American Curl

History

People say they are very dog-like in their attentiveness to their owners, following them around so as not to miss anything. Not overly talkative, the Curl’s curiosity and intelligence are expressed through little trill-like cooing sounds. Because they retain their kitten-like personality well throughout adulthood, they are referred to as the Peter Pan of felines.

Description

When Curls are born, their ears are straight. In 3 to 5 days, they start to curl back, staying in a tight rosebud position and unfurling gradually until permanently “set” at around 16 weeks.

Grooming and Physical Needs

Size: The American Curl is a medium-size cat, weighing 5 to 10 pounds.

  • Grooming Needs: During warm months, when the longhairs may shed more heavily, it’s a good idea to brush or comb more often. A bath is rarely necessary.
  • Coat Type: Silky coat that can be long or short and any color, including such exotic shades as chocolate tortoiseshell smoke, silver patched tabby and lilac lynx point.
  • Moulting: Shorthairs shed year-round and tend to shed more than the longhairs.
  • Exercise Needs: As common with domestic shorthair heritage, they are moderately active, curious and smart.
  • Average Life Span: 12-16 years
  • Healthcare: American Curls are generally healthy, but some lines have problems with narrow ear canals, which can lead to ear infections from wax buildup.

Behaviour

  • Family: Curls are very people-oriented, faithful, affectionate soulmates, adjusting remarkably fast to other pets, children, and new situations.
  • Temperament: The friendly and gentle American Curl is known for a people-loving personality. They even like children and has been known to seek out their company.
  • Trainability: The Curl likes to play and can learn to fetch.
  • Sociability (Other Pets): When introduced into a new home, Curls seems to have an inherent respect for the current pet occupants, giving them plenty of room to adjust to the new kid on the block.
  • Meowing: Quiet and lacks bossyness.

Notes

Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. American Curls are generally healthy, but some lines have problems with narrow ear canals, which can lead to ear infections from wax buildup.

All information courtesy of the Cat Fancier’s Association