Stone Cougar vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison

It is thought that the cat was brought to America by the Spanish to keep the rat population down.

The name KEUDA stands for Kitten Evaluation Under Direct Assessment which is actually the name of a program that was running in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and was for investigating the kinds of cats that survived as barn cats.

Today the Keuda isn’t registered and it’s not a well-known cat either, being looked upon as being similar to the Egyptian Mau breed as it shares some physical similarities with the Mau.

Once again the Stone Cougar, also referred to as the Mountain Cougar or Chausie, is a cat that was developed to resemble a wild cat but that is actually a domestic cat. The Stone Cougar is a rare domestic cat that is a cross between a domestic cat and the wild Jungle cat. It is referred to as a wildcat hybrid.

You can’t really pin-point what the American Keuda looks like as it looks a lot like the Maus but it can also look like a Siamese cat or even others.

It is a medium-sized cat and can weigh up to 5 or 6kg while being very lithe and athletic. The head of the cat is medium-sized, the ears medium-large, the eyes almond-shaped, and the tail is slightly tapered.

An unusual aspect with this cat is its belly flap – loose skin that flaps at each elbow. The head is wedge-shaped, it has almond-shaped eyes, large ears and the fur is soft and silky and in a variety of patterns as well as solid colors. The coat is short to medium in length and there is no undercoat.

Temperament:

American Keudas are just your regular cat in personality - active, adaptable, inquisitive, and intelligent while being strong and agile.

They are also adaptable and social, getting along well with children as well as other pets in the home. It is also quite unusual in that it likes playing with water. They are also playful and love running, jumping and climbing and indoors it will want a climbing cat tree.

The Stone Cougar cat is thick-set with a thick tail. They are large cats too and can be anything between 7 and 13kg. The ears are small. The color’ stone’ is used to describe the color of this cat – a light fawn color. These cats can be a lot bigger than your regular cat and they are also referred to as Mountain Cougar or Jungle Curl. Because they are bigger than most domestic cats, they can take up to 3 years to reach maturity. Temperament: This is an active cat that is intelligent and adventurous. People who have kept this social cat as a pet say that he is trainable and also dog-like and even enjoys playing in water. Like many other hybrid cats, the Stone Cougar can have some endearing characteristics that tend to make it quite different from your regular cat.

The beauty of American Keuda cats is that they are no-fuss cats and they are energetic, amicable, social, and playful and they make wonderful companions.

They are also fond of water and can even strike up a friendship with your dog. By bringing a Keuda into your home you can rely on a steady, loving friendship with your feline friend.

When it comes to bringing a Stone Cougar into your home, you need to be well prepared for such a large cat. They are also very energetic and you may be overwhelmed by his darting around. It is why so many of these hybrids land up in shelters – people don’t believe that they are different from your regular domesticated cat. Nonetheless, they can make loving pets and they like lots of attention too. Don’t just get a Stone Cougar because it is an exotic cat. Think carefully if you are ready to be totally devoted to the cat for 12 – 16 years possibly.

Thes cats enjoy good health and live to be 15 years of age or older even. You just have to watch out for him as they have no undercoats and it’s not a cat to do well in the cold.

Whenever you buy a cat for the first time, try and find out about vaccines and previous conditions that might require special treatment.

Healthy kittens and cats are always alert and energetic with shiny coats and clear eyes.

Dental disease is quite common in cats, and it is always a good idea to have your pet’s teeth checked by your vet. Signs of pain with dental problems can include lethargy, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, and reduced appetite. Get your cat immediately to the vet if you suspect problems with his teeth.

Neutering and spaying are imperative if you don’t want your pet to have kittens. It’s a simple operation for your pet and it comes with many health benefits for your cat. You don’t want your female cat having kittens as there are just already so many stray cats in shelters. Spaying and neutering mellows a cat too, makes them less prone to wandering, spraying, and fighting.

Make sure you have your American Keuda vaccinated against the many cat diseases that there are. Vaccinations are available against feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus, cat flu and feline leukemia virus, a disease that damages the cat’s immune system. Kittens require their first vaccine at around 8 weeks of age.

The Stone Cougar is a fairly healthy cat and you aren’t going to have to worry about heavy vet bills if you look after him well. Remember that just like with humans, the health of a cat depends heavily on the food you give him. It needs to be high-quality food. Obesity is something you want to always watch out for as it can bring on a host of ailments of which joint problems and arthritis are ones to look out for.

Every cat needs to be fed a complete, balanced high-in-protein food. There are heaps of different brands of cat food on the market - wet and dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended amounts. If in any doubt about what to feed your cat, speak to your vet. Every cat needs a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise and play:

Both young and older cats love to play so ensure you provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as things such as climbing trees and a scratching post. Cats enjoy a high-up place where they can feel safe and view their surroundings from a height.

Sleeping area:

Cats spend many hours a day sleeping and you need to provide your cat with a warm, dry, comfortable, quiet place to rest. There are many cat beds available, but if you don’t have one, a cardboard box with one side removed and a soft cushion or blanket will do.

Litter box:

Invest in a litter box for your cat to do his business in and keep it in a safe, quiet place where your cat can ‘toilet’ in peace and quiet. These should be placed away from the food and water bowls. Make sure to keep a small plastic rake close by and rake up the cat droppings regularly to ensure the litter tray is nice and clean.

Grooming:

Your American Keuda is a short-haired cat but you want to brush the fur gently at least once a week. Grooming also provides you and your cat with some valuable bonding time.

Microchipping:

Provide your cat with a collar to show everyone that he is yours. Also, have your cat microchipped – a tiny chip that carries your pet’s unique ID number and which is inserted safely and gently under the cat's skin.

Parasites:

Have your cat treated and free from parasites such as ticks, fleas, and worms. Speak to your vet about this.

The Stone Cougar is easy to take care of in terms of grooming as it has a short coat. You want to brush the short coat at least once a week to remove dust and loose hairs. It isn’t a heavy shedding cat. Keep his nails short. Invest in a scratching post for him as all cats are natural scratchers. As also mentioned, the Stone Cougar is a large cat and the correct diet is of the utmost importance. There are some cat owners who like to prepare their cat’s food, but then you just have to be 100% sure that he is getting in all the vital nutrients he requires for health. The best, most high-quality commercial cat food manufacturers make sure that the cat food they manufacture is packed with everything a cat needs, with meat being the top ingredient. Remember, when in any kind of doubt with your Stone Cougar’s diet, rather speak to your vet. The Stone Cougar is prone to food allergies, and it is for this reason that you will need to provide these cats with a high-quality diet. Make sure you read the labels carefully because you want to avoid some of the junk additives added into some of the more inferior cat foods. They can often be prone to digestive issues. The Stone Cougar is an active cat and he will need to be well exercised. Such a large cat will require en outside enclosure where he can run, jump and climb without fear of him getting out and running away. If you don’t have an outdoor enclosure, the next best thing is to train him to walk on a leash. Unless you intend to be breeding, be sure to spay or neuter your Stone Cougar.