Javanese Cat
The Javanese is a cat breed that is known for having a rather fashionable Oriental appearance. This cat is a native of Asia and has been around in some form since the 1950s.
This cat has a longhaired coat and has a medium-sized muscular body while having a fine tone that is identical to what you might expect to see from other cats that originated from Asia. This cat has a pointed coat with the body having a lighter colour than the head.
HistoryThe Javanese Cat has a look that makes it similar to other cat breeds from Asia. However, it is not a cat that is actually from Java or Indonesia.
Helen Smith, the founder of the MerryMews Cattery, developed this cat breed in the 1950s. It is uncertain as to whether or not Smith ever actually went to Asia but it is known that the Javanese cat name came from how many cats with Asian appearances tend to be named after islands around Asia.
Smith and fellow cat breeder Marion Dorsey worked on a program to breed Siamese cats with Balinese and Colourpoint Shorthair cats. This is a big part of why the Javanese cat was associated with the Balinese cat for so long.
The Javanese cat name came from the fact that Java is an island that is not too far from Bali in Indonesia. The Javanese cat was originally interpreted as a variant of the Balinese cat but in 1979 the Javanese cat became a separate breed according to the standards that the Cat Fancier Association upholds.
The International Cat Association has since gone on to interpret the Javanese cat as a division of the Balinese cat breed. It is also seen by the ICA as a cat that is grouped into the Siamese segment.
AppearanceThe Javanese cat is very different from other cat breeds when compared with so many others, even though it is so closely related to a few different cats that are originally from Asia. Many of these characteristics are based on the standards that were provided by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
This is a breed that is rather small in size; these cats are typically 5 to 11 pounds in weight on average. This is a consistent total among the male and female cats.
The Javanese cat has a head that is wedge-shaped. The ears are in a nice shape and are rather pronounced when compared with the rest of the head.
The eyes are also blue in colour. These blue tones tend to be rather visible and noteworthy when taking a look at the cat today.
The cheekbones around the head are also rather easy to notice. They are not too different from what other cats have but they are still relatively well defined.
A cat's fur is more than a beautiful style. It is also a source of insulation. The Javanese cat does not have an undercoat but it does have a fine coat that has a long or medium-length appearance while featuring a nice style that is rather attractive and interesting. The Javanese cat’s coat is still rather easy to take care of and it will not be too hard to manage.
The coat tends to be close to the body. This makes it look shorter than what it is really like. This is a real consideration to watch for when getting the grooming processes handled as necessary.
The Javanese cat can come in many colours. It typically comes in a white or other light type of colour for the most part. The tones around the body of the cat tend to include a darker head and feet in some cases as well as a darker tail.
Some of these cats have a few stripes, spots or points. Tortoise shell and calico Javanese cats have been reported in many cases. Still, these cats are not likely to actually appear as often as you might expect them to.
The cat will typically have a pink or dark-coloured nose and paw pads. Some shadowy parts may be found on some younger cats in this breed.
PersonalityThe Javanese's personality is as striking as its appearance, surpassing many other breeds when it comes to playfulness and affection. The Javanese is an intelligent, adorable cat that is especially active. It will continue to stay athletic and strong well into old age.
Needless to say, more research is needed to determine the exact points of a Javanese's behaviour. One thing that is for certain is that it is a breed that is known to be very happy and is very comfortable around most people and other animals; this is all according to what many Javanese owners have reported over the years.
It is very friendly to others and can particularly fit in with other pets in the home and with older children. It especially enjoys toys that allow the cat to recreate hunting activities. That is, the cat will go after items and pounce on them, possibly biting them.
This cat is one that will be especially active at all times of the day. It will enjoy getting plenty of attention and is willing to be active at night. However, it will also enjoy a bit of time to relax in one's lap at night. It is known to be rather affectionate without being overly needy.
A bored Javanese can cause a lot of mischief, thus it's important not to leave the cat alone for many hours. It's affectionate and always ready to help and participate in all of your activities. When it wants to play, the Javanese can be very persistent and can be destructive just to get the desired attention. The cat is also known for being rather verbal.
Their intelligence enables them to devise ways of opening doors, cabinets and drawers. They have a tendency of concealing themselves in surprising places including closets or even in the cloth basket, which for them is play. A happy Javanese cat will roll over on its back with its feet kneading joyfully in the air, accompanied by an extremely loud purr.
The Javanese maybe interpreted as a lap cat as well. It is small enough to lie down on your lap and will be patient enough to be with you for a while. It will prefer to stay close to you or at least remain in the room with you. In addition, the Javanese cat loves to snuggle but is willing to get off your lap every once in a while.
The Javanese is one breed that loves to be verbal. It can be very vocal and can carry out an animated conversation for the longest time. Its meows tend to be low-pitched and can be loud at times.
Javanese cats are capable of living in outdoor and indoor situations but they are more comfortable with indoor spaces for the most part. It is comfortable in a majority of conditions but it is best to keep such a cat indoors in a space where the climate is under control.
In addition, it tends to enjoy being up in high places around the home. Don't be surprised to find it perched up on top of an appliance in your home, for instance.
Even if you do take your Javanese cat outside on occasion, you must make sure that you are around it all the time, as these cats tend to feel a sense of despair when they are alone. However, you might want to watch out when trying to get a leash. Not all Javanese cats are totally comfortable with leashes.
HealthYou might hear that a cat has nine lives and this is certainly the case for the Javanese cat but its lifespan is not stipulated by any set value. It can live a long, healthy life if you take care of it well. It’s important to keep the cat in a clean environment, as this will encourage and even motivate the cat to continue being playful.
A Javanese cat may live for about 10 to 15 years on average if it is kept healthy. You need to ensure that it gets more than enough exercise and plenty of nutritional support in order to keep it healthy and living for as long as possible.
It's important to keep the cat in a clean environment as this will encourage and even motivate the cat to continue being playful.
This breed is also rather healthy for the most part but it has been known to be capable of developing such commonplace concerns as liver amyloidosis and progressive retinal atrophy.
In addition, some of these cats may develop obesity. This may be the case if a cat’s diet is not controlled as well as it is supposed to be. There are many other health considerations to explore but these will be covered a little later on in this guide.
If you take good care of your cat and you take a look at some of its general points then it will be rather easy for you to enjoy having your cat for years to come.