Viverral vs Colorpoint Shorthair - Breed Comparison

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese cat that came about when the Siamese cat was used with the red American Shorthair to bring about new colors.

The actual name is given by the CFA or Cat Fanciers’ Association to refer to pointed cats that have Siamese parents and that have many colors other than the usual 4 Siamese colors which are blue, lilac, seal, and chocolate.

It was in the 1940s and 1950s that cat breeders in the UK and the USA wanted to develop a Siamese cat with red points as opposed to the traditional Siamese colors. It was in 1964 that these red and cream Colorpoint Shorthairs were awarded championship status with the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Today, different cat registries recognize the Colorpoint Shorthair as a separate breed while others see it as a variation of the Siamese.

This is a rare cat breed and therefore not much information on it is available. It does seem that in 2002, a 5th generation Viverral was developed and this established the breed. The cat is described as a fishing cat hybrid. A breeding program was started but it is thought that the cat became extinct.

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a medium-size cat that typically weighs between 2 to 4kg and is nicely muscled. This is a long cat with legs that are long and slender too.

The coat is short and glossy, light-colored with darker extremities. Colors can be Cream Point, Red Point, Cinnamon Point, Seal Point, Blue-, Lilic- and Chocolate Point among others. The cat is well known for its mesmerizing almond-shaped blue eyes.

Temperament:

This sweet agile, athletic cat will be a delight in your home as he is highly intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands but he is also friendly, playful, and loving. They’re social, outgoing cats too and when he’s not amusing himself, he will happily come and lounge about close to where his beloved human companions are.

On the other side of the coin, these cats can also be somewhat nervous and sensitive and they won’t adapt easily to a change in environment and lifestyle. It is why you have to choose your pet carefully and understand that owning a pet is a commitment of some 15 years or so.

Like the Siamese cat, these felines can be very vocal and they let you know when they want your attention.

The Viverral is muscular and substantial. He has a smallish head and smallish ears with a thick tail. The coat is spotted. The base color of the coat and the spots should be different. The light cream underbelly is also spotted. Large, muscular, and solid, the cat’s eyes are big and round in the smallish heald. The coat is short and plush with a spotted pattern of black, brown or tan spots. Temperament: The Viverral cat has been designed to produce friendly kittens that are curious and confident. They turn out strong and confident and are suitable as house cats. New cat owners might have success with them and they can even be friendly with children in the home, but the truth remains, they are unpredictable. Beautiful and something unique, it is not likely though that this cat breed would have wanted to be cuddled and petted by his human owners.

Choose the wonderful Colorpoint if you want a cat that isn’t cold and independent. With this cat you have one that is more like a companion and looks forward to being around you.

This is a loyal and loving cat who wants to be part of the human family and he wants to be involved in your life.

He suits first-time cat owners, those with children and pets in the home as well as being an excellent pet for seniors – anyone in fact, who is willing to bestow on him the love and affection he craves.

Hybrid cats such as the Viverral can look quite a bit like a wild cat and this is what first appeals to cat lovers. They want an exotic cat to brag about. However, these cats can come up with a whole lot of behavioral problems so that you wish you had never got one. One should just go along to some of the many cat shelters there are to discover how many hybrid cats land up there. They turned out to be a disappointment – their behavior wouldn’t conform to what their human family expected of them. This is the story of hybrid cats. Humans want some exotic looking animal to please their greedy natures and then when the cats don’t behave the way they should, they get rid of them. Rather, it is humans that need to change their behavior and leave wild animals alone. The Viverral can have their good side and be splendid pets but they aren’t consistent. They have a streak of unpredictability, and they also have issues with the use of a litter box. They mark their territory too and can show some aggression. Any animal with a wild side isn’t going to make the best pet, but still, some cat lovers have managed to bring out their best side.

When it comes to the health of these beautiful cats, you may well find similar health issues as what affects the Siamese, some of which are asthma or bronchial disease, congenital heart defects and lymphoma among others.

Lymphoma is cancer in the lymphocyte cells. Your cat will be lethargic and you will need to get him to the vet and provide the vet with a medical history of your cat. Lymphoma is believed to be associated with exposure to feline leukemia virus as well as the feline immunodeficiency virus.

The development of hybrid cats began as a scientific effort in the 1970s. Hybrid pets can be aggressive and also solitary. Hybrid cats are an unnatural breeding. They are cat species that weren’t meant to mate in the first place. Breeders tell stories of premature births and also aborted pregnancies. Some of the more common illnesses among hybrid cats include digestive issues. Also, vaccinations used to protect our domestic cats from disease have not been approved for use in hybrid animals. A hybrid cat has a wild side to him. These cats were bred to look like a wild cat, and although they are healthy, they can also have some health issues. Ensuring the cat has a proper diet will contribute more to better health. As mentioned, some of these cats can battle with the likes of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel disease and also battle with intestinal parasite issues.

Rember that your Colorpoint Shorthair is a long, lean, musculac cat and for health purposes, you want to ensure a good diet of the best cat food there is. There are some excellent commercially manufactured cat goods available and it is wise to get to know the ingredients as meat and protein is high on the list. Cats are carnivoes and it is imperative to feed your cat high quality protein. When in any kind of doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food available for your special feline friend.

The short coat requires brushing once a week.

Check your cat over for any unusual lumps. Look at his eyes, check inside his ears for signs of redness and infection and check inside his mouth for signs of bad teeth as this can cause him terrible pain.

Provide a litter box and keep it scrupulously clean.

Have the claws cut.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted kittens and to also promote better health for your cat.

Provide your cat with a warm bed, food and water bowls, and stimulating toys.

These are different cats to your regular domestic cat, and they will require different care. One of the things you need to do for a cat like this is provide it with an outdoor enclosure. Because of their wild side, they are longing to be outdoors and you may find it difficult integrating such a cat into your home. The Viverral needs plenty of exercise but you can’t just let them roam freely outdoors. Yes, you can train them to walk with a leash but you need to allow him outside in the enclosure. You can include a shallow paddling pool for him too. These are active, intelligent cats and you will need to invest in some interactive toys for him to keep him amused. You will need to supply this cat with a scratching post and a climbing tree. This is because as a cat, he is a natural climber and scratcher and he will need these in his life. Ensure your feline pet has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.