Talk about a kitty with its own style! The LaPerm is all this and more. The creation of this breed is thought of as an accident because it originated with a mutation in a domestic shorthair. As a result of this mutation, which is called the Rex Gene, they have a soft curly coat. The first LaPerm cat was born in 1982 in a barn in Oregon. The owners of the cat found this kitty to be quite fascinating, especially since it was born coatless while the other kittens were not. The kitten’s coat came in wavy at about four months of age. The LaPerms have two sub-categories: both a shorthair and a longhair. The shorthairs’ tails are not as full and furry as the longhairs’. The curls on these cats can range anywhere from small tight ringlets, to big corkscrew curls. They come in every color and pattern, with eyes ranging from gold to aqua, and occasionally odd-colored eyes.
These cats are very hearty and very healthy. Grooming is minimal; they need to be brushed once or twice per week. The LaPerms are loving, human-oriented cats that love to sit on laps. They are an active, inquisitive cat, but will interrupt their play when invited to sit on a lap. They are good problem-solvers, and are known to use their paws to open cupboards, etc., to reach what they are interested in. They make good outdoor cats as well as inside cats, and are very good with children. This quirky, affectionate kitty is an ideal pet and will quickly win your family’s devotion and appreciation.