|
Munchkin is a Domestic Short Hair!
Domestic Short Hairs are the most predominant domesticated cat in the world. Although they originated in Egypt, their body type and weight has slowly evolved over the centuries to adapt to the region of the world where they live. Stocky cats with water-repellent topcoats and dense undercoats that held the warmth evolved in the Northern climates, while smaller, longer, leaner cats with thin, sparse coats that let the heat dissipate developed in the warmer parts of the world.
After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new home. Keeping your rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable scratching surfaces are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long life.
The hair of a cat is not like human hair. We have a single hair growing out of each follicle. Cats have up to 6 primary hairs, (each surrounded by secondary down hairs), growing from each follicle. The cat also has arrector muscles, (muscles that lift or erect the hair), surrounding each follicle. They raise their hair in response to anger, fear and cold temperatures.
The short-haired breeds that have evolved to cope with hot climates have fewer secondary "down" hairs and shed what they do have at a faster rate. The cold weather, long-hairs have more "down" hairs and retain them longer. If the short-haired breeds are still too hot, they shed their primary hairs at a faster rate.
While cats are more resistant to heat than dogs, they don 't have enough sweat glands to survive for very long at extreme temperatures. Furthermore, cats are more prone to frostbite and hypothermia if their fur gets wet than a dog; because, the wet fur loses its capacity to insulate.
We are pleased to welcome Munchkin to our practice!
|
