The Way of Cats

Mixed breed cats are wonderful.

There’s usually some surprises going on. While cats of the same breed can vary, mixed breeds can vary, squared. There’s an infinite number of different combinations that can come up. I encourage everyone to try one of these “chaos theory” cats, where we leave our fate up to a bit of randomness.

Mixed breeds are just as likely to be a great cat as a purebred cat from a breeder. Mixes have a drawback, but there’s also an advantage.

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The tricky part of mixed breeds is that they often come from a stressed background. They can be the product of random breeding, often by people who don’t care enough about their cat to take care of them properly. They were carried by mother cats who are too young for the role, have trouble getting enough food, and only dream of vet care. The resultant kittens are rescued off the street, plucked from roadside ditches, or given away in parking lots.

Yet… these kittens grow up to be great cats.

Cats have a magical way of beating bad odds. Some cats get intervention soon enough to make a huge difference. Some cats are the result of accidents by well-meaning owners, who take care of the kittens the best they can and find them homes. A lot of them, like RJ, are so inherently loving not even the worst beginning can ruin them beyond repair.

Because every kitten has a genetic heritage. Whether it’s described on paper or inscribed in their little faces. Even the most meticulous breeder, or the most careless of circumstances, are no guarantee, one way or another, of how the cat will turn out. The first cloned cat, Carbon Copy, was created in Texas. But they are not identical. Her patches (almost all calicoes are female) are not the same as her donor cat’s patches.

It seems that the genes can be the same, but their expression is still random. We can duplicate the genetic code, but not the environmental factors which switch these codes on or off.

Each cat is different.

Whether we carefully deliberate over kittens from a good breeder, or drop by the shelter to see who’s there, choosing is still up to us.

It is probably the only factor we truly have control over.

The more we have decided what we’d like in a cat, and how to recognize it when we see it, the greater our chances of getting the cat we want.

No matter where the cat might come from.

Anything we like in a purebred can be found in a mixed breed. Any length or texture of hair, any shape of nose or eyes or tail. Huge Chunky chocolate bar paws or dainty little pointy paws. A range of personalities more varied than all the sample colors at the hardware store.

Cat or kitten, purebred or not, choosing carefully before we take the cat home is only the beginning of the cat relationship. It’s not the last decision we will make. Every day we have the ability, and the opportunity, to shape our interactions with the cat towards happiness; or towards misery.

Nature has already spun the big wheel, and formed the cat we are contemplating. But the environment will be equally influential.

And that’s us.

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People have misconceptions about what purebred means. They often think that having a pedigreed cat implies some kind of quality, as thought a purebred is somehow better than a mixed breed. But that is not what it means.

A purebred is a recognized breed whose parents were both recognized breeds. And that’s it.

That’s all it means.

Where did these breeds come from? From all kinds of cats who weren't purebred. Random mutations, favorite cats with traits people liked, new combinations of other breeds; do it long enough, make it popular, draw up some rules that say what the cat is, and bam! You've got a purebred.

This breed is known as a Foldex, out of Canada, circa 1998. Darned cute, and a sweet personality.

The first ones were mixed breeds. Now, it’s a purebred.

The reason for purebreds is not that they are inherently better. They are, however, more predictable.

If we like a certain look or a certain personality, getting a purebred which matches what we are looking for gives us better odds.

We should look for a purebred cat when:

• we want a particular look
• we want a predictable personality
• we want a kitten we know has been treated well since before birth

There are abundant rescue organizations for the different breeds. Anyone who really wants a breed can get one. But while breeds are popular, they are far outnumbered by mixed breed cats, and those who have mixes are just as happy with their choice.

There are some drawbacks to purebreds, be they cats, dogs, or in the case of certain monarchies of Europe, people. The restricted gene pool can draw out genetic weaknesses. Such delightful traits as the Siamese’s love of talk or the Persian’s cute nose can go too far in certain kittens, who will then display extremes that aren’t as charming. Just as with dogs, there are “kitten mills” who breed the cats for money, not love. This results in kittens who are too shy, too aggressive, or too sick to lead a happy life.

We should always be wary of backyard breeders and bargains. That way lies heartbreak, and perpetuates cruelty.

If we want a purebred kitten, we should commit to the right way of obtaining one. Research the breed, so we know what to expect and look for in the kittens and their parents, at least one of which should be on the premises. Good breeders raise the kittens “underfoot,” and make sure they are socialized early and well. They make sure the kittens are vet checked and have their early vaccinations. They ask questions about our living situation, who will be taking responsibility for the kitten’s care and well-being, and will discourage thoughts of not altering the kitten.

That’s right. They don’t want other people to breed cats; unless they are willing to put in the care and respect for the breed that is a hallmark of a good cat breeder. Participation in shows and championships for their cats is one way we can tell the breeder takes their responsibilities seriously.

Though I give equal weight to how well a breeder understands the breed, enjoys it, and can give a rundown on each kitten’s personality, leading to a good guess about the kind of cat they will grow up to be.

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