[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you’re looking for a little fluff-ball of love, a long haired cat breed may be perfect for you. But like all types of cats, different breeds will behave differently.
You should know the difference between breeds so you don’t end up with a pet not suited to your situation. If you live in an apartment, your needs will be very different than if you are looking for a barn cat.
Here’s our look at the benefits of a cat with long hair, and the different breeds available.
Things To Consider Before Getting a Long Haired Cat
There are a variety of reasons to get a long haired cat. And while it’s very likely the right choice for you, there are also things you need to be aware of before making the plunge.
Make sure you consider these things as you shop for a pet.
Caring For a Cat
Caring for a cat is a commitment.
This should be obvious, but sadly it is something many fail to recognize. This is why there are so many adorable cats and kittens suffering in shelters or as strays today.
Your long haired cat will come to see you as his parent. That means you need to be there providing healthy cat food, water, playtime, and exercise. It also means you will need to provide the essential veterinary care for your cat.
Make sure you take your commitments to this new member of your family seriously. If you don’t think you can afford a cat, the best decision is to hold off until you can.
Grooming
This should also be obvious: if your cat has more hair, it will require more grooming. And while you may think grooming is just a way to keep your cat pretty, it’s actually an extremely important part of caring for your pet.
For the most part, a cat will groom herself. They are very clean animals: this is why cats spend a significant amount of time licking themselves. But your cat may fail to groom herself if she is sick or in pain. If that is the case, you should brush the hair of your cat and give regular baths.
Cats hate water, so be prepared to bathe your cat without getting into a scratching match. To do this, make sure you use lukewarm water and gently apply shampoo into your cat’s fur.
Your cat will very likely try to escape the bath. If it gets out, make sure you don’t go on a chase. Your cat will be scared by this, and it will end up making him less likely to come back.
If you are moving a long haired cat to a warm climate, talk to your veterinarian about whether or not your cat will require a haircut. Most cats are fine in hot weather without one, but some will have serious health problems without either having a hair cut or being kept indoors with air conditioning.
Lifespan
One of the commitments about caring for a cat is being prepared to be there for your feline’s entire life. There is a lot of variety between the lifespans of various cats: the oldest cat in history lived to the age of 38.
While you probably won’t end up with a cat who lives into human middle aged, you can expect your cat to live to an age between 10 and 20 years old.
If you’re ready to have a furry friend for this long, you should consider adopting one of these wonderful long haired cat breeds.
1. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the most beautiful large breeds. But it’s also one of the best long haired breeds out there.
Described by enthusiasts as a “puppy kitty,” the Maine Coon is an incredibly social and active breed. We recommend giving these guys harness training if you want to take them out on lots of adventures.
While this is now the third most popular cat breed in the United States, that wasn’t always the case. Once the most popular, it fell out of favor as other long haired cat breeds such as the Persian were introduced to American feline enthusiasts.
Eventually, the breed became popular once again for its big size and even bigger personality. If you want a cat that’s going to beg to spend time with you instead of just tolerating you, this is the breed you need.
2. Ragdoll
Like a Maine Coon, the Ragdoll has a very dog-like personality. Known for its incredibly social personality, this is another great option for cat owners looking for a social and loving pet.
This breed can also be known for its distinctive appearance. Strong, long-haired, and fluffy: it can be described as a literal “ball of fluff.” And while they are cute, they’ll also cost you.
The Ragdoll is the tenth most expensive cat breed in the world. If you buy one, you can expect to pay between $800 and $1100. On top of that, you may need to deal with some vet fees: a number of ragdolls suffer from a rare condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Causing an excessive growth of the heart, this can cause higher vet fees and mean less time with your cat.
3. Persian
Persians are the pugs of the cat world. Best known for their flat pancake faces and large quantities of fur, these guys are funny looking.
They also have incredible little personalities. This long haired cat breed is known for being friendly to strangers, lazy, and close to their owners. They also aren’t afraid to let you know when it’s feeding time!
If you want a vocal and friendly cat as your best friend, you should adopt a Persian. They’re friendly, funny, and beautiful.
4. Norwegian Forest
A number of the breeds on this list are the results of breeders. But this is not the case for all of them. One example of a natural breed that developed over centuries is the Norwegian Forest Cat.
At first glance, these big fluff-balls look extremely similar to the Maine Coon. Featuring a massive coat of fur and a big, muscular appearance, these guys are definitely little lions.
If you get a Norwegian Forest Cat, be ready to spend a lot of time playing with your long haired cat. They’re built to be outside: that makes them incredibly energetic. While you won’t need to keep them in the wild, you will need to give them lots of play time.
In addition, being a natural breed does not stop the Norwegian Forest Cat from being able to reproduce. They suffer from hip dysplasia and can suffer from a rare disorder causing neuromuscular degeneration.
These disorders are relatively rare, however. And if you do get a Norwegian Forest Cat, you’re likely in for a long haired cat with lots of energy and excitement.
5. Balinese
The best way to describe the Balinese would be as a long-haired version of the popular Siamese Cat. Featuring the same color pattern but in a fluffier package, this is an extremely lovable option for anybody looking for a long haired cat.
These guys are incredibly playful and energetic. While they love to vocalize, they also love to snuggle. In addition, many claim that the Balinese is the most intelligent long haired cat.
In addition, many make the anecdotal claim that a Balinese cat is less likely to cause allergies than other breeds. That’s just another reason to consider this one of the best breeds out there.
6. American Curl
The first thing you’ll notice about these guys are their adorable little mouse-ears. These guys are cute, but you also need to be careful around that area: they are far more prone to damaged ear cartilage than other breeds.
Aside from their ear-related issues, a pet-quality American Curl is actually less prone to health issues than other long haired cat breeds. That’s because they have a wider genetic pool than a lot of breeds.
The American Curl will also have the most playful personality as an adult. Whereas a number of breeds start out as curious, people-oriented, and playful kittens before becoming grumpy grown-ups, the American Curl has the personality of a kitten well into its adulthood.
If you’re somebody who moves often, this is an incredible benefit: the American Curl can adapt to its new surroundings quicker than a lot of other breeds. That means they’ll be a lot less stressed than a number of other long haired cat breeds.
If you want a calm kitten with the most adorable ears, then the American Curl is certainly for you.
7. Turkish Angora
Like the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Turkish Angora is a natural cat breed. Though they come in a variety of patterns they are best known for their plain white fur pattern and are very likely the cause of white and unpatterned fur in a number of other cat breeds.
This slender and long haired cat breed is very intelligent. While they will bond with the members of your family, they have a curious tendency to play favorites. Usually, this will be the person home the most often.
If that’s you, you’ll find yourself with a new shadow living in your family.
Regardless, you’ll be fascinated by these guys. Sometimes, it seems like the fluffy white hair on some of these guys is no coincidence: they really are little Einsteins. They love to help out around the house and will even try to solve some problems on their own.
If you want an incredibly intelligent long haired cat, then the Turkish Angora is definitely for you.
8. Long Haired Bengal Cat
While many people only think of short haired Bengal cats, you don’t need to choose between a long haired cat and a Bengal.
There are actually a variety of benefits to getting a long haired Bengal cat, also know as “Cashmere”. For one, Bengals are incredibly affectionate and playful. These are one of the cat breeds that stay kittens at heart for a long time.
Another benefit is the fact that these are one of the few breeds of cat that you won’t need to break your back to bathe. In fact, Bengal Cats are one of the few breeds that actually like water.
On top of that, one look at a Bengal cat will tell you one of the biggest benefits to these breeds. Bengals are absolutely beautiful, and having one will give you some beauty that you can really appreciate as a cat owner.
If you want a smart and playful long haired cat that looks like it came straight out of the jungle, then this is one of the best breeds for you. We can guarantee that you will absolutely love your Bengal, regardless of the length of its hair.
All The Cat Things You Need
If you’re a cat lover, then we have plenty of useful things for you. We sell cat supplies for both felines and their humans. And no matter what your cat-related need is, we can guarantee that we have something for you.
Whether you want to learn more about cats or join a community of online cat owners, we’ll give you the space we know you need as a cat lover.
You should also be sure to check out our large directory of articles and reviewed products for your cat. And if you’re not yet a cat owner, we have some good news.
Take a look at our breeder directory of Bengal cats and kittens for sale, along with rescues. If you look through our list, we’re sure your heart will sing as you find a new hairy best friend for you and your family.
Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities on this website. If you have a cat, it can always use more love. And if you don’t have a cat, you should absolutely get one.
