Characteristics, History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
The short pom-pom tail and wild appearance of the Russian cat breed known as the Kurilian Bobtail cats set it apart from other varieties. Although its exact age is unknown, the Kurilian Bobtail spontaneously appeared on the islands at least 200 years ago. Depending on how it kinks or curls, the breed standard describes the tail as having several looks, including “snag,” “spiral,” or “whisk.” Just like fingerprints and snowflakes, no two Kurilian Bobtail tails are exactly same.
The medium to large Kurilian Bobtail cat has a substantial amount of boning, a strong frame, and is compact and heavy. The Kurilian Bobtail originated initially on its own, without human interference, as a “natural breed.” Both coat types have flat, soft, silky hair with a thin undercoat.
The Kurilian Bobtail is a breed that looks like a wild cat but is actually very calm and social. Kurilian Bobtails make adorable friends who love to play and cuddle. They are energetic and gregarious. The Kurilian Bobtail is so amazingly laid back that it gets along with everyone, even calm children. The Kurilian Bobtail frequently gets along well with friendly dogs and other cats in the home. The animal kingdom shares that carefree disposition.
Kurilian Bobtail cats: a breed profile
The past of the Kurilian Bobtail
The Kurilian Bobtail’s natural habitats are the Sakhalin, Kuril, and Russian Kamchatka peninsulas. The tail has two to ten vertebrae and can be anywhere between half an inch and five inches long. The odd cat with the peculiar tail caught the attention of mid-century explorers, some of whom brought the cats back to central Russia with them. These explorers may have been scientists or military personnel. Because they respected their exceptional hunting skills, the Russians paid them to get rid of vermin. Although the breed gained popularity in Europe, it is largely unknown in North America.
The Kurilian Bobtail is recognized by the International Cat Association. In 2012, TICA granted the breed championship status, enabling cats to contend for titles at cat events.
Kurilian Bobtails require care.
The Kurilian Bobtail has a choice between a short and long coat (which is described as semi-longhaired by the breed standard). There are numerous variations of the traditional solid or tabby colors, with or without white markings. The shorthaired variation’s tail coat is the same length as its body hair. Kurilians have thick, plumed tails and semi-long hair. The silky, non-matting coat of the Kurilian Bobtail is easy to care for. Brush the coat once a week with a soft slicker brush to get rid of stray hair. The occasional bath will make the coat seem fresh and smooth. Increase your brushing frequency to reduce low to moderate shedding. Trim your Kurilian Bobtail’s nails every two weeks, and check the inside of its ears every week. If you notice any redness, smell anything, or if your cat is shaking its head or picking at its ears, make an appointment with your veterinarian. If the ears appear to be dirty, clean them with a pet ear cleaner using a cotton ball or piece of gauze (never use a cotton swab to clean a cat’s ear).
Kurilian Bobtails are extremely intelligent creatures who like learning new things. You might be surprised to learn how easy it is to teach feats to Kurilian Bobtails. It’s simple to teach your Kurilian Bobtail the home rules, even if your cat might not want to abide by them. The breed is typically easygoing and fun to be around.
Kurilian Bobtails are naturally very active, but you can help your cat get enough exercise and indoor enrichment by providing it with places to climb and perch, like cat trees and kitty condos, and by involving your cat in enjoyable play by tease them with feather wands, toss toy mice at them, and play with interactive toys. Give your cat a variety of appropriate scratching surfaces so they can indulge in their instinctive scratching behavior. While some cats prefer to scratch horizontally (on scratching posts or cat trees), others prefer to scratch vertically (as with cardboard or sisal scratchers that lie on the ground).
Common Health Problems
Despite the fact that some pedigreed cat breeds are more prone to developing particular genetically related problems, the Kurilian Bobtail cat breed is incredibly healthy and currently has no recognized health issues. Breeders with high moral standards carefully choose their breeding stock and avoid pairing cats with any health issues. A range of health warranties are also offered by numerous reliable breeders.
Food intake and diet
The majority of cats are overweight. Cats shouldn’t be given excessive food or allowed to put on weight. Your Kurilian Bobtail’s risk of contracting diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis is reduced by maintaining a healthy weight. Feed your Kurilian Bobtail in measured portions at regular mealtimes (twice a day for adult cats). Free-feeding, which is leaving food out all day, promotes mindless consumption and can lead to a cat being obese. Ask your breeder or vet for their recommendation on a healthy meal for your Kurilian Bobtail cat.
The Best Places to Buy or Adopt a Kurilian Bobtail
You might wish to visit your local cat show, where you can meet reputable breeders and see a broad variety of cats, if you’re thinking about buying a Kurilian Bobtail kitten. To find a cat show nearby, use a web search for “cat show near me.” Speak to breeders even if you want to rescue. Due to the rarity of the breed, it is doubtful that you would discover a Kurilian Bobtail at your local animal shelter. The International Cat Association maintains a list of active breeders on their website.
Breeds of Cats Not Listed Here and More Research
If you like Kurilian Bobtails, you might also like these cat breeds:
- Japanese Siberian Bobtail Pixie-Bob Cat
If not, browse through all of our other cat breed articles to find the perfect cat for you and your household.
