LaPerm: Origin, Size, Weight, Length, Personality, Special information
A beautiful, curly coat is just the beginning: the LaPerm cat has an absolutely charming personality. Meet this sweet kitty just once, and you’ll fall in love!
As family pets, LaPerm cats are loved by everyone from young children to grandparents. They also tend to make friends with other pets, including their companion cats and well-behaved dogs. These cats are fond of cuddling, making themselves comfortable on your lap, next to you, or under your covers.
Between naps, these fabulous cats keep busy. They are as fond of helping their people with projects as they are of playing with their toys. The LaPerm cat has a very curious nature, and will happily rummage through unsecured cupboards and drawers, inspecting and sometimes removing their contents.
If you’re hoping for a calmer pet, LaPerm may be ideal. When this kitty uses her voice, the voice is soft and sweet rather than harsh and demanding. LaPerm is likely to offer a soft tap with cat paws to get your attention.
These wonderful cats are lovable, quickly making friends with anyone who crosses their path. If you socialize a LaPerm kitten well, chances are that once grown, your cat will welcome new acquaintances as well as old friends.
- Origin: United States
- Weight: Between 6 and 10 pounds
- Length: Between 12 and 18 inches
- Size: Medium, with males weighing from 7 to 10 pounds and females weighing from 5 to 8 pounds
- Color: White, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, cinnamon, fawn, and lavender, plus various patterns and shadings
Breed Characteristics
This curly-coated cat is friendly, loving, and curious. Its unusual appearance is the result of spontaneous mutation. The coat, which varies in length, comes in all the colors and patterns found in cats. Some kittens are born with bald or straight coats, but most of them develop curly coats at maturity.
LaPerm looks like he stuck his paw in a light socket and got a shock, but his curly coat is the result of a natural genetic mutation, not uncommon in the feline world. The LaPerm is born bald or short-haired, with a wavy or ringlet coat at maturity.
The coat comes in any color or pattern but is most commonly found in tortoiseshell, tabby, or red. It can be short or long and covers the entire body up to the curly tail. However, not all cats develop a curly coat.
Some are born with a straight coat and keep it for life. If you want to make sure your LaPerm has curls, you can look for one whose mature coat has already arrived.
size And weight
It is a medium-sized cat that weighs 5 to 10 pounds and reaches maturity at two to three years of age.
The LaPerm is a typical cat with an inquisitive nature, a love of heights and a desire to be involved in whatever his people are doing. He likes to ride on the shoulder or climb to the top of his cat tree so he can keep an eye on whatever is going on.
Don’t be surprised if you find him patting your face to open things up or just to get your attention. He is very active, but if he sees an opportunity to sit on your lap and fill his belly, he will take it.
If the LaPerm is well socialized as a kitten, he will be happy to meet and interact with your guests. It’s a good choice for families with older children who treat it with respect, but toddlers should be supervised so they don’t pull on its curls.
It is also perfectly capable of getting along with cat-friendly dogs.
The coat is easy to groom. It usually doesn’t shed much, but occasionally a Leperm may go through a heavy shed, after which its coat becomes thicker than before. The only other grooming he needs is regular nail trimming and ear cleaning.
hypoallergenic
You may have heard that the LaPerm coat is hypoallergenic because it is curly, but that is not true. Allergies are caused not by any particular coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that all cats (and people, for that matter) shed.
There is no scientific evidence that any breed or crossbreed is more or less allergenic than any other cat. Some people with allergies react less strongly to certain cats, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that his cats are hypoallergenic.
LaPerm is perfect for any home with people who will love him and give him weekly combing of his unusual coat. Keep him indoors to protect him from cars, diseases spread by other cats, and attacks from other animals.
| Adaptability: 5Point | Health Issues: 1Point |
| Energy Level: 4Point | Stranger Friendly: 4Point |
| Child Friendly: 4Point | Affectionate: 5Point |
| Social Needs: 4Point | Dog Friendly: 5Point |
| Shedding Level: 3Point | Intelligence: 5Point |
| Grooming: 1Point |
History
At first glance, LaPerm looks like a cat back from a grooming salon. However, Mother Nature is the only stylist of this breed. Also called Dales LaPerm, the LaPerm is one of the newer accepted breeds, and has been around since the 1980s.
LaPerm’s journey began in a cherry orchard in The Dalles, Oregon. In early March of 1982, a common brown tabby barn cat named Speedy gave birth to six kittens. The owners, Linda, and Richard Kohl noticed that one of the kittens looked very different from her litter. Instead of the fins covering her siblings’ bodies, she was completely bald.
In addition, she was smaller than her peers and had large ears and a long body. When the kitten was about eight weeks old, soft curly hair sprouted from its hairless body. As she grew, she developed a soft wavy coat. Fittingly, Linda Kohl named the cat Curly.
When the Curly matured, Linda Kohl discovered that her soft fur felt so inviting to the touch that Kohl herself picked up and petted the cat.
Not only was Curly’s coat unique, but she also had such a sweet, gentle, trusting personality that Kohl became a true cat lover herself, great for those who had previously only owned cats for their efficient, all-natural pest control. had jumped. Curly produced her own litter of five male tabby kittens, all of whom were bald at birth.
Like their mothers, all soon sprout curly hair coats. During the next ten years, Linda Kohl made no attempt to control the breeding or monitor the curly litter.
The curly coat is controlled by a dominant gene, which means that only one parent needs to have the gene to produce curly-coated offspring. Because of this, and because the gene pool was relatively small, the number of curly-coated cats increased rapidly.
CFA Show
In 1992, ten years after Curly’s birth, Kohl entered four of his curly-haired cats at the CFA Show in Portland, Oregon, to see what professional exhibitors and judges had to say. Registering for the show required a breed name, so Kohl named Mother Nature’s new creation Leperm because the coat looks like it has a permanent wave.
Kohl was surprised by the enthusiastic reception her cats received, and was completely unprepared when the judges told her that the breed was unfamiliar to the feline fancy and should be preserved. With the help of others, Kohl developed an enrichment program and began the long and involved process of obtaining accreditation for LaPerm.
At this time, the three largest associations in North America, ACFA, CFA, and TICA, accept LaPerm for championships.
Appearance
In terms of size and shape, the LaPerm is a medium-sized cat with a somewhat athletic build and long legs for its size. But it’s the coat that makes this breed special; The hair of these cats is wavy and curly.
Surprisingly, it’s not uncommon for a Leperm kitten to be born without any fur, though. Others have short hair at birth, but lose their coat in their first few weeks, starting from the top of the head. Over the next few months, the kitten grows its coat back, and even a bald-at-birth leper usually has a curly coat by the time they are several months old.
LaPerm’s fur is usually curliest along the cat’s belly, around the neck, and at the base of the ears. Short-haired LaPerms usually have more waves, while long-haired LaPerms can boast tight ringlets and curls. Long-haired Laparms typically have a large, curly neck with a rough and very fluffy, plumed tail.
Both long-haired and short-haired LaPerms typically have coats that stand slightly off their bodies, giving the cat a fluffy, airy appearance. Their hair is soft and springy and does not shed much. But these are not really considered hypoallergenic cats.
When it comes to color, anything goes. Your LaPerm cat can have fur in any color or pattern that is genetically possible for cats, including solid, bi-color, tabby, calico, “tuxedo,” tortoiseshell, or even colored “dots” on the ears, face, and tail. is A common feature of the Siamese cat.
Like the coat, the Leperm’s eye color can be any shade commonly found in cats, including amber, green, brown, copper, blue, or two different colored eyes.
Temperament
The lovable, gentle LaPerm is definitely a lap cat that loves human attention. This breed will look for any opportunity to join you for a nap on the couch, and they will coo loudly to express their satisfaction. According to the Cat Fanciers Association, these affectionate kittens will often reach up to touch your face with their paws and nuzzle their heads against you to show affection.
“Laperms are generally people’s cats – they love to be with their humans,” says Carol Evans, secretary of the Leperm Cat Club. “They like physical contact (some don’t much, but this is rare) and are curious and like to be active. They are quite calm and quiet, and [they] will approach visitors rather than run away.”
When they’re not getting your attention, the active LaPerm likes to play. They are curious cats that are incredibly intelligent, and Evans says they also love to fetch toys. They get along with almost any potential playmate, including children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs.
“‘Aloof’ is not a word I would use to describe LaPerms,” says Evans. “They are in-your-face people-lovers. They follow you around the house [and] are never far away.”
Personality
LaPerms are docile, people-oriented cats that are affectionate without being overly demanding or clingy. They love human companionship and adapt well to living indoors or in an apartment as long as they get the amount of play and pampering they need.
Like most cats, LaPerms develop the closest bonds with their human friends when they receive regular human interaction and affection. LaPerms are agile and active. Like their barn cat ancestors, they enjoy a good game of chase and love to pounce on catnip mice.
They especially enjoy interactive toys in which you play an active role. Curious by nature, they always want to stick their nose into all the activities in the house. Unlike many active breeds, the LaPerm is more than content to sit on your lap for quality petting and pampering after finishing the run home.
Quiet in tone, LaPerms only speak when they have something extremely important to say, such as bringing your attention to their empty food dishes. However, they do enjoy the occasional quiet chat with their favorite people, especially if their human companions are doing most of the chatting.
Health
All cats can have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people are prone to hereditary diseases. Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who doesn’t offer health guarantees on kittens or who tells you their kittens are separated from the main household for health reasons.
At this time, LaPerm is not known to have any genetic diseases. However, it is always wise to buy from a breeder who provides a written health guarantee.
Remember that after you take a new kitten into your home, you have the power to protect her from one of the more common health problems: obesity. Keeping LaPerm at the right weight is the easiest way to protect his overall health.
Care
Despite their curly (and sometimes long) locks, Evans says that LaPerm cats are actually quite smooth. Long-haired Leperms require weekly combing to keep their coats free of mats and tangles, and short-haired ones require no brushing at all. An occasional bath will also keep your kitty’s curls beautiful.
Like all cats, LaPerms need to have their ears checked and cleaned, their nails trimmed and their litter box cleaned.
LaPerm cats are very active, so you won’t need to do much to motivate them to move. Owners should still encourage exercise and frequent play because LaPerms like to follow their humans’ lead. Interactive cat games are one of this breed’s favorite ways to release energy, especially during kittenhood.
“When bringing home a new kitten, it’s important to know that a bored LaPerm is a mischievous LaPerm,” says Evans. “Kittens need to play, explore, and have endless energy, so be prepared to give toys, games, and lots of your time. You get so much out of it; it’s worth the effort.”
Because they are so intelligent, these cats are usually mentally challenging to train and easy to love. Simple tasks such as using the litter box or scratching the post should be trained. Once they master the basics, they are happy to learn more challenging tricks.
Socialization should be easy with this easy-going breed. LaPerm cats that are introduced early to people and pets are generally easy to greet and welcome unfamiliar faces.
LaPerm should be fed high-quality cat food recommended by your veterinarian. Although LaPerms are highly active, you should monitor your cat’s food intake to prevent obesity.
Best Food For
- Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d with Chicken Wet Cat Food
- Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Cat Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Ocean Fish Entrée Cat Food
Feeding
Keep in mind that LaPerms share recent ancestry with some of the fiercest cats – leopards, lions, and tigers – so keep that in mind when you’re feeding a LaPerm. You will never see an adult tiger eating an apple, chewing grass, or drinking milk in nature on Animal Planet.
You will never see a young jaguar cub drinking milk from a cow or any other animal in the wild. As absurd as these examples appear, the more people feed their LaPerms. So you shouldn’t be surprised if your LaPerm goes on a hunger strike.
LaPerms don’t eat the same way humans or dogs do. As it relates to nutrition, they rarely mix it up, and you should understand that. Compared to how humans eat, Laparms need to eat a lot of meat for protein and fat.
If we ate like the LaPerms, we’d have heart disease by age 20. Just because they are part of the family, doesn’t mean they have to eat what you and the dogs eat. Unfortunately, it’s common for people to treat their dogs the same way they feed their LaPerms, who can eat a variety of foods and stay healthy.
In fact, dog food can become fatal for LaPerms over time because it does not meet their dietary needs and is usually full of too many carbohydrates, which LaPerms cannot process well.
Many times, when you see an overweight domestic LaPerm, it’s because she was fed a diet high in carbohydrates. This also puts Leperm at risk of diabetes. The long and short of it is that LaPerms should avoid carbohydrates at all costs.
Grooming
LaPerm coat is easy to groom. Comb once a week to prevent or remove mats or tangles. It usually doesn’t shed much, but occasionally a Leperm may go through a heavy shed, after which its coat becomes thicker than before.
In some cases, LaPerms “molt” and end up with a sparse coat that never really grows back. Hormonal changes following spay/neuter surgery usually ensure a nice, full coat.
The only other grooming a LaPerm requires is regular nail clipping and ear cleaning if the ears appear dirty. Use a mild cleanser recommended by your veterinarian. Brush teeth frequently with vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.
Start brushing, clipping nails, and brushing your cat while she is still a kitten, and she will take to these activities later.
Training
Teach your cat to follow different sets of commands such as shaking its paw, rolling over, sitting, etc. Do not teach too many new tricks at once as this will only confuse your pet. Instead, you should be more patient and consistent in your approach. Introduce your LaPerm kitten to other pets, including cats and dogs, but under controlled circumstances.
Exercise
LaPerm cats are naturally active. In addition to running and jumping, they have an above-average appreciation for climbing. If you bring one of these wonderful cats into your life, plan to offer them more than one cat tree and consider installing cat-friendly shelves on the walls.
LaPerm cats like to see their homes from the highest possible vantage point, and without these items, they are likely to find less-than-usable perches, such as closets and the top of the refrigerator.
Like many other cat breeds, the LaPerm tends to slow down with age. Less activity can lead to weight gain, so you’ll want to keep them busy by offering puzzle toys, feather sticks, catnip mice, and other favorites.
Adoption Center
Since LaPerms aren’t very common, you’re unlikely to find them at a rescue or shelter. In fact, there may not be any LaPerm breeders in your area. But you may have success finding a breeder at a cat show, especially in a big city. Another option is to check breeder listings on big cat association websites such as The International Cat Association.
See More Cat Breeds For Further Research
FAQs
LaPerm Price
LaPerm Breeders – There are very few breeders here in North America. LaPerms are a very rare breed of cats, LaPerm kittens can cost between about $900 to $1500. Prices for kittens vary depending on gender, color, coat length, and whether they will be shown, bred, or just used as pets.
Are LaPerm cats cuddly?
LaPerm cats are charming and curly-haired with gentle, loving personalities. Their wavy coat is the result of a mutated gene discovered in the 1980s, making them a relatively new breed. This breed’s affectionate, lap cat tendencies and low-maintenance coat make them easy, cuddly cats to live with.
How can you tell if a cat is a LaPerm?
The LaPerm is medium-boned with a muscular build. They have distinctive curly coats ranging from waves to ringlet curls to corkscrew curls. The tightest curls are usually on the bottom of the cat, at the base of the neck and ears. LaPerm can have short or long coats.
What’s the rarest cat breed?
Sokoke cat. According to the UK’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the Sokoke cat is the rarest domestic cat breed in the world.
