Smoke vs European Shorthair - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The European Shorthair is a cat breed that hails from Sweden but it also has roots that go back to the Roman Empire.

It is referred to as a natural cat breed, which means that the cat came about naturally without any human intervention.

The cat has had great hunting skills and this has what has made it sought after as a cat to keep rodents at bay. It became a famous housecat as well.

A Smoke cat is a domestic long-haired cat. The beautiful coat coloring usually comes with a silvery undercoat, with the topcoat having color points.

In effect, the Smoke cat isn’t a cat breed as such but is describing the color of the cat. It could be a Persian cat. It seems the Smoke cat has its origins in the 1800s in the UK from where it seems to have originated.

No one really knows the true origin of the Smokes cat but it would seem as though they evolved from breeding silver tabbies to blacks and blues.

While the early Smokes had green eyes, breeding has resulted in there being copper eyes as well.The Asian Smoke is a colour variation of the Asian that was created in the UK in the 1980s.

These domestic cats of Europe are a medium- to large-sized cat, weighing between 4 and 6kg, though some can be heavier.

The European Shorthair has a fairly large head and medium-sized ears. The body is robust and round shaped. The cat’s short coat without an undercoat comes in a range of colors and patterns such as white, cream, red, black and blue with eyes that are green, yellow, brown or copper or blue.

Temperament:

The European Shorthair is known for its adaptable nature and the cat is able to fit into different lifestyles with ease. It's a cat that will live happily with children, pets, adults and seniors.

The cat loves his human family and loves becoming involved with fun games and activities. It's an intelligent cat too and cat food puzzles help him to think about how to get his food.

Even though your cat is social with his human family, it becomes fairly shy and nervous of strangers.

When Smoke kittens are born they have gray and white markings around each eye and around the muzzle.

Essentially the Smoke cat can be black, cream, blue, red, or even tortie. Smoke actually means that the base of the hair is whitish and the rest of the hair is black, red or blue etc.

These cats can be different sizes but will no doubt be medium-sized and weigh in the region of 3 to 6kg. They are lean and muscular and can have different eye colors too – green or gold.

Temperament:

There are so many cat breeds and they have heaps of colors and patterns. The domestic long-haired cat is capable of a wide range of temperaments.

You can be sure that these cats are playful, fun, curious, and intelligent. Some will be more vocal than others but they will all thrive on the attention they get from their human owners. They are friendly, affectionate cats who will bond closely with their human family.

The European Shorthair is such a sweet cat and he is able to adapt fairly easily to new environments. It is such an ideal cat for households with singles, couples, families, and seniors as it adapts its personality to suit, getting on well with other pets as well.

The cat loves his human family and wants to please, but loves to play too, being active and playful. Having one of these cats in your home is like bringing in a treasured gem.

Because the Smoke isn’t a cat breed as such but rather a color shade found in some long-haired cats you can’t be sure what your cat will really look like and how he will behave.

They could be energetic, playful, or quiet and relaxed. They might be more vocal and want to talk to you or they may be content just to be wherever you are.

When you bring a Smoke cat into your life, one thing is sure, with his friendly and loving nature your world will become meaningful, as any beautiful cat such as the Smoke is guaranteed to bring in lots of smiles, joy, and love.

Even if your European Shorthair appears to be well, it is a good idea to get used to taking your cat to the vet for an annual check-up.

To provide your cat with the best chance to remain healthy, good diet and exercise is imperative. Look out for an itchy skin too as this could well be a sign that your cat is being plagued by parasites. Parasites can be a terrible problem and it will need to be attended to by your vet.

Parasites and an itchy skin can be a nightmare for your pet and make him most miserable with excessive scratching and licking as well as thinning of hair.

A new kitten will also require being vaccinated to ensure he remains healthy. These injections protect your cat from life-threatening diseases. Usually, vets start vaccines at between 8 – 12 weeks of age to protect your cat against the likes of Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu.

There are also other vaccinations you might want to consider such as rabies and chlamydia.

Just like it is wonderful to stroke and pet your pet for his health’s sake, it is also therapeutic for you to stroke your cat.

Vomiting:

Vomiting is one way that you can tell that your cat is sick. He will vomit if he has eaten something he shouldn't have or if he is feeling sick. You must keep an eye on his vomiting as he can become dehydrated and then he wlll need to get to the vet right away.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:

FLUTD is often brought on by cats that are overweight or unhappy and stressed. It can cause a cat to be miserable, vomit and have a temperature.

You’ll see your cat battling to urinate, he will cry in pain when urinating and be pacing and unsettled. This is an illness that requires urgent veterinary attention.

European Shorthairs like to groom themselves, but even so, you want to brush your cat once a week to keep the hair shiny and healthy. Make sure to trim your cat’s claws at the same time. It’s your time to feel for any unusual lumps or scratches on your feline friend’s skin. Check his eyes and make sure they are still bright and clear, look inside the ears to make sure they aren’t becoming clogged with dirt and wax and look inside the mouth to ensure no signs of gum- and tooth disease.

Your cat may well be outgoing with his human family, but his nervousness with strangers will require you providing him with a safe haven of his own. This might be his own bed which should be in a safe, dry, quiet area where he can retreat and feel more secure.

European Shorthairs love being outdoors and particularly if you have a female you’ll want her spayed to avoid her becoming pregnant. Cat shelters are already full of unwanted kittens and you don’t want to add to the burden. Also, have your male neutered too as he is ar less likely to want to roam. Spaying and neutering come with many health benefits too.

Be very careful of your cat’s diet. This is because the domestic cat is a carnivore and still essentially a predator, liking to hunt for their meat. They require a meat diet. However, cats have special dietary requirements and they require a balanced diet. All cats are individuals and they have different food likes and preferences, but they all need the best food there is to remain in peak condition. If you feed your cat commercially manufactured food, always follow the instructions on the label.

Provide your feline pet with cat accessories – food and water bowl, collar and tag, soft bedding, a climbing tree, scratching post, litter box, grooming accessories and toys.

Smokes will require more care than other long- haired cats because their coats are fairly fragile and need to be treated gently and with care. Gentle brushing once or twice a week will keep the coat in top condition.

Keep the nails trimmed as required.

The trend today is to brush your pet’s teeth but this can be painful and traumatic for a cat and he can easily lash out in fear, resulting in bites and scratches. The pet groomer and vet can rather look inside your cat’s mouth and tell you if there is any bad tooth that needs attending to.

Provide your cat with good food. Your cat is a carnivore and he must eat meat to ensure his health. The best commercial cat foods are high in protein to ensure your cat gets a balanced meal to promote good health. If in doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food there is for your furry feline friend.

Provide a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a comfortable, soft bed.

Provide him with a litter tray and ensure this is cleaned of the feces every single day.

Have him vaccinated against the major feline diseases. Ensure he goes to the vet when he is in pain or shows signs of illness.