Asian Tabby: Cats and Tomcats
Asian Tabby (aka Asian Cockatoo) — is a beautiful shorthaired cat that belongs to the Asian group. The breed is relatively new, and it appeared... in Great Britain. In their build and character, Asian cats are very similar BurmeseThe only thing that differs between them is the color of their fur.
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History of origin
The Asian tabby owes its origins to Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg and a group of like-minded individuals. In 1981, a cross between a Persian Chinchilla and a lilac Burmese produced kittens that became the basis for a new breed. Or rather, not even a breed, but an entire group of breeds, united by a single name: "Asian Cat."
The group included five breeds:
- Asian cat of solid and tortoiseshell color;
- Asian Tabby;
- Asian Mist cat;
- Tiffany or Asian semi-longhair (not to be confused with Chantilly-Tiffany)
- Burmilla (Asian Shaded).
All breeds inherited their mother's build and character. Generally speaking, Burmese shorthairs with colors that don't conform to the standard are now called Asian cats and are divided into solid, smoke, and tabby, while longhairs gave rise to another lineage—the Tiffany.
By 1989, the new breed was developed enough to receive its own name and fancier association.
According to felinologists, an Asian cat must have a docile nature and should not resemble British Shorthairs, Persians or Siamese in any way.
Asian cats are attractive due to their vast variety of colors, with over 600 available. In Russia and the CIS, the breed is virtually unknown. While its popularity in England is limited, it allows the breed to thrive rather than be forgotten.
Appearance and standards
Asian Tabbies are medium-sized cats with well-developed muscles, and their distinctive features include a graceful appearance, nobility, and beautiful posture.
Head and muzzle
The muzzle features playful cheekbones. The shape of the cat's head resembles a short, blunt wedge, while the muzzle is rounded. Tabby cats are characterized by slanted, almond-shaped eyes. The iris color ranges from gold to green, lending it a unique charm. The "scarab mark," typically found in wild cats with spotted and marbled coats, is located in the center of the forehead, as if emphasizing its grandeur. The ears can be medium or large, with rounded tips, and are set wide apart. The corners point slightly outward. The outer edges of the ears are dark.
Frame
The cat's graceful appearance is enhanced by a powerful, rounded chest, a muscular, straight back, a tucked-up abdomen, and a muscular torso. Asian cats have a medium-sized, well-proportioned body. Their limbs are fairly large and of normal length. Their paws are rounded. The tail is typically dark and tapering. Most cats of this breed may have dark rings near the tip.
Wool
Asian cats have short, very soft fur. It lies close to the body and has virtually no undercoat. Remarkably, it's resistant to dirt, like Burmese, so even if the cat goes outside, there's no need to bathe it regularly.
Colors
The coat has a ticking effect (two dark areas on each hair). Tabby cats come in four patterns across all their colors:
- Spotted;
- Marble;
- Mackerel or tiger;
- Ticked.
The distinctive features of this breed are the lining around the eyes, mouth and nose, as well as the characteristic “necklace” around the neck.
Character
The Asian Tabby is a very friendly and intelligent cat breed, known for its docile and gentle nature. Cats of this breed are very playful and active, especially when young, but are not mischievous.
They usually get along with other pets they share a home with without any problems. Therefore, you can safely leave this cat in your apartment without worrying about your pets fighting within an hour of your absence. Furthermore, tabby cats thrive on being alone and prefer the comfort of home to being outside.
In large families with people of all ages, tabbies thrive and become a favorite with all family members. Asian cats rarely meow, are unobtrusive, and are affectionate with children.
The Asian tabby can be characterized by the following characteristics:
- weasel;
- playfulness;
- curiosity.
For such a cat, an understanding and caring owner is a treasure. The animal will love and thank such a person for the rest of its life. Although it's just an animal, it's one that will take undeserved and rude treatment very personally. This can even lead to emotional trauma.
The Asian Tabby is indeed docile, but it is not at all timid and can give a serious rebuff to its offender.
The Asian tabby cat tolerates short periods of solitude well. However, if your lifestyle involves long periods of absence, it's advisable for your pet to find a companion. This companion doesn't necessarily have to be another cat; any pet can be a companion:
- dog;
- rabbit;
- parrot, etc.
If kittens are taught to interact appropriately with people and other animals from infancy, you can achieve not only high levels of sociability but also good behavior. Asian tabby kittens are fidgety creatures. They are restless, constantly moving around the house, inspecting objects and things, and trying to play with everything they can get their paws on. Therefore, good behavior is a major plus for your future relationship.
If you're going away for a long time and have no one else to look after your pet, don't give it to a foster home; it's better to leave your tabby at home. Entrust someone close to you to care for your pet; have them come and feed it, change the litter box, and provide water. Why is this necessary? The Asian tabby adapts easily and quickly to new people and places, so even a short time with it will already be a habit you'll learn later.
Maintenance and care
The Asian Tabby cat loves the comfort of home. It's not particularly drawn to the outdoors. Even indoors, it will find plenty to do and play with. If you want to make your pet happy, buy it a cat play area—trust us, it will be immensely grateful.
It's even better if you make time to play with your cat. If you ignore your pet, it will become depressed, thinking it's unwanted.
All five cat breeds belonging to the Asian group are impeccable in literally every way, from their appearance to their manners. Tabbies are no exception and are rightfully considered a noble breed. They require little grooming and are ideal for families with children.
Asian cats require minimal grooming. Because this breed lacks an undercoat, they only require brushing during the shedding season. However, to keep their coat clean and shiny, it's recommended to brush it with a special mitt at least once a week. It's also important to keep the ears and tear ducts clean. Tabby cats shouldn't be bathed frequently, as water treatments can damage their skin and coat and can even cause an allergic reaction.
Nutritional Features
To ensure your cat receives the necessary amount of minerals and vitamins vital to their body, they need a proper, balanced diet. Tabby cats should always have fresh water available. They don't have any particular food preferences, but owners of Asian tabbies should avoid dry food and opt for natural products.
If you decide to treat your Asian tabby to boiled fish or meat, that's perfectly fine. Sometimes you can replace a portion of the food with a natural product. In this case, the main thing to keep in mind is to adhere to the daily calorie intake guidelines.
After all, caring for your Asian Tabby's weight should take precedence over pampering. A healthy weight is key to their well-being and the ability to maintain their natural grace and elegance. Neutered pets are at the highest risk for obesity; they gain weight much more quickly.
Diseases and life expectancy
No specific diseases have yet been identified for this breed. Tabbies boast a strong immune system and are resilient. However, like other breeds, they require annual vaccinations against common feline diseases, as well as preventative parasite treatment. The average lifespan is 14-16 years.
It is important to remember that a cat's health depends not only on genetic predisposition, but also on the correct conditions of its maintenance.
Price and purchase of a kitten
It's practically impossible to find a kitten of this breed in Russia. Even at shows, they're a rarity.
For some unknown reason, there are very few catteries breeding Asian Tabbies in the Russian Federation. Therefore, purchasing a cat of this breed in Russia is quite difficult without a significant amount of capital. Perhaps this is because this is a new breed, and its distribution will expand significantly over time. After all, Asian Tabbies are a breed of cat that loves people, which is often the main factor when choosing a pet.
In England, there are about 10 officially registered catteries breeding the breed. A kitten costs between $400 and $500, and registration and shipping costs about the same.
The price of the Asian tabby is quite high, but the cat is worth its money for both its habits and appearance.
What to look for when buying a kitten
The owner of an Asian Tabby kitten must have the kitten's birth certificate and pedigree. If the pet is imported from the United States, they must also have a green card.
Examine the kitten. Its eyes should be clear. The ideal gum color is pink. Its breath should be odorless. Its ears should be clean, free of wax and blackness.
Photos
Photos of Asian Tabby cats:
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