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The truth is, there’s not a whole lot in the world that is more beautiful than a cat with a long, luxurious coat. When you take the time to make sure they are well groomed, your kitty cat will look very real and majestic. While it’s true that you will spend lots of extra time brushing a long-haired cat, or spending money on them at a groomer, it’s well worth it.
Following are a few of the most popular long-haired cats. So, sit back and bask in the beauty of these cats- and consider getting one so you can snuggle into their soft fur and have fun with their crazy personalities.
1. Birman
This cat has a long, beautiful coat and is referred to as the “Sacred Cat of Burma.” The Birman has soft, silky fur, but does not have an undercoat. This means they are much less likely than other breeds to end up with matting in their fur. In addition, the Birman is a very social cat and loves to “talk” to his/her companions.
2. British Longhair
Chances are, you’ve heard of the British Shorthair cat. Well, the British Longhair is the long-haired version. These cats prefer a life that is much more sedentary and are extremely calm and easygoing. They have a fur coat that is very lustrous and thick. While the British Longhair does enjoy hanging out with the family, they prefer to be left alone, so don’t smother them with love and attention.
3. Himalayan
The Himalayan cat is the beautiful, long-haired result of crossbreeding Siamese cats with Persian cats. This breed is extremely intelligent and social and is well-known for his thick, heavy fur coat. A Himalayan cat loves to play fetch with its owners. However, if you are going to be away for extended periods of time, you may want to find a different breed, as these do not do well being left alone.
4. Maine Coon
If you would prefer a smaller breed, the Maine Coon is definitely not the cat for you. After all, a Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domesticated cats. These are very large cats with an elegant, thick, long coat that makes them look a lot bigger than they really are.
This breed of cat is extremely social and is often referred to as the “gentle giant” of the world of cats. Their coats are very lustrous and water resistant. Therefore, this breed will fare quite well in a climate that is cold and wet.
5. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest cat is a breed of cat that is naturally occurring- that is, it’s not a man-made crossbred cat- that is prepared for the harsh winters that Scandinavia is known for. Their coats are definitely not the longest of the long-haired breed cats. However, just like the Himalayan cat, their coat is water-resistant. These cats love being part of the family unit very much because they are extremely social animals.
6. Persian
When you think of long-haired type of cat breeds, chances are that your mind automatically goes to the Persian cats. After all, this breed is likely the most well-known when it comes to long-haired breeds of cats. They have coats that are very thick and long- and they require grooming on a regular basis. However, you must handle with care so that you avoid stressing them out too much. These cats do love to spend time with their families, but are not very active, so they’re not likely to engage in any boisterous play like the Himalayan and some of the other breeds would.
7. Ragdoll
This breed of cat is known for a very interesting and unique personality trait it possesses- going limp like a ragdoll when picked up. Though this cat will go limp when you pick it up, it actually enjoys being carried around and constantly handled. Despite the fact that these cats have long coats, they really don’t shed all that much. Plus, their coats are very soft, with a texture that is almost like that of a rabbit. These cats, like most of the others on this list, love attention and are very social and loving.
8. Siberian
This is another breed of cat that occurs naturally in the wild. There’s no cross-breeding going on here. This breed of cat is from Russia, which is the primary reason why it has a luxurious and thick coat. After all, the winters in Russia can be quite harsh- so they need that extra fur to protect them. These cats are highly intelligent and are well-known for their ability to problem solve and their physical agility. These cats are actually considered “semi-longhaired” and their coat has three layers: down, awn hairs, and guard hairs.
9. Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora breed of cat is considered semi-longhaired as well and is a naturally occurring breed that has been around for centuries. Their hair is soft and silky and therefore rarely mats. Despite the fact that they look slender, they’re actually very athletic and powerful. This breed of cat is very affectionate and outgoing and will enjoy spending lots of time playing with their family.
10. Turkish Van
Just like the Turkish Angora listed above, the Turkish Van has been around for centuries. These cats are mostly known for their fairly white coat and small heads. They have a texture that is almost like cashmere, as their fur is very long and soft- and they lack an undercoat. This breed of cat is highly intelligent and enjoys playing games with their family that is interactive, such as fetch.
If you are looking for a cat to bring into your family and long hair is a feature that is very important to you, consider one of these beautiful breeds of cat. However, you must keep in mind that if you want to have a cat with long hair, you must take care of their coats and groom them regularly to keep them looking beautiful.