Do Long Hairs Require Substantially More Care?

raintyger

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I've had two kitties, both of them long hair. The first I had when I was a kid and really didn't know how to take care of cats. When I looked for a kitty the second time I wanted to get a medium hair because I didn't feel I wanted to take care of a long hair's coat. When I saw Poppy, though, I instantly fell in love and had to have her. The rescue society rep told me I wouldn't have to brush her every day, she wasn't like a Persian. This turned to be only partially true. She didn't get matted like a Persian, but had hairballs.

So now I'm wondering--Can someone who has had both long-haired and short- or medium-haired cats tell me if long haired cats require considerably more work or have other drawbacks? With Poppy I only noticed the extra coat care and hairballs. But are there other considerations that I was never exposed to?
 

cocheezie

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My last four cats have been longhairs. Haven't had a short-hair in decades. Two had matting tendencies. Depends on genetic make-up of fur, I guess. Once the weather turns warmer and spring is definitely happening, I take them out onto the porch a couple of times and do a huge grooming session to help them get rid of their winter undercoat. Means fewer hairballs and they appreciate the help with the removal of their winter insulation. Grooming outdoors means your house doesn't get covered in fur and you might even be suppling bird nest materials.

I really don't find that long-haired cats are that much extra work. Almost all cats liked to be groomed.
 
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greycat2

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I have/had both long-haired and short-haired cat. I currently have 4 short hairs and 2 long-hairs but have had the most of 5 short and 4 long hairs.

My RB Russian Blues didin't need any special treatment for his coat nor for hairballs. My RB grey cat required constant combing and brushing every day and a sanitary shave every few months due to matting plus he had hairballs (wasn't a Persian or Himmy). My othe RB Van Pattern also didn't need any extra combing other than 2x a week for her long hair - it was almost like cashmere and never matted nor had hairballs.

My current batch (if you will): The short hairs only get combed 2x a week just for their (and mine) coats - one (Drooler) mats and needs combing almsot daily but his brother doesn't.  The 2 long hairs receive almost daily combing. The boy DLH hasn't matted since we have had him except when he rolled in some pine sap...... He also doesn't have very many hairballs and can count on one hand howe many he had in 10 years. The girl DLH (Being a Persian cross) gets combed daily (she will mat), hardly any hairballs and has a Lions cut every year for summer (It gets hot here where I live and she suffers).

Some better quality food can help.

I'm sure I am missing some stuff though but it's just what I have experienced with my cats.
 

tammyp

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I'm a short-haired cat owner, and have always had short-haired cats simply because there is less work in cleaning our clothes and home!  

Having said that, genetics plays a big part.  I never noticed hair everywhere with my first childhood cat (maybe because I was a child!) and he was always in our beds etc.  He had a much loved and looked after pedigree Burmese mum and father was the Tom down the road (they were so embarrassed she got out!  She was unspayed on purpose to breed and show).  Our second childhood cat was pedigree Burmese - but with what we know now, from a disgraceful breeder.  He had the worst hair for getting all over you and weaving itself in a nano-second into the weft of fabric.  You couldn't even vaccum-clean it up - it had to be plucked out of fabrics by hand.  My adulthood cats are both Korat, which is a natural breed, and are a dream in the hair department.  With only one coat, you can't see hair on the furniture/clothes/ground etc, and you can pat them with no hair coming off in your hands.  But they also suffer from cold, so they prefer summertime!  (And I also agree that good diet also helps hair sheddage)

So I think genetics is huge when it comes to cat hair and how it behaves.  I have read that long-haired cats who are of a natural breed or have some of the breed in them (like Norwegian Forest Cat) have hair that is far easier to maintain and doesn't matt or clump.  Persians of course, are a man-made breed, and are notorious for hair issues.  You might find this interesting reading: http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/the-knotty-question/9102

As to your question about other considerations or drawbacks, I think you've discovered them all - more hair means more house-work, more grooming, and more hairballs.  It also means they keep warmer when its cold, but will need some help if it gets hot.  At the end of the day, they're always our babies!
 

hazmat

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I brush and comb my long haired Maine Coon 5 to 10 minutes every day. 

That helps him out a lot and if I don't he stops grooming himself.

Daily combing reduces hairballs thus Vet visits.

It reduces my blood pressure since I freak when the cats get sick.

After years of this It is no longer possible to skip combing.

He will not allow it. :)
 
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raintyger

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Seems like I've already experienced most of the disadvantages of a long haired kitty. I'm such a sucker for their looks. But if this thread covers most of the negatives then it sounds like I can just continue getting long hairs without matting problems and I'll be happy.

Thanks everyone for your replies!
 
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