5 Things to Know About LaPerms
These cats are curly-haired, medium-sized felines with outgoing personalities and doglike qualities.
1. Key Characteristics of LaPerm Cats
- Weight: 5–8 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
As the name suggests, this breed looks like a cat with a perm -- remember those?
LaPerms are medium-sized, muscular cats known for their curly hair. The hair can be short, medium or long. The condition of the hair varies from tight curls and corkscrews to straight strands in some cats.
The ears are fairly large and flank the wedge-shaped head.
The almond-shaped eyes come in a variety of colors, as do the colors and patterns of the coat.
2. Where LaPerm Cats Came From
The LaPerm cat was discovered in a barn owned by Linda and Richard Koehl in Oregon.
The Koehls had barn cats to control the rodent population. The cats bred freely, and in 1982, a brown tabby cat named Speedy gave birth to a litter of kittens.
One kitten was different from the rest, born hairless at first, and then curly hairs started emerging to form a coat.
The cats freely bred over the next decade, and curly-haired kittens started popping up more often. No matter which cat the LaPerm was crossed with, the offspring would have a curly coat.
This discovery helped support the theory that the curly-haired gene passed on from the LaPerm was dominant.
The LaPerm Society of America was formed in 1997, and the breed received championship status with the Cat Fanciers' Association in 2008.
3. How Friendly Are LaPerm Cats?
Many LaPerm lovers describe the temperament of this breed to be similar to a dog.
They stick close to their humans and even get excited knowing someone is at the door. They are also intelligent, clever, inquisitive and outgoing cats. These active cats love playing with toys, but they are just as happy to hop into your lap at a moment's notice.
Most LaPerms are great with children and even dogs, and some people think they're hypoallergenic.
4. Is This the Right Cat for You?
Exercise Needs
LOW:
LaPerm cats don't have any special exercise needs.
Their physical activity should be similar to that of most cats ( sleeping long hours, playing, running and jumping), although they're typically much more active and playful than other cats.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice a decrease in activity or mobility — this could be a sign of a health problem.
Grooming Needs
MEDIUM:
Brush shorthaired LaPerms once per week or less. Longhaired coats are not prone to mattingbut should be brushed more often (think once a week). The International Cat Association
(TICA) advises against blow-drying your LaPerm's hair:
"Bathing and towel-drying will also keep the coat pristine -- blow-drying is unnecessary as it will make the coat frizz. Once the coat is totally dry, emphasize the curl by spritzing the coat with a fine mist of plain water."
Trim the cat’s nailsas needed (usually once every week to 2 weeks), and clean the ears and brush the teeth to promote good overall health. Pay special attention to the ears. LaPerm cats have pretty large ears that need proper grooming.
Health Problems
LOW:
LaPerm cats are a hardy breed with no known health problems. Always ask for a health certificate when buying from a breeder.
Breeding must be done carefully with other breeds with Type A blood to minimize blood type incompatibility. Kidney diseaseis a possibility when other breeds are crossed into the LaPerm lineage.
Watch these furry, fluffy LaPerm cats (one 2 years old, the other just a kitten) groom, sleep and play around:
5. Where to Adopt a LaPerm Cat
If you want a LaPerm in your household, please check adoption resources -- even purebred animals can end up in shelters. Try Petful's adoption page.
A final note: Be aware of breeders operating kitten mills-- don't support them.
Additional Resources
- The LaPerm Society of America
- The LaPerm Cat Club (UK)
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Kristine Lacoste has been researching dog and cat breeds for nearly a decade and has observed the animals up close at dog shows in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She is the author of the book One Unforgettable Journey, which was named as a finalist for a Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America, and was host of a weekly pet news segment on the National K-9 Academy Radio Show. In addition, she was the New Orleans coordinator for Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit that helps military members and their pets, for 3 years. Kristine has researched and written about pet behaviors and care for many years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, another bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Business Administration degree.
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