Laperm

Origin story

Officially, the year of birth of the Laperm breed is considered to be 1982: when a hairless kitten was born on an ordinary farm in the American town of Dallas.
His mother was a simple mongrel cat, his father was a “visiting” cat-traveler, so the birth of a baby without hair, but with bluish spots on the skin, was treated rather indifferently: what to take from the little freak? Let him live. However, after a couple of months, the owners were pleasantly surprised: the kitten’s body was covered with unusually soft to the touch, and most importantly, curly fur of a beautiful shade. Naturally, they named the baby Curly.

Over time, the number of curly-haired cats increased and the owners began to wonder: what’s the matter? A couple of cats were taken to a local exhibition and shown to specialists, and they rendered a verdict: they had never seen such an amazing mutation, which means that a new, unprecedented breed had appeared. And it should be developed further.

Richard and Linda Coel, the owners, did not put the matter on hold. It turned out that the curly gene is the dominant gene, and it is transmitted both through the mother and through the father. This greatly simplified the breeding task. The first nursery was opened, several exhibitions were held, and work began to stabilize the breed. The crossbreeding involved Manx cats, Siamese cats, and domestic mongrel cats of similar build.

In 1997, a standard was drawn up, and gradually the breed was recognized one by one by major world felinological organizations: TICA in 2002, CFA in 2008, ACFA in 2011, ACFA in 2011. In 2021, the breed became closed, i.e. cats are no longer allowed to be crossed with other breeds.

The name of the breed consists of the English “perm” - perm and the French article “la”.

Standards

Laperm are quite large cats. Females are usually smaller than males and weigh 2-2.5 kg. Males can exceed the 5 kg bar. They are proportionally built, muscular, but at the same time elegant and graceful.

Special mention should be made about wool. Laperms are divided into short-haired and long-haired.

The coat of short-haired cats is airy, light and wavy, but in some individuals it can be harsh. It lies in large waves, there is often a “collar” in the neck area, and tassels on the ears, but their absence is not considered a defect. The tail looks like a bottle brush.

Long-haired individuals have disheveled fur, a soft “collar” is always present on the neck, and the tail resembles a plume. It can be either curly or wavy, it can change density depending on the season, but it should always be airy and light. This is easy to check: if you blow on it, it moves apart. Hangs along the spine.

Laperm kittens are born hairless, and curls begin to appear at about 2 months of age.

Significant deficiencies for which points will be deducted in competitions:

• Tiger pattern on the coat, spots;
• Different wool texture.

An animal is removed from the competition if it has:

• Strabismus;
• Paws that are too short or massive;
• The body is stocky and large;
• There are extra fingers;
• The coat is not curly or wavy, but straight and thick;
• Cryptorchidism;
• The tail is short or too long, with bumps or knots visible on it;
• Bald spots and bald patches are clearly visible on the fur of adult cats (over a year old).

Do you want to buy a curly-haired kitten? Contact the nursery. When buying a baby secondhand, you risk running into scammers. The cost of one kitten is at least 400 dollars. A healthy kitten, raised in love, has clean and clear eyes, ears and mouth, it does not run wild and does not shy away from human hands. Pedigree is required if you are planning breeding: the data is printed on the organizational form and secured by the signature of the manager. A veterinary passport is also required, which must contain information about vaccinations.

Description of laperm cats

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The shape of the head of Laperm cats resembles a triangle with softly rounded corners. The wide muzzle ends in a strong and strong chin. The whisker pads have rounded outlines. The vibrissae themselves are quite long and flexible.

Below the eye line there is a small depression towards the nose, which can be found by palpation. Further to the tip of the nose the profile is straight. Laperm cats have a flat forehead.

Ears

They can be medium or large in size. Cup-shaped and wide in shape. The ears have slight pubescence on the inside. The ears of long-haired individuals are decorated with tassels at the tips.

Eyes

Laperm cats have wide-set, almond-shaped eyes with a slight slant toward the base of the ears. In a state of alertness, the eyes of animals become rounded. The color palette of the iris is very diverse and does not correlate with coat color. Pets can have blue, blue, green, yellow, copper eyes. The standard also allows eyes of different colors.

Body

The body is of medium size, the bone skeleton is of medium thickness or slightly thinner. With a balanced physique, Laperm cats are larger in size than females. This affects the weight: the weight of males can reach 5 kg, and females - only 4 kg.

The croup is slightly higher than the shoulder girdle. The tail of all representatives of the breed is proportional to the body and gently tapers to the tip.

Limbs

The legs are of medium length, but the front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs. When looking at the pet, it seems that he is walking on outstretched legs. The paw pads are rounded.

Wool

The characteristic curliness does not appear immediately in cats of the Laperm breed, but, as already noted, by four or six months. Before this, kittens live either completely without hair or with straight hair, and then they shed and become curly. At the same time, adult cats can change their appearance: lose their fur coat and then grow back with curls.

As for the color, length of the hairs and the degree of their curl, these qualities may differ among different representatives of the breed. The standard allows both long-haired and short-haired varieties. All cats have a light, springy coat that can be wavy or curly. The strongest curls grow on cats' stomachs, near the ears and on the neck.

La Perms can have a wide variety of colors. Experts count more than 30 color variations. The most basic and common are the following:

• White.
• Black.
• Ginger.
• Ivory.
• Chocolate.
• Cinnamon color.

In all variants except black, the animals have pink paw pads and a nose. In black-colored cats, these parts of the body are the same charcoal shade.

Colors

Experts allow any colors: both pure and in combination. The most common are the following:

• Black (nose and paw pads are also jet black);
• White (pink paws and nose);
• Red (pink nose and paws, ticking not desirable);
• Ivory (paw pads and nose are colored cream);
• Brown (both light and dark chocolate shade).

In the photo there are cats of the LaPerm breed of popular colors: red, black, white.
The total number of colors in the standard is 30. Hereditary: tabby and tortoiseshell.

La perm (laperm) cat is a hypoallergenic pet

Laperm cats lack undercoat, which is the main cause of cat allergies. That is why they can be a real salvation for people who would like to have a companion animal, but did not dare to be in such a neighborhood due to an allergic reaction.

LaPerm cats and cats are not “vocal”, and their fur requires regular care.

laperm cat photo

Character and behavior

This wonderful curly ball is incredibly kind and affectionate. He experiences the kindest emotions towards a person, does not hesitate to demonstrate his affection: he strives to climb onto his owner’s shoulder and lick his nose and ears, touch his face with his paws, look into his eyes. The cat’s favorite place is the shoulders and chest of a person, and in the hands the cat feels absolutely protected.

Name the cat who always wanted to live together

BasilioLeopold

She is inquisitive, but at any moment she is able to drop what she’s doing and rush to the call. Playful, but only if someone keeps her company. If a person refuses to chase a ball and prefers to sit with a book or in front of the TV, he will purr and sit next to him, and will be quite happy with this pastime. It may seem intrusive because it follows its leader literally on his heels, trying not to lose sight of him for a second.

Applies equally well to both adults and children. He plays with the kids with great joy, patiently endures being poked and pulled by the tail, and when it becomes completely unbearable, he tries to slowly sneak away to his house. Other animals living in the same territory as the laperm arouse great interest in her and a desire to make friends. And it doesn’t matter whether they are cats or dogs. But other, smaller creatures awaken hunting instincts, because cats of this breed are surprisingly dexterous hunters! With all this (surprisingly) they are absolutely not jealous.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Kittens can be taken from their mother at the age of 5-6 months. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, in the first 2 months, kittens develop immunity (and the mother helps with this). Secondly, funny curls appear by 4 months. Thirdly, these kittens are very attached to their mother and early separation causes serious harm to their psyche. Wait a little: the mother cat will be better able to teach the kitten the necessary skills than you - to use the litter box and eat, communicate with her own kind and people.

They get along well both in city apartments and in private houses, but in both places they require regular walks. Train your pet to use a leash from an early age.

He is not afraid of strangers and happily runs to meet them. Willingly allows himself to be stroked and even picked up.

A significant drawback is the following: Laperm does not take punishment seriously. If he breaks a vase and the owner scolds him, the cat will decide that the reason is a bad mood, and not the vase. You will have to be very patient and control yourself because this can be difficult to deal with at times.

An overly friendly character can lead to problems on walks. Seeing a dog, a laperm can rush to it to “say hello”, and this poses a serious danger to its health and even life. Don't let your pet run around without a leash and in general: don't take your eyes off him.

Mr. Cat recommends: character

The main character traits are friendliness and curiosity. Cats do not mind being around people and get along well with small children. There are no difficulties in living in the same territory with other animals - Laperm calmly treats dogs and cats of other breeds.

An increased interest in surrounding things is expressed in constant exploration of the territory and the desire to be close to the owners, taking an active part in their affairs. The animal's attention is attracted by bright colors and moving objects - so it is often interesting for him to watch the TV screen.

If an animal grows up in the company of people from an early age, the need for communication develops. A cat may become sad if left alone for a long time. In this case, the pet most often behaves quietly and practically does not meow. Due to the need for movement and exploration of the territory, it is better to start a laper in a private house with a large area. In a city apartment the animal will be cramped and bored.

Care instructions

It is believed that this breed is less allergenic than others. Reason: lack of undercoat. However, this can only be verified experimentally.

Wool

Caring for a Laperm cat is not difficult, but it requires care. Her curly fur does not tolerate hot air, so you cannot use a hairdryer after bathing, and don’t let her lie near radiators breathing heat - the “curl” will be ruined.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

Cats should not be bathed often: firstly, they themselves are good at “making a mess”, and secondly, water and detergents (even the best) wash away the protective layer from the skin, which can cause various types of irritation. Take your pet to the bathroom if he is so dirty (for example, in soot, oil, or something disgusting-smelling) that he definitely cannot clean himself properly. And also: before the exhibition and childbirth. The first bath is not earlier than 4-5 months (when baby teeth fall out).

It is enough to comb once a week, during shedding - 2-3 times. You need a comb with rubber teeth, a brush with natural bristles. You can also collect excess hair from the body with your hands: wet them and pull the skin a little.

Ears

Ears are examined and cleaned once a week. Excess wax is wiped off with a cotton swab dipped in boiled water or ear lotion. Under no circumstances should you pour liquid into your ear!

Teeth

Teeth are brushed once a month. To do this, buy cat paste with the taste of meat or valerian and a soft brush with short bristles at the veterinary store. If the cat is patient and does not show aggression, you can wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and brush its teeth with it.

Claws

Keeping nails trimmed or trimming depends on how often your cat uses the scratching post. If you don't notice much enthusiasm and she is clearly lazy, you will have to help her.

The claws are cut like this: the cat is fixed in one position (you can wrap it in a towel or ask someone in your household for help) and the tips of the claws are bitten off with a nail clipper. All this is done extremely carefully so as not to touch large vessels and not injure the paw.

Choosing a baby and its approximate cost

There are very few breeders of this breed in Russia, so kittens are rarely born. But if you discuss the purchase of a baby in advance with the breeders, you can become the owner of a unique pet. There are no nurseries with animals of this breed in Ukraine. In Minsk, as well as in the rest of Belarus, there are also no breeders involved in breeding strange cats.

The minimum price for a baby is about $200. The average cost varies between $500. The final amount is influenced by color, pedigree, gender, and purpose of purchase. The highest cost is limited to $4,500.

When buying a baby, you need to pay attention to the wool: it should be in small curls. It is necessary to check that all vaccinations have been completed on time and that the relevant records are indicated in the veterinary passport.

Catering

Lapermas are not capricious when it comes to food, but you need to immediately decide how you will feed your pet: should you cook the food yourself or buy ready-made dry and wet food? Both the first and second options have many advantages, but they also have their disadvantages.

Natural products

Natural nutrition, balanced and properly selected, allows you to fully satisfy all the body's needs for nutrients, minerals and vitamins. When choosing products, you can check their quality yourself, choose a more suitable price, and, ultimately, diversify your diet with one dish or another. And the cat definitely won’t get tired of it.

The grocery basket cannot include the following products:

• Fatty meat, lard, tripe (hard on the stomach, high risk of infection with parasites);
• River fish (the same parasites and the risk of developing urolithiasis);
• Marinades, sugar, salt, seasonings, spices (disrupt metabolism);
• Chocolate, mushrooms, eggplants (poisonous);
• Legumes, potatoes (provoke increased gas formation);
• Drinks with caffeine (put stress on the heart);
• Onions, garlic, tomatoes, avocados (cause gastrointestinal upset);
• Nuts, dried fruits (load on the kidneys).

It is also better to exclude salty, smoked, sour foods, citrus fruits, raisins, whole cow's milk, baked goods and flour - they are not beneficial. The same applies to juices, compotes, dog food, canned human food and vitamins.

Here's what you can and should give:

• Porridges cooked in water: rice, oatmeal, millet, buckwheat, pearl barley, semolina;
• Stewed vegetables: zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green salad, parsley, dill;
• Boiled chicken yolk, quail and turkey eggs;
• Raw or cooked lean meat: beef, veal, chicken, lamb and rabbit;
• Sea fish: flounder, trout, hake, salmon (once a week you can treat your cat with boiled peeled shrimp and squid);
• Fermented milk products: organic yogurt, cottage cheese, unsalted hard cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cream;
• Apples, cucumbers, melon, corn.

Give your pet only clean water: settled or passed through a special filter. You can also buy bottled water at the store. Change it 2 times a day and wash the bowl more often.

Recommended food

Ready-made food is convenient if you don’t have time to cook. Choose food from the holistic group: they have the best composition and a good vitamin and mineral supplement. These are Acana, Farmina N&D, Savarra. However, super-premium food is also suitable. But accustom the animal to the food gradually and monitor its reaction: if the cat develops diarrhea, constipation, or skin rashes, replace it with another one.

Below are recommended super-premium foods. Links with the names of the food are clickable, on them you can, within our website, read the descriptions of the food and read reviews from owners of LaPerm cats.

Breed color

The standard does not limit the color range of representatives of the LaPerm breed. It has about 30 color interpretations. The most common are the following:

• black;
• white;
• ginger;
• chocolate;
• cream;
• cinnamon.

In all of the above cases (except for black), cats have pink paw pads and noses. In blacklings, these parts of the body are charcoal.

Contrasting inclusions in the form of spots and stripes are allowed in the color.

Diseases

This breed has no genetic pathologies, however, hereditary diseases are also not noted. But representatives of this breed are not immune from ordinary cat diseases. Therefore, be sure to give your animal all important vaccinations and anti-worm medications.

Rabies, calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, chlamydia, peritonitis (infectious), microsporia and trichophytosis are the main and most common diseases that cause animals a lot of suffering and often lead to death. Vaccinations against them are done once a year, and deworming is carried out beforehand. High-quality vaccines: “Nobivak”, “Quadricat”, “Leukorifelin”, “Fel-o-vax”, “Multifel”.

Laperms have one peculiarity: fleas, once on their skin, often provoke the development of allergies. Therefore, regularly examine your pet and if you notice insects, immediately begin treating it with special preparations. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse.

Health and basic rules for caring for animals

Fluffy and active laperm kittens, like adults, love walks outside the house and are distinguished by a healthy curiosity.

Such street conquerors must be treated to prevent damage by ectoparasites, which happily settle in the long and curly hair of pets.

For those who live on the ground floors or in private houses and allow their pet to go out into the stairwell or walk on the street, it is important to carry out prevention.

In addition to regular examinations by a veterinarian and compliance with vaccinations, it is important to independently examine your pet’s fur and wash it with anti-ectoparasite shampoo.