Choose Between Longhair Or Shorthair Cat

Having a longhaired cat requires you to set aside some time every day to groom it, to keep the coat free from tangles and matting. At the other extreme, the almost hairless Sphinx cat needs extra care as it is very susceptible to temperature change and skin problems.

If you are living in a hot, humid climate, a longhaired cat, even if it shed its cold weather coat, is not a wise choice unless it is to live in an air conditioned home.

The coat of a Sphinx does not adapt at all to climatic changes, and the cat would need to be kept in a centrally heated environment in cold winters. If you are allergic to cats, it will probably make no difference whether you have a longhair or a shorthair.

Most human allergies to cats are due to the protein in the scurf dander or in the dries saliva covering the hair.

Fur Types

Longhair – soft guard hairs up to 12.5cm or 5 inches long
Semi Longhair – soft guard hairs varying between 5cm or 2 inches and 10cm or 4 inches long
Shorthair – maximum about 5cm long
Hairless – suede like coat with no guard hairs
Curly hair – short, soft, often delicate fur with rippled effect
Wirehair – short, bristly coat

Body Types

Cobby – short legged, stocky body, round, flattish face with small ears, such as the Persian
Muscular – sturdy, medium to compact build, medium length legs and tail, round face, medium ears, such as the American shorthair
Oriental – long, lithe body, long slender legs and tail, wedge shaped face, large, pointed ears, such as the Siamese.

The Maine Coon Cat is a breed with a semi longhaired coat, which will not need as much extra care as the long fur of a Persian cat. The fur of Devon Rex cat is fine and wavy and can be so delicate in places that it is broken just by the cat’s own grooming.

Grooming should be with a very soft bristled brush. A sleek Oriental Shorthair with an easy care coat will need extra grooming from its owner only if it is being prepared for a show, or for pleasure.

The Persian cat has a splendid long coat that requires a lot of attention. If it lived in a hot climate, however, it would not develop such a full show coat.