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Long-Haired Cats

Introduction:

There’s nothing like a warm, soft, purring bundle of fur and whiskers. Most cats are short-haired, however, it can be nice to adopt a cat with long soft fur to run your fingers through. They usually grow longer or thicker hair during the cooler months of the year and shed some of it during the warmer months. Their fur can make them look larger than they are. They often need to be brushed regularly to keep them free from tangles.

Like short-haired cats, long-haired cats come in a variety of colours. White, black, grey (‘blue’), dark brown (‘chocolate’), light brown (‘lilac’), cinnamon, fawn, ginger\orange (‘red’), cream. For genetic reasons, about 80% of ginger-coloured cats are male.

They can have a variety of coat patterns. Some are one solid colour. Some are bi-colour ie they’re white with another colour. Many are tabby ie they have dark stripes, blotches or spots on lighter coloured fur. Some are tortoiseshell ie they have a mixture of black, grey or brown colours with ginger or cream colours. Some are tri-colour\calico ie they look like a tortoiseshell but also have white patches. For genetic reasons, tortoiseshell and calico cats are nearly always female. They can have tabby markings too.

Adult cats can have green, yellow, copper or occasionally blue eyes. Kittens are always born with blue eyes but the colour usually starts changing when they’re 6 – 8 weeks old. Most cats have two eyes of the same colour but some have differently coloured eyes.

Completely white cats, especially ones with blue eyes, are often deaf, due to genetic reasons. A white cat with one blue eye may be deaf in one ear; a white cat with two blue eyes may be completely deaf. However, they can still lead happy lives.

Unfortunately, there are many illnesses and congenital problems that cats can suffer from. There’s usually no way of knowing what a cat’s risk of developing any particular health problem is. Cats can live for 15 - 20 years (or more) but if they develop a serious medical problem, they may pass away at a much younger age e.g. 3 - 8 years.

Long-haired cats can be either domestic or pure-bred.

Long-Haired Domestic Cats:

Domestic cats are mixed breed, so they come in a wide variety of colours, sizes and temperaments. Some people make a distinction between ‘medium-haired’ and ‘long-haired’ cats, however, there doesn’t seem to be any agreement on how long a cat’s fur needs to be before it’s labelled long-haired. Some people don’t use the term medium-haired at all and just call any cat long-haired if it isn’t short-haired.

The genes for long hair are recessive, which is why there aren’t many long-haired cats around, and kittens don’t always have the same length fur as their parents. Sometimes two short-haired cats will produce a long-haired kitten. A long-haired kitten is likely to have thick fur, tufts of fur around its face and ears, tufts of fur on the bottom of its feet between its toes, and a fluffy tail.

There are a few options for finding a long-haired cat to adopt. You can search through online ads from animal shelters\pounds or rescue groups. Some websites have better search functions than others: some allow you to specify long-haired cats and others just show you all of the cat ads mixed together. You can also check ads from private owners on online marketplaces. Very rarely, a vet will have a long-haired cat looking for a home.

The adoption fee for a long-haired cat is about the same as for a short-haired cat. It’s usually $200 or more.

Long-Haired Pure-Bred Cats:

The breed determines what the cats looks like, what range of colours they come in and what sort of fur they have. People generally agree that Persians and Himalayan Persians have the longest fur – they’re the ones that appear at cat shows combed out and looking like giant feather dusters. Other breeds are sometimes called ‘long-haired’ and sometimes ‘semi-long-haired’. (At cat shows, people call them ‘intermediates’.) You can see photos of various breeds on TV cat food ads or on packets of cat food.

Cats from the same breed can come in a variety of different colours. Some breeds are ‘colour-pointed’ i.e. the cats have white or pale bodies (sometimes with coloured patches) and coloured faces, ears, legs and tails. The kittens are usually born pale but develop coloured parts as they get older.

Cats of most breeds are fully grown by about one year old but cats of some breeds grow more slowly. A kitten’s fur will become longer as it grows until it reaches its full fluffiness as an adult. Note that male cats are usually larger and weigh more than female cats.

Various websites list characteristics for each breed: weight ranges, life expectancy ranges, activity levels and personalities. Sometimes different websites have slightly different information. They’re just guides, because each cat is an individual. A cat won’t always show all of the characteristics listed for its breed.

Like domestic cats, purebred cats can have a variety of health issues. Some breeds have slightly higher risks of specific problems. There are DNA screening or other medical tests for some hereditary health conditions in some breeds, so ethical breeders can avoid breeding from cats that carry the genes. However, nobody can guarantee that a cat will remain healthy or live to the high age range listed for its breed.

A pure-bred cat is at more risk of being stolen than a domestic cat is, since some people like the idea of getting a pure-bred pet without having to pay a lot for it. It’s safer to keep a cat indoors.

It can be difficult to find a pure-bred cat or kitten to adopt. Pet stores sometimes sell kittens. Occasionally, an animal shelter, rescue group or private owner will advertise a pure-bred kitten or cat online. Popular breeds such as Ragdolls are the easiest to find. Sometimes private owners offer kittens that are a cross between two breeds, which can show characteristics of each.

Breeders sell pure-bred kittens and occasionally adult cats (including retired breeding cats). Some breeders are registered with breed associations, breeder associations, or local authorities, but unfortunately, there’s no Australia-wide system to register them and ensure that they meet animal welfare standards. Most of them don’t keep their websites up to date, so you have to contact them by phone or email to find out what they have available. They let their cats mate at set times during the year. Kittens are usually available during warmer months and are offered for sale when they’re about 12 weeks old. Some breeders are willing to ship a kitten interstate using a specialist animal transport company.

Pure-bred cats cost far more than domestic ones: an adult cat can cost about $750-$1500; a kitten can cost about $1500-$3000. Unfortunately, there are some scammers around posting fake or misleading ads, so be careful.

These are some notes on long-haired cat breeds.

Persian Cats including Chinchilla Persian Cats:

The longest-haired breed (along with Himalayan Persians). Their faces look different to other breeds. Due to their large heads, kittens may need to be born by caesarean section.
Medium to large size. Round head with round eyes. Some look like they have a moustache. Most Persians have a flat face (‘peke-face’). Some have a more traditional face (‘doll-face’). Long, thick fur. Short legs. Come in many different colours.
Chinchilla Persians are a colour variant and are sometimes classified as a separate breed. Most have traditional faces. Green or blue-green eyes. Eyes, nose and lips are outlined in a dark colour. White fur with dark tips.
Persians are fully grown at 1.5 - 2 years old.
Adult females weigh 3 - 5 kg; adult males weigh 3.5 - 6 kg.
Soft voice.
Not very energetic.
Calm, quiet, gentle. Affectionate, loyal, follow an owner around. Can be left alone while you go out to work.
Need to be in a quiet environment – don’t like noisy children or boisterous dogs.
Need to be brushed daily. Need their faces wiped daily. Shed a lot, especially during summer.
Flat-faced Persians can have breathing difficulties, eye problems and skin problems. They can also have difficulty picking up food.
Persians have an increased risk of various health problems including ringworm, urinary diseases, eye disease, skin cancer, hip dysplasia, kidney disease (up to 49% get it, but there is a DNA test for it) and the heart disease HCM (about 6.5% get it).
Life expectancy 10 - 17 years.
There are many Persian breeders in Australia.

Himalayan Persian Cats (also called Himalayan Cats or Counterpoint Persian Cats):

The longest-haired breed (along with Persians). Descended from Persians that were deliberately bred with Siamese cats.
Medium size. Look similar to Persians. Some have flat faces and others have traditional faces. Blue eyes. White or cream-coloured body with point colouration. Long, thick, silky, shiny fur. Body shading may darken as they age. They may also become slightly darker during colder weather and fade a little during warmer weather.
Adult females weigh 4 - 5 kg; adult males weigh 5 - 6 kg.
More active than Persians, playful.
Love attention and petting. Will become attached to a favourite family member. Good with children. Are usually sweet-tempered but can sometimes be very moody. Don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
Need to be in a quiet environment.
Need to be brushed daily and may need their faces wiped daily. Shed a lot.
Flat-faced Himalayans can have the same problems as flat-faced Persians: breathing difficulties, eye problems and skin problems.
Both flat-faced and traditional-faced Himalayans have an increased risk of a variety of other health problems including a nervous system disorder, heat sensitivity, skin conditions, eye conditions, kidney disease (there is a DNA test for it) and the heart disease HCM.
Life expectancy 9 - 15 years.
There are few Himalayan breeders in Australia.

Maine Coon Cats:

The largest domesticated cat breed. Adapted to surviving in harsh, cold climates.
Large size. Some cats have a prominent ruff around their chests. Soft, silky, shaggy, water-resistant coat that varies with the season. Come in many different colours. Some have extra toes on one or more paws and are called ‘polydactyls’.
Fully grown at 3 - 5 years old.
Adult females weigh 3.5 - 5.5 kg; adult males weigh 6 - 8 kg.
Above-average intelligence.
Very vocal, but chirp more than meow.
Playful (however, males are more playful than females). Fascinated by water.
Gentle, easy-going. Moderately affectionate. Get on well with children and with pet dogs. Don’t like being left alone for long periods of time as they get lonely.
Only need to be brushed once a week at the most.
Maine Coons have an increased risk of hip dysplasia (about 20% of them get it) and the heart disease HCM (about 10% of them get it, and DNA testing can’t always identify it).
Life expectancy 12 - 15 years.
There are many Maine Coon breeders in Australia.

Norwegian Forest Cats (‘wegies’):

The second largest domesticated cat breed. Adapted to surviving in cold weather.
Large size. A ruff of fur around the neck. Long, thick, fluffy water-resistant coat. They grow an undercoat during colder seasons and moult it out during warmer seasons. Long legs. Bushy tail. Come in most colours.
Fully grown by 5 years old.
Adult females weight 3.5 - 8 kg; adult males weigh 4.5 - 9 kg.
Above-average intelligence.
Make lots of chirps and purrs.
Playful and full of energy. Like climbing. Will hunt fish in water.
Gentle, easy-going, calm. Friendly, affectionate. Get on well with children and with pet dogs. Different websites have contradictory advice on whether or not they are all right with being left alone for long periods of time.
Need to be brushed once or twice a week. They shed a lot of fur at the end of winter.
Norwegian Forest Cats have an increased risk of hip dysplasia, the kidney disease PKD and the heart disease HCM.
Life expectancy 12 - 16 years.
There are few Norwegian Forest Cat breeders in Australia.

Siberian Cats including Neva Masquerade Cats:

Have similarities with Norwegian Forest Cats and are probably closely related. Are often claimed to be hypoallergenic.
Medium to large size. Stocky, muscular. A ruff of fur around the neck. Long, thick, textured, glossy water-proof fur. Full tail. Come in many different colours. Colours fade as they age.
Siberian cats that are pale with point colouration, and blue eyes, are also called Neva Masquerade Cats. They are the result of cross-breeding decades ago with colour-pointed breeds.
Fully grown by 5 years old.
Adult females weigh 4.5 - 7 kg; adult males weigh 7 - 9 kg.
Intelligent.
Make a variety of quiet sounds.
Strong, agile, playful. Like playing with water.
Friendly, affectionate, follow people around. Good with children and with pet dogs. Don’t like being left alone all day.
Need to be brushed a few times a week. Shed fur at the end of winter and (less intensely) at the end of summer.
Siberians are generally a healthy breed, but they have an increased risk of the heart disease HCM and there is no DNA test for it.
Life expectancy 12 - 16 years.
There are some Siberian breeders in Australia.

Turkish Angora Cats:

Small to medium size. Blue, green or amber eyes. Some cats have odd-coloured eyes: one blue, and one amber or green. Long, slender body. Fine, silky coat – look less fluffy than other breeds. Bushy tail. Many are shimmery white; some are other colours.
Adult females weigh 3.5 - 5.5 kg, adult males weigh 5.5 kg or more.
Highly intelligent. Determined.
Playful, athletic, energetic. Like climbing on top of furniture to observe their surroundings. Need a lot of space to run around and climb.
Highly affectionate. Often bond with one particular person in a family and want to join in with what the person’s doing. Get on well with children. Get on with pet dogs but act like they’re in charge. Are happy to be in busy homes. Don’t like being left alone for hours.
Easy to brush. Don’t shed much.
Turkish Angoras have a slightly increased risk of the heart disease HCM. Rarely, Turkish Angora kittens are born with a fatal shaking condition.
Life expectancy 12 - 18 years.
There appear to be no registered Turkish Angora breeders in Australia, however, the cats are sometimes available from private ads or animal shelters.

Birman Cats:

Medium size. Blue eyes. White or lightly coloured body with point colouration. White feet. Silky fur, all of one length with no undercoat. Kittens develop colour gradually until they’re 2 years old. Fur and eye colour are not genetically linked to deafness.
Adult females weigh 3 - 5 kg, adult males weigh 4.5 - 7 kg.
Quiet. Soft voice.
Moderately playful.
Calm, affectionate, like a lot of attention. Get on well with people, including children. Often attach themselves to one particular person. Get on with pet dogs. Don’t like being left alone.
Need to be brushed twice a week. Don’t shed much.
Birmans can easily become overweight. They have an increased risk of eye problems, a degenerative nervous system disease, kidney problems, the heart disease HCM, and the fatal viral disease FIP.
Life expectancy 12 - 16 years.
There are many Birman breeders in Australia.

Ragdoll Cats:

Originated in the 1960s, from unintentional and intentional cross-breeding. Descended from a variety of breeds including Persians, Birmans and Turkish Angoras.
Large size. Blue eyes. White or lightly coloured body with point colouration. Sturdy, muscular, with a pad of belly fat. Long, thick, soft, silky fur with no undercoat. Fur colours darken as they age. Cats get darker in cool weather and lighter in warm weather.
Fully grown by 4 years old.
Adult females weigh 3.6 - 6.8 kg, adult males weigh 5.5 kg - 9 kg.
Intelligent.
Soft voice.
Playful and kitten-like even as adults. Don’t like climbing up high.
Placid and docile. Affectionate. Most go limp when picked up. Happy to be held and carried. Love being around people and are good with children. Follow people around. Get on with pet dogs. Can become stressed if left alone for hours.
Need to be kept indoors as they don’t have the fighting skills or street sense of other breeds. They can too easily be stolen, injured by other animals, or hit by cars.
Need to be brushed twice a week. Moderate shedding.
Ragdolls have an increased risk of obesity, the heart disease HCM (there is a DNA test for one form of it), bladder stones, and the fatal viral infection FIP. Their body colour can get darker or lighter when they’re ill.
Life expectancy 12 - 17 years.
There are many Ragdoll breeders in Australia. The cats are also often advertised by private owners and sometimes by animal shelters.

Burmilla Longhair Cats including Tiffanie Cats:

The result of cross-breeding between a Persian and a Burmese cat in the 1980s. Most Burmilla Cats are short-haired, however, some are long-haired.
Medium size. Green eyes. Dark lining around eyes, nose and lips. Chunky, muscular body. Glossy, fine, soft, silky fur. Large plumed tail. Pale or delicately coloured. Their eyes can become darker as they age.
Some breeders have bred them to be more like Persians, and call them Tiffanie Cats.
Adult females weigh 4.5 - 5 kg; adult males weigh 5 - 6 kg.
Very vocal.
Playful, mischievous, kitten-like even as adults.
Independent, bold. Quiet, gentle, sweet-natured. Affectionate, like people and follow them around. Get on with children and pet dogs. Don’t like being left alone for long periods of time; may need the company of another cat.
Need to be brushed once or twice a week. Don’t shed much.
Burmillas have an increased risk of kidney disease and of suffering from allergies.
Life expectancy 12 - 15 years. There are few Burmilla Cat breeders in Australia.

Turkish Van Cats:

Large size. Eyes are either blue, amber, or one of each. Pink nose that turns red when the cat’s upset. Solid build. Single layer of soft fur that feels like cashmere, and is water-resistant. In colder months it’s thick and long; in warmer months it’s shorter and lighter. Long, full tail. Mostly white, with colour on the face and tail and sometimes spots of colour on the back. Fur and eye colour are not genetically linked to deafness.
Fully grown at 3+ years old.
Adult females weigh 3 - 5.5 kg; adult males weigh 4.5 - 9 kg.
Highly intelligent.
Active, athletic: like running, climbing and jumping. Need a lot of space. Like watching from high places. Likely to knock things down from shelves. Some cats love playing with water or even swimming.
Friendly, affectionate, develop a strong bond with an owner, like attention. Don’t like being held. Are all right with active children, and with pet dogs. Can be left alone for periods of time.
Need to be brushed weekly during warmer months and daily during colder months. Easy to brush. Shed during spring and autumn.
No increased risk of any particular health problems.
Life expectancy 12 - 18 years.
There appears to be only one Turkish Van breeder in Australia, but the cats are occasionally advertised by private owners.

Balinese Cats:

A long-haired variety of Siamese Cats, due to a natural genetic mutation and deliberate breeding. Are often claimed to be hypoallergenic. There is a traditional type and a modern type. The traditional type has a broader head and a sturdier body.
Medium size. Blue eyes. Slender body. Medium length fine, silky, flowing fur with no undercoat. Long legs. Long plumed tail. White or cream-coloured body with point colouration. Some cats darken with age. Adults in warm climates have lighter colours than those in cold climates.
Adult females weigh 2 - 3 kg; adult males weigh 2.5 - 3.5 kg.
The most intelligent long-haired breed. Inquisitive.
Vocal, but not very loud.
Playful, acrobatic. Graceful.
Friendly, affectionate. Follow people around. Like attention. Get on with children and with other animals. Need toys to play with if left alone.
Need to be combed once or twice a week to remove dead hair. Shed moderately.
Balinese have an increased risk of a degenerative eye problem, heart problems and liver problems. Some cats are cross-eyed.
Life expectancy 15 - 20 years.
There are few Balinese Cat breeders in Australia.

Somali Cats:

The long-haired equivalent of Abyssinian Cats.
Medium to large size. Large, pointed ears. Fine, very soft coats. Bushy tails. Come in various colours (often browns and oranges), with light and dark bands of colour on each hair shaft (‘ticking’).
Adult females weigh 3 - 4 kg; adult males weigh 5 - 6 kg.
Intelligent, inquisitive.
Highly active and playful. Like climbing and jumping. Some people report that their Somalis can hold items in their paws, open cupboards or turn on taps.
Friendly, like lots of attention. Get on well with school-age children. Need the company of another Somali or another active pet if people are going to be away from home for a while.
Need to be brushed once or twice a week, or daily while shedding during spring.
Somalis have an increased risk of dental problems, a degenerative eye disease, kidney problems, knee dislocation, a neurological problem, and anaemia.
Life expectancy 11 - 16 years.
There are some Somali Cat breeders in Australia.

British Longhair Cats:

The long-haired variant of British Shorthair Cats. Sometimes recognised as a separate breed. Two British Shorthairs may occasionally produce a long-haired kitten.
Medium size. Small, short ears, giving their head a round appearance. Stocky. Dense, soft, fluffy coat that thickens during autumn and winter. Thick, short or medium length tail. Come in a variety of colours.
Adult females weigh 3 - 5 kg; adult males weigh 5 - 8 kg.
Not very active, don’t jump or climb much.
Placid, friendly, affectionate, easy-going. Get on with children. Don’t like to be picked up and carried. Independent. Can be left alone for periods of time.
Need a peaceful environment.
Need to be brushed at least once a week.
British Longhair Cats can easily become overweight. They also have an increased risk of kidney disease, and the heart disease HCM (about 8.5% get it, and there is no DNA test for it).
Life expectancy 15 - 17 years.
There are many British Shorthair Cat breeders in Australia, who sometimes have long-haired kittens.

Scottish Fold Cats (also called Highland Fold Cats):

Can be long-haired or short-haired. Originated from a Scottish cat with a natural genetic mutation for folded ears. There is some criticism of breeding them because the mutation can also cause cartilage and bone development problems. Some cats have folded ears and some have straight ears.
Medium size. Roundish head. Padded body. Thick, soft fur. Short to medium length legs. Kittens are born with straight ears but within 21 days those with the appropriate gene will develop forward-folded ears. Come in many different colours.
Adult females weigh 3 - 4 kg; adult males weigh 4 - 6 kg.
Intelligent. Stubborn.
Soft voice; have a large repertoire of meows and purrs.
Playful. Like being outdoors.
Often sleep on their backs, lie stretched out on the floor, or sit up with their back paws stretched out and their front paws on their stomach.
Placid, good-natured. Very affectionate; become attached to their owners. Get on well with pet dogs. Need to be around people or other pets all the time to avoid becoming lonely.
Need to be brushed regularly. Shed all year round if kept indoors; shed more during autumn and spring if let outdoors.
Scottish Folds have an increased risk of kidney disease, heart disease and degenerative joint disease.
Life expectancy 11 - 15 years.
There are few Scottish Fold breeders in Australia.

Selkirk Rex Cats:

Can be long-haired or short-haired. Originated from a kitten born in 1987 with a natural genetic mutation for curly hair. Have been deliberately crossbred with other breeds since then.
Large size. Curly whiskers. Solid build. Soft, curly, woolly fur. Kittens are born with curly hair, can temporarily become straight-haired while growing up, then become curly-haired again as adults. Come in many different colours.
Fully grown by 2 years old.
Adult females weigh 3 - 5.5 kg; adult males weigh 5 - 7 kg.
Playful.
Calm, easy-going. Affectionate. Get on with children and with pet dogs. Don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
Need to be combed several times a week with a wide toothed comb. Some get a greasy coat and need bathing. Selkirk Rex cats have an increased risk of kidney disease, hip dysplasia and the heart disease HCM (there is a blood test for it).
Life expectancy 10 - 15 years.
There are few Selkirk Rex breeders in Australia.

LaPerm Cats:

Can be long-haired, medium-haired or short-haired. Originated in the 1980s from kittens born with a natural genetic mutation for curly hair. Most have curly hair but some have straight hair. Are claimed to be hypoallergenic.
Small size. Curly whiskers. Loose, light, springy, soft fur with no undercoat. Long-haired cats have a curly, plumed tail. Kittens are born bald or straight-haired, and if their hair is to become curly, it happens when they are fully grown. Come in many different colours.
Fully grown by 2 – 3 years old.
Adult females weigh 2.3 - 3.6 kg; adult males weigh 3.2 - 4.5 kg.
Intelligent.
Not very vocal.
Active, playful, mischievous, inquisitive. Like climbing.
Affectionate, outgoing. Get on well with older children and with pet dogs. Can be left alone at times.
Need to be brushed a few times a week. Don’t shed much.
No increased risk of any particular health problems.
Life expectancy 10 - 15 years.
There appears to be only one LaPerm breeder in Australia.