Behaviour & Training

Discover some of the most amazing-looking cats and see what makes them so unique. These rare cat breeds might be hard to find, but they're a must-know for any cat lover. Cats are about the most familiar furry companions we have. After all, we've had thousands of years of co-habitation to get ourselves accustomed with every little quirk and different coat pattern of these lovely creatures. We recognise their sleek fur, the long tail or the pointy ears straight away. Their looks, no matter how distinguished they are, come as no surprise to us. Yet if we start to look closely into the huge feline family photo album, we will discover that not all kittens seem to have gotten the cat dress code memo. These are the rare cat breeds. For these felines fur seems to be optional, the familiar pointy ears just a cliché and the eye colour is a description not a shade. Thanks to selective breeding or just good old genetics, we have a bunch of unusual cat breeds we can admire and fall in love with. Here they are! Sphynx Their nearly hairless body has made this rare cat breed a superstar among kittens.

Cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people all over the world, but which cats actually have blue eyes? Keep reading to find out more and discover what can cause them. There's something special about a cat with blue eyes. Dazzling baby blues are a fairly unusual feature in the feline world and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to them. Blue eyes in cats are generally caused by a lack of pigment, and all kittens are born with blue eyes because cats don't develop eye pigmentation until they're around six weeks old, when the production of melanin kicks in. Some cat breeds with blue eyes (especially pointed breeds) have a recessive albinism gene, which means that they'll always have bright blue eyes. Whereas other breeds have an extra gene which also blocks the coat colour, so these cats will not only have blue eyes but they'll also be white in colour. Here at Purina, we've created a list of cat breeds with blue eyes for all you blue eyed admirers. Balinese This blue eyed cat breed is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. The Balinese has a silky, flowing coat and gorgeously deep blue eyes. The breed's long and elegant body makes the cat incredibly graceful, and it's thanks to this elegance that they're named after the exotic dancers of Bali. The Balinese are known to be an affectionate breed and are extremely friendly toward their owners. They are willing to shower anyone who gives them attention in lots of love. Birman The Birman is a cat breed with blue eyes that's hard to resist. Their glossy blue eyes gives them a sweet appearance which will have you bending over backwards for them. Their common characteristics are gentle, affectionate and playful, making them ideal as family pets.

Here is some inspiration to help you find that perfect name for your new grey kitten. These are some of our favourite grey cat names. Is there a new grey cat about to join the family? Oh, the joys of having a fur ball meowing "hello" to you every day! But first things first. What are you going to call the lucky kitten? Just because grey is a rather sombre-looking colour it doesn't mean you have to settle for a dull name. Here are some of our favourite grey cat names. Whatever moniker you pick from the list below, it's guaranteed to fit a stunning grey kitty to a T. 1. Tom: the most famous grey cat name of all time Remember sitting mesmerised in front of the telly watching Jerry mercilessly tease Tom day in and day out? Now that you've got a Tom of your own, why not pay tribute to the "Tom and Jerry" cartoons that kept you entertained during childhood. Bring those memories back with this beloved grey cat name. 2. Dorian (Gray): the grey cat name for all the handsome kittens out there Dorian Gray's youthful beauty might just be the inspiration you need to come up with that cool grey cat name you are after. This famous character has the homonym for the colour grey in his last name after all - just perfect for that stunner kitty strutting their beautiful grey fur all around the house.

Boasting super soft coats and a teddy bear-like appearance, fluffy cats are guaranteed to melt your heart and make perfect snuggle companions. Find out more about our top 8 fluffy cat breeds in this article. With their cuddly appearance and super soft fur, fluffy cats are almost like real-life teddy bears. There's nothing more comforting than when they're lying on your lap and you get to run your fingers through their silky coats. But, with great coat comes great responsibility, and it's important to know that there's a price to pay for a long, luxurious coat - and that's regular grooming! If you have enough time in your schedule for a fluffy cat breed, we promise they'll make the perfect cuddle companion. How does a cat's coat work? Cats can have up to three layers of coat which can be made up of the following: • Topcoat - these are the guard hairs on the surface, they're the thickest type and will protect your cat against the elements. • Undercoat - the undercoat is also referred to as 'down' and these are the incredibly soft and fluffy hairs which act as insulation. • Awn hairs - the awn hairs will depend on your cat's breed, but usually they make up your cat's normal coat. Not all cats will have all the layers and some will only have the one. 8 Fluffy cat breeds If you like your kitties with a little more fur, then you'll probably be wondering about the fluffy cat breeds you can get. This list of our top 8 has everything from Persians to Ragamuffins - keep reading to find the perfect fluffy cat for you. 1. Persian Most commonly seen as white fluff balls in television and film (think Mr. Tinkles in Cats & Dogs), the Persian is one of the best loved fluffy cat breeds. Their coat is long and thick all over, with an impressive ruff around their neck and a dramatic tail which would put your feather duster to shame. Due to their amount of fur, it should come as no surprise that they'll require daily grooming to ensure their coat's kept in tip top condition. 2. Maine Coon You'll probably know the Maine Coon as one of the largest cat breeds, and believe us when we say that they have the coat to match! Boasting long bushy tails and a thick, silky coat which was adapted for Maine's climate, this fluffy cat even has paws with thick fur, bred to help protect them against snow during the winter months.

Black and white cats are incredibly popular throughout the UK, but are there any specific breeds that come in this wonderful hue? Keep reading to find out more. Black and white cats have adorned our TV screens and book pages for years, from the Looney Toons Sylvester, Pinocchio's Figaro to our very own Felix. These monochrome kitties seem to have a personality all of their own and are well known for being mischievous. Some people even believe that they're more vocal and friendly than cats of other colours! It's no secret that cats with this colour combination are loved around the world, but did you know that there's actually no such thing as a purely black and white cat breed? Currently, there are no cat breeds that are exclusively black and white - instead it's just a colour variation that's available in some breeds. Types of black and white cats The colour patterns on black and white cat breeds are actually known by different names, the most common pattern variations are as follows: • Locket: mostly black with just a small bit of white, usually located on the stomach or neck. • Mitted: black all over with only white feet which look like mittens. • Tuxedo: black body with white feet, chest, stomach and nose which makes the cat appear like they're wearing a tuxedo. • Bicoloured: half black and half white colouring. • Magpie: white cats with random black spotting. • Harlequin: similar to the magpie with random black spotting, but with a black tail as well. • Cap and saddle: coloured head with a saddle patch on the cat's back, these felines might also have a black tail. • Van: Splashes of black colouring between the ears with a black tail. Black and white cat breeds 1. British Shorthair The British Shorthair is an incredibly popular cat in England and where they're most commonly blue, but the breed can produce black and white cats too! Originally bred to keep rodents at bay in homes and on farms, Shorthair breeds have a thick, dense coat that was designed to keep them warm when living outside. They have kind, easy going personalities and get along famously with dogs and even children, therefore they're best suited to family life where they can get plenty of attention. 2. Cymrics Cymrics are often thought to be a long-haired version of the Manx cat and much like them, they can be completely tailless. If this black and white cat breed has no tail whatsoever, the cats are referred to as 'rumpies', whereas if they have just a stump of a tail they are called 'stumpies'. The lack of tail is the result of a genetic mutation, which just happened to become a staple of the breed because of the remote location of the Isle of Man where they were bred. These black and white cats make kind and loving housemates but are very people orientated, so they're best suited to individuals that don't spend too much time out of the home. Did you know? There's a legend surrounding the Manx/Cymric cat tails. The story goes that they were napping when Noah summoned the animals to the ark, then just as the door was closing, they woke up and bolted to the door! The cat just made it, but their tail got snipped off in the door in the process.

Black cats are friendly, playful, effortlessly elegant and have a lot of love to give. Discover some of the most popular black cat breeds here. Black cats have had a rough time compared to other cats. Through no fault of their own, black cats became known as the pets of witches a few centuries ago, and their bad reputation has created superstition and fear around them. To this day, some people are still fearful of crossing paths with a black cat, while some Instagram-conscious cat owners keep away from black cat breeds for fear that they don't photograph well. This means that black cats end up waiting the longest to find a loving home in animal shelters everywhere, so we think it's high time to show these cats some much-deserved love. Forget everything you think you know about black cat breeds and join us in falling in love with their beautiful coats and gentle natures. 7 amazing black cat breeds 1. Bombay - a breed for black cats only If you're looking forward to endless kitty cuddles on the couch, there is one black cat breed that will be happy to comply. It's the Bombay cat, a kitten truly dedicated to the colour black - their glossy coats come in this shade only. Bred to resemble their distant relative, the panther, the Bombay cat has a truly stunning appearance. Big, bright eyes and a smooth coat that has never known a "bad fur day" - what's not to like? These stunning black cats crave plenty of attention and will give lots of love in return. Plus, these cats like to say what's on their mind too, so be ready for all those lovely purrs about to come your way. 2. Oriental - a black cat worthy of all your attention Whether you're a fan of black shorthair cats or you prefer longhair cats instead, Oriental cats come in both hairstyles so you can take your pick. These slender cat breeds are full of energy, extremely devoted and affectionate, so you'll often find them peeking over your shoulder or greeting you at the door with sincere enthusiasm.

Tiny cats are completely adorable, probably because they remind us so much of kittens! Find out which cats always stay small and keep their kitten like personalities well into adulthood. No one can resist the big eyes and playful personality of an adorable kitten. They melt the hearts of anyone they come into contact with and are always guaranteed to put a smile on our faces. Sadly, the kitten period never lasts for long and while our adult cats are just as wonderful and cute, we often find ourselves missing the good old kitten days. If you want a teacup cat that stays small and playful forever, there are certain small cat breeds that keep their kitten-like appearance and attitude far into their adult years, so you can treasure the precious playful moments for longer. Small cat breeds It's quite hard to define specific small cat breeds, as even the larger breeds will sometimes have the odd small kitty, but there are some which are naturally smaller in stature. Here are our top 6 teacup cats that will always stay petite. 1. Singapura Known as one of the smallest cat breeds in the world, the Singapura is half the size of the average cat. Possessing a kitten size throughout their lives, their bodies are petite and delicate and they usually don't weigh more than 5 pounds (yep, you heard that right!). But don't let their tiny stature fool you, Singapura cats are incredibly agile and make fantastic climbers! Plus, they're the perfect companion if you want a cuddly kitty, as they love nothing more than snuggling on your lap and having a good pet. 2. Munchkin Named after the magical folk in The Wizard of Oz, the Munchkin is possibly one of the most famous small cat breeds. Their tiny size is due to a gene mutation that means that they have little dumpy legs that are much shorter than normal. While their bodies are only slightly smaller than average, their shoulders are very low to the ground, which is why they have such an adorable pottering gait. These small cat breeds may not be able to jump as high or far as the average cat, but they're very fast and active, so be prepared for plenty of kitten-like good fun in your home. Fun fact: The shortest ever munchkin was only 5.25 inches from paw to shoulder! 3. American Curl The American Curl comes in a wide range of sizes due to its diverse gene pool, however most tend to be quite petite. Their most famous characteristic is their ears which curl backwards toward the base of their skull, hence the name. Because of the curl to their ears, they require a little extra cleaning than other cats, but other than that they're a pretty low maintenance breed. This teacup cat breed is perfect if you want an affectionate cat as they have people loving personalities and incredibly playful attitudes, making them ideal for families. Fun fact: American Curls are not actually born with their unique ear shape. At birth, their ears are straight and begin to curl back within 2 to 10 days. 4. Cornish Rex The Cornish Rex is a small cat most commonly identified by its unusually curly coat. Possessing only down hair which is super soft to the touch, they're also a hypoallergenic cat breed as they don't shed very much. Where their bodies may look lithe, they tend to only weigh around 8 pounds and keep their adorable kitten like appearance and attitude forever. Fun fact: You'll have to be sure to keep the snacks locked up with this small cat breed as they have long, agile toes which are excellent at opening cabinets and doors. 5. Devon Rex

As your cat ages, their sleep patterns might change. Older cats may sleep more, with their energy levels simply decreasing with age. Other times, senior cats might sleep more during the day, saving their energy for evenings and nighttime explorations. While you might find this a little disruptive, it's a natural shift in their sleep cycle. Learn how to understand these sleeping patterns and create a cosy sleep haven to ensure they get the rest they need. Common Changes in Older Cats' Sleep Patterns

There’s no doubt about it, cats are super popular pets (if not the most!) – we all know it. But besides the love and companionship they offer, did you know that for owners, there are actual physical and mental benefits of having a cat? They’re cute, they’re quirky, they’re fun to watch and play with, and they’re just a joy to have around. Having a feline friend can do wonders for your wellbeing, so if you’ve ever thought about adding a cat to your family, there’s no time like the present. Check out some of the reasons why owning a cat can be a life-changing experience!

Cats are the masters of the internet, and it probably very often happens that you come across different photos of them displaying very human-like facial expressions. Grumpy cats, happy cats, sad cats – they’re just like us, you might think. But are their facial expressions really the same as ours - can cats smile, or laugh, or look sad? If you’re the proud owner of a feline, you know that there’s more to the way they show their feelings and communicate with you but even though they might have facial expressions that seem to resemble smiling or laughing, these expressions are not necessarily connected with the way they feel.

Choosing the best name for a new feline friend is not always easy. You’d want something that’s unique and suits your cat very well. If you recently became the owner of a big cat, like a Bengal, or a Maine Coon, we have some big cat names for you to consider. There’s no right or wrong when picking a cat name and with the plethora of name options out there, you’re sure to find the one that’s best. Short or long, funny or not, Disney- or movie-inspired, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the best big cat names and pick the one that’s most suited to your furry friend.

Some cats enjoy being taken care of in a domestic environment, others require constant attention on top of that, and then there are farm cats. They are one of the most independent and self-reliant types of domestic animals. Give them a loving home and free reign over a back yard, a barn, or, of course, a farm, and they will be in their element. If you’re thinking about adopting a barn cat, we’ve put together a short guide on what to expect. Read on to learn more about the process of adding an outdoor, independence-loving feline to your household.