Distinguished by her curly, rippled coat and people-oriented personality, the LaPerm is calm and friendly, yet at other times energetic and inquisitive. This feline thrives on attention and likes to be close to her human companions. Though curious, this breed is content to be a lap cat and close to whatever is going on. The LaPerm blossoms with a loving family.
DID YOU KNOW? The LaPerm coat ranges from wavy to ringlets to long corkscrew curls. Those with longhair have curly plumed tails and a full, curly ruff, and those with shorthair have more texture, no ruff and a bottle-brush type tail. The tightest curls are found on the belly, throat and base of the ears.
The need-to-know
- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Somehow talkative cat
- Average build cat breed
- Requires grooming every day
- Outdoor cat
- Great family cat
Personality
La Perms are gentle cats. They love people and seek out human company. They are very affectionate and enjoy being cuddled and readily learn to fetch as well as many other skills. They are inquisitive by nature always wanting to know what is going on around them. They are generally quiet voiced but may be vocal when wanting attention.
History and Origins
Country of Origin: USAThe La Perm cat's curly or wavy coat is its most remarkable feature. This originator of the breed was found in a litter of ordinary cats on a farm in Oregon in 1986. A single kitten in the litter of six was born bald. Within eight weeks the kitten began to grow very soft, curly hair. At three to four months of age the kitten had a full coat of curly hair found in all La Perms. Unlike other curly coats breeds, such as the Devon Rex cat breed or Cornish Rex cat breed, the La Perm's coat may be short or long. The breed is not common outside America.
Nutrition and Feeding
Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.
Other Information
Health and common issues
Inherited ailments have yet to be identified in the breed.
Best cat breeds for children
While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.