Orange Tabby Cat Facts

Orange tabby cat

Also known as a red tabby, an orange tabby is a common coat colour that consists of a  base colour that ranges from a light cream or yellow-orange to a deep, rich red or ginger, which is a backdrop for the darker stripes, spots, or swirls. Orange tabby is a common coat colour and not … Read more

9 Types of Calico Cats (With Photos)

Calico cat

Dense calico     Dilute calico     Van calico     Harlequin calico     Shorthaired calico     Longhaired calico     Curly coated calico     Male calico What is a calico cat? Calico refers to a colour pattern that is common in random-bred and purebred cat populations. The term ‘calico’ refers to a tri-colour coat that consists of white, black and orange,  white, chocolate and … Read more

Why Do Kittens Have Blue Eyes?

Why do kittens have blue eyes?

Why do kittens have blue eyes?

Kittens are born with blue eyes because the melanin, which gives colour to the iris, is not present at birth. Once the eyelids open and the eyes are exposed to light, melanin production increases, causing their eye colour to darken. The final eye colour may not be determined until 6 to 18 months after birth. This is similar to skin darkening from sun exposure. Skin darkens in the sun due to the production of melanin, a pigment that provides protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes increase the production of melanin to protect the skin, resulting in a tanned appearance.

A kitten’s eyes are closed at birth because they are developing and need time to grow and mature, which helps protect the eyes from environmental light. The eyelids remain closed until 7 – 10 days after birth. Once the eyes open, they are a pale blue in colour. Some kittens will maintain their blue eyes for life, while the eye colour of other kittens will gradually change from blue to yellow, copper or green.

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Are Cats Nocturnal?

Are cats nocturnal?

Are cats nocturnal? Cats are crepuscular (active at twilight and dawn) and not nocturnal (active at night). This offers our cat’s desert-dwelling wild ancestors an evolutionary advantage. By sleeping during the day when temperatures are at their highest, the feline conserves energy.  A crepuscular cycle also matches that of their preferred prey, small rodents and … Read more

Can Kittens Be Identical Twins?

Can kittens be identical twins

Can two cats be identical twins?

Identical or monozygotic twins are possible in kittens, but rare. Almost all kittens in a litter are not identical, even if they have the same physical appearance.

What are identical twins?

Identical (monozygotic) twins occur when a fertilised egg splits in two during early development resulting in two kittens who share the same DNA. This differs from non-identical (dizygotic twins) who have their own unique DNA. The worldwide incidence of identical twin births in humans is 3 – 4 per 1,000 births. We don’t tend to refer to kittens as twins, triplets, etc, in animals who give birth to multiple offspring, instead, they’re known as littermates.

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Can a Cat’s Coat Change Colour?

Can a cat's coat change colour?

At birth, most kittens are born with the coat colour they will keep for life, but there are some exceptions to this rule. Colour changes can occur for a variety of reasons including nutritional deficiencies, genetics, autoimmune disorders and the natural ageing process in middle-aged to senior cats.

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Dying Cat Stages: Our Vet Explains What Happens

Dying cat

  At a glance Each cat’s experience of dying is unique, and symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition. Dying occurs in two phases, pre-active dying, which can last months or weeks and active dying (imminent death), which lasts 1-5 days. Active dying signs: Physical signs: noisy or labored breathing, decreased or absent appetite, … Read more