Viverral vs Sumxu - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Sumxu is an odd-looking cat with its droopy ears or drop-ears. The truth is, the cat is considered extinct and the last reported Chinese lop-eared cat was way back in 1938.

According to reports, the cat seems to have first made an appearance in 1656 and was always described as a curiosity. It seems as if they were valued as pets but they were also used as food. A Polish man was the first Westerner to describe the Sumxu in his illustrated book Flora Sinensis. The breed was once found in and around Peking and resembled a long-haired Scottish Fold.

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 Chinese have always eaten this cat and because it has always been found in restrictive conditions the cat lost its keen sense of hearing because it no longer needed to hunt. The cat's ears lost their upright nature and became the hanging ears that are characteristic of the Chinese cat.

The cat had a long silky, shiny coat and was a dirty yellowy type of color. It had a ruff, a thick tail and blue, slanted eyes. It is thought that the size of the Sumxu was somewhat larger than the standard cat so he would have been a medium to large-sized cat, weighing in the region of 4 to 7kg. He was thick-set and muscular.

Temperament

It is thought that this cat wasn’t particularly active and that it seems to only become really animated when offered food, preferring to lie beside a warm fire than to be found outside. We can only assume that it was a fairly quiet cat.

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.

Not much is known of the character of the Sumxu cat as it is now extinct. It doesn't matter what kind of cat you have because every cat needs to be loved and well cared for. If you can't do that, then why get a cat in the first place.

One wonders what kind of pet the Sumxu cat would have made?

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.

The Sumxu cat should have seen the veterinarian every year for an examination and to make sure his vaccinations and deworming were up to date.

Every cat deserves to be taken to the vet when they are sick or injured.

It is never a good idea to give your cat medication that hasn't been prescribed by the vet. If the Sumxu cat had ingested a poisonous substance, it would have been kind to call the vet. It would have been dangerous for the Chinese to eat such a cat that had ingested poison.

While cats should be spayed and neutered, it is quite possible that the Sumxu cat was eaten before it ever had a chance to become a parent. Neutering and spaying a cat has health benefits for the cat and can prevent cancers.

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.

One would have hoped that the now-extinct Sumxu cat received high-quality cat food. If you don't know what to feed your cat, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best diet. The cat food manufacturers always produce foods that take into account the cat's age and activity levels.

Certainly, every cat needs taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health. The food you choose for your cat should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

You will need to provide fresh, cool water for your cat at all times. Wash and refill your cat’s water bowls regularly.

Take your pet to your vet for any signs of illness such as diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy.

The Sumxu cat would have required a brush every few days as the coat was long and silky. Brushing helps keep your cat's coat free of dust and loose hairs.

The Sumxu would have needed a warm, clean dry place to sleep.

Every cat that goes outdoors should have a collar and ID tag.

Your cat will need a litter box which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. The Sumxu cat would not have liked feces in his litter box, and litter boxes of all cats should be kept clean.

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.