The Javanese is a breed known as a confident breed. The Javanese is afraid of almost nothing. He is also very curious and likes to do new things. So you can easily teach this cat new things. This type of breed needs a lot of attention and fits perfectly within a family. Its appearance gives it a sweet look. The Javanese looks a lot like the Balinese, this can be seen in his appearance as well as in his inner self. Would you like to know more about this interesting breed? Then read this article.
The origin of the Javanese: America
The Javanese is a cat similar to the Siamese and Balinese. This breed was discovered around 1950 in America. This cat was not created by natural selection but was deliberately crossed by humans. This breed originated from a cross between a Balinese and a Colorpoint Shorthair. This Colorpoint Shorthair consists of a cross between a Siamese and an American Shorthair. So this breed is a real American breed. The kittens of the Javanese look like Siamese kittens, but their fur is longer, thicker and the colours are also different.
This breed is not seen as a separate breed by some organisations. The TICA – The International Cat Association – sees this breed as a Balinese and makes no difference between the Javanese and the Balinese, this is because they look so much alike.
The CFA does make a distinction between these varieties. In 1979 the Javanese was recognised as an official variety.
The character: social and self-assured
If anything stands out about the character of this beautiful breed, it is its self-confidence. New things are not scary for him but this cat gets more curious. The Javanese will often do new things as if he always has. The self-confidence graces him enormously. He is very social and loves to make contact with others. The Javanese likes to stay close to his owner. Therefore this cat is a real family cat and can handle children very well. His energy is contagious and he is always willing to play. Besides the fact that he gets along well with people, he also gets along well with other pets. So if you have a dog in the house this is no problem at all. This makes him the ideal family cat.
The Javanese likes to be present and has a loud voice, so he likes to be heard. He also likes to jump to higher places, for example a bookcase. If you are looking for a real family cat that is active and loves to play, then the Javanese is for you.
The appearance: slim and long
The most striking thing about the appearance of the Javanese is that he is slim and tall. His body is long and muscular. His legs are long and slim. The head of the Javanese is also long and has the shape of a wedge. He has long, pointed ears. The tail of the Javanese is long, thin and plumed. On average a Javanese weighs about 2.5 to 5 kilograms.
The eyes of the Javanese are sometimes described as sapphire. They are clear and blue. They stand out immediately and are very beautiful. The coat of the Javanese feels silky soft. The big difference between the Siamese and the Javanese is that the Javanese is his coat alone. He has little or no undercoat. The coat can appear in different colours, shades and patterns. Think for example of the colours:
* Chocolate
* Blue
* Cream
* Lilac
These are just a few examples, but these are the most common colours. It can also occur in different patterns. The most common patterns are tabbie and tortie. The Javanese therefore has a somewhat longer coat and can appear in different colours. This makes it a diverse breed and also makes it popular.
The upbringing: socialisation is important
Before buying a Javanese, it is very important to learn more about education. You do this in advance, not after you have bought this cat. The first part of the upbringing starts with the breeder. It is therefore also important to buy the Javanese from a licensed breeder who is a member of a breed association.
The breeder is responsible for the socialisation period. As a future owner, you have little influence on this. The breeder makes sure that during this socialisation period, on average 14 weeks, the kitten gets used to human touch. During this period two things are central: attention from the mother and attention from the breeder. Attention from the mother is essential to get a healthy picture of the world. From his mother he learns everything there is to learn about the world of cats. Attention is essential, if he gets too little attention from his mother this can cause mental problems and fears. So a breeder has to make sure that a kitten can always be with his mother.
During this period it is also essential that the kitten comes into contact with people, especially the breeder. The kitten will live with people for the rest of his life, so it is important that he learns this as early as possible. Often it starts with subtle touching. As the kitten gets more and more used to it, these touches can change into small ways of grooming. In this way the kitten learns step by step how to deal with human touches. During this period it is also important to take care of the kitten. This ensures that later on this will go smoothly.
When he gets enough attention from his mother during his socialisation period and is sufficiently cared for by the breeder, he develops a healthy behaviour and world view. This considerably reduces the chance of anxiety and other disorders. For these reasons it is essential to find a good breeder.
After this period it’s up to the owner to make sure the upbringing goes well. With this upbringing a number of things are important. First of all, the right things need to be brought into the house, such as a food and water bowl, a scratching post, a litter box and toys. These are some of the things you need to get in the house before you bring in the Javanese. This is important, because this way he can get used to his new surroundings as soon as he is in the house. Cats generally don’t like to change surroundings, so it is important to get your cat used to his new home as soon as possible in a relaxed way.
As soon as you have the new kitten it is important to start with a routine. This routine is needed to help the kitten adapt to his new home. For example, he needs a routine around eating, sleeping and playtime. In this way he will know when it is time for new food, when it is time to rest and when it is time to play. It is also advisable to take care of him at a fixed time. In the beginning the grooming can be difficult, but if you do this every time at a fixed time the cat gets used to it quickly and it becomes easier.
The care: several times a week
The Javanese needs a little more care than other breed cats. This has to do with his long coat. It is advisable to groom his coat about 2 to 3 times a week, by brushing. In this way you avoid tangles and the risk of skin disorders. It is also wise to give him a regular bath to keep his coat in good condition.
The teeth of the Javanese must be cared for on a daily basis. It is advisable to do this at a fixed time so that he gets used to it.
On average, the nails of the Javanese need to be cut every few weeks, you can do this yourself. If you do not know exactly how to do this it is advisable to do this together with a vet for the first couple of times, they can advise you on this. It is also important to clean his ears on a weekly basis, this can easily be done with a cotton swab.
The care of the Javanese also includes opportunities to play. Make sure you have enough toys. Also buy a scratching post so he can keep his nails in good condition. This is also healthy for his mental condition. A happy cat is most important!
Nutrition: care for a balanced diet
As with all cats, the diet of the Javanese should consist of balanced meals. These are for sale at many different pet shops. Meat and fish are the primary foods a Javanese needs. They contain animal proteins and fats that are essential for the health and development of the Javanese.
The Javanese is fairly active, therefore it may be necessary to buy food with extra protein to maintain his muscles well. You can order tailor-made food. This way you can have special food composed for a Javanese and his age and activity level will be taken into account. This reduces the risk of obesity, which is common in cats.
If you are going to buy cat food for your Javanese then it is advisable to go for complete meals. Complete meals contain all the essential amino acids and fats needed for his health. These meals contain taurine, which is an important amino acid for the health of the cat. In addition, they contain all the vitamins and minerals that ensure that your Javanese is and remains in top condition.
Nutrition is one of the most important factors when it comes to health. Therefore, do not save on this and ensure good nutrition, so you can enjoy your Javanese for a long time to come.
Diseases that are common with this cat
The Javanese is generally a healthy breed, but it is prone to a number of health conditions that can occur. The most common are:
- Progressive retina atrophy
- Liver disorders
- HCM
Progressive retina atrophy is a disorder of the eyes of the Javanese, he may have poor vision or even become blind. The disorder focuses on the retina and causes it to slowly become blinder. The disadvantage of this condition is that there is no treatment for it.
Liver disorders also occur and can cause him serious health problems. It is therefore advisable to have a regular check-up with a doctor. This also applies to HCM, also known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This is a disease of the heart that is very common in cats. It can cause heart failure, fluid in the lungs, paralysis and death. So it is a pretty serious condition.
To ensure that your Javanese is healthy and stays healthy, it is wise to keep a close eye on his behaviour. His behaviour often tells us how he feels. Is there a drastic change in his behaviour? Don’t hesitate and contact a veterinarian.3
How old can the Javanese get?
The Javanese is on average between 8 and 12 years old, this is normal for a purebred cat. If he suffers from health problems the age is often lower. The care and his nutrition have a big impact on his health, therefore always make sure this is in order. The better you take care of your Javanese, the greater the chance that he will grow old healthy and happy.
What you need to know before you bring this cat into the house
It is important to buy the Javanese from a licensed breeder. Besides the fact that it is important to buy the Javanese from a licensed breeder, it is of course also important to make sure that he gets enough attention. The Javanese is an active and playful cat. When he doesn’t get enough attention this can cause behavioural problems. So before you buy this breed, ask yourself if you can give him enough attention. It takes time and that is certainly something you have to take into consideration.
What price do you have to think of when you buy a Javanese?
On average, a Javanese costs between $750 and $1400. This depends very much on the supply and the breeder you get your cat from. It is therefore advisable to research different breeders and only then make a decision. Whatever you do, make sure you choose a recognised breeder.
Also take into account his care costs, such as vaccinations, food, toys and other veterinary costs. This could cost several hundred euros a year and is certainly something to take into account, as it is often underestimated.
Do you also choose the Javanese?
The Javanese, the ideal family cat who loves to play. Do you also have a Javanese in the house or are you considering bringing this cat into the house? Then we are very curious about your opinion about this confident breed. Do you have any tips for our readers regarding education, or does your Javanese have any strange traits and habits? Let us know in the comments under this article!
