American Curl Cat Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

2.2-4.5 kg

Length

23-30 cm

Lifespan

9-16 years

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About the American Curl Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Thinking of adding a cute ball of fluff to your family? Then it’s time to be introduced to the American Curl Cat. This cat has a few distinct features that make it quite easy to identify them from amongst other cat breeds. The most obvious one is their adorable curled-back ears.

The American Curl cat breed enjoys showing affection to its owners and is regarded as having quite a laid-back character. They like to explore outside and are very adaptable to different living conditions which makes them perfect for those with both small and large living spaces.

Origin & History

The origin and history of the American Curl cat is a fairly short one. A lone stray kitten managed to find its way to a house owned by a couple in California. They took the stray cat in and noticed it had unusual ears that curled backward.

The cat went on to have four kittens with an unknown father. Two of the kittens had the same curled ears that the mother had and a geneticist confirmed that the unusual trait was the result of a dominant gene. Specific breeding of the cats began and in 1986, the Cat Fanciers association registered the feline as a new breed. A year later, in 1987, the International Cat Association recognized the cat as a new breed.

From being a single stray cat to being recognized as a new breed took only six years which is almost unheard of. Another unique feature of the cat is that it is the only breed to be recognized as having two different lengths of coat.

What Is The American Curl Cat Breed?

As mentioned, the American Curl cat breed came about from a single stray cat that possessed an autosomal dominant mutation that produced distinct curled ears. The ear curling gene became a desirable feature amongst cat breeders and the unusual breed quickly gained popularity.

Every American Curl cat today can be traced back to Shulamith, that original stray. The cats can be bred with non-pedigreed domestic cats that have straight ears or with other American Curls which ensures genetic diversity and a large gene pool for a healthy breed.

Who Are American Curls Best Suited For?

The American Curl is a great pet for families with children since they are very gentle and affectionate and enjoy the company of people. It is often said that the American Curl is like the Peter Pan of the cats. The older American curls often have as much energy and enthusiasm for life as the younger ones.

They enjoy exploring the outside world but also like spending time with their owners. This means that the cat is best suited for people that aren’t away from their house for extended periods of time leaving their pet feeling lonely at home.

Appearance

The most distinct feature is the American Curl’s ears that set them apart from other pets. They have a silky coat that can be either long or short and which comes in an array of different colours.

Coat

As already noted above, the coat of the American Curl can be either short or long. It is described as being silky and smooth and the fur as being quite straight.

Colour

The American Curl can have lots of different colours of fur from white and black to golden, chocolate, and even silver.

Patterns

As well as a large range of fur colours, the pattern on each cat can vary massively between one another. Some examples include solid colour, bicolour, smoke, and shaded.

Grooming & Shedding

How you groom your cat will depend on the type of coat it has. For Curls with a short-haired coat, you should groom their coat once a week, which will help keep it healthy and glistening.

For American Curls with a long-haired coat, grooming twice a week will be necessary to keep the coat in tip-top condition. This will help to remove any knots and dirt from the fur keeping your furry friend healthy and shining.

It is also important to routinely check the ears of the cat as they are more prone to issues with their ears due to their distinct curls. You can use a damp cloth to remove any dirt from around the ears but avoid using cotton swabs as they can cause damage to the fragile membrane.

Good dental hygiene is extremely important in maintaining your cat’s health. You should aim to brush their teeth a few times a week to remove any plaque and dirt from their mouth. You can also use treats that help reduce plaque build-up in your cat’s mouth but remember these aren’t a substitution for brushing.

Personality

The American Curl is a super friendly breed of cat that enjoys being around lots of people including children. They are super gentle animals that like to be quite active. They are described as being relatively inquisitive and will follow you around to see what you are up to but won’t be in your face trying to grab your attention.

When you get home from work you will most likely be greeted with an affectionate head bump to show you that your furry friend is glad to see you.

An important note is that although they enjoy adventuring outside, they don’t like to be left alone for too long so this is something to consider if you spend a lot of time away from home.

Habits & Activity

The American Curl likes to play games and learn new tricks. After running around for a while though, like most cats, they enjoy getting cosy and sleeping on your lap.

Habits

The American Curl is a very intelligent breed which means that you can teach them fun tricks. It also means that they can figure out how to use door handles so you might want to be extra careful about what you leave lying around in cupboards!

Activity

Similar to a lot of cat breeds, the American Curl requires a moderate level of activity. This means that they will play with you for a while then run out of energy and opt for a cuddle and a snooze on the sofa.

Noise

Unlike some other pets and breeds, the American Curl will not cause a lot of noise living in your house. The most they will do is quietly try to get your attention with a nudge or a small meow.

Size

The American Curl is described as being a medium-sized cat that can live comfortably in both small and large households.

Typically, American curls weigh on average between 2.2-4.5kg and grow to a height of around 23-30cm. Compared to other cat breeds, the American Curl is right in the average size bracket.

Training

The American Curl is a very intelligent breed which makes training a lot easier. They enjoy learning new tricks so teaching them to use the litter will be no hassle whatsoever, making them an ideal house cat.

Potential Health Issues

Thankfully, these cats are mostly healthy animals with no genetic disorders running in their bloodline. It should be noted though that both mixed breed cats and pedigreed cats aren’t immune to potential health issues in their lifetime.

For instance, because of the American Curl’s distinctive curled ears, they are more prone to ear infections so make sure to check them regularly and take them to the vet if you notice anything wrong with them.

Lifespan

On average this breed of cat will typically live between 9 and 16 years.

Feeding

Like other cats, if they don’t have sufficient daily exercise and maintain a high-quality diet they can become obese. This can cause further health complications so it is important that you keep on top of what your cat is eating and make sure they are receiving the right nutrition.

American Curl Prices In Australia

American curl kittens will cost between $1000 and $1200 if you buy from a reputable breeder, so do your homework before you buy! Buying from an established breeder will help ensure that you are buying a healthy and happy kitty.

FAQs

Are American Curls expensive?

Yes, they are quite expensive; however, if you get the cat from an adoption centre you can get them for a lot cheaper.

Are American Curls good pets?

Yes, they are described as being great pets that are good around people, that enjoy showing affection, and that don’t require a huge amount of attention.

Do American Curls like to be held?

American curls don’t actually like to be cuddled; however, they do enjoy the company and being near you.

Are American Curl cats lap cats?

Yes! They will happily sit on your lap whilst you watch tv and will most likely fall asleep. They are very comfortable around people and won’t hesitate to get comfy on top of you.

Are American Curls smart?

Yes, American curl cats are one of the most intelligent breeds of cats and enjoy learning new tricks. Be careful though as that means that they can find smart ways to get into things that you might not want them in, like your food-filled cupboards!