The Aphrodite Giant cat breed is a relatively new cat breed that catches the eye with its large size and luxurious coat. These cats can grow over 2 feet tall and weigh up to 25 pounds! Despite their imposing appearance, Aphrodites are gentle sweethearts who love cuddling up with their families. Read on to learn more about their history, personality, care and more.
Introduction the Aphrodite Giant Cat Breed
The Aphrodite Giant breed originated in the early 2000s when breeders crossed Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats and domestic longhairs. They aimed to develop a friendly house cat with the Maine Coon’s size and the Norwegian’s lush coat. The result was the laidback, family-oriented Aphrodite. This breed is quite large, weighing 15 to 25 pounds when fully grown. They have a muscular body with medium-long legs to support their heft. Their broad head has tufted ears and an expressive face.
Affectionate with Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amount of Shedding: ⭐⭐⭐
General Health: ⭐⭐⭐
Potential for Playfulness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tendency to Vocalize: ⭐⭐
Kid-Friendly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friendly Toward Strangers: ⭐⭐⭐
Easy to Groom: ⭐⭐
Intelligence: ⭐⭐⭐
Pet Friendly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Aphrodite’s coat is its crowning glory. It has a soft, semi-long outer layer and downy undercoat. The most common colors are black, blue, red and cream. Tabbies, tortoiseshells, bicolors and pointed patterns also occur. Daily brushing prevents tangles and reduces shedding.
- Appearance: Huge, heavily-built cat with lush semi-long fur and tufted ears.
- Characteristics: Gentle, calm, loyal and devoted to family. Enjoys cuddling.
- Popularity: Slowly gaining popularity for its sweet personality.
- Temperament: Docile, mellow, loves children and other pets when socialized young.
- Lifespan: 9 to 15 years.
- Coat Color: Most commonly black, blue, red or cream. Many patterns like tabby occur.
- Breed Origins: The Aphrodite Giant is a mixed breed originating from Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat and domestic longhair crosses.
Caring for an Aphrodite Giant Cat Breed
The Aphrodite thrives on high-quality cat food, lots of love and minimal grooming. Here are some care tips:
Food:
- High-protein cat food to fuel their large body. Kittens need around 30% protein, adults need 25-30%.
- Canned food for extra hydration. These cats are prone to urinary issues.
- Supplementary omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Environment:
- Comfortable sleeping spaces, like cat trees, beds and cardboard boxes. Their large size needs accommodating.
- Dog-sized litter boxes, scooped daily. One per cat, plus an extra, is ideal.
- Lots of sturdy scratching posts and surfaces. These energetic cats need to scratch!
- Roomy settings to roam and play. Secure outdoor access like patios is great.
Grooming:
- Daily brushing to control loose fur and prevent matting. Use a slicker brush and metal comb.
- Trim nails every 2-3 weeks.
- Check ears weekly and clean if needed.
Make them happy with interactive play, catnip, pheromone diffusers and affection. Gently handling them from kittenhood ensures they grow into cuddly, trusting adults.
Finding an Aphrodite Giant
Here’s what you need to know about finding one of these fabulous felines:
- Locations: Most popular in North America and Europe. Reputable breeders can be found through cat breed clubs.
- Price: $600 to over $1000 USD. Show-quality cats are most expensive.
- Adoption/Rescue: Check regional general cat rescues. Specialized Aphrodite rescues are rare due to low numbers.
What to Look For:
- General health: Active, clear eyes and nose, healthy coat.
- Vaccinations: Up to date on kitten or cat vaccine series.
- Medical history: Review for genetic conditions like HCM.
Preparing for an Aphrodite Giant
Follow these tips to give your Aphrodite the best life:
- Prepare regular vet care, high-quality food and daily grooming. Stock up on litter, toys and cat trees.
- Cat-proof your home by storing chemicals securely and keeping fragile items out of reach.
- Essentials include food bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts, cat carrier, brush, nail clippers and enzyme cleaner.
- Health risks include heart disease and urinary issues. Feed wet food and use cat fountains to promote hydration.
- Core vaccines include panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and rabies.
Naming Your Aphrodite Giant
Choose a cute but dignified name that matches this cat’s impressive presence. Some ideas:
- Mythology names like Zeus, Apollo, Athena or Diana.
- Human names like Samuel, Benjamin, Elizabeth or Victoria.
- Descriptive names like Maverick, Moose or Atlas.
Do Aphrodite Giants like going out rather than staying home?
Aphrodites tend to be homebodies due to their docile nature. But they do enjoy supervised outdoor time like strolling on a cat leash.
Is an Aphrodite Giant a smart cat?
Yes, they are intelligent cats that can learn commands, play fetch and solve treat puzzles. But their calm personality means they aren’t mischievous escape artists.
How many types of Aphrodite Giant are there?
The Aphrodite Giant is considered one breed. But they display a range of coat colors and patterns like solid, tabby, bicolor and tortoiseshell.
How to stop Aphrodite Giant cat from biting?
Redirect biting into acceptable activities, use deterrent sprays, reward gentle play and handle paws frequently to desensitize them. Kittens bite while learning limits.
How to stop Aphrodite Giant cat from scratching?
Provide abundant sturdy scratching posts, use catnip spray to attract them, trim nails regularly and use plastic caps as a last resort. Never declaw.
How to socialize and raise a friendly Aphrodite Giant?
Expose kittens to new sights, sounds, people and pets gradually in a positive way. Give them lots of affection. Proper handling makes them trusting adults.
How to train an Aphrodite Giant cat?
Use rewards like treats, target training and clickers. Teach commands through patience and repetition. Their intelligence allows them to learn quickly.
How often should an Aphrodite Giant cat see the vet?
Take kittens monthly until 4 months old, then bring adults to the vet annually. Senior cats over 10 years old need biannual vet visits.
Are Aphrodite Giants good family pets?
Yes, their tolerant attitude makes them ideal for families with kids. Gentle handling and socialization ensures they stay friendly.
Are Aphrodite Giants good with children?
When properly introduced, they thrive in families with children thanks to their patient, affectionate nature. Always supervise young kids with cats.
Are Aphrodite Giants good with other animals?
Their relaxed disposition allows them to coexist peacefully with cat-friendly dogs. Proper introduction is key. Some may live with other cats.
Can Aphrodite Giants cause allergies?
While no cat is hypoallergenic, they shed less than some breeds. Their large size produces more dander however, so may not be ideal for allergy sufferers.
Are Aphrodite Giants ferocious?
No, Aphrodites are one of the most gentle, mellow-tempered cat breeds. They love people and prefer lounging over rowdy play.
Do Aphrodite Giants have hair loss problems?
When cared for properly, they have no unusual hair loss issues. Use grooming tools to prevent matting and shedding.
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