How to Identify A Havana Brown Cat

The Havana Brown cat is also known as the Swiss Mountain Cat and was well known in England since the early 1980s. The cat received its name because their dark brown or chocolate coats resemble the color of Cuban cigars. They are a close relative of the Siamese and are often interbred with them because of the rarity of pedigree Havana Browns. This would definitely be classified as an indoor cat. They don't care about hunting and hate being alone. They like being around people, will actively follow them through the home, and cuddle at any opportunity they get. This breed is very soft voiced and rarely meows unless in distress. Havana Browns are also exceptionally intelligent and can often recognize certain words if they hear them repeated often. They also use their paws to interact with their environment. Trying to open cabinets, pointing at things, and manipulating small objects of interest in a way more akin to an ape than a cat. This guide will explain the steps to identifying a Havana Brown Cat.

Identifying A Havana Brown
Step 1:
Look at the cat's general shape and build. Browns are a small species and rarely stand more than ten inches at the shoulder and are a little over a foot in length. The average male weighs between eight and ten pounds, while the females are a bit smaller at between six and eight pounds. They are generally very thin and sleek with small paws and a very long tail that narrows to a point near the tip.

Step 2:
Examine the cat's fur. True Havana Browns have only one accepted color, a rich mahogany or chocolate that gives them their name. There should be no patterning on the fur, though kittens sometimes have tabby markings that disappear as they mature. The fur should be short and densely packed; to the touch it should be lightweight and incredibly soft. It is often likened to touching mink fur.

Step 3:
Check the cat's head. The Havana Brown's neck is long and slender, which connects to a square shaped skull. The cat's jaw is squared as well, making the snout seem more prominent and jutting than it really is. Wide expressive eyes and forward pointing ears give them a constant inquisitive or curious look. The eyes are always green too. The best way to tell if the cat is a Havana Brown is to examine the nose. If you are looking at the cat from straight ahead, the top of the nose should form a level line with the bottom of the eyes. If the cat does not have this trait then it is not a pedigree Havana Brown. If it does then you're looking at one of the rarest species of domestic cat in the world and should be grateful for the opportunity.

Tips & Warnings
During WW2 This cat breed was almost lost because of unchecked breeding with other random species. As a result this is considered an endangered breed because of the very small breeding population of pedigree Havana Browns that still exist. It's thought there are only about one thousand of these cats in existence today.

How to Identify A Munchkin Cat

The first two recorded Munchkin cats were found by a school teacher under a pick-up truck in rural Louisiana two decades ago. They take their names from the diminutive munchkins from the story "The Wizard of Oz". It is from these two cats that all the known Munchkins are descended. They get their name because of an odd genetic mutation which results in legs about half the length of a normal cat. Some organizations refuse to recognize the Munchkin as a separate breed, say that it’s simply an American Shorthair suffering from a genetic disorder. Most cat breeders and enthusiasts disagree and are pushing hard to get the Munchkin into national cat shows. Though the species is often very easy to recognize, there are a slew of other traits the Munchkin possesses that one should look for. This guide will explain how to properly identify a Munchkin cat.

How To Identify A Munchkin
Step 1:
Look at the cat's shape. If it has extremely short legs it may be a Munchkin. However, if the short legs are accompanied by an over-sized head than what you're looking at is a cat with a genetic illness called achondroplasia and is not really a Munchkin. Some Munchkins are born with normal length legs, so leg length is not the final deciding factor on identifying the species. Regardless of leg length you should see a breed similar to an American Shorthair though smaller in size. It's rare to find one over ten pounds and is considered a small breed.

Step 2:
Look at and feel the fur. The Munchkin has a coat of thick, but short hairs. Their texture around the face, throat, and underbelly should be similar to that of rabbit's fur.

Step 3:
Watch the way the cat walks. Often they will begin to move with a rabbit-like hop, throwing their weight from the rear legs to their forelegs so their hind end flies up in the air. It's a very distinctive hop that is done only by the breed.

Step 4:
Watch the way the cat looks around. Often Munchkins will stand on their hind legs when looking around to get a higher vantage point. It bears a striking resemblance to the way a meerkat of Africa will stand up to look for danger. If the cat meets these criteria then you’re definitely looking at a Munchkin. They are rarely found anywhere but an accomplished breeder's facility, so it’s a rare find indeed.

Tips & Warnings
The munchkin cat is the source of great controversy among breeders and some government organizations. The government claims that these cats are classified as malformed animals and considers breeding them because of the potential health problems such animals might encounter. Breeders say that these cats are a breed unto themselves and are in no danger from the genetic mutation munchkins have which results in their shortened legs. The Munchkin is the ideal indoor cat. They don't sharpen their claws, they don't climb, and they don't shed much. They are very social and affectionate and prefer to be with people than be alone. They get lonely easily. They love to play and are a great companion to small children given their playful nature and non-aggressive nature.
Because the Munchkin has likely been crossbred with other species in its history, these cats can have virtually any fur color or pattern and as such this is not an effective way of recognizing the breed.

How to Identify a Balinese Cat

Balinese Cats are the close cousins of the more famous Siamese. They are a cat originating from the orient and are popular in cat shows throughout the country for their grace and poise. They are so much admired for their strength tempered with elegance that they are known as the ballet dancers of the cat world, which is coincidentally how their name originated. They are not nearly as temperamental as the Siamese, though they are still primarily an indoor cat. This guide is meant to explain how to appropriately identify a Balinese cat should you come across one.

How To Identify A Balinese Cat
Step 1:
Start by looking at the cat's general shape. You should see a medium sized cat with long, lithe limbs and a tubular body. The paws should be small in relation to the rest of the body. Despite their thin appearance, they should have well defined muscles under their fur and be surprisingly heavy if picked up.

Step 2:
Look at the cat's head. It should be wedge shaped with large ears at the end of a long neck. If looked at from above it should appear to be an even sided triangle. The eyes should be a deep blue and slightly slanted in the Oriental fashion.

Step 3:
Examine the fur. One point that distinguishes the Balinese from the Siamese is the slightly long and silky soft fur. This fur will serve to soften the otherwise sharp angles limbs of the cat. The coloration of the Balinese is fairly strict, following the Siamese exactly in that the main portion of the body is a cream or light tan that darkens to a near black along the edges of the ears, the face, and the hindquarters and tail.

Step 4:
Examine the tail. This is the best way to tell if a cat is Balinese. Despite having a coat of short, soft fur; the tail will have silky fur about two or three inches long. It should form a thick plume. If the cat you're examining fits these criteria then you're most definitely looking at a Balinese. These cats are common enough among good pet stores and breeders, though finding one with enough pedigree to have the plume tail on the street or at your shelter is rare.

Tips & Warnings
The Balinese, though a medium haired cat, requires little grooming compared to its Siamese and Javanese cousins. These cats are among the most intelligent of the medium-haired breeds and can be trained with simple positive reinforcement techniques.
Balinese can work well with children, depending on the child. They will not tolerate being mistreated and will immediately strike out if they are pushed, held inappropriately, or their fur or tail is pulled. As a result they should be kept away from babies and small children.

How to Identify a Lynx

There are currently four species of known lynx throughout the world. The majority of which currently reside in North American and the Himalayas. To be straight forward they are a relatively small wildcat. It would be inadvisable to take these cats as pets given the danger such animals pose to yourself and others. The purpose of this guide is to explain how to identify a lynx should one be spotted in the wild.

How To Identify A Lynx
Step 1:
Don't get too close, if you see such an animal think about your safety first and figuring out what it is second. Though reports of lynxes attacking human beings are rare, it still happens.

Step 2:
Look at the cat's size. Lynxes will range anywhere between thirty and eighty pounds depending on the particular breed or gender. The lynx can be up to three feet long and two feet high at the shoulder.

Step 3:
Look at the cat's shape. A lynx is stocky with a short neck, wide shoulders, and barrel-like body. Their legs stay roughly the same width all the way down to the paws, which are proportionally much larger than the average housecat would possess. The rear legs are slightly higher than the forelegs, making the cat seem arched and ready to pounce. Lynxes have rounded hind ends and short bobbed-tails as well.

Step 4:
Look at the cat's coloring. Their fur color can range anywhere from light tan to grey, this can be either a flat color or mottled with darker spots.

Step 5:
Look at the cat's head. A lynx will have a narrow snout, wide jaw, and no apparent neck. A wide ruff of fur will spread out on the underside of the cat's jaw and throat, giving its head a squared look. The most telling characteristic a lynx has are the black tufts of fur that stick out from the tips of the cat's ears. If the cat in question matches these criteria then you're looking at a bobcat and it would be in your best interest to back away in the direction you came from.

Tips & Warnings
Lynxes live in northern climates in high altitude forests primarily. They are capable of taking down prey much bigger than themselves such as deer when they are able. Lynxes are solitary predators, though they can easily climb trees they hunt on the forest floor. They are also surprisingly good swimmers and will happily paddle around rivers and streams while looking for fish. It's believed that some particularly large breeds of domesticated cat were at one time crossbred with Lynxes, whether or not this was intentional is unknown. One of the American breeds of lynx is called the Bobcat for the short bobbed-tail they possess.
Lynxes will often not approach a human being, if you see one back away immediately as you've probably stumbled across it. This is a dangerous situation as they are liable to attack if they feel threatened.

How to Buy a Pet Lynx

You may have seen various big cats on TV with people affectionately hugging them or playing with them. This may have sparked the urge to go out and get your own big cat. Do not act rashly though. This guide will explain the necessary steps and considerations required to purchase your own pet lynx. If you're wondering why a lynx it’s because they are classified as a big wild cat, yet are not as dangerous as cougars or tigers. For someone thinking of keeping or raising exotic cats this is a good choice to start with.

Things You’ll Need:
Computer

Phone

Lots of Money

Car

Chainlink enclosure

Climbing poles

Scratching posts

Tire on a swing

Meat freezer

Steps To Buying Your Own Lynx
Step 1:
Check with your state government either by phone or website to see if owning a big cat is legal in your town. Ownership of big cats is highly regulated and you will have to apply for several licenses for the right to keep a big cat such as a lynx in a private residence. If owning a lynx is legal where you live, get the paperwork started as quickly as possible because processing the licenses can take months.

Step 2:
Build an outdoor enclosure to keep the cat in the evening. It is illegal in all states to allow any big cat to roam outdoors without a leash and the owner present. It is also inhumane to keep such an animal cooped up indoors all the time. This means an outdoor enclosure is necessary. A full grown lynx gets to be about seventy pounds and needs a good amount of room to move. The enclosure should be of reinforced chainlink no smaller than 150 square feet. As lynxes are excellent climbers the enclosure will need a roof as well. Chainlink will work for this too, but a good portion of the enclosure should provide the lynx with shelter from direct sunlight and rain. Plain packed earth will work just fine for the floors, but make sure to provide the lynx with poles and posts to climb on; a tire on a swing is also a good idea as they will play with it the way a kitten plays with a ball of yarn.

Step 3:
Next you will need to go about finding a veterinarian willing to care for your lynx. Regular checkups are often state mandated for exotic cats and should they be neglected will result in the lynx being confiscated, your license to keep the animal revoked, huge fines, and possible jail time. Not all veterinarians are willing or capable of caring for a big cat like a lynx so make sure you find one ahead of time.

Step 4:
Look into stockpiling food for your lynx. Remember lynx are carnivores and cannot subsist on regular cat food. The average lynx eats between one and four pounds of meat a day. A common diet will consist mostly of raw poultry with the bones; supplemented with beef, ground turkey, raw or canned salmon and tuna, and other game meats. Contact your veterinarian to make sure that the diet you're giving the lynx meats all its nutritional needs. Vitamin supplements may be required. They will also occasionally eat, or more often play with, whole fruits such as apples, oranges, cherries, and strawberries. These are good for treats, as is cheese. You may need a second freezer to keep all the meat for your lynx.

Step 5:
Before buying your cat, you should thoroughly research any information on the appropriate care for a lynx that you can find. Various courses by video or online are often available if you use a search engine to look for one. Pay particular attention to animal diet, exercise, health, and interaction. You will need to learn how to act around the lynx as well as learn how to recognize its moods and emotions so as not to endanger yourself or others by antagonizing an agitated lynx.

Step 6:
Having prepared for your pet's arrival, its now time to look into obtaining a lynx. Use your computer to search online for "Exotic Animal Breeder Reviews". You will be provided with a list of sites that review various online exotic animal breeders. I find http://exoticcatz.com/breeders/directory/550.html is very reliable. Use this site to pick out a big cat breeder.

Step 7:
Contact the breeder by phone or email regarding purchasing your new cat. Be straightforward and specific about what you want. A responsible breeder will want to be sure that you have the appropriate licenses and facilities to care for a big cat. But thanks to your preparations that will be no problem. A price will be agreed upon and payment sent in accordance with how that particular breeder does business. Make sure to obtain a bill of sale. Depending on the breeder you may be required to go pick up your animal in person as transporting a big cat by mail is sometimes frowned upon, though not illegal.

Step 8:
Once you've got your big cat home, be it delivered or driven yourself, bring the lynx directly to your veterinarian for a checkup and appropriate vaccinations. Given the strict laws regarding the care for large cats, it’s not likely the breeder will have neglected the animals and still be outside of prison, so you needn't worry too much about buying an unhealthy animal.

Step 9:
Bring your lynx home and put him in his prepared enclosure. It will take as much as a week for it to acclimatize to its new home. Bring its meals at regular intervals and make sure a water dish is always available. Do not try to initiate contact with the lynx, let it be the one to approach you. From there it’s up to you on how to build your relationship with your new pet. Good Luck!

Tips & Warnings
Care for a large cat is a very time and money intensive job. Do not purchase one if you are not willing to spend many thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours per year to care for the lynx. For someone not used to caring for a big cat, its best to purchase an adult lynx as a kitten will require even further specialized food and care.
A lynx, though much smaller than a tiger or lion, can still do considerable damage to a human being if it wants to. Remember these are not so much pets as companions, with all their wild instincts in tact they still have the capacity to do great harm to you or others, regardless of how much you think they love you or you love them. If it seems like a good idea at the time, they'll do it.