Sometimes called the Shirley Temples of the cat world, these lovely felines have an apparently recognizable trademark of curly coats, whiskers, and eyebrows. And, these cute traits aren’t their solely distinctive characteristic. Skookums have shorter entrance legs than their rear legs, although this doesn’t stop these cute little critters from zooming round speedily.
Skookum cats are a novel and uncommon breed of feline. Their story begins within the late 90s, and at this time they’re acknowledged as an experimental breed by some registries. The mother or father breed’s temperaments and traits shine via these lovely little furballs.
From their uncommon brief legs to their curly coats, let’s dive in to know extra about this short-legged breed of kitty.
13 Issues to Know About Skookum Cats
In the event you’re seeking to get your self an lovely, curly-whiskered-eyebrowed-haired, brief little Skookum, there are some fascinating issues to find out about them. For starters, they aren’t your typical home bread cat; regardless of their stature, they’re tremendous energetic and simply merely full of affection and cuddles.
So, with out additional ado, let’s check out what there’s to find out about these cute little critters.
1. Skookum Cat Historical past
Skookum cats have been developed from a cross between Munchkins and LaPerm cats to create a short-legged kitty with a curly coat. The Skookum breed is round 30 years previous now, and whereas this will likely appear lengthy, it’s comparatively brief by way of existence for a cat breed.
Check out their mother or father breeds. Munchkins have been round for the reason that Nineteen Forties and the LaPerm cats for the reason that Eighties. The Skookum breed started within the Nineties when Roy Galusha began cross-breeding Munchkins and LaPerms.
The Worldwide Cat Affiliation or TICA is probably the most important genetic cat registry worldwide and so they’ve accepted the Skookum cat as an experimental breed. And though the breed has been accepted as an experimental breed, it hasn’t been accepted as an precise breed – till there’s a surety that there are not any destructive connotations with the cat breed.
2. Skookum Cat’s Identify Origins
Whereas the phrase “rex” is usually used to exhibit {that a} cat breed has curly hair, such because the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex, the curly-haired Skookum doesn’t comply with swimsuit with its identify.
The Skookum identify has Native American origins, deriving from jargon utilized by the Chinook tribe, which means “mighty,” “courageous,” or “highly effective.” That’s a reasonably large identify for such a small kitty to stay as much as. However funnily sufficient, these little curly pet balls are, in truth, courageous and mighty – in their very own sorts of shapes and types.
3. Skookum Cat Temperament
As a result of the Skookum breed continues to be in its early levels and so they’re a comparatively new pressure of breed, it’s necessary to try and research the mother or father breed’s characters. The Skookum cat’s temperament could retain lots of the Munchkin’s and LaPerm’s qualities.
- Munchkin Cats: These candy pussycats have a ton of vitality. And regardless of their brief legs, they’re recognized to get the zoomies around the house, chasing after their toys and treats.
These felines like to play and benefit from the firm of canines, kids, and different cats. Furthermore, they’re much cherished for his or her brief stature and fluffy coats.
- LaPerm Cats: Whereas Munchkins are greatest recognized for his or her explosive vitality, LaPerm cats, then again, are acknowledged for fooling around. These clown-like cats will depart you in stitches. However don’t mistake their clownery for stupidity. LaPerm cats are highly-intelligent creatures, with the flexibility to open doorways and snack on treats hidden in hard-to-reach locations.
The Skookum kitty could inherit traits from each of its mother or father breeds. In spite of everything, they’re recognized to be energetic and playful, clever, and curious. In the event you’re in search of a fur child that can get together with different pets in the home and, in fact, your kids, then a bit of Skookum could slot in completely.
Remember, when in search of any cross-bred cat, you might find yourself with the dominant character from both mother or father breed. So, ensure you’re proud of each the Munchkin’s and LaPerm’s temperaments earlier than committing your self and your loved ones to a Skookum.
4. Skookum Character
As I’ve talked about, these furry felines are lively, playful kitties which are stuffed with spirit. They love climbing and leaping, so investing in a cat tree or cabinets for cats can be most acceptable when proudly owning a Skookum.
Together with their lovely character and foolish antics, these kitties like to snuggle and are affectionate in nature.
Furthermore, Skookum cats are recognized for his or her happy-go-lucky personalities. These assured and calm kitties are athletic and make fantastic household pets, or for anybody looking for an lively cat that enjoys a pleasant lap snuggle.
Psst…Remember, temperament is inherited, whereas character is acquired via socialization and different components.
5. Skookum Traits
Skookum’s traits embrace distinct options that set them other than their mother or father cats, the Munchkin and LaPerm.
As a unique cat breed, these kitties have lengthy, plumed tails with rounded ideas. They boast massive, pointed ears atop their wedged-shaped heads. Furthermore, they’ve medium-to-large, almond-shaped eyes.
Regardless of these kitties being light-weight furballs, they’re significantly muscular. It’s because their brief entrance legs and longer again legs have a stocky look, and their our bodies seem to remain low to the bottom. Total, the physique and neck of a Skookum cat could seem broad with a rounded chest and compact toes.
6. Meals & Weight-reduction plan Necessities
Though these kitties have a novel look, Skookums don’t have a specific dietary requirement.
To maintain your Skookum’s coat, pores and skin, and weight at optimum ranges, it’s best to present your kitty with a high-quality protein weight loss plan with pure elements. It’s a good suggestion to provide these pussycats a mixture of dry and moist cat meals to offer a various array of vitamins.
Canned meals can also present added moisture and protein to your cat’s weight loss plan and are important to a wholesome way of life.
7. Train & Coaching Necessities
Skookums have a great deal of vitality; they like to play and bounce round. So, should you personal or are about to, it’s best to put money into toys and be ready to do some lively pursuits every now and then. Palms-on toys usually tend to stimulate them and get them transferring, like a laser level or a puzzle field.
These little furbabies are tremendous sensible and gained’t offer you a lot hassle while you’re coaching them to do basic items, resembling utilizing the litter field. Moreover, you probably have the endurance to work with them, these beautiful pussies are brilliant sufficient to grasp extra advanced expertise resembling cat strolling.
8. Skookum’s Curly Coat’s Colours
A Skookum cat’s curly locks are certainly one of its most original options. Furthermore, these felines even have curled whiskers and eyebrows – how cute!
A Skookum’s coat can characteristic an array of patterns and colours. These can embrace tabby, bicolor, colour factors, and strong colours. And other than curly coats and colours, their coats may be both brief or lengthy. Moreover, skookums also can are available different colours which are current within the Munchkin or LaPerm strains.
9. Skookum Primary Care
Skookum cats are usually low-maintenance breeds. Although they’re straightforward to look after, one ought to keep in mind that they nonetheless require the fundamental accountability that you’d give to some other furry good friend.
Common visits to the vets for normal check-ups and photographs are really helpful. Resulting from these kitties’ small legs, it’s best to take your Skookum for check-ups to make sure that they don’t seem to be affected by any again or joint issues both.
It’s additionally important to offer your kitty with loads of workouts (keep in mind they’re half Munchkin and thus, wish to be lively).
10. Grooming Skookums
Skookum cats’ curls are thought-about certainly one of these cats’ major distinguishing traits. Their curly, windblown coats go in whichever approach it pleases. Although the fur could look intimidating to take care of, it’s pretty straightforward and requires minimal upkeep.
These kitty’s hairs could require brushing with a cat brush a couple of times per week. You’ll wish to brush the mushy curls gently in order that the locks don’t frizz – yep, you heard it, frizz.
You may use some water in a twig bottle and a few pet conditioner to spray the curls calmly. Then run your fingers via their curls to provide some quantity – very like people would do, proper?
In the event you’d wish to brush them extra, go forward. These felines love being petted, cuddled, and adored. Furthermore, it’s an effective way to bond together with your attention-loving Skookum.
11. Well being Issues & Circumstances
Skookum cats are an experimental, new feline breed, so main well being issues and life expectancy are unknown for now. For probably the most half, the breed is comparatively wholesome.
Just like the Lambkin cat, the Skookums are cross-bred from the Munchkin cat, the place dwarfism in cats is the results of genetic mutation from the mother or father breeds. This creates a situation often called pseudoachondroplasia. Whereas it might not trigger issues for the feline, it can lead to limb deformities or loss of life whereas nonetheless within the womb.
Munchkin cats are additionally susceptible to having lordosis and pectus excavatum. Alternatively, LaPerm cats are wholesome felines with none genetic problems. Due to this fact, Skookums could inherit well being issues identical to some other breed of Munchkin cats.
12. Feminine vs. Male Skookums
There are some notable bodily variations between feminine and male Skookums.
Probably the most obvious distinction is the dimensions of the cat. Females usually weigh in at 3-5 kilos, whereas males, on common, weigh between 5-7 kilos. Moreover, males can attain an inch taller than their feminine counterparts.
No matter their weight, Skookum cats will weigh roughly half the dimensions of your common family grownup kitty.
Apparently, one other frequent distinction between the sexes is their coats. Male Skookums’ coats are likely to have a lot tighter curls than females’. So, should you see a Skookum with tight curls, it might be a male, and contrarily, one with free locks could also be a feminine.
13. Proudly owning a Skookum
To start with, each of Skookum’s dad and mom are comparatively expensive cat breeds. Skookum felines, then again, are thought to be extremely unusual breeds, making their prices significantly increased than both of their mother or father breed’s.
Munchkins usually promote for about $10,000, whereas LaPerms go for about $500 on common. Nevertheless, in the case of proudly owning an lovely little Skookum, be ready to satisfy excessive calls for and pay a fairly penny of roughly $2,000.
Skookum kitties are extra than simply their total lovely personalities and distinctive look. Granted, with their stubby entrance legs, curly coats, and candy faces, they’ve distinct traits too.
Their distinctive windblown locks and affectionate, foolish personalities make these kitties adored from all all over the world. What do you consider these paw-fect little curl-balls? Have you ever been so fortunate to have met one?
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud mother or father of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is captivated with understanding cats and completely different cat breeds.
