Norwegian Forest Cat

This badass little kitty is as tough as nails. Any cat hearty enough to travel the high seas with the Vikings must be exceptionally energetic and fiercely loyal.

About the Norwegian Forest Cat

Known as the Skogkatt in its native Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, semi-longhaired cat whose rugged appearance fits its name. Despite the hardy facade, this breed is very much a homebody that enjoys the company of other pets and particularly their human companions. Their relationship with you can best be described as “on their own terms.” Yes, Forest Cats can be lap cats, but THEY will decide when to get on or off that lap. At a minimum, Forest Cats insist on being near their people in a place of their choosing: chair, bed, or desktop. A scratching post and a cat tree, preferably tall, are musts for the Norwegian Forest Cat home. These are moderatley active cats; there will be bursts of energy followed by long naps. Sensitive yet social, you will find them to be intelligent cats that adapt readily to change. Breeders are often asked if these cats need to be outside. As with all cats, inside the home is quite suitable and is certainly the safest environment. Providing interesting toys, perches with outside views, and most importantly, regular one-on-one time will result in a well-adjusted cat.

Size

These are big cats. Males can weigh 13 to 22 pounds or more, with females somewhat smaller. The Wegie matures slowly and isn’t full grown until 5 years of age.

Personality

The gentle and friendly Norwegian Forest Cat—Wegie, for short—is fond of family members but does not demand constant attention and petting. He is satisfied to be in the same room with people and will entertain himself if no one is home. Although he appreciates human company, he can be a bit reserved with visitors. Even with family, he’s not much of a lap cat, but a nice scritch between the ears or beneath the chin is always welcome, and he’ll usually reciprocate with a nice head butt or cheek rub. He communicates with classic Scandinavian restraint. His quiet voice is employed only when he needs something—dinner on time, perhaps—and rises only if he is ignored.

Not surprisingly, this large and athletic cat is a climber. You will often find him at the highest point he can reach in the home, and unlike some cats, he doesn’t have any qualms about descending trees or other heights headfirst. Thanks to his heritage as a wilderness and farm cat, not to mention his waterproof coat, the Wegie thinks nothing of fishing in a body of water for a nice meal. Aquarium and koi pond denizens, beware! While he loves the outdoors, he is content to live quietly in a home.
This is a smart, independent cat who learns quickly and has an alert nature. He likes to play and thrives with a busy family that loves him.

Norwegian Forest Cat Size: How Big is it?

This is a large breed of kitty. Once they reach adult hood, they are significantly bigger than most other breed of cats. In fact, pictures of owners holding up their lanky and large Norwegian Forest Cats have gone viral, because of how large the kitty looks. Males of the species weigh as much as sixteen pounds, and females top out around 12 pounds, still hefty for a feline. This may be why this special breed of cat has been featured for centuries in Norwegian folklore and mythology, it is striking, and large!

Norwegian Forest Cat Size Comparison

Almost all domestic cat breeds are going to be smaller than the Norwegian Forest Cat, with the exception of breeds such as Maine Coon. There are many dog breeds of comparable size though, such as a Boston Terrier, a Dachshund, or a Pug.

Norwegian forest cat kittens

Norwegian Forest Cat kittens are not larger than average kittens, even though they will grow to be larger than the average cat. The kittens are known to be very playful, and Norwegian Forest Cat kittens mature more slowly than most other breeds, growing at a slower pace than most kitties, and staying more playful than longer.

How long do they live?

Norwegian Forest Cats live approximately fifteen years. These kitties, like most unique breeds, have their own unique health issues. For example, both kidney disease and heart disease have been noticed more prevalently in Norwegian Forest Cats than in other breeds of cats. Additionally, inbreeding, which can happen with cats who are bred, can lead to something called Glycogen Branching Enzyme, which can cause many issues for the breed. Due to this, it is recommended that owners do DNA testing on their animals before breeding them, to ensure that this won’t be a problem that any resulting kittens will have. Due to the size, this breed also has some unique body difficulties. They can have joint issues throughout their bodies that is caused from their bones carrying around their large frame. They also are known to sometimes have a problem called hip dysplasia, which is another hereditary disease, and is specifically a disease of the hip joint.

How is it like to live with one?

These cats make excellent pets for the right person or family. Not only are they gorgeous, but they are gentle cats with kind and loving personalities. In fact, these kitties might want so much of your attention, that you don’t have enough time to give them all the care they would like! They not only want you to hang out with them and pet them or love on them, but because of their long and silky coats, they need a home where their owner will have time to comb their hair at least twice a week, and be able to keep up with their heavy shedding.

These cats also love to be up high, and so would love it if your home provided spaces for them to jump up high onto shelves, or on top of other structures, and perch over the family keeping watch. Part of this is due to their independence, because as much as they crave your love and attention, they also have a fierce independence streak and strong personality. These cats want to do what they want, when they want to do it, so it is good to keep them entertained, and give them a lot of options around the house to keep their attention, such as toys and cat trees to climb on.

Where Can You Find a Norwegian Forest Cat?

The best two ways to find a Norwegian Forest Cat are to use either a breeder, or a rescue.

Health

Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Norwegian Forest Cats are generally healthy, with a long life span of 14 to 16 years. The following diseases have been seen in the breed:

Glycogen Storage Disease IV, a rare heritable condition that affects metabolism of glucose. Most kittens with the disease are stillborn or die within a few hours of birth, but occasionally a kitten will not show signs until about 5 months of age and usually die within a few months. A DNA test is available that can identify affected and carrier cats.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that is inherited in some cat breeds such as the Maine Coon. Heritability has not been proven in the Norwegian Forest Cat.

Polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition that progressively destroys the kidneys. No DNA test for the disease is available for Norwegian Forest Cats, but the disease can be detected through ultrasound as early ass 10 months of age.

Retinal dysplasia, an eye defect that causes spots on the retina but does not worsen the cat’s vision.

Care

Brush or comb the Norwegian Forest Cat’s long coat once or twice a week, using a bristle brush, wire slicker brush or stainless steel comb. If you run across tangles, work them out gently so you don’t hurt the cat. A bath is rarely necessary, which is a good thing. With the Wegie’s practically waterproof coat, it can be very difficult to get him wet enough for a bath.
Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Wipe the corners of the eyes daily with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so you don’t run the risk of spreading any infection. Check the ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the interior of the ear.
Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Like all cats, Wegies are very particular about bathroom hygiene. A clean litter box will also help to keep their fur clean.
He is certainly built to survive a cold climate, but it’s a good idea to keep a Norwegian Forest Cat as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Wegies who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such an unusual cat without paying for it. If possible, build your Wegie a large outdoor enclosure where he can enjoy the elements safely.

Coat Color And Grooming

The Norwegian Forest Cat is notable for his long, thick, beautiful coat and large size. The head has an inverted triangle shape, pointed at the chin and then widening on each side up toward the medium to large ears, which are heavily tufted. Large, almond-shaped eyes are green, gold or copper, although white cats may have blue eyes or odd eyes (one blue eye and one eye of another color). The moderately long body looks powerful, with its broad chest and heavily muscled thighs. Large round paws have tufts of fur between the toes. The bushy tail is as long as the body.
The weatherproof double coat varies in length. The “bib” begins with a short collar at the neck, “mutton chops” on the side and a full frontal ruff. Full britches—long hair on the thighs—cover the hind legs. On the body the coat is long and flowing, but it changes with the seasons. A Wegie in summer looks relatively naked compared to his full winter glory. The coat comes in almost every color and pattern, with or without white, with the exceptions of chocolate, lavender or lilac, or a pointed pattern like that of the Siamese.

Children And Other Pets

The friendly, laidback Norwegian Forest Cat  is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely and with respect, and he doesn’t mind playing dress-up or going for a ride in a baby buggy. He is happy to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, too, thanks to his amiable disposition. Introduce pets slowly and in controlled circumstances to ensure that they learn to get along together.


Also read the Domestic Cat

The Domestic Cat

The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small, typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats when kept as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being solitary hunters, are a social species, and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling and grunting) as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.

Cats have a high breeding rate. Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring population control. In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations. Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds since the 1600s and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species reintroduction.

Because cats were venerated in ancient Egypt, they were commonly believed to have been domesticated there, but there may have been instances of domestication as early as the Neolithic from around 9,500 years ago (7500 BC).] A genetic study in 2007 concluded that all domestic cats are descended from Near Eastern wildcats, having diverged around 8000 BC in the Middle East.A 2016 study found that leopard cats were undergoing domestication independently in China around 5500 BC, though this line of partially domesticated cats leaves no trace in the domesticated populations of today. A 2017 study confirmed that domestic cats are descendants of those first domesticated by farmers in the Near East around 9,000 years ago.

As of a 2007 study, cats are the second-most popular pet in the U.S. by number of pets owned, behind freshwater fish. In a 2010 study, they were ranked the third-most popular pet in the UK, after fish and dogs, with around 8 million being owned.

Special week on Cat is coming

Lusitano Horse part 1/2

To begin my participation in this blog, I will start by summarizing the history of our Lusitano horse.
I have referred to this article as a synthesis because it is unthinkable to define in detail the Lusitano breed in a simple text or even in a book, because Lusitano is simply the oldest saddle horse in the world.

Photo Credited to Joana Cerqueira

PGoing back to the last glaciation, it appears that the low plains of the south-west Iberian Peninsula were spared, and here during this period there was a restricted area of survival for a small equine group that allowed a very early domestication.
The earliest records of the existence of horses in the Iberian Peninsula date back about 780,000 years, estimated from a skull discovered in archaeological excavations in the Sierra de Atapuerca in Spain. Since then many bones and engravings have been found in various places scattered all over the peninsula.
The Lusitano horse is the direct descendant of this Iberian horse that due to the isolation of this region of Europe, has survived and evolved here for about fifteen thousand years, almost completely free of crossbreeding with other breeds until very recently.
Today we have a bigger and better horse, with more weight, higher and with greater strength. All this was achieved thanks to the intelligent action of the breeders and based on a very strong genetics that fifteen thousand years of selection did not allow to destroy by two hundred years of genetic disturbance. On the contrary, our horse has taken advantage of these influences and we have now reached the production of horses of bigger size and of quality of movements, able to stand with all the specialized races, in almost all the modalities of the modern equestrian sports.

The Lusitano as a recognized and closed breed, where crosses with other breeds are not accepted, had its beginning marked with the implementation of the Genealogical Book of the Horse of the Lusitano Breed on the 25th of June of 1977, by the Portuguese Association of Breeders of the Pure Blood Lusitano Horse.

The purpose of the Book is to ensure the preservation and improvement of the Lusitanian breed by evaluating its breeders, thus contributing to the zootechnical improvement of the breed and the definition of its selection program.


And this is the brief history of our Lusitano horse. Every week I will launch an article, for next week I will continue talking about the Lusitano Breed, stay tuned and will soon have news.

Pedro Miranda

What Are Fleas?

Adult fleas are reddish-brown insects with bodies that are compressed, or flattened, from side to side. While visible to the naked eye, they are so small you could line up about eight adult fleas, end-to-end, in one inch. Because fleas are so small, they can be difficult to detect, much less eliminate from your home.
Fleas are wingless, but possess incredible jumping ability. This enables them to jump easily from ground level to “ambush” a pet.Fleas feed on blood, and female fleas consume about 15 times their body weight each day1. Incompletely digested blood is excreted from the flea and dries to form what is commonly referred to as “flea dirt.” This serves as food for developing flea larvae and is one way veterinarians and pet owners can identify an infestation.

Why worry about fleas?

Fleas can pose a serious problem for your dog’s health.
Not only can fleas make your dog miserable, but depending on his age and overall physical condition,

- Fleas can pose a serious threat to his health.Fleas can cause severe discomfort for dogs, including scratching, chewing, biting and restlessness.

- Fleas are the source of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), the most common veterinary dermatological condition.

- Severe flea infestations can cause anemia, especially in puppies or debilitated adult dogs.

- Ingested fleas also can transmit tapeworm infection to dogs.

Your dog isn't the only household resident that can suffer from flea bites. Flea infestations in homes and areas around a home often result in humans being bitten by newly-emerging fleas. You, too, are at risk for health issues, some of which can be serious.

Allergic reaction: Usually in the form of small, raised lesions, called papules, that can be red to purple in color. Severity will vary, depending on the severity of the allergy to the flea bite.

Tapeworm: Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) is generally spread through infected fleas found on both cats and dogs. Ingestion of infected fleas by children can result in tapeworm infection.

Typhus: A group of infectious diseases usually resulting in a sustained high fever (typhus fever), headache, delirium and sometimes red rashes. Two kinds are most commonly contracted from flea bites:

Flea Typhus. A type of typhus caused by Rickettsia felis, a bacteria first identified in cat fleas.
Murine typhus. Another bacterial form of typhus transmitted most commonly by rodent fleas but also by fleas found on dogs.

Plague: Rodent fleas that can be acquired by dogs and cats in some areas might be vectors for (carriers of) bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis. These fleas might leave the host to bite humans.


Dr. Phil Orwell (Animalix Writer)

The Veterinary

The Veterinary

Veterinary medicine is one of many areas of knowledge linked to the maintenance and restoration of health. She works in a broad sense, to the prevention and cure of diseases of animals and humans in a medical context. Being the professional business area of ​​animal / public health formed a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine or an educational establishment Highly Qualified.

Veterenary logo

Veterinary medicine is the medical science that is dedicated to the prevention, control, eradication and treatment of disease, trauma or any other damage to health of animals, beyond the control of the health of products and by-products of animal origin for human consumption. It also seeks to ensure the quality, quantity and safety of stocks of animal food through animal health control and processes to get their products.The veterinarian also popularly called Doctor, is the professional authorized by the state to practice Veterinary Medicine, taking care of animal health by preventing, diagnosing and curing the disease, which requires detailed knowledge of academic subjects (such as anatomy and physiology ) behind the disease and treatment - the science of medicine - and competence in its applied practice - the art of medicine.

Both the doctor's role and the meaning of the word vary significantly around the world, but as a general understanding, medical ethics requires that physicians show consideration, compassion and benevolence towards their animal patients. Veterinarians can be general, that is not specialized in any particular area or specialists when specializing in some area.
With understanding the science of the origin and spread of various diseases, and as vectors domestic or wild animals, and to ensure the very physical safety of animals, veterinary medicine has become an important adjunct in public health policies of countries. Spread of epidemic disease, human or animal, is the installation of veterinary barriers that prevent their spread an effective means of control. (Common Things That Make Veterinarians Crazy)

Allied to this, one of the fields of Veterinary Medicine which is in great rise is the Animal Health Protection, whose objectives are precisely to prevent the occurrence of exotic diseases which may have serious impacts on public health or economic animals, and control or eradicate endemic diseases.
Currently, they are recognized over a hundred zoonoses and numerous other infectious animal diseases that bring serious economic consequences. To combat them, the veterinarian sanitarian exerts Epidemiological Surveillance active, acting directly in the field and controlling the movement of animals, performing the inspection of animal products - such as meat products, milk, eggs, fish and honey looking for signs of diseases that can be transmitted to humans or that might indicate the health status of the herds.

Arabian Horse - Mariana Travassos

Arabian Horse by Mariana Travassos

This month I show you again my great passion for horses. I'm going to introduce the Arabian horse.

This breed is famous for its grace, speed and endurance. Arabians are thought to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated horse, and were critical to the culture and lives of desert tribes in the Middle East. Classic books including "The Black Stallion" and "King of the Wind" feature the ancient and storied breed.
However, Arabian horses stand out not just for their long history and particularly good looks. Arabian horses are built differently than other horses.
Black, sorrel and brown are the colors that make the Arabian horse distinguish normally, although at the moment they make other combinations of colors that look very well in the Arab horse. The height usually can vary between 1.40 m to 1.58 m to the club.

It is an equine breed originated in the Arabian Peninsula, undoubtedly they are the oldest breed of horses in the world. A race very easy to identify due to the shape of the skull, its tail having the first vertebra of the oxtail slightly inclined upwards, and for being extremely expressive! It has small ears and short muzzle.  

Mariana Travassos at Monte Inglês - Horse Ubrico 

Speed, endurance something not missing from these horses, were used to improve other breeds, giving them more speed, refinement, endurance and bone structure.
Their eyes are usually large allowing them to have a great view, around their eyes are a dark skin that makes the reflection of the sun less light and also protects from sunburn.
The Arabian horse has a very fine coat which makes the sweat evaporate and the horse is more favorable to take more work since it can cool your body with the evaporation of sweat, in addition to these factors, the horse must have a minimally adequate food.
They are also characterized by "warm-blooded" horses, they say that these horses were made for speed, and that they are a bit difficult to tame but with a good teaching respect them perfectly, we have to have a strong connection, and to conquer the horse, usually after that cooperate very well with humans, are extremely intelligent horses.

I am ride weekly an Arabian Horse  and I love it, it is very docile and it is very well taught, I learn a lot from it.

Mariana Travassos

NOTE :
I WANT TO MAKE A BIG ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO Monte Inglês THAT GAVE THE PHOTOS FOR THIS BLOG POST HORSE UBRICO  FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM @monteingles 


Yours Paulo Ricardo Rebelo

 

Toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.

For dogs and other animal companions, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.

Toys help fight boredom in dogs left alone, and toys can even help prevent some problem behaviors from developing. Although cats can be pretty picky when it comes to enjoying particular toys—ignoring a $10 catnip mouse and marveling over a piece of crumpled newsprint—dogs are often more than willing to "play" with any object they can get their paws on. That means you'll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dog's playtime to prevent any "unscheduled" activities.

"Safe" toys

The things that are usually most attractive to dogs are often the very things that are the most dangerous. Dog-proof your home by removing string, ribbon, rubber bands, children's toys, pantyhose, and anything else that could be ingested.
Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size. Balls and other toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your dog's throat.
Avoid or alter any toys that aren't "dog-proof" by removing ribbons, strings, eyes, or other parts that could be chewed off and/or ingested. Discard toys that start to break into pieces or are torn.

Active toys

"Rope" toys are usually available in a "bone" shape with knotted ends.
Tennis balls make great dog toys, but keep an eye out for any that could be chewed through, and discard them.

Distraction toys:

https://amzn.to/2pSD49B - GET IT NOW

"Busy-box" toys are large rubber cubes with hiding places for treats. Only by moving the cube around with his nose, mouth, and paws can your dog get to the goodies.
Many factors contribute to the safety or danger of a toy, and a number of them depend upon your dog's size, activity level, and preferences. Another factor to be considered is the environment in which your dog spends his time. Although we can't guarantee your dog's enthusiasm or his safety with any specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines.

Very hard rubber toys, such as Nylabone®-type products and Kong®-type products, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and for carrying around.

Kong®-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats—or, even better, a mixture of broken-up treats and peanut butter—can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. 

Only by chewing diligently can your dog get to the treats, and then only in small bits. Double-check with your veterinarian about whether or not you should give peanut butter to your dog. Be sure to choose a Kong®-type toy of appropriate size for your dog.


Doctor Jane Drewmeister