Highland Lynx Information Part 2

(This is one of 3 pages of information about Highland Lynx Cats. See links at bottom.)

EXOTIC FEATURES

One of the more fabulous qualities of Highland Lynx cats is that no two are alike! I have a friend who raises Golden Retrievers, a lovely, sweet breed of dog. But they all look like darling little clones. Highland Lynx kittens are as individually wild as the imagination is wide!

The Highlander comes with long hair, short hair or medium hair. Their ears can be tightly curled, just curled on the tip or not curled at all. (Often the ears and toes are tufted.) They can have the normal number of toes (5 front, 4 back) or they can have 6, 7, or even 8 toes in any combination on the front and back, making them polydactyl (more than the normal # of toes).

Their tails can be short, medium or long in length, kinked or even absent altogether (called rumpy). Eye color can be lion gold, emerald green (or the golden green of the wild cats) and generally in snows, a bright, deep blue. And you have already read the list of stunning colors they can have and the range of sizes they come in. There is just no cat on earth like the marvelous Highland Lynx!

DIETARY NEEDS

All cats are what we call obligate carnivores and will thrive on food that has a very high percentage of animal protein; and is absent of colors, sugars, preservatives, grains and other fillers, etc. Felines cannot digest carbohydrates such as the grains often used in commercial cat food. The Highland Lynx is no different.

In nature a cat would rarely, if ever have access to a dry food of any kind. Cats are also very susceptible to kidney diseases that could be averted if there were more water in their diet. Cats are designed to get much of that needed water from their food, and are not big water drinkers, thus the food given them in our care should be as close to nature as possible if we desire to keep them healthy. Moist foods should be their primary fare and dry kibble given only as a lesser percentage such as snacks or back-up for days when you need to feed in a hurry.

Ideally a cat would be eating bones with their meat. This provided calcium and other minerals as well as helping to keep their teeth healthy. Today there are several foods you can purchase which contain ground bone for your cats health; the closest these darlings will ever come to their prey.

If your food does not contain essential fatty acids, green plants and a few veggie's, try to supplement with these in pill (or powder) form for complete nutrition.

GROOMING REQUIREMENTS

Coat: Highland Lynx bobtail cats are easy to care for and require less grooming than some breeds. A good brushing every other week, should keep him/her in good condition. This kind of handling keeps you in touch with small issues of your cats skin and coat health that you might not otherwise be aware of as well as giving you extra bonding time. Start young to create an enjoyment of this contact in your cat.

*Ears: Be aware that the Highland Lynx and Desert Lynx tend to form heavier ear wax build-up than most cats. This excess is often mistaken for ear mites (which would be accompanied by a bad odor and dirty looking ears all over). Though your cat will dislike this kind of grooming, you must regularly clean down as far as you can see with your finger and a piece of paper towel. If necessary purchase ear cleaner from your vet.

Claws: Trimming your cats nails should be started at a young age and performed regularly. This protects your furniture and your skin, as well as the possible loss of a toenail when snagged in the carpet or such.

For more information vist the 2 pages below...
Highland Lynx Information Part 1
The Marvelous Highland Lynx