The American Curl Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

If you love cats and like to be a “bit” different, there is a good chance that an American Curl cat might be the “right” cat breed for you. The American Curl cagenerateste is a unique-looking animal with a lovely disposition, making it an ideal pet for just about any individual or family.

But…

Like we always say here at IndulgeYourPet, when it comes to determining which “type” of cat is going to be right for you, it’s essential to fully understand a particular breed so that you won’t be disappointed with what “kind” of cat you get six months from now. This is why we chose to write this article about the American Curl cat breed so that you can get a better understanding of this particular cat breed and be better prepared to decide if you should take the next step and either purchase an American Curl kitten or better yet adopt an American Curl rescue animal.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

American Curl Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States

Size:  Medium

Weight:  7 to 10 pounds

Eyes:   Walnut-shaped

Shape of Head:  Round wedge-shaped

Life Span: 15-plus years!

Origin of the American Curl Cat Breed

Unlike many other cat breeds that are out there that may have an ancient and somewhat “mysterious” origin story, when it comes to the American Curl cat breed, we know that we, Joe and Grace Ruga, are thankful for its existence. You see, these are the folks who, on one summer day in 1981, found a young and lost female cat that strayed onto their property in Lakewood, California. This little, somewhat “unspectacular” little cat (which was later named Shulamith) was just your “average” black domestic long-haired cat.

And while…

Shulamith was undoubtedly a pretty cat; it wasn’t a cat that folks would one day decide to write books about. But that all changed when Shulamith gave birth to several kittens six months later, two of whom had curled ears. From these two curly-eared kittens, Shulamith became the origin of every American Curl breed today.

From there…

Nancy Kiester (a cat enthusiast) acquired one of the black long-haired female kittens called Mercedes. In October 1983, Mercedes and a few other curly-eared kittens sired from Shulamith were displayed in Palm Spring at a cat exhibition. As you can imagine, these three cats got an ENORMOUS amount of attention from many of the cat fanciers in attendance, which created a craze leading many of these same cat enthusiasts to begin selectively breeding American Curls, ultimately leading to the emergence of the American Curl as a new cat breed.

In 1986, the American Curl breed was recognized by the American Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and by the International Cat Association in 1985.

Physical Characteristics

In identifying an American Curl cat, all you need to do is look at its ears, which will be “curled” backward to make an identification. That said, however, there are a few other “traits” that you’ll want to be aware of should you decide that you might want to adopt an American Curl cat. Traits like these cats typically grow to about 7 to 10, taking their “sweet” time getting this big.

The American Curl cat breed typically takes 2 to 3 years to mature fully. If your favorite time of a cat’s life is when they are kittens or relatively small, you’ll be delighted with how long your American Curl will remain “kitten-like.”

Another “oddity” that…

It might be interesting that most, if not all, American Curls will be born with “normal” or non-curled ears. Their ears only become “curled” a week after birth. Their coats can also come in various colors, including white, silver, blue, red, brown, chocolate, lilac, cream, black, and chocolate. Their coat colors could also be solid or take other patterns such as points, tabby, smoke, bi-color, and ticking. Some are long-haired, while others are short-haired.

One good thing…

The coat of an American curl cat doesn’t require any special care or grooming “requirements.” This means that as long as you keep an eye on your American Curl and periodically brush them now and then, they shouldn’t require being bathed all that often.

The eyes of an American Curl can also vary in color: yellow, orange, copper, amber, gold, hazel, aqua, and blue. They’re also rather “stocky” for their size. So, even though they only weigh about 7 to 10 pounds, these “little” guys will “feel” more significant than they are. This, combined with their well-muscled bodies and long tails, will often give off an impression that they are more extensive than they are.

Temperament and Personality

Ask any American Curl owner, and they’ll tell you that the American Curl breed is quite friendly and has a lovely personality. These cats love being around people and will follow you as you do your activities. Plus, this breed is comfortable around you and other “two-legged” family members and does well with other home pets.

Ironically…

It may be surprising to learn that American Curl cats aren’t all that communicative for such a social cat breed. In fact, at first sight, you may think that they’re a timid breed. However, these cats have a unique way of communicating with their owners by making “cooing” noises. We here at IndulgeYourPet think it is fantastic!

Did we mention that the American Curl cat breed is excellent with kids? If not, we should have because, after all, these guys are pretty playful, and what kid doesn’t love a cat that is willing to be played with and picked up and held…,.… Don’t be surprised if your American curl tries to play hide and seek with you or turns your house into their own “jungle gym” because these little guys also love to jump to reach elevated places such as the top of a cabinet.

That said, however…

It’s important to note that American Curls will get lonely when left alone. They may even suffer from isolation. Therefore, it is advisable to set aside time to spend with them if you adopt one or allow them to be both indoor and outdoor animals. Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up to have a very frustrated cat on your hands if they are left alone for too long.

Potential Health Concerns

One of the lovely things about purchasing an American Curl kitten is that these cats tend to be healthy because the cat breed is relatively “young” and because they “emerged” from a rather humble beginning rather than a pedigree lineage.

Us humans…

They haven’t had enough time to meddle with their genetic makeup to create problems, so the American Curl cat breed isn’t at risk for any inheritable diseases we know of yet. That said, however, you should always be sure to do your due diligence when deciding which American Curl breeder you should choose. However, the good news is that you don’t need to ask about any “specific” medical issues; you’ll want to ensure that your breeder will guarantee your new kitten’s health.

Lastly…

Even though the American Curl cat breed is very healthy, we here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to look at what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new little family member. Because you never know!

Your little guy…

It may be perfectly healthy for their entire life until an unforeseen accident forces you to visit your local veterinarian in a panic! Wouldn’t you like to have a pet insurance policy on that day so that you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the costs accrued, ensuring that your little “buddy” gets the care they need?

For more information about who we feel offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry today, we encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Company article to understand better whether purchasing a pet insurance policy makes sense.