Said to be ‘extremely intelligent’ amongst the cat breeds, the Highland Lynx cat loves to play and chase. Its big size can fool anyone. It is a cat that loves human affection and gets attached to its owner quickly. It can make a great pet. Here are few things that are interesting facts about the Highland Lynx cat breed.
The Highland Lynx cat is a hybrid; it is a cross between the Desert Lynx, also known as the Caracal, and the Jungle Curls cat breeds. Joe Childers from Timberline Cattery in North Carolina took an initiative in the development of this cat breed in 1995. It is recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry as a part of the Desert Lynx breed. Even though it has ‘Lynx’ in its name, it is a wholly domesticated cat breed.
➦ Males are larger than females weighing around 12-25 lbs. Females weigh between 8-16 lbs (an average house cat weighs between 6-10 lbs). This cat is of a medium to large size.
➦ Males take longer to mature than females. The Highland Lynx cats have the same life span as any other domestic cat that ranges from 13 to 15 years.
➦ These cats are strong and muscular; they have longer and athletic hind legs. Their paws are large with prominent knuckles and may have extra toes. Polydactyl is a dominant gene in this breed.
➦ These cats have big heads. Their muzzle appears square-shaped with prominent whisker pads. Highland Lynx cats can have either a long, medium, or short coat.
➦ These cats have large expressive eyes. Their eye-color ranges from gold, green to even a blue!
➦ One distinguishing feature is their ears. Rather than a normal pointed, this breed has upturned or curled ears. They have small ears with tuft tips. The ears usually have a backward curl varying in degrees from a slight curl to one that touches the back of the head. The ears are set apart at the top of their heads. This unique and divine creativity sets them apart from the rest of the cat family. However, in a few instances, they may have upright, pointed ears much like regular cats.
➦ The tail can be of long, medium, or short in length. In some cases, the tail may be absent altogether. Usually, it is straight and thick and can have a little twist with a fluffy end. Besides the eyes, the tail can be another expressive part of this cat.
➦ The Highland Lynx cats do not have any special dietary requirements; however, providing meat for their diet is beneficial as they are carnivores.
➦ Like other felines, these cats do not drink much water. They get their needed amount of water from their food. Cats are prone to kidney ailments.
➦ To maintain its health, regular checkups, grooming, and vaccination is required. Brushing the coat once in a week will keep it in a good condition. Highland Lynx cats tend to accumulate more earwax than other cat breeds. Regular cleaning of the ears is advisable. You can either use a normal paper towel or an effective ear cleaner recommended by a vet. Regular trimming of the cat’s nails is a good practice to avoid any infection.
➦ These cats are mild-mannered, extremely intelligent, active and playful by nature, and therefore, make good pets which are easy to train. They get along with dogs and other animals as well. They are good with children and elders too.
➦ They are very affectionate towards their owners as well as other household members. They are very loving and show their affection in the form of their actions. For example, like dogs, they are aware of their owners’ presence in the house. These cats do not like to be separated from them for a long time.