Cymric vs California Spangled Cat - Breed Comparison

People seem to want a cat that resembles some of the wild cats we have, and the California Spangled is a domestic cat that has been bred to resemble spotted wild cats.

In fact, it was during the 1970s, that Paul Casey, an American scientist, returned from Tanzania to create a cat breed that resembled a wild cat such as a leopard.

There are many breeds that make up the California Spangled cat and these are the Abyssinian, British Shorthair, Siamese as well as some stray cats. Today, the breed has all but disappeared and there are only a few of the cats left.

The Cymric is a naturally tailless cat although having said that, not every Cymric is completely tailless.

It’s actually a long-haired Manx cat this and thought to date back to 1750. It is one of the oldest cat breeds.

Known also as rumpies or stumpies, the taillessness of the Manx an Cymric started as a mutation among the island's domestic cat population. Long-haired kittens were born to Manx cats on the Isle of Man, but in the 1960s, similar kittens were born in Canada and then specifically bred.

The Cymric became popular, even though it took years for the Cymric to be recognized as a breed of its own by cat associations. The International Cat Association (TICA) gave the cat breed status in 1979.

The California Spangled cat is lean with a long muscular body and long legs. Its long body makes it look like it is on the prowl like a leopard.

Its coat, similar to that of a leopard, can be a mix of colors such as black, tan, silver, red and white with a mix of different shaped spots. The coat is fairly short and doesn’t require too much grooming. However, a brush will be like a bonding session for you and your cat and it will keep his coat shiny and free of loose hairs and dust.

The cat has almond-shaped eyes that are amber to copper-colored.

Temperament:

This cat is independent but it still wants to get a lot of attention from his owners. They’re affectionate, social and devoted to their human family. They are known for their intelligence and high energy levels, enjoying games that involve lots of action and participation.

Being an active cat, it needs a lot of space to roam and to play. Because he is smart, buy him interesting toys, a scratching post, and climbing equipment.

The Cymric is a medium-sized cat that can weight between 4 and 6kg and he is round in shape and stockily built. The back legs are also longer than the front legs.

He has a short, arched back with a broad rump. The unusual but beautiful Cymric has long hair and a thick double coat that is glossy and vibrant. Some cymrics have tufts of hair on their ears and toes.

All colors of the coat are available and it can be solid or patterned - white, blue, red, black, cream, tortoiseshell etc.

The eyes are large and can be green, copper, or yellow. The ears are widely spaced with rounded tips.

Temperament:

The Cymric is described as a sweet-natured, placid cat that doesn’t get ruffled over much, though he does get excited about his human family.

He tends to be reserved around strangers. He is a loving cat and simply loves being around his human family. He is a strong cat and intelligent too and he is quite capable of watching you and then learning how to open doors and get into cupboards.

He is sociable and talkative too and enjoys ‘talking’ to you, especially when he has attached himself to one member of the family. He thrives on his human family's company and is a cat that provides lots of entertainment for you. Even though he becomes attached to one family member, he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

These active but calm cats are very sociable, liking to talk to only when needed and then the meow of the cat is soft.

While this cat would prefer being the only cat in the family, they are quite adaptable in the right environment and will adapt to a home where there are other pets.

These are cats that enjoy being the only cat in the house, but they are prepared to adapt to a life shared wth other cats or dogs.

They love playing and will respond well to children who have been taught how to be kind to animals.

They’re pricey cats these but they can certainly provide you with 15 years of great companionship.

Yes, the Cymric has quite a few health issues but many people choose to overlook these as they love the personality of the lovable cat breed.

It’s such an intelligent cat too but best of all it offers total love and companionship.

It is certainly an unusual domesticated cat breed that appeals to many different people and it is guaranteed that you’ll also find him one hang of a feline pet.

This cat is healthy without any hereditary health issues, and with good care he can reach 15 years of age.

It always helps to choose a reputable breeder to minimize health risks. When in any kind of doubt as to the wellbeing of your cat, rather speak to your vet to be sure.

If you look after your Cymric well, he can live to a good age of up to 15 years. The lack of a tail is a genetic defect and the cat’s deformed spine can cause health problems including arthritis.

In fact, the cat’s lack of a tail causes some serious diseases. The defective gene responsible for the loss of the tail affects the spine and can actually cause spinal problems. In fact, when completely tailless Manx cats mate, the defects can be so severe that some of the offspring are born dead.

People often speak of these health issues of the cat as the Manx Syndrome.

Some cats have a narrowing of the anal passage and this can lead to bowel blockages. Make sure to get your Cymric vaccinated against deadly cat illnesses and ensure veterinary checks for parasite control and illness.

When it comes to feeding these cats, you’ll find that the California Spangled Cat is highly energetic and therefore his food needs to be of the very best high protein that there is.

The cat requires high-quality food and food that is adapted to his growth and energy levels. If your California Spangled Cat had to hunt for his own food it would be mice and birds - protein.

In your home, he’ll need cat food high in protein. A diet deficient in protein can lead to all kinds of health issues. The reason for this is the protein has amino acids and this plays many essential roles in the body, strengthening the immune system.

Fortunately, in our busy world, commercially manufactured cat foods from top brands are nutritionally complete and balanced, and they’re high-protein cat foods. Proteins are imperative for the functioning of all body parts, and nursing queens for instance may well need more protein to get the kittens off to a good start.

Grooming:

Your California Spangled cat isn’t a huge shedder so a regular brushing once a week of the short coat will get rid of dust and loose hairs.

They’re playful cats these so provide them with games and toys that can help with using up some of this energy.

Diet:

As a kitten, provide your Cymric with food appropriate to its age. Once your cat turns one, you can start feeding him adult cat food. There are a whole lot of excellent commercially manufactured cat foods – dry and canned foo – but always choose a high-quality one where the first ingredients listed are always meat. This is because the cat is a carnivore. Make sure the food has taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats.

This cat has a thick coat and he will need a brush at least twice a week, especially as he is a high shedding cat. While you brush your cat, look out for any problems such as red areas, hair loss, sores or irritated skin. Take note of any unusual lumps.

Some people take their Cymric to the vet once a year for a routine medical check-up. They have the nails clipped and the ears and teeth checked. It is also a great way to get your queries answered on the nutritional and health needs of your pet.

You will need to have your Cymric’s nutrition checked to keep him in tip-top condition. The Cymric cat has a good appetite and his build can allow him to put on weight easily. Obesity can put pressure on the spine and lead to all kinds of joint problems.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep it immaculately clean.