LaPerm Cats: Breed Profile

History: In 1982, in a barn in Oregon, a litter of six kittens was born to a barn cat. One of the kittens was different. It was completely bald with blue tabby like markings on its skin. When it was about eight weeks old, the kitten started to grow soft, curly fur. The kitten was happy and healthy, and the owner just thought that it was a bit unusual.

The kitten went on to mother other kittens as did her children. Over the course of the next ten years, there were several more completely bald kittens born at the farm, all with curly hair coming in at about eight weeks. As the number of unique kittens increased, the owner sought out information on curly haired cats. She started to realize that these cats were truly unique and decided to enter one in a cat show. There was a lot of interest in the unusual cat and a new breed was born. The owner named the breed LaPerm which means wavy.

Appearance: The distinguishing feature of the LaPerm breed is its curly hair. LaPerms can be long or short haired but they all have curly hair. The long haired variety has a plume like tail and a curly ruff. The short haired variety has a bottle brush tail and the coat stands away from the body parting down the middle of the back. The coats come in every color and pattern. These cats can also have all eye colors. The kittens are born bald or with very sparse, short hair that falls out by two weeks of age. The curly coat comes in between two and four months. Throughout their lives, LaPerm cats sometimes have molting periods leaving them with a very sparse coat.

Personality: LaPerm cats are extremely affectionate. They will want to do what you are doing. If you are active, they will want to play. If you are sitting down they will want to cuddle. They purr, pat you with their paws, and rub up against you to get attention. Compared to other breeds the LaPerm is an active cat who needs interaction and play. They can easily be taught tricks like fetching.

Care: Like all cats, LaPerm cats need a continual supply of fresh water, high quality cat food, and a clean litter box. They also need adequate veterinary care, and safe places to run and scratch. Because they are an active breed, it is especially important that they have enough room to run, explore, and play. Despite the unique coat, LaPerm cats are easy to groom. The coats can be combed easily with a cat comb a couple of times a week. It might be necessary to bathe the cat if it becomes dirty. This breed is known for a dislike of water, so it is a good idea to trim their claws before bathing and to take extra safety precautions.