The cat kingdom has truly fascinating cat breeds, one of which is the LaPerm, which stands out for their curly coat. These unique-looking felines have been around for decades and are known for their loving and loyal personalities.
If you’re looking to know more about LaPerm cats and their traits, you have come to the right place! Here, we provide more details about this stunning cat breed to help you determine if this is a breed suitable for you and your family’s needs.
| Length: | 6–10 inches |
| Weight: | 8–10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Colors: | Red tabby, chocolate tortoiseshell, calico, classic tabby, white, black, blue, and fawn |
| Suitable for: | Active families, those looking for a loving and friendly cat, and those with other pets |
| Temperament: | Loyal and loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, and gets along with other pets |
The LaPerm breed is truly unique, as these cats were originally born as barn cats from a normal cat litter. However, one of the kittens was almost hairless. Over the next few weeks, the kitten developed fur that was soft and curly, which is how they got the nickname of Curly.
This kitten grew into a loving, caring, friendly, and affectionate feline. They were allowed to breed freely, producing more curly-coated kittens. The man who discovered Curly made an effort to separate the kittens that also carried the curly gene and used them for further breeding.
Read on to learn more about these fascinating cats!
LaPerm Kittens
Most LaPerm kittens are born hairless, and they start to develop their hair as they age, finally developing their full coat after a couple of weeks of life. These kittens can be born with either straight or curly hair.
Besides that, these little furballs are just like any typical kittens; they’re playful and active, but they also like to sleep and rest.
Temperament & Intelligence of the LaPerm
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
LaPerm cats can be excellent for families because they’re generally social, friendly, and affectionate. These cats love to spend their time around humans. They have a curious nature and a peaceful and calm temper, which makes them excellent for families with children, regardless of their age.
Due to their active and intelligent spirit, these cats will love learning tricks and playing games; you can even teach them how to fetch!
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
LaPerm cats are also known for getting along with other pets. If you socialize these cats from a young age, they can be friendly toward other animals, especially other cats and dogs. This breed can be the perfect pet option for families that already own other pets or want to in the future.
Things to Know When Owning a LaPerm
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
When it comes to their food and diet requirements, LaPerm cats are not that different from any other cat breed. These carnivores require a diet mainly based on animal protein, with a bit of fat and small amounts of carbohydrates.
Exercise & Training 🐈
LaPerm cats are generally active, and they love to run, chase prey, and play all kinds of games, including fetch. Therefore, some people call them “dog-lookalikes.” LaPerm is not your typical lap cat; although these felines love to cuddle, they also need exercise to stay healthy.
Around 1 hour of exercise per day should be enough to promote good health in these felines. However, if your LaPerm is overly enthusiastic, you can make the exercise sessions even longer.
Since these cats are curious and intelligent, they can learn various tricks, just like dogs. They can fetch, bring you various objects, and even come to you when called.
Grooming ✂️
Many people think that LaPerm cats are high maintenance due to their curly fur. However, these cats actually don’t shed much, and their coats are not prone to tangling and matting. Since their coats are supposed to look fluffy, these cats don’t require much brushing, and you should only bathe them if they get really dirty.
You should also provide LaPerm cats with proper dental care, which includes teeth washing at least three times a week to prevent possible dental problems. Another important part of grooming is nail care, which is something that you’ll need to do for your feline regularly.
Health and Conditions 🏥
This is a generally healthy breed with a long lifespan; these cats can live anywhere between 12 and 15 years. So far, there are no known predisposing conditions that these felines are prone to, classifying them among one of the healthiest cat breeds that you can get.
Male vs. Female
There are no significant differences between male and female LaPerm cats besides their size, as males are usually slightly taller and heavier than females. It’s possible to notice more territorial and protective behavior in female LaPerm cats, but this can still vary from cat to cat, regardless of their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About LaPerm Cats
1. This Cat Breed First Appeared in 1982
The LaPerm breed was developed after an accidental discovery of a curly-coated kitten in a litter of regular kittens in 1982 on a farm in Oregon. The owner of these cats, Richard Koehl, decided to breed those with the noticeable gene mutation. The rest is history, as this popular cat breed can nowadays be found in homes across the world.
2. The LaPerm Society of America Was Created in 1997
Although LaPerm cats first appeared in 1982, it wasn’t until 1998 that the LaPerm Society of America was created. This society was created by the Koehls, but they had help from feline geneticist Solveig Pflueger, who helped them in their mission of breeding more of these interesting cats.
3. The Cat Fanciers Association Granted This Cat Breed Championship Status in 2008
The popularity of LaPerm cats quickly spread around the world, and after a while, these cats appeared in countries like Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. After many years of being popular, the Cat Fanciers Association finally granted championship status to LaPerm cats in 2008.
Final Thoughts
LaPerm cats are friendly, active, playful, loyal, and loving. They are also intelligent and low maintenance, which makes them perfect human companions. They love children and other animals, meaning they can easily fit in with families with kids or other pets.
Overall, LaPerm cats make excellent pets for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, loving feline that can be both cuddly and playful at the same time.
Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
