York Chocolate Cat vs Bristol - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Bristol cat hails from Texas and was developed during the 1980s, using a south American wild cat and domestic cats.

The Bristol cat isn’t well-known and in fact, its origins are shrouded in mystery.

The cat was recognized and admitted into the TICA (The International Cat Association. It is looked upon as a hybrid breed or a designer cat.

Nobody seems to know when the first Bristol cat was even bred. Because of its exotic nature, it is believed to be a cross between the American Shorthair and the margay or similar breed.

The York Chocolate cat is often referred to simply as the York. The cat was developed in New York in 1983 by breeder Janet Chiefari. The American breed of cat came about by selecting certain colors for breeding.

The breed isn’t recognized by cat registries, however, in March 1990, the Cat Fanciers’ Federation of the New England area recognized York Chocolates as an experimental cat breed.

By 2016 no registry carried its breed standard and it looks as though the cat is now extinct. Later is was also established that the International York Chocolate Federation was founded in 2003 but that the site seems to be archived.

Bristol cats are medium-sized and muscular, powerful cats. They are much like Bengal cats. They have a smokey charcoal appearance while others have quite a bit of white on them.

They also have rosettes and small rounded ears. The origins of the Bristol breed are uncertain but it seems a multi-colored cat was adopted by a United States Army captain in Australia.

The cat was so adored it was brought back when they returned to the United States. The cat was already pregnant and she gave birth to 2 kittens. The coats are shiny and short-haired with spots and lines of fawn, grey and brown mostly with the eyes being green.

Temperament:

The Bristol cat has a very pleasing disposition – being amicable, playful, and loving. They’re intelligent cats too but they need to spend time in solitude as well.

They definitely don’t respond and bond to everyone in the human family but tend to respond to only one person.

These Bristol cats are cunning and self-confident and because of their wild side, they will need a large area to roam. This is definitely not a cat for city life.

Today the breed is still under development and in the experimental stages. It is a medium to large cat, both robust, sturdy, and muscular.

He can weigh up to 7 or 8 kg. The head is medium-sized with a rounded muzzle and the ears fairly large, pointed and tufted and broad at the base.

The eyes are medium in size, almond-shaped, and slanted slightly. The color of the eyes is a striking gold, green, or hazel.

The legs are also medium to long in length and well-muscled with the hind legs being a bit longer than the forelegs. The coat is medium to long, smooth and glossy with no undercoat. Color of the coat is mainly a rich chocolate color or silver, black and white.

Temperament:

The York Chocolate is a loyal and friendly cat. He is independent and although he loves his human family, he is perfectly happy on his own as well. They make wonderful pets as they get on well with children and also with other pets in the home.

They’re even-tempered and adapt well to all kinds of lifestyles. What is notable about this cat is that even if you tend to ignore him, he wants to lavish you with his attention. He is a cat that just loves to spend time with his human family.

The Bristol cat is beautiful all right, but once again humans should just leave wild cats alone in the bush.

Mixing them with domestic cats doesn’t work in the long run, and many of these cats land up in shelters because of unruly behavior. The Bristol cat is part wild and it doesn’t seem to have a future although there isn’ enough information online to really know what its future is.

The York Chocolate is an ideal breed for families but he will get along well with single people too who are willing to make a fuss of him.

He is the kind of cat that makes himself at home indoors or outdoors. He has such an amicable nature and wants to be your friend. In return for this friendship, he needs to be given a whole lot of love and attention.

Not much information on the health of this particular cat, but as with other cat breeds, lifestyle and nutrition play a huge role in the health of a cat.

Every cat, regardless of age, size, and energy levels will require top quality foods high in proteins, as cats are carnivores.

York Chocolates are generally considered to be healthy cats, but always schedule regular wellness visits with the vet if you suspect even the smallest illness.

The insides of the cat’s ears should be examined regularly for signs of dirt and wax build-up that can lead to an infection.

The trend these days is to brush your cat’s teeth. This can absolutely traumatize your cat. When you take your cat for a check-up he will in any case look inside your cat’s mouth to make sure there aren't any bad teeth.

As a cat owner, it is a good idea to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses in your cat. Cancer

Cats can get different kinds of cancer – where cells grow uncontrollably and spread to all parts of the body.

When a cat doesn't produce insulin, his blood sugar levels elevate and this can result in hyperglycemia.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It's a deadly disease that can be prevented by vaccination.

Spread by infected mosquitoes, heartworm causes lung disease in cats.

Vomiting is a common problem with cats with many different causes. The danger with vomiting is that it can lead to dehydration,

A cat’s upper respiratory tract is susceptible to infections caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria.

Diet:

The diet of a cat such as the Bristol will include small rodents, however once domesticated, these cats will need a diet high in protein. The cat is a carnivore and to be healthy it will require high-quality premium commercial cat food that is appropriate for the age of your cat and his health status.

The best cat food has taurine in it, an essential protein that cats can only obtain through quality food. Your adult Bristol cat may prefer eating several smaller meals and this is actually a good idea as smaller frequent meals help towards greater urinary tract health.

If you want a healthy cat, you have to be diligent with providing such a cat with good food that is high in protein. If you aren’t sure, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what to feed your new cat or kitten.

Factors such as age, size, activity levels, and health make a difference to what you feed your cat, how much and how frequently.

Get into a habit of reading and understanding the labels on the cat food packaging. Certainly, every cat requires taurine, an essential amino acid. You will also need to ensure fresh, cool water day and night.

Always take your pet to the veterinarian if he is lethargic ad disinterested in his food.

Grooming:

Most cats are clean, but you should brush or comb your Bristol cat regularly as the brushing helps keep your cat's coat shiny and also reduces the amount of hair during shedding.

General:

Provide your Bristol cat with a dry, warm sleeping area and keep the bedding clean.

Your Bristol cat needs to wear a safety collar and an ID tag. These ID tags or an implanted microchip can help ensure that your Bristol cat is returned if he becomes lost.

Cats scratch, and cutting your cat’s nails will keep the nails blunt. Nonetheless, to prevent your furniture from being scratched, provide your cat with a strong scratching post covered with a rough material such as sisal or tree bark.

Bristol cats are independent and they don’t require any kind of special care. Certainly, they require large areas for their active lifestyle as well as a shallow pool for swimming.

The coat of the York Chocolate is fairly short and it doesn't shed heavily. A weekly brush will suffice to help remove dirt and loose hairs as well as to maintain the coat’s sheen.

The nails need to be trimmed.

A high-quality diet high in protein and animal meat must be provided for your cat Cats are carnivores and are not plant eaters.