Guide to Caring for Longhaired Cats

Caring For A Longhaired Cat 

Does your feline friend have long hair? While all cats are cute, longhaired kitties are often extra charming. Fluffy can sport all sorts of different colors and patterns, but she does look particularly majestic with flowing locks. There aren’t really any downsides to having a super adorable pet, but you will have to give your furry friend a bit of help with her grooming regime. Read on as a local Gainesville, GA vet offers some tips on caring for a longhaired cat.

Are Long-Haired Cats Hard To Take Care Of?

For the most part, longhaired kitties require the same care as any other feline. Fluffy will need good food, a clean litterbox, comfy shelter, and, of course, proper veterinary care. That will cover the basics. To get that motor going, you’ll also need to provide love, toys, and lap space. (Catnip, sunbeams, and boxes will also please your feline overlord.)

The only difference is that Fluffy will need a hand with grooming. Cats are very clean by nature. This is one of the best things about having them as pets. Your feline pal will take time out of her rigorous daily napping schedule to keep her coat nice and clean. That beauty care regime can get a bit challenging for longhaired cats. That’s a lot of fur to keep up with!

You don’t have to go too crazy here … just brush your furry friend regularly. This will not only make things easier for Fluffy, it will also be easier for you, as you won’t be finding cat fur everywhere. You’ll be grabbing that loose fur with a brush before it gets stuck to your sofa. (And your bed. And your clothes.)

How Do You Groom A Longhaired Cat?

Brushing Fluffy is pretty simple … assuming that she is on board and doesn’t mind. You’ll want to wait until your feline pal is feeling nice and relaxed. (Given that cats spend a rather ridiculous amount of time sleeping, this probably won’t take long.) If your kitty is a lap cat, you can wait until she’s draped herself over your lap. Just start petting her in the direction of her fur. Then, incorporate the brush.

Many cats actually enjoy being groomed. It likely reminds Fluffy of when she was little, and her mother would groom her. Bonded kitties often groom each other. This isn’t unique to cats: horses, primates, and birds also do this. Don’t be surprised if your pet starts purring, or even starts licking your hand.

Of course, our feline pals are all individuals. Some cats enjoy being groomed.  Others? Not so much. You don’t want to force it. If your pet will only tolerate a few brush strokes at a time, you may need to space things out. You don’t want to try to hold her down. That will just make her even less willing to be groomed in the future. It’s also a good way to get scratched.

Aside from that, we would just note that you really should try to brush your entire pet, not just her back. Longhaired cats often get tangles in their ‘armpits’ so your pet may need extra help there.

How Often Should You Groom A Longhaired Cat?

This will vary a bit. If your cat is extremely fluffy, you may want to brush her daily. Older cats also need extra help with this, and may need to be brushed more often. However, in most cases, you should be able to brush your cat about once or twice a week.

Should I Bathe My Cat?

You shouldn’t have to bathe your feline friend. However, if you have a kitten, it’s not a bad idea to get your tiny furball used to the process. That way, you’ll both have an easier time of it if she were to get something stuck on her fur.

There are a few caveats here. (Perhaps we should say catveats.) The biggest thing is to not bathe your pet too often. Doing so could strip the natural oils from her skin and fur. This could leave her looking dry and even frizzy. Plus, it could actually irritate her skin.

It’s also important to use the right products and techniques. Get a gentle shampoo that was made just for kitties. Ones made for people are too strong for Fluffy. Also, just use lukewarm, not hot, water. Finally, be careful not to get suds in your cat’s eyes,  ears, nose, or mouth. You can use a pitcher for rinsing. Or, just use a facecloth to clean your kitty’s head.

Another thing to keep in mind? You should never bathe a matted cat. That will just make matters—in this case, mats—worse.

What Do I Do If My Cat Gets Matted?

Mats are not uncommon on fluffy cats. Older kitties are particularly prone to them. There are a few reasons for this. For one, your pet will find it harder to bend and stretch as she gets older. Plus, sometimes senior cats’ skin produces more oil than that of their younger counterparts. This can also cause matting.

That said, mats sometimes can be a sign of medical issues. Talk to your Gainesville, GA vet if your feline buddy is getting a lot of mats.

If you find a mat on your kitty, gently remove it. You don’t want to pull too hard. Cats’ skin is quite delicate, and can easily be ripped. You may need to work at it a bit. Reassure your kitty by petting her and perhaps giving her a treat.

As for the mat, start at the end. You may want to use a detangling spray on it. We would recommend getting a special mat-removing comb.

Severe mats may need to be shaved. You may be able to get a small one out yourself, but bad mats would require a call to your vet or groomer. Be very careful with cutting mats. It’s easy to accidentally cut your feline pal! You also shouldn’t try shaving Fluffy yourself.

Are Long-Haired Cats More Prone To Hairballs?

Hairballs are an unfortunate side effect of one of Fluffy’s best traits: her cleanliness. Your furry little diva will inevitably swallow some of her own fur when cleaning herself. Kitties can’t digest their own fur, unfortunately. We don’t need to describe what happens next, save to say it’s not the best part of having a cat.

Hairballs are not just a disgusting nuisance. They can actually be dangerous. Occasionally, kitties are unable to get rid of hairballs in the usual way. If the hairball gets lodged in Fluffy’s gastrointestinal tract, it could cause a blockage, which can be both extremely painful and extremely dangerous.

This is another reason it’s important to groom longhaired cats. Also, make sure that your feline pal is getting proper nutrition, and that she always has fresh water. If your pet seems to be getting a lot of hairballs, talk to your vet.

What Are Some Longhaired Cats?

The International Cat Association currently recognizes 73 different cat breeds. We think they are all adorable!

Here are some of the floofers on the list:  

• Maine Coon
• Norwegian Forest cat
• Birman
• Persian cat
• Himalayan
• Siberian
• Ragdoll
• Turkish Angora
• Balinese cat
• Turkish Van
• British Longhair
• Persian Longhair 

Of course, there are also plenty of fluffy crossbreed kitties out there, as well as lots with medium fur.

Make An Appointment At Our Gainesville, GA Pet Clinic

Do you have questions about caring for a longhaired cat? Contact us, your Gainesville, GA veterinary clinic, today!