The Garfield comics were published back in the 1970’s and they quickly became popular all over the globe. Today, Garfield is one of the most recognizable cartoon characters that has become very popular. It is a fictional cat cartoon that was created by Jim Davis. The cat itself is portrayed as a fat and lazy animal that is based after the appearance of a tabby cat.

The tabby cat is one of the most common types of domestic cats. Tabby cats have a distinctive “m” shaped marking on their forehead that sets them apart from other breeds and patterns. Many people are confused because they think that the tabby cat is a breed of cats. However, that’s not true, any cat with these distinctive markings can be considered a tabby cat.

Garfield’s Biography

According to the cartoon, Garfield was born in 1978 in the kitchen of an Italian restaurant. If you have seen the cartoons, you might know that Garfield loves lasagna, and this love can be traced to the fact that the cat was born in an Italian kitchen. The cat develops a taste for lasagna as a kitten, and this becomes its favorite food.

Garfield is then sold into a pet shop, and is adopted by another cartoon character. The entire premise of the cartoons is based on Garfield causing mischief and then looking at ways to fix the problem. It has become one of the most popular cartoons. But, exactly what type of cat is Garfield?

For those who don’t know, this cat belongs to a breed known as the Exotic Short Hairs. However, unlike the titular cartoon character, the actual cat breed is incredibly playful and intelligent. More importantly, while Garfield is depicted as a grumpy cat, the actual breed is anything but. There are various other facts that you should know about this cartoon.

Garfield Is Old

One of the things that you should know is that the cat depicted in the cartoon is actually quite old. Garfield has been a source of entertainment for kids and adults alike across various generations, so it’s often easy for the average person to forget just how popular and how old the cartoon actually is.

This might come as a surprise to you, but the character of Garfield has actually undergone a variety of different stylistic changes. The art style has also undergone dramatic changes. The character is almost 50 years old, which makes it one of the oldest cartoon characters still being shown.

Furthermore, you should know that the actual cat breed is definitely not able to survive for 50 years. In most cases, the Exotic Short Hairs are usually able to live between 10 and 15 years. If they are properly cared for, these cats can hit a maximum of 20 years.

The Cat’s Name

Have you ever wondered how the cat got its name? Cartoonists usually like to put a personal touch on their cartoons, and the man who made Garfield, Jim Davis, did just the same. Garfield is actually named after the grandfather of Jim Davis, James A. Garfield Davis.

Funnily enough, Jim’s grandfather was named after the 20^th President of the United States; James Abram Garfield. Jim has carried on the tradition adopted by many different cartoonists.

It’s a Part of Ghostbusters

This might come as a surprise to most people, but the cartoon character of Garfield has actually been featured in Ghostbusters. Bill Murray and Lorenzo Music both have played Garfield, and they both have also played the character of Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters.

So, in one way, you can say that the character has become a part of the Ghostbusters franchise as well.

Jim No Longer Does the Comics

This might come as a bit of a shock to most people, but you should know that Jim Davis does not play any role in the development and drawing of Garfield. However, he does maintain the final say on all strips that are published. There are now teams of cartoonists who work on the character and determine its development.

There have been arguments in the past that the reduced level of oversight may have a direct impact on the quality and the integrity of the strips that are published. Many people even thought that the strips being published might not be as good or as fun as the ones that were published by Jim.

However, you should know that the world of cartoons has evolved dramatically, and Garfield is more than just a character that is published on comic strips. There is a full-length animated movie out for the character, and Garfield merchandise is sold throughout the globe. Jim Davis, however, still has the ultimate say over everything that is published.

The Character Is Immortal

This might come off as a surprise to most people, but the character has actually become immortal thanks to its nine lives. There was a spinoff comic book that was published regarding the character that showed Garfield in various styles and across different parts of the timeline. It was shown that Garfield is essentially immortal.

Celebrity Cats

The presence of Garfield has actually created an online trend where people look for actual cats that resemble everyone’s favorite cartoon feline. However, this is much easier said than done. For instance, you will find many pictures online of celebrity cats that have been given haircuts and look very similar to the cartoon character itself.

However, you should know that most of the cats that resemble Garfield usually have pretty thick coats, and cutting their hair is not a wise move. You should definitely avoid cutting or trimming the cat’s hair. More importantly, if you are bringing a cat home, you have to learn a thing or two about how to care for the animal.

Caring for a Kitten

There have been plenty of cases where people have brought kittens into their house but have been unable to care for these animals, and have had to drop them off at the shelters. If you don’t want to do this, it’s important that you understand a few things about taking care of a cat.

First and foremost, you should know that cats require a considerable amount of care, and it’s important that you spend time with them. Kittens are generally impressionable and are going to run after their owners, and you have to reciprocate their love. As the animal grows old, you will realize that they will automatically start maintaining their distance and will involve themselves in their own activities.

Even then, you have to be close to the animal and make sure you give it the time and attention that it deserves. Before bringing any breed home, you have to do a bit of research about its particular requirements, and then determine whether you are capable of caring for the animal. These are just a few things that you should know about caring for a cat in your house.