How to Select an American Curl

American curls are best known for their unusual curled ears, which are the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation. The breed was discovered in the form of a stray named Shulamith in California in 1981, and the pedigree of all true American curls can be traced back to her.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Collars
• Cat Combs/brushes
• Cat Dishes
• Cat Foods
• Cat Toys
• Catnip

1. Find a responsible breeder who will guarantee that your American curl is in good health and doesn't have feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

2. Expect to pay $200 to $500 for your American curl.

3. Pick up and hold the cat or kitten to check for good muscle tone.

4. Make sure that the cat isn't sneezing or sniffling, that the eyes have no discharge and that the ears are clean and pink inside.

5. Examine the cat's fur, which may be long or short (but always soft and silky) and have no bald patches or signs of dry or flaky skin.

6. Check for fleas behind the ears and at the base of the tail - flea dirt, which looks like black sand, is a sure sign.

7. Get a written sales agreement from the breeder that provides the breeder's health guarantee.

8. Take your American curl to your veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm that the cat is healthy.

9. Take home a kitten no younger than 12 weeks of age.

10. Plan to keep your American curl inside and to have the cat neutered or spayed. Vets say it's the best way to keep cats happy and disease-free and to prolong their lives.

Tips & Warnings

• American curls adapt to other animals extremely well, and love humans. They're extremely active cats and are known for giving head butts.
• American curls are particularly hardy.
• The American curl's ears will vary in curliness until the cat is about four months old, when they set in place.
• Be careful with the American curl's ears. Don't force the ears to uncurl or you could break the cartilage, which is stiffer than in other cats.

on 11/22/2005 American curls come in both longhair and shorthair varieties. Longhairs require minimal grooming as they do not have a heavy undercoat like a persian and the hair coat is silky and straight.