LaPerm vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

LaPerm vs American Polydactyl - Breed ComparisonBoth American Polydactyl and LaPerm are originated from United States. Both American Polydactyl and LaPerm are having almost same weight. Both American Polydactyl and LaPerm has almost same life span. Both American Polydactyl and LaPerm has same litter size. Both American Polydactyl and LaPerm requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United States
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Hemingway cat, Big-foot cat
None
Colors Available:
All colors and patterns
All colors and patterns acceptable
Coat:
Short or long
Long or short - no undercoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american polydactylIt is believed that this unusual cat came to the United States on ships – kept by sailors who thought of them as a good luck charm and to keep the mice population under control.

These unusual cats became popular in the 1800s as ship cats but the cats soon began to be seen in port cities on the Eastern coast of the United States as well as Canada, and their numbers began to increase.

It is also believed these interesting cats were brought specifically to the Boston area.

lapermThe LaPerm cat hails from the United States of America but you’ll find him in many other countries around the world.

The cat has a dominant gene which results in the unusual curly coat of the cat. This means he is part of the rex breed. This is a term given for the naturally occurring genetic mutation that gives the cat its wavy coat.

It’s not an old cat breed this and it seems to have come about in the early 1980s for the purposes of controlling rodents. The breed founders were Linda and Richard Koehl from Oregon. They started a formal breeding program and the breed was named after their curly coat.

After the cats got the name LaPerm, it was in 2002 that they got recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association.

Description

american polydactyl kitten - descriptionThe Polydactyl cat is unusual in that the cat has been born with something odd about it. It has more than the regular number of toes on just one or more of its paws.

Normal cats have a sum of 18 toes, with 5 on the front and 4 on the back but with Polydactyl cats you may find as many as 9 digits on their front and back paws.

American Polydactyl cats are medium to large in size with strong, muscular bodies. The cat can weigh up to 6kg. The head is broad, the ears wide-set and pointed and the coat can be any color, pattern and length.

Temperament:

These cats are easy-going, relaxed, and social. They’re hardy too and they’re able to enjoy being outdoors and indoors.

They’re affectionate with their human family and are also playful and energetic. It is prepared to be friendly with dogs and children too, but it is also able to act independently and get on with things. The Polydactyl cat is distinctive but also a very popular cat breed.

laperm kitten - descriptionThe LaPerm is a medium-sized cat that can weigh anything between 3 and 7kg. They’ve got an athletic build. The legs and the neck are fairly long.

It is thought that they are more hypoallergenic than many other cats but no cat is truly hypoallergenic. The coat is the cat's most exceptional feature, with loose curls. The coat can be long or short. All colors and patterns are acceptable, with red, tabby, and tortoiseshell being more common.

There is no undercoat. The eyes of the cat are medium-sized and almond-shaped.

Temperament:

These are affectionate cats with an outgoing personality. He has a sense of humor so becomes an entertaining cat.

He gets on well with children in the home. People who have owned the cat describe him as clownish. He is playful and that means providing him with some interesting toys.

It’s an intelligent cat and learns to use his paws to open doors and tap you to take notice. He is also fairly active and will willingly retrieve small balls. He is gentle, loving, quiet, and affectionate towards his human family.

Characteristics

american polydactyl cat - characteristicsThe American Polydactyl cat is such a down-to-earth kind of cat that you can welcome him into your home with ease.

Easy to look after, this lively and interesting cat will fill your home with love and companionship, and just a few extra toe nails to clip!

laperm cat - characteristicsThe LaPerm cat is known for its loyal, loving personality. It’s a cat that thrives on being involved with its human family and can easily turn into a lap-cat.

They’re active and also intelligent, and will love you to play some games with him. He will become quite vocal when he demands your attention.

Provide him with a climbing tree as he is active and loves to climb where he can survey the room and decide which human being’s lap he has in mind.

Health Problems

american polydactyl kittens - health problemsWith good care, these cats can live to be between 14 and 16 years of age. You need to be diligent with keeping this cat’s nails trimmed because depending on the placement of the toes, the nails could become a nuisance, growing in the wrong direction and cutting into he cat’s flesh.

Keep the nails trimmed as necessary. To avoid possible injury to your pet, your veterinarian can safely trim your cat’s claws.

Always pay attention to your cat's behavior as well as taking note of your cat when you groom him as both are good ways to discover whether anything is amiss with your polydactyl cat.

laperm kittens - health problemsLa Perms are generally healthy cats. However, any cat owner needs to recognize the signs of some of the common cat illnesses there are.

Cancer, feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, and heartworm are all diseases that your healthy cat can at some time succumb too.

Keep an eye on your furry friend, and if he is lethargic and no longer his happy self, get him to the vet immediately for a check-up.

Caring The Pet

american polydactyl cats - caringKeep an eye on your cat’s paws as their extra toes can make it that they are at a higher risk of hooking on a carpet or some other material, but this can be managed with regular nail trimming.

Daily needs:

Provide your cat with all the things he needs to make his life pleasant while in your care. He’ll need feeding and drinking bowls, a nice warm, dry bed, a litter box, stimulating toys, and things such as a scratching post and cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Cats are meat-eaters, and they need protein from meat for health. Some cooked chicken and beef can be a real treat for your pet. Grains and carbohydrates should only play a very small role in your pet’s diet. Too many grains can lead to malnutrition and obesity as well as problems with your cat's organs.

Always take into account your cat’s age because different life stages mean different energy levels and therefore different nutritional needs.

Take your sick cat to the vet when you see he is not his usual self. Make sure you keep up to date with all his vaccines and anti-parasite treatments.

Spaying and Neutering:

One of the most important health decisions you’ll make for your Polydactyl cat is to have your pet spayed or neutered. The procedure is common and performed in your vet’s office every day.

It offers lifelong health benefits. It improves your pet’s behavior and keeps them close to home too. Spaying a female cat will prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, and for males, it can prevent testicular cancer.

Best of all, it helps to prevent yet more kittens into a world overrun with stray cats and rescue centers jam-packed with unwanted kittens and cats.

laperm cats - caringThe LaPerm’s unusual coat is easy to care for as it isn’t a big shedder. You’d think that the curls would tangle but they don’t. You can gently comb or brush the curls once or twice a week. Just like with a human perm, you can mist the cat’s curls and comb and fluff them out with your fingers.

Cats are particularly prone to periodontal disease, so look into your cat’s mouth occasionally to see that the teeth are as they should be. Brushing the teeth can stress a cat out and make it miserable and the dry cat foods help to keep the teeth clean.

Pet groomers and the vet can check out the teeth for you and make sure they are in tip-top condition.

Make sure your cat’s eyes are clear and bright and free of discharge. Trim the nails as required – something the vet or the pet groomers can also do for you.

Provide your LaPerm with a litterbox and keep it spotlessly clean, ridding it regularly of the cat’s droppings.

Even though there are excellent commercial cat foods on the market, some cats develop finicky eating habits. Don’t start feeding your cat human foods and snacks to coax him to eat. It can cause a host of digestive problems.

Cats are carnivores and require foods high in protein to remain healthy. A veterinarian will need to examine your cat if he is refusing to eat and is losing weight.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. LaPerm vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. LaPerm vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. LaPerm vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. LaPerm vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. LaPerm vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. LaPerm vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. LaPerm vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. LaPerm vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. LaPerm vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. LaPerm vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. LaPerm vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. LaPerm vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. LaPerm vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. LaPerm vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. LaPerm vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. LaPerm vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. LaPerm vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. LaPerm vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. LaPerm vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. LaPerm vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. LaPerm vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. LaPerm vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. LaPerm vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. LaPerm vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. LaPerm vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. American Polydactyl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. American Polydactyl vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. American Polydactyl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Polydactyl vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. American Polydactyl vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. American Polydactyl vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. American Polydactyl vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison