Cats are lovable pets that come in all sizes and shapes. They also take up many shades and coats. Every cat is special, and some prefer their feline friends to have long coats. What cat breeds have long hair? And how do you take care of them?
There are plenty of breeds that have long hair, one of the most common being the Persian cat. Before going ahead to get one, make sure you or anyone in your house doesn’t have pet allergies. Long-haired cats are high shedders and don’t make hypoallergenic pets.
Keep reading to learn about some of the long-haired cat breeds to find out which one you like the most. You will also find some tips and tricks on how to properly groom your long-haired cat.
Cat Breeds With Long Hair
Here are a few of the cat breeds that have long-haired coats:
Siberian cats
The Siberian cat is native to Siberia, Russia. The region is known for its long winters. The cat’s heavy coat is an adaptation to keep it warm in the area. Aside from being long, the coat is also triple-layered and water-resistant.
Siberian cats have a warm temperament and interact well with other pets, children, and adults.
Persian cats
This cat’s origins trace back to Iran, formerly called Mesopotamia and they were introduced to Britain in the 1800s. Aside from its long coat, it is known for its short muzzle and round face. The female weighs 8 pounds on average and the male weighs 11 pounds.
They are a sociable and elegant breed. They also relate well to children and pets as long as they are introduced at an early age.
Birman cats
The Birman cat traces is home back to Burma, which is currently known as Myanmar. In their region of origin, they are considered to be sacred. It has a glorious white coat. They are also known and loved for their varying colors on their face, tail, ears, and lower legs. Their piercing blue eyes also enhance their beauty.
They are very sociable and they enjoy receiving attention and coddling from their favorite person. Additionally, they interact well with other cats, pets, and humans.
Other cats with long coats are the Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, Manx, and Scottish fold.
How do I groom my long-haired cat?
If your cat has a long coat, you need to put in some extra work to ensure they remain beautiful. Grooming also helps to prevent your cat’s fur from matting. This happens more commonly with a long-haired cat.
Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs. When your cat grooms themself, they tend to swallow loose hairs on them. They then get this out as hairballs. If you groom your cat constantly, they will have fewer hairs to swallow and consequently, fewer hairballs.
Although cats can groom themselves, once their fur begins to mat, there is nothing they can do. Long-haired cats also have a harder time grooming themselves, and you will have to step in. Here is how to best do that:
Brush your cat daily
Cats are creatures of habit. It is advisable to brush your cat’s fur at around the same time daily.
Before you brush your cat, ensure they are in a good mood. You do not have to brush their entire coat in one sitting. If you see them getting fussy, you can pick it up at another time, as long as their whole body is brushed.
You should also place the cat in a comfortable position. This way, they are less likely to resist you. Calm them by petting and scratching them how they like.
Use the right brushes
Ensure the brushes you use on your cat do not hurt her by pulling at the fur and tangles. Here are different types of brushes and the order in which to use them to ensure this is painless to the cat:
Start by using a wide-toothed brush. The brush will help to take out any large tangles. After this, you can proceed to an undercoat comb. This will loosen the smaller tangles that the first brush couldn’t get to. Once you are through you can move to the fine undercoat comb and finally, the flea comb.
You should note that the cat’s tail should only be brushed, not combed. Brushing ensures you do not cut some of the cat’s tail hairs. Also, when grooming the cat’s limbs and head, use a fine-toothed comb. This is because the hair on these regions is usually thin and less prone to mats and tangles.
It might take some time to find out which brushes work best on your cat’s fur. Don’t be afraid to try different combs and brushes to find the best fit. It is advisable to stay away from plastic combs. These will cause the accumulation of static charge on both you and the cat and might make our furry friend dislike the grooming process.
Start with the back
It will be easier for you to start by grooming the cat’s back. Cats do not enjoy lying on their backs and this may make them fussy. After brushing the back from neck to tail, move to the sides and then the underbelly.
It can get a little tricky to brush the underbelly. You can put the cat on a counter or table and brush under them without having the cat on its back.
Dealing with matted hair
Long-haired cats’ fur mats easily so you have to be careful and delicate when this happens. If your cat has matted fur, use a mat-splitter to solve this. You can alternatively use a plastic letter opener. Adding products such as talcum powder can also be helpful in detangling.
Sometimes the mats are too severe and it is difficult to comb them out. You will need to cut them out in such cases. When using scissors, ensure that they have blunt edges so you don’t injure the cat.
If you feel like the matting is too much for you to handle, you might have to take the cat to the vet for a cut. They might need to be given an anesthetic since cats do not like to stay still for long.
If you are looking for more content on cats, you can begin here: How Big Does a Bengal Cat get?, What to Do if Your Cat Has Bloody Stools, What are the Symptoms of Worms in Cats?, Names For Persian Cats, Can cats eat chocolate mousse?, Gray Cat Names, Unique Names For Girl Cats, Can Cats Eat Eggs?, Why is my Kitten Sneezing?, What are the Smells That Cats Hate?
