are seriously malformed. Munchkins and American Curls can mate at the same time, producing short-legged, curly-eared children.

Half of the kittens in a litter born to an American Curl and another breed will have curly ears. Although an American Curl can mate with any breed, it is preferable to look for a pair of the same breed to ensure that all of the offspring are purebred. This trait both benefits breeders and slows down breeding. Non-pedigree cats also add diversity to the gene pool and provide their progeny with extra immunity.

The degree of the offspring’s folded ears is independent of the angle of the parents’ folded ears. The kitten’s ear structure may differ significantly from its parent’s. Kittens’ ears are straight when they are born, and they only begin to curl back after four months. During this time, you can decide which class the kitten will belong to—pet, show, or breed.

Pregnancy does not call for any particular attention for American Curls. These cats are robust, immune system-strong, able to withstand pregnancy with ease, and capable of giving birth. Naturally, it is beneficial to have a veterinarian’s phone number on hand, but overall, everything works out fine. A cat typically produces four to six kittens at a time.

Caring for American Curls

There are two varieties of American curls: short-haired and long-haired. Cats with short hair don’t need any special attention. It is sufficient to comb them once a week with a hard bristle brush to get rid of fluff and dead guard hairs. For these uses, rubber gloves are also an option. Despite the fact that they love to be bathed, American Curls are clean cats and only require a monthly bath.

Curls with longer hair need more attention. It is best to brush their fur every day, but at least once every two days is acceptable. Bathing should only occur once every two to three months for people with long hair, as it does not require specific maintenance.

When it comes to taking care of American Curls, ear care is crucial. Ideally, the ears should be thoroughly cleaned once every seven days. Use disks and cotton swabs soaked in warm water for this. Painful sensations in the American Curl can result from prolonged immersion in the ear. Because their ears are so sensitive, these cats dislike having their ears touched. Children and visitors to the home must be made aware of this.

American Curls stroll in love. Purchasing a leash and appropriate clothes in advance will help prevent the cat from getting a cold during the winter. Naturally, you should only take an animal for a walk if it has received all of its vaccinations since, despite their immunity, they still run the risk of contracting an illness. Additionally, you must give them an internal parasite medication once every two months. Due to their timid nature, American Curls should never be left unattended on walks as they are unable to defend themselves.

American Curl Diet

American Curls need the best nutrition. This should be high-quality premium food and above. All food is served in accordance with the established schedule in small portions. Adult cats are fed about twice a day.

Dry food is preferred by American Curls because it is more beneficial to them. Tartar and plaque are removed from teeth by eating dry food. You shouldn’t feed young American Curls dry food; instead, you should choose this food based on their age.

Important information: Because careful ingredient selection is necessary, feeding natural products can be challenging. Since American Curls are predators first and pets second, quality meat should make up more than 80% of the portion.

Lean meats like veal, chicken, turkey, and rabbit are suitable for them. For cats of this breed, offal is beneficial to the hearts, kidneys, liver, lungs, and so on. The product must be thoroughly frozen, cooled to room temperature, and then served to the American Curl in a bowl.

The following items should also be a part of the diet:

1. Cereals: millet, rye, oats, rice. These products are rich in fiber, and will also add satiety to the diet;
2. Vegetables also have a lot of fiber, and also replenish the vitamin and mineral balance in the cat"s body;
3. Greens, including those that can be bought at a pet store and grown yourself;
4. Low-fat dairy products: yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese. All without additives and, especially, sugar;
5. Additional vitamin and mineral complexes.

The American Curl must be fed foods that are fatty, fried, sweet, and salty; it cannot be fed food from the table. The American Curl should also not be fed any flour products. The one exception is bran bread, which cats will occasionally consume.

The American Curl is a distinctive and endearing breed of cat distinguished by its lively disposition and characteristic curled ears. This breed is a wonderful companion for both individuals and families because it is outgoing and sociable in addition to having stunning appearances. We’ll go over the background, traits, and maintenance requirements of American Curls in this post to help you see why they’re such a popular choice among cat owners.

Diseases and health problems

Genetic illnesses do not affect American Curls. Although cats of other breeds that have crossed with American Curls may carry them, cats are generally very healthy and have robust immune systems. Because American Curls are sedentary and prefer to stay still, they are more likely to become obese, which is bad for their cardiovascular system.

Furthermore, allergies affect American Curls, although these problems only become apparent when the kitten is growing and developing. American Curls are susceptible to a variety of minor illnesses. The majority of them are the outcome of inadequate or incorrect feeding and care.

Among these illnesses are:

• Dental diseases, when the cat does not eat enough dry food or does not chew anything at all;
• Inflammation of the genitourinary tract;
• Cystitis;
• Worms.

Ankyloglossia is the most frequent issue that American Curl owners deal with. Due to their extremely small ear canals, their ears require frequent veterinary examinations, gentle cleaning, and care to prevent irritation.

All of this is easily treatable with the help of cheap medications or veterinary intervention. Naturally, it is important to vaccinate American Curls on a regular basis and to adhere to the care guidelines; only then will the cat have a long and healthy life. It should be noted that American Curls can live up to 18 years. When it comes to purebred cats, they hold records.

The American Curl is a genuinely exceptional breed, distinguished by its characteristically curled ears and lively disposition. Not only do these cats have a cute appearance, but they also make their owners very happy. They make excellent companions because of their loving disposition, which leads to the formation of close relationships with their families.

The American Curl’s versatility is one of its best qualities. Whether you live in a large house or a tiny apartment, they suit well in many types of living environments. They are an excellent option for families because of their laid-back personality, which allows them to get along with kids and other pets.

An American Curl requires very simple maintenance. They just need to be brushed on a regular basis; otherwise, they don’t need any special care, though you will need to keep them occupied because they are playful. To keep their bodies active and their minds sharp, interactive games and toys are a great idea.

In summary, the American Curl may be the ideal feline companion if you’re searching for someone affectionate and witty. They can add a great deal of joy to any home with their distinctive look and amiable nature. Think about adopting one to feel the happiness they bring!

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