Feline Structure
Normal and Abnormal Body
Normal and Abnormal Head
An Important Note on Feline Structure
Related Links
What is Condition?
Identifying the Parts of a Cat
What is a Breed Standard?
Breed Standards Index
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Feline Structure:
Recognizing Normal and Abnormal
 The following descriptions and drawings of "normal" and "abnormal" are offered as an educational tool to help develop and refine the ability of cat fanciers to recognize and select against undesirable and potentially harmful physical characteristics.
Some abnormalities may merely affect the visual image of the ideal show cat. Others, in addition to being heritable, may cause discomfort or even be severely detrimental to the health and well-being of the cat.
- Head, including Skull, Jaw, Bite, Eyes and Nose
- Body, including Spine, Rib Cage, Limbs, Abdomen and Genitals
INHERITANCE OF DEFECTS: The cause of many structural abnormalities cannot be determined with certainty. Heredity, abnormal embryonic development, and poor nutrition can result in apparent defects. Some problems are known to be inherited as autosomal dominant or recessive. Many are believed to be heritable because they occur with greater frequency in certain families of related cats, but the mode of inheritance is not yet known. Others are caused by the inheritance of several genes which work in combination (polygenic). Occasionally a defect can be either genetic or not. (For example, cleft palate is often genetic but can also result from intrauterine exposure to certain drugs.)
ELIMINATION OF DEFECTS: In some cases where the abnormality does not cause discomfort to the cat and other options are few, it may be necessary and appropriate to breed from a cat showing a minor expression of a defect. This does not mean that the cat should be shown with expectation of reward on the show bench. Judges help to promote the elimination of defects by recognizing and rewarding cats with structural soundness on the show bench. It is hoped that the material contained within this brochure will help develop and refine the breeders' ability to recognize and select against undesirable and potentially harmful traits.
References:
- August J: Feline Internal Medicine. W.B. Saunders Co., 1991
- Clark R (ed.): Medical, Genetic & Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats. Forum Publications,Inc., St. Simons Is., 1992.
- Gilbert E & Brown T: K9 Structure & Terminology. Howel Book House, New York, 1995.
- Pedersen N: Feline Husbandry. American Veterinary Publications, Inc., 1991. (See note below)
- Robinson R: Genetics for Cat Breeders. 3rd ed. Pergamon Press, London, 1993.
- Thomas C (ed.): Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, 1973.
NOTE:
Feline Husbandry is out of print, but used copies are sometimes available through amazon.com.
PDF files of the chapters in this book by Dr. Pedersen are available for free download on the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health web site.
Text: Gayle Hand, Joan Miller, Betty White
Illustrations: Leslie Falteisek
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