Anatolian cat: an aristocrat of street origins

History of the breed

Anatoli, or Turkish Shorthaired cat, appeared by the will of nature. The breed formed independently in natural conditions on the Armenian Highlands near Lake Van, currently the territory of Turkey (Eastern Anatolia). These animals are considered to be re-feralized descendants of very ancient domesticated cats. There is a version that the first cats were tamed not in Egypt, but in this region.

Wild representatives of the Anatolian breed live in Iraq, Iran and other countries

It is also rumored that the breed survived another cycle of feralization and domestication during the Second World War. Then the pets were left to their own devices, and then returned to people again.

Wild Anatolian cats live in the wild

This breed is of a certain value in the sense that its genotype is as close as possible to the “wild” type of cultivated and domesticated cats. After all, the longer an animal lives near a person, the more breeders and geneticists take part in its breeding, the higher the likelihood of various genetic abnormalities and hereditary diseases appearing.

For the first time, three white Anatolian cats similar to this one were presented at the exhibition

The Anatolian cat came to Europe quite recently. At the very end of the last century, in 1995, they were first shown at an exhibition in the small German town of Castrop-Rauxel (North Rhine-Westphalia), organized by enthusiasts. The public was presented with three white Anatoli representatives with eyes of different colors. After this, European and American felinologists were engaged in breeding Turkish shorthair cats for several years. In 2000, this breed was officially recognized and its standard was approved by the World Cat Federation (WCF) as a short-haired representative of the Turkish Van.

The Turkish Van has a longer coat

Feeding

The Anatolian cat is a predator. She is used to getting her own food. The domesticated animal of Lake Van has the same habits. Raw meat should be included in the diet periodically. The fish should be pre-doused with boiling water. The digestive system is adapted to natural food, and ready-made dry and wet food is also to their liking. There should always be a bowl of clean water available. It is worth giving vitamins periodically. The appetite of kittens and adults is excellent. They are not particularly picky about food.

Description of the Anatolian cat breed

To the average person, the Anatolian cat will seem unremarkable. In terms of appearance, it is practically no different from an ordinary outbred domestic dog. These animals are also similar to the Turkish Van, but only have much shorter fur.

External data

According to accepted standards, anatoly has the following characteristics:

• medium or large, massive, tightly built body with a well-developed muscular system, but rather fragile bones (slightly wider in the chest than in the pelvic area);
• weight: females - 3-5 kg, males - 5-7 kg;
• muscular, not very long neck;
• rounded paws of medium length, forelimbs set wide;
• the well-furred, short tail is very mobile along its entire length;
• medium-sized triangular head with high cheekbones and a pronounced strong chin, the profile is almost straight;
• the ears are large, erect, wide at the base, slightly rounded at the tips, set high;
• large oval-shaped eyes, slightly slanted, the color is in harmony with the color of the coat (different eye colors are allowed - heterochromia).

Visually, the Anatolian cat is not much different from an ordinary pet

The coat of Turkish cats is short and thin with sparse undercoat. On the tail, the hair is much longer and is always darker in color than the general tone. It is pleasant and silky to the touch, but a little harsh. When stroking the villi, they crunch very characteristically. The fur of Anatolians is water-repellent and dries quickly.

Anatolian cats are characterized by a vertical white stripe on the forehead between the spots.

The colors of these cats are extremely varied. Most often, the coat has a basic white color, on which there are colored spots. A sign of the Anatoli breed are markings on the top of the head (ears, forehead) and tail. On the face, the spots are divided by a characteristic white stripe - a “mark”. The pattern is also desirable on the tail. The color of the spots varies from cream and red to brown and black. There are individuals with a single color: black, tortoiseshell, blue, red and cream.

The colors of Anatolian cats can be very different.

At one of the cat shows a few years ago we saw an Anatoli cat. She looked like an ordinary mongrel yard animal. But the look of her smart, slightly slanted eyes is simply impossible to convey. They contained universal knowledge about all of us. And this did not at all fit with the simple appearance. It seems to me that all the uniqueness and exclusivity of this representative of the cat world can only be appreciated through close acquaintance.

Character

As true representatives of the native breed, Anatolian Turkish cats are distinguished by their lively temperament and playful disposition. They are active and extremely inquisitive. All events in the house must be under control and occur only with their participation. These animals are highly intelligent, they are well trained and trained. They quickly become attached to people and choose one owner from whom they will not lag behind. A cat quickly remembers its name and is able to associate a combination of words spoken by a person with certain objects or actions. Many owners of Anatolians believe that their pets can communicate quite consciously, making appropriate sounds, and even pointing with their muzzle at the desired object (an empty bowl or a tray that needs cleaning).

The Anatolian cat is distinguished by its jumping ability

Little kittens are very spontaneous, playful and tireless; they can play endlessly and show no signs of fatigue. With age they become a little calmer, but still, on occasion, they will not refuse to have fun and run around the rooms. They easily jump up to 1.5–2 m in height. They can choose any object as a toy, but they especially prefer those that make some sounds. A candy wrapper or piece of paper rolled into a ball can attract their attention for a long time. Cats happily carry a small ball or other small things thrown by their owner in their teeth. With some effort, you can train your pet to fetch slippers like a dog. If the owner is busy or is not at home, then the cat can occupy itself. He doesn't need constant company.

The active and tireless anatoly needs to be provided with a sufficient number of toys. She will appreciate a good multifunctional complex, which will have beds, houses, ladders, scratching posts, tunnels, etc.

Anatoli is musical and can even sing along to the music

A characteristic feature of this Mediterranean breed is musicality, emotionality and talkativeness. Hearing melodic music, cats wag their tails to the beat and sometimes even try to sing along. Strictly speaking, Anatolian cats do not know how to make the usual meow for cats. They show their emotions mostly through quiet vowel sounds, expressed in some form of chirping or chirping.

Anatolian cats are often called chirpers due to the corresponding “speech”, which is similar to the chirping of birds.

Anatolians accompany all their actions with rumbling and snorting. They will describe in vivid colors to the owner who comes home from work everything that happened in his absence. This animal has well-developed facial muscles, thanks to which you can easily read joy, resentment, disappointment and other various emotions on its face. The cat is good at picking up all the differences in voice intonations and knows perfectly well when they are dissatisfied with it. There is no need to punish her. Pets quickly understand what a potty and scratching post are for, and also follow simple commands.

Anatoli loves to swim

Unlike most felines, Turkish cats love water. They swim with pleasure and love to play with the stream running from the tap. They can get along with other animals without difficulty, but small rodents will still be perceived as potential prey. Therefore, you should not have decorative rats, hamsters or guinea pigs at home. Cats love children, play with them enthusiastically, but will not allow themselves to be offended. Pulling such a cat's tail is fraught with unpleasant consequences.

These animals do not show aggression towards strangers; they are friendly and welcoming. But they will not fawn, as they are very devoted to their owners.

Character and behavior

Anatolian cats are playful and cheerful creatures. These “livelings” have a very easy-going character: they treat both family members and guests with equal warmth. But they choose only one “leader”, adopt some of his habits and try to be closer to him.

Representatives of this breed have a much above average intelligence: they quickly get used to their main obligations (going to the toilet in a litter tray, eating only in a specially designated place, sleeping in a separate corner).

They can even do tricks: they easily learn commands such as “voice”, “come to me”, “swim” and willingly perform them. They can warn you if something out of the ordinary happens at home, for example, someone forgot to turn off the tap or the refrigerator.

Anatolian cats love the outdoors. They are not afraid of strangers and other animals, at the same time they are obedient and easily learn to use a leash. If you have a private house, there are no problems with walking, but in the city choose cleaner places: alleys, parks, forest parks.

Does your pet like to go for walks?

HomebodyWalking on the street

Kittens love to play pranks and run around, they are tireless and fearless. As they get older they become much calmer. They are very jumpy: climbing a cabinet one and a half, or even two meters high is not a problem for them. They don’t mind company, but they don’t demand to entertain themselves either. Do not spare money on toys for your pet: Anatolians are very fond of cat play complexes with many ladders, tunnels, hammocks and beds.

A distinctive feature of the Anatolians is their emotionality and musicality. Many cats, upon hearing melodic music, begin to wag their tail and meow, as if singing along. And they meow very subtly and gently, like birds chirping.

Purchasing a kitten

The Anatolian cat is a rare and not very popular breed, so there are no specialized nurseries in our country yet. But purebred kittens can be found from private breeders and in some nurseries that breed other breeds (Turkish Van). They position such animals as exotic.

Buying a purebred kitten is very difficult

Anatolians are bred in Turkey, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands. There is an anatoly nursery in Armenia.

Criterias of choice

You should only purchase a kitten from a nursery or from a reliable and honest breeder. Visually, it is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish Turkish cats from ordinary mongrel cats, so you need to carefully study all the reviews and try to contact the owners directly. Otherwise, for decent money, you can get a pet that does not have unique and characteristic characteristics for this breed (a unique voice, intelligence, etc.).

The baby Anatoli will differ from the Turkish Van and Angora in having shorter fur, as well as in the absence of the characteristic fur collar on the neck and “pants” on the hind legs. The fur on the face and entire body of Anatolian kittens is much less fluffy and slightly stiffer than that of other Mediterranean cats. The hairs on the tail are slightly longer than the main coat. In Angora and Van this difference is more significant.

It is imperative to look at the kitten’s parents; they must have all the breed characteristics of an Anatolian cat.

Thoroughbred Anatolians come to our country from Europe and they always have documents confirming their origin.

The baby should look healthy

When choosing a pet, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

• The baby's ears and eyes are clean and do not have any discharge;
• white teeth, light pink palate;
• the tummy is soft, when you touch it the animal does not experience severe discomfort;
• the fur is soft, without sticky or rolled areas;
• the kitten must be active, not cough, sneeze, etc.;
• The baby should not be too afraid, since this breed is not particularly timid.

Kitten age

Experienced breeders donate babies no earlier than eight weeks, when they are already eating like adults. It is better if all the vaccinations required for this age are completed.

How to choose an Anatolian kitten

The first nurseries of the Anatolian breed have recently appeared in Russia, which, of course, will simplify and reduce the cost of purchasing a kitten. Previously, purebred Turkish Shorthairs could only be bought in Europe or Turkey. The cost of a “pet” class baby starts from five hundred dollars. Buying a breeding or exhibition specimen will cost you three to four times more. Such a high price is due to the fact that the breed still remains quite rare - and, as we know, you have to pay for exclusivity.

Promising show class kittens are very expensive

The aboriginal origin of the Anatolian makes this expensive and rare animal look like an ordinary yard pussy. Often, only an experienced specialist will be able to discern breed characteristics in a small kitten. This circumstance is readily taken advantage of by scammers who offer completely outbred, albeit very cute, babies under the guise of an Anatolian cat.

This cute outbred baby was offered for sale as an Anatolian kitten

To avoid becoming another victim of deceivers, you need to buy a kitten not from random dubious dealers, but only from professional nurseries. Of course, even with such a correct approach, you can stumble upon unexpected pitfalls.

There are known cases when some unscrupulous breeders passed off culling of other breeds as Anatolians: the same Vans or Angora cats (sometimes short-haired babies are born in their litters). And the temptation to sell a breed marriage for substantial money, presenting it as an “Anatolian breed,” sometimes outweighs basic decency.

The magic word “kennel” should not become decisive and final in your choice - make inquiries about breeders, read reviews about their work. If you have the Internet, it is not a big problem to find out at least what breeds a given nursery specializes in.

Ask the breeder to show your kitten's littermates

Carefully read the standards of breeds similar to the Anatolian - their main differences have already been described in this article. Ask the breeder for as many photos and videos as possible of both the proposed baby and his parents, and study their documents together with the specialists. And if personal contact is possible, just stroke the kitten: even the Anatolian baby’s fur is so specific that it is impossible to confuse it. The short fur is both stiff and silky; it creaks slightly under your hand.

When purchasing a kitten, enter into an agreement with the breeder

And most importantly, buy an Anatolian kitten only under an officially certified contract with the breeder. This, of course, is also not one hundred percent, but still a guarantee that you will not be deceived for your own money.

Video: Anatolian kittens playing

Keeping an Anatolian cat

Caring for this breed is not particularly difficult. But you need to take into account some nuances of their content.

Nutrition

Since this breed is native, natural food is preferable for it. Although ready-made dry food and good quality canned cat food from reliable manufacturers are not prohibited.

Quantity and composition of food

Anatoles have an excellent appetite, but they are not at risk of obesity due to their excessive activity and mobility. These cats will never eat more than they need, so there is no need to worry too much about the amount of food they eat. The average amount of feed required for an adult animal is 30 g per 1 kg of live weight.

Natural food is best suited for an Anatolian cat, but you can also feed it with ready-made premium food.

It is better to try to accustom your pet to a certain feeding time. Uneaten leftovers must be removed immediately. This breed is not picky about the composition of feed. We can say that these cats eat everything and will not miss the opportunity to try food from the master's table. But feeding them human food is strictly not recommended, since unnatural food can lead to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.

The diet should consist of the following products:

• meat - turkey, chicken, beef, veal, rabbit (meat is well frozen before feeding, boiling water is poured over it before feeding);
• offal (heart, lungs, etc.);
• fish;
• cereal porridge;
• boiled vegetables;
• dairy products (kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese);
• boiled eggs.

The bowl must contain clean, fresh water, which should be changed daily.

How many times a day should you feed your pet?

Small kittens are fed on a schedule 5-6 times a day; an adult animal needs two meals a day.

The role of a balanced diet in cat health

To maintain the well-being and health of your pet, it is necessary to provide it with proper and balanced nutrition. The protein component should occupy at least 80% of the total diet. After all, these animals are, first of all, predators and in nature feed on live food (rodents, small mammals, etc.). Carbohydrates and fats are also necessary. But there is no need to give cats sweet food (baked goods, candies, chocolate, etc.), salty, peppery, or seasoned with spices. In addition, the menu includes vitamin and mineral supplements.

Meat should make up the majority of the diet

The diet is especially important for young, rapidly growing pets.

By and large, you should try to feed all cats with food that is natural and familiar to them, even the most exclusive and purebred ones. Another thing is that it is much easier to open a plastic bag with a slight movement of your hand and pour the prepared food into a bowl. Not all of us can afford to tinker with our cat’s diet on purpose.

Appearance care

Turkish Shorthair cats are excellent at grooming themselves . They are particularly neat and never look sloppy or untidy. But sometimes they need a little help.

Combing

The Anatolian's short coat is brushed once a week to remove dead hairs. To do this, use a special soft brush. This procedure is especially relevant during the molting period.

It is best to remove dead hair with a soft brush.

We brush our shorthaired Siamese cat about once every two weeks. But during the molting period, especially in the spring, you have to do this more often. What I like best is a fine-tooth comb.

Bathing

Water procedures are carried out as needed. It is usually recommended to bathe cats no more than once a month. But because of their love for water, Turkish cats constantly climb into it and ask to wash them. Therefore, if the owners have free time, then it is not forbidden to wash their pets more often.

Anatolian cats love to swim

I met a cat who loved to swim. He sat in the bathroom for hours and waited for water to be poured into it. If only one of the family members intended to take a bath, he was always ready to join the company.

Ear care

The ears should be periodically (2-3 times a month) wiped with chlorohexidine or a special ear care solution for animals. Use cotton pads and swabs to carefully remove accumulated wax.

Several times a month you need to inspect your ears and wipe them with a cotton swab moistened with warm boiled water or a special ear care solution.

Eye care

Every morning, use a cotton swab dipped in warm water, a decoction of herbs (calendula, chamomile, etc.), tea leaves or a special liquid to wipe the cat’s eyes.

Every morning you need to wipe your cat's eyes with a damp cotton pad.

Nail care

At least once every 2-3 weeks, the pet’s claws are shortened, as they are hard, strong and grow quickly in this breed. Use special scissors (claw clippers). It is necessary to provide the animal with a scratching post, or preferably several. If you do not monitor the length of the claws, the cat will use interior items (sofa, chair, table legs, etc.) to independently remove dead keratinized layers.

Nails should be trimmed at least once every 2-3 weeks using a nail clipper.

Dental care

Use a special paste that does not require rinsing (sold in veterinary stores and pharmacies) and a soft brush to brush the cat’s teeth 2-3 times a week.

It is necessary to brush your cat’s teeth with a special toothpaste 2-3 times a week.

Toilet

Turkish cats get used to the litter box quickly. They usually have no special complaints about the design of this hygiene item; any sufficiently large cat potty will suit them. You can use a variety of fillers. For small kittens, it is recommended to use wood and paper pellets. If the baby accidentally swallows them, it will not harm him.

You need to keep an eye on the cleanliness of the toilet, otherwise the pet may choose another, completely unintended place.

Walks

Anatolian cats are free-spirited and love to walk in nature. Living in a private or country house is suitable for them. But even in the city, they also happily walk down the street on a leash, which they quickly get used to.

It’s better to walk with Anatoly on a leash

Care instructions

This is one of the cleanest breeds, so minimal effort is required from the owner.

Wool

The coat is brushed weekly using a regular cat brush. During the molting period this is done more often.

Bathing

Anatolian cats love to bathe, but they cannot be washed more than once a month: water washes away the protective layer from the skin and can cause dermatitis and other troubles. Use a special shampoo for animals: “Bars”, “Doctor ZOO”.

In the photo are kittens of the Anatolian breed

Ears and eyes

Ears and eyes are examined weekly and, if necessary, washed with chlorhexidine or a special lotion. Nothing should be poured into your eyes or ears! You just need to moisten a cotton swab and gently wipe away the wax and discharge.

Claws

The claws of this breed grow quickly, so, firstly, buy a scratching post, and secondly, trim the claws at least once a month with nail clippers.

Teeth

Teeth are brushed every week using a silicone brush (on your finger) and special toothpaste.

It may also be that this procedure will frighten your pet. In this case, drip gel into the water to strengthen teeth and remove plaque, and have your veterinarian remove tartar from your teeth once a year.

Defects of the Anatolian breed

This native breed is naturally healthy and has a strong immune system. She does not have any genetic defects. But there are several color restrictions.

Tendency to diseases

Due to good heredity, Anatolian cats are not prone to any genetic diseases.

Anatolis are distinguished by excellent health and have no tendency to disease

It is necessary to vaccinate pets in a timely manner and give them anthelmintic drugs. Deworming is carried out at least once a quarter if the cat is often outside.

Invalid colors

The following colors of Anatolians are prohibited by the WCF standard:

• colorpoint (Siamese);
• faun (light beige - the color of a fawn);
• chocolate;
• cinnamon (warm light chocolate);
• lilac.

Fawn and cinnamon colors are not allowed in Anatolian cats

Diluted light chocolate colors are not recognized in any combination (bicolor, tricolor, etc.) and are not allowed for exhibitions.

Cat care

There is no need to clean up after your cat; she takes care of her own cleanliness. There will be some fur in the house only when the cat begins to shed.

She needs help combing her fur faster so that less gets into her stomach.

The animal needs to be bathed rarely, but the ears need to be cleaned often – every 3 days. For cleaning you need cotton swabs, but not sticks. Sometimes a cat needs to rub its eyes .

You can trim your cat's claws only if it does not go outside. If she often visits the yard, then her claws cannot be cut; here she may face various troubles, in the form of stray dogs, from which she will have to hide in a tree.

The Anatolian cat is very clean, and may refuse to go to a dirty litter box several times..

Breeding the Anatolian cat breed

Breeding Anatolian cats is very difficult due to their extreme rarity. Breeding with other breeds is not allowed. Kittens born as part of forced experimental breeding (crossing with Vans and Turkish Angoras) are not registered as full-fledged representatives of the breed.

A partner for anatoly must be selected in advance

Quite a long time ago, when the Siamese cat breed was rare, it was difficult for us to find a mate for our cat. In addition, our beauty did not welcome everyone; sometimes we had to take her straight home. But with one cat she had almost human love. It was very touching to see two sleeping cat bodies curled up into one ball.

Partner selection criterion

You should choose a pair for your pet based on the following rules:

• a pedigree is required;
• healthy appearance and good activity;
• there should be no exterior defects (wrong color, bite, etc.);
• there should be no diseases or defects that are inherited (kinked tail, cryptorchidism, etc.);
• all vaccinations (rabies, complex vaccine, etc.) must be completed in advance (2-3 months in advance);
• favorable living conditions for the partner;
• breeding clearance.

A purebred cat must have a pedigree

It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the existing offspring.

At what age should you give your pet for the first mating?

Anatolian cats reach sexual maturity quite early. Females have their first estrus already at 7–8 months, while males are ready for mating closer to a year. Veterinarians strongly advise not to breed cats before two years of age, and preferably after three. It is believed that during early pregnancy, the cat’s body is not yet ready to fully bear cubs. For cats, the optimal age is 1.5–2 years.

If pregnancy is too early, the likelihood of weak and sick offspring is high.

How often can a cat give birth?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the question of how often a cat can give birth. There are radically opposing opinions on this matter. Some believe that a female should kitt after every heat (3-5 times a year). Others firmly believe that it would be harmful for the animal to produce offspring more than once every 12–18 months. However, most breeders and veterinarians believe that a cat can give birth 1-2 times a year without any damage to its health.

Veterinarians believe that a cat needs to give birth 1-2 times a year.

From my own experience, I will say that a lot depends on the cat itself. Some individuals tolerate four pregnancies a year well, and for some, even one pregnancy will be too much. Often nature itself regulates this process and not every mating ends in the appearance of offspring.

Catering

The Anatolian cat is not picky when it comes to food, and willingly eats everything its owner gives it. Therefore, choose what is more convenient for you personally: cook it yourself or buy ready-made industrial feed.

Natural products

Anatolian cats (provided they are healthy) have an excellent appetite, but due to their activity, they are practically never overweight. Calculate the amount of food as follows: 30 grams per 1 kilogram of animal weight. At least 4/5 of the diet is proteins, the rest is fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Adults (over six months old) eat in the morning and evening, kittens - 4-5 times a day.

It is prohibited to give:

• Fatty meat (pork, goose meat, duck meat), rotten meat, lard, tripe, any (even small) bones;
• River fish (it tends to accumulate toxins);
• Sweets (sugar, marmalade, chocolate, marshmallows, etc.);
• Smoked, fried;
• Baked goods (bread, buns, cakes, cookies, etc.);
• Flour: pasta, etc. (they do not provide any benefit, and it will be difficult for the stomach to process them);
• Spices, seasonings, ketchup, mayonnaise, sauces;
• Pickled vegetables, canned food;
• Sausages, sausage;
• Legumes, potatoes, corn, eggplants, fruits (avocados, grapes, citrus fruits);
• Human drinks (alcohol, juices, carbonated drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea, cocoa);
• Dog food.

Allowed to give:

• Fresh lean meat: veal, beef, chicken, turkey, quail and rabbit meat (do not boil, but defrost and pour over boiling water);
• Sea fish (trout, salmon, hake, flounder), shrimp, squid;
• Dairy products without harmful additives and low-fat (sour cream, yogurt, fermented baked milk, Varenets, cottage cheese, unsalted hard cheese);
• By-products (liver, chicken hearts, stomachs);
• Boiled chicken yolk, quail eggs;
• Stewed or boiled vegetables (white cabbage, green beans, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini);
• Cereal porridge: oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, barley.

The bowl should always be filled with fresh water that is comfortable for drinking. You cannot feed your animal untreated tap water: first pour the liquid into a jar and leave it for a day without a lid in a dark place so that chlorine and other harmful compounds evaporate.

In the photo there is an Anatolian cat on vacation

Recommended food

If you don’t have time to cook, choose ready-made food. The cheapest are economy class: TerraCot, Friskies, Purina One. Unfortunately, this is far from the best option. These feeds are based on meat production waste (and there is practically no pure meat), plant ingredients, and a minimal amount of minerals and vitamins.

Premium food: Ontario, Safari, Mnyams are more expensive, but it cannot be said that their composition is better. The source of protein is most often corn gluten (a fairly strong allergen); the percentage of ingredients is not indicated on the packages, which is also a serious “minus”.

Super-premium and holistic food - optimally suited for Anatolian cats. The ingredients are not satisfactory: dehydrated and fresh meat, fish fillet, natural preservatives, dried berries and fruits, a good vitamin and mineral complex. Holistic: Now Fresh, Orijen, PureLuxe. Super premium food: 1st Choice, Arden Grange, Brit Care.

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

Castration and sterilization

If you do not plan to carry out breeding work with the animal, then it is better to castrate or sterilize it.

At what age should surgery be performed?

The optimal age for surgery for a cat is considered to be from 8 to 12 months. It is advisable to do this before the first heat. It is also possible later, but it is better not to delay and do it before two years.

The procedure is performed on cats from 10 months to 1.5–2 years. Surgical intervention should be carried out in a timely manner, while the animal’s behavioral habits have not yet fully formed. The younger the operation is performed, the easier the animal will tolerate it.

Spaying and neutering too early can lead to slow development of the pet. The animal grows miniature.

Caring for your pet after surgery

After surgery, the pet’s condition must be carefully monitored to avoid complications and negative consequences. Proper postoperative care is as follows:

• the pet must be provided with peace and quiet;
• To prevent the animal from licking the stitches, it is necessary to put on a special post-operative blanket and an “Elizabethan” collar;
• after surgery, do not give food for 10–12 hours;
• Once a day, carefully inspect and treat the seams with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, etc.;
• do not allow the cat to remove disturbing objects and do not allow him to move too actively;
• It is allowed to give your pet painkillers (Pervicox, Ketofen, etc.), but you must first contact your veterinarian for advice and dosage recommendations.

  To prevent licking, you need to put a special post-operative blanket on your cat.

If your pet takes a long time to come to his senses, does not eat anything for more than three days, and also if his stitches look bad (wet or fester), then you should definitely contact a veterinary clinic.

What to look for when purchasing?

Purchasing an Anatolian cat, the price of which is at least 300-400 dollars, is a very important and responsible step. Today, only a few nurseries are registered in Russia that professionally breed these animals. You can buy such a kitten not only there, but also at a specialized exhibition.

It is important to understand that no serious breeder will sell a baby under eight weeks of age. By this time, the kittens have already developed their own immunity and are completely transferred to independent feeding.

Before making your final choice, observe the behavior of the kids. A healthy kitten is quite curious and playful. He won't sit quietly on the sidelines. He has shiny, smooth fur, clear eyes and ears. Be sure to pay attention to the belly of the baby you like. It should be soft, not swollen. A hard belly is the first sign of a helminthic infestation or poor functioning of the digestive system.

Table: pros and cons of the Anatolian cat breed

Anatolian diseases

Nature has endowed Anatoli with healthy genetics and strong immunity. That is why representatives of the Anatolian breed rarely suffer from serious diseases. They only have infectious and parasitic diseases that are common in all cats. Anatolian cats are also at risk of urolithiasis, which is often caused by an incorrectly selected diet.

Thanks to good health, the age of pets can reach 15-20 years.

Despite impeccable genetics and good health, Anatolian cats also require common cat procedures: vaccination and prevention of internal parasites on a schedule, monitoring of physical indicators.

Anatolians enjoy good health

Reviews from Anatoli owners

I don’t know how to describe the admiration that knows no bounds for this cat. He is like a member of our family; if something suits him, he purrs and calls for him, indicating what is needed. On our farm, we have nutria, quail, and chickens who were worried that he wouldn’t touch them, but he pays zero attention to them, he will carefully climb out onto the box and lie down over them. But it can sit in ambush for a day on a mouse or sparrow, and still chirp, distracting the bird’s attention. It happens that I turn on the microwave and go to the computer, the microwave starts beeping when it’s finished, so the cat, sitting across the room, comes up and calls, touching his shin with his paw, calling me to the kitchen. He specially left sausage on the table, the fish was already dry until the morning, and in the morning he comes to the bed, checks that his wife is breathing, I am breathing, comes up to my feet and starts rubbing his heels with his mustache. What do you think? You need to get up and go to the feeder and show him where and what to eat. Sometimes at night he gets bored and comes up to him, wakes him up and calls him to the computer.

ria

https://xn--e1afgbgom0e.xn--p1ai/forum/forum2/topic213/

I have Anatolian. Very angry. He only loves me, he can’t stand strangers. He doesn’t like my parents, especially my dad. Very clever. I don’t know about everyone else, but mine doesn’t steal from the table. Very faithful. With a cat like this, you don’t need a dog

Kareli908

https://www.zooclub.com.ua/2668?t:354

For a non-specialist, EKSH is no different from domestic cats. Anatoli cats are intelligent, with a gentle melodious voice. Not only do they love to swim, but they have water-repellent outer hair, so they dry quickly. Each breed has its own characteristics.

Soul

https://eursh.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=179&sid=f8f5ae0ef612a687afe1872f09c3a962

A unique breed: at first we thought the kitten was strange - it doesn’t meow, but chirps quietly. It turned out to be a peculiarity of Anatolian. A very intelligent animal! The coat is without undercoat, very silky to the touch - you want to press it to your cheek... A very sociable animal, it doesn’t stay alone in the room if someone at home is sure to run after us. My child chuckled sarcastically about the “intelligent animal.” What a very curious girl! He wants to stick his nose into all your affairs - from the computer to the broom! And if he sees a small ball or a laser in his hands, he prepares a show for the whole family. Jumping after a target to the ceiling with a flip in the air is a very impressive sight!

Anatolievna

https://mauforum.ru/viewtopic.php?f=108&t=19001&sid=df00d2747f5917e39d9126109bc3d662

When the summer season began, high hopes were placed on my home hunter: we believed that she would catch all the rodents. But it was not there! The cat ran around the house and stomped like a hippopotamus - what a hunt there is! We decided that she didn’t know what a mouse was, and we needed to “introduce” them. They caught the rodent in a box and brought it to Krita - study it, they say. The mouse froze and did not breathe. The cat extends its paw and, touching it lightly, immediately pulls it away with disgust and shakes it, as if it had gotten dirty! She turned away and walked away!

Tatiana Stepanova

https://zcats.ru/porody_koshek/stati_o_porode/98-anatoliyskaya-koshka.html

External data

Modest at first glance, the appearance of the Anatolian cat, upon closer examination, demonstrates a true cat classic.

The breed standard adopted by the WCF describes the Anatolian cat as a short-haired variety of the Turkish Van cat. Like Van cats, Anatoles (as breeders usually call their animals) are relatively large cats. Adult males weigh 5-7 kg, and females - 4-6 kg.

Over the years, Anatolian cats have retained the appearance of their wild ancestors.

The triangular head with a small nose and a straight, beautiful profile has pronounced cheekbones. These cats have very expressive facial expressions; many people think that they can copy the facial expression of a person. Due to the short hair, the ears visually appear larger than those of Van cats, but smaller than those of Angora cats. The distance between the ears is 4-5 cm. Large expressive eyes of oval or almond shape. Eye color options range from green and light yellow to dark amber. For white cats, different colored eyes are preferred: yellow or greenish and blue.

Anatolian cats have a strong, medium-length build with slender legs and round paws. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. This body structure makes them excellent jumpers; during play, Anatolians can jump up to a height of two meters. The wide chest is well developed. Shoulders the same width or wider than the head. When viewed from above, it is noticeable that the width of the body narrows in the pelvis and hips. The tail is of medium length and thickness, muscular.

The hair of Anatolians is the same as that of Van cats, only shorter. The fur of this cat is unique for its water-repellent properties - almost instantly after getting wet it becomes dry.

Photo gallery: Anatolian cats

Anatolian cats are very difficult to find in catteries

Anatolian cats come in a variety of colors

Anatoles differ from Turkish Vans in having shorter hair.

White Anatoles often have different colored eyes

The Anatolian cat's tail is always darker than the rest of the coat.

White Anatolians do not always have different colored eyes

Anatolian cats come in a variety of colors

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish anatole from an ordinary yard cat

The Anatolian breed is beautiful for its exclusivity. It is unlikely to suit those people who love a quiet and calm life. A talkative and sociable pet will require a lot of attention. But this cat can become an excellent companion and friend to a lonely person.

Standards

The Anatolian breed has pronounced sexual dimorphism, that is, cats are noticeably larger, stronger and more resilient than cats. Females rarely reach 5 kg, while the usual weight of males is 6-7 kg.

Health and life expectancy

This is an indigenous breed that was formed without the intervention of breeders, so its representatives are distinguished by good health and are free of genetic diseases. Like any other cat, in an Anatolian cat, poor nutrition can lead to the appearance of stones in the organs of the urinary system, hypothermia can lead to a weakened immune system, and neglect by its owner of the need for deworming and vaccination can lead to the development of helminthic infestation and dangerous diseases.

According to various sources, these animals live on average about 13–20 years. Their lifespan largely depends on their contents, namely on how they feed and how carefully the owner monitors the health of his tailed pet.

Color options

According to standards, the color of an Anatolian cat can vary; the range of acceptable colors is quite wide: gray, white, red and others. At the same time, there is an important feature, without which the cat will not receive a certificate - matching the color of the body and tail in favor of darkening the latter. The most common colors:

The variability of colors, however, does not allow Siamese, chocolate or cinnamon color. In this case, the pigment can be applied in different ways: tabby, tricolor, bicolor. As for eye color, there is no color that is not allowed by the standards; white cats most often have different eye shades.

Interesting features

The Anatolian cat is unique in its own way. Unlike most of its relatives, it practically does not meow. Instead, the animal makes sounds that closely resemble the chirping of birds. It is capable of clearly pronouncing individual vowels and even imitating human intonations.

These are very musical cats. With their tail they can beat out the rhythm of the melodies they listen to. They are able to frown and point at objects that cause them concern. A hungry cat may beg for food by nodding at the refrigerator.

Unlike most of their relatives, Anatolians are not afraid of water and love to play with it. They can sit for hours watching the stream flow from the tap. They also love to fiddle with rustling packages and chase thrown objects.

Keeping at home: what is needed for a pet?

For a comfortable existence, an Anatolian cat requires:

• A warm bed, which should be placed in a secluded place where there are no drafts.
• Scratching post.
• Glass, ceramic or metal bowls for food and water.
• Tray with filler.
• Comb in the form of a rubber mitten. It is enough to brush these animals 1-2 times a week. Despite the scanty hair loss during molting, the pet must be combed especially carefully during this period, which will avoid clogging its stomach with bezoars.
• Zooshampoo. This is one of the few cat breeds whose representatives adore water. Despite this, you should not abuse water procedures.
• Claw cutter.
• Cotton pads and lotion to cleanse eyes and ears.
• Finger toothbrush and pet toothpaste.