This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 10 years in veterinary medicine, she specializes in the concept of “one health,” which uses insights from veterinary medicine to help human medical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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The LaPerm cat descended from the American Shorthair: the first one was born in 1982. It has a mutation called the Rex gene which gives it a curly coat.[1] It has some distinctive characteristics, and it comes in both long- and shorthair varieties. Personality-wise, this cat is affectionate, though it does like getting into a bit of trouble from time to time.
Steps
Looking for Physical Characteristics
Check for the curly coat. The main identifier of a LaPerm is its curly, fluffy coat. These cats can be longhair or shorthair, but either way, the coat is wavy. Often, it kind of poofs out around the cat, and some of these cats even have ringlets.[2]- The fur is very soft, and it comes in a variety of colors. The most common colors/patterns are ginger, tabby, or tortoiseshell.[3]
- Many LaPerm kittens are born bald. If you know your kitten was born bald and its coat developed later, there is a good chance that it’s a LaPerm.
- LaPerm coats do not shed very much, and what little shedding there is can usually be controlled with regular brushing.[4]
Notice hair in and at the top of their ears. These cats almost always have hair growing inside their ears. In addition, they'll often have hair growing at the very tip of the ear, as well. Check for these features when identifying the LaPerm.[5]Advertisement
Look for the bottle brush or feather plume tail. The tail of a shorthaired LaPerm is generally distinctive. It looks most like a bottle brush, so you'll be able to spot this characteristic right away. In longhaired LaPerms, the tail is very fluffy and curly, looking most like a feather plume.[6]
Notice its extended length. While the cat is fairly small, its body is closer to medium or long in length. It also has long legs. This feature, combined with its small size, makes for a somewhat lanky cat, though it has plenty of muscle for getting into mischief.[10]
Check for the wedge-shaped head. Another distinctive feature of this cat breed is its wedge-shaped head. Also, its features are generally rounded, including its ears, though its eyes are usually almond-shaped. Both of these features (the eyes and ears) stand out a bit.[11]Advertisement
Checking the Cat's Personality
Expect an affectionate cat. While these cats won't be on your lap every second of every day, they do enjoy affection. They will leap onto your lap for cuddle time if the opportunity presents itself, and they will often be nearby, following you around the house.[12]
Look for a trickster. These cats are clever, and they enjoy getting into a bit of trouble every now and then. For instance, you may notice that a closed door suddenly decides to open with these cats around (particularly if the door has a lever handle). They may also steal items when you're not looking.[13]- The cat may also paw at you when it wants attention.
Notice a climber. These cats like to be up high so they can take in the whole scene. Therefore, they may hop up on your shoulder, or they may pick a high spot in the room to survey what's going on. They like high cat trees, for instance.[14]
Pay attention to a quiet cat. These cats are not particularly talkative. They may occasionally have something to say and issue a meow or two, but for the most part, they'll show you what they want rather than making noise about it.[15]
Check for a social cat. That is, this cat gets along with the whole family. They are affectionate with kids and adults alike. They also do fine with other pets, including dogs (as long as the dog is friendly towards cats!).[16]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/laperm/
- ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/laperm/
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#overview
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/laperm-cats#/slide/5
- ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/laperm/
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#overview
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/laperm-cats#/slide/5
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#overview
- ↑ http://tica.org/cat-breeds/item/230-laperm-shorthair-introduction
- ↑ http://tica.org/cat-breeds/item/230-laperm-shorthair-introduction
- ↑ http://tica.org/cat-breeds/item/230-laperm-shorthair-introduction
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#personality
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/laperm-cats#/slide/5
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#personality
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/laperm-cats#/slide/5
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/laperm#personality
About this article
If you’re trying to identify a LaPerm cat, look for a ginger, tabby, or tortoise shell color coat that poofs and curls out around the cat. Even though they are known for their coats, LaPerms are actually born bald, so if your cat had no hair at birth but grew a wavy coat later on, there’s a good chance it’s a LaPerm. You should also check to see if there is hair growing at the very top and inside the ear because LaPerms will almost always grow hair in those places. When you look at the cat’s head, check to see that it is wedge-shaped with rounded ears and almond-shaped eyes that stand out a bit, as these features are characteristic of a LaPerm. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to identify a LaPerm cat based on personality, scroll down!
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