Domestic Longhairs in the wild...

bigperm20

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I've always wondered how domestic longhaired cats keep their fur in decent shape if they're living in the wild? My DLH Beans requires daily grooming. She doesn't really try to keep herself clean like any DSH I've ever owned either. it's either she's lazy, or maybe just overwhelmed by her gigantic coat.

Do ferel DLH's have mats all over themselves? I understand a lot of long haired cats were bred to have extra long fur, but natural breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons evolved long hair via natural selection.

It seems counterintuitive for nature to do this to keep the animal warm, yet not give the animal the instincts to take care of their fur.

Just something that's been rattling around in my head lately. Beans has been especially naughty this year when I try to trim her hind end for sanitary reasons. Who can blame her really? But it's got to be done.

 

jcat

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Some people say that Maine Coons' coats don't tangle easily, but I know MC owners who complain of mats and have had to have their cats professionally groomed (or almost completely shaven). I can't imagine a Persian in the wild without extreme matting that would eventually impair its mobility and lead to skin disorders. The same would presumably apply to a DLH.
 

Willowy

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I've seen longhaired farm cats (which is what Maine Coons were bred from) who seem to do fine. I'm not saying they don't have ANY mats but they're minor and don't affect their functioning or health. Some get more matted and then shed their entire coat in one piece in the spring, like a sheep being sheared. I think being outdoors in the natural light cycle and temperatures keeps their coats more manageable.

That said, the coats that show breeders have selected for are excessive. There's no way a modern Persian could survive/function without regular grooming, and some purebred Maine Coon coats are like that too. But the natural longhaired coats seem to be a plus for an outdoor cat in cold areas, not a hindrance.
 
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bigperm20

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I've seen longhaired farm cats (which is what Maine Coons were bred from) who seem to do fine. I'm not saying they don't have ANY mats but they're minor and don't affect their functioning or health. Some get more matted and then shed their entire coat in one piece in the spring, like a sheep being sheared. I think being outdoors in the natural light cycle and temperatures keeps their coats more manageable.

That said, the coats that show breeders have selected for are excessive. There's no way a modern Persian could survive/function without regular grooming, and some purebred Maine Coon coats are like that too. But the natural longhaired coats seem to be a plus for an outdoor cat in cold areas, not a hindrance.
Beans is the first long hair I've ever owned. It's been an issue since she was a kitten. I had to bathe her once as she got a turd stuck in her britches. It's was awful, and since I've done my best to keep her trimmed down there.

I did try taking her to a groomer once and she was handled very rough. I won't be doing that again, needless to say.

She's inside only, I do often wonder if she were outside rubbing up against trees and such, if it would be such an issue? Just hypothetical though, she's far too curious to be let outside.
 
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spiffykitty

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The long-haired cats we see in homes are different from long-haired cats who used to live outside. They're selected for the way they look, not the functionality of their fur. Some Persians have ridiculous fur that mats up every five seconds. Even Maine Coons have been bred to have fur that looks great but is not easy to keep mat-free.  Cats who truly are outdoor cats live a different life. They are out in rain and snow. Water washes their fur. They walk through bushes. The bushes tear off shedded fur. Shedded fur is part of what creates a mat. Cats roll on dirt and scratch against rocks. Wind blows off more shedded fur. Sun dries out the oil on their skin. It's a whole different world.
 

spiffykitty

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I suggest trying another groomer. One groomer is not representative of  every groomer in the world, just as one doctor is not representative of every doctor.
 

chromium blues

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Shaggy moggies in our house don't matt much. When Felix was rescued, he was so badly matted he had to be shaved, but considering his general condition, his coat was the least of his concerns. His fur grew back and he looks great.
 
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bigperm20

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The long-haired cats we see in homes are different from long-haired cats who used to live outside. They're selected for the way they look, not the functionality of their fur. Some Persians have ridiculous fur that mats up every five seconds. Even Maine Coons have been bred to have fur that looks great but is not easy to keep mat-free.  Cats who truly are outdoor cats live a different life. They are out in rain and snow. Water washes their fur. They walk through bushes. The bushes tear off shedded fur. Shedded fur is part of what creates a mat. Cats roll on dirt and scratch against rocks. Wind blows off more shedded fur. Sun dries out the oil on their skin. It's a whole different world.
I suppose my Beans could have some Persian or Maine Coon lineage. I don't really see either breed in her face, but her coat is ridiculously long and very prone to matting. She has a double, downy undercoat and a top coat with long guard hairs. The top-coat is not wirey like it should be for a MC, so I'd say here coat is more Persian-like. 
 
I suggest trying another groomer. One groomer is not representative of  every groomer in the world, just as one doctor is not representative of every doctor.
Unfortunately, there just aren't any that specialize in cats near me. I live in a dog-town. They have dog parks, doggie-day care, specialty dog biscuit bakers at the mall... Just no kitty groomers. No kitty anything for that matter.

The PetSmart on the other side of town claims to groom cats, but every time I'm in there I ask to see if the groomer is in, and it's only dog groomers. 
 
Shaggy moggies in our house don't matt much. When Felix was rescued, he was so badly matted he had to be shaved, but considering his general condition, his coat was the least of his concerns. His fur grew back and he looks great.
You're lucky then. 
 

stewball

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I think you'll find persians are no longer as.they were born in the beginning..so much has been done alter them it's unbelievable.
 

chromium blues

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I think you'll find persians are no longer as.they were born in the beginning..so much has been done alter them it's unbelievable.
If you can find a photograph of a Persian cat from the early 1900s you won't believe the difference (what beautiful cats they used to be!!!). One of my cat books has an awesome picture. I can't believe how much people have done to these poor things.
 

stewball

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Are You able to take a photo of the photo and send it.
What have they done to the beautiful siamese with donkey ears and a horses nose. Give me the old fashioned ones any day.
 

stewball

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Where on earth did they get the idea to flatten their faces. Persian cats are my least favourite. I'd rather have a moggy.
 

cocheezie

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I have a cat that I swear has some Maine Coon in him but is a bit smaller and was born in a dumpster (which rules out any purebred leanings). He gets the occasional mat on his chest and in his armpits.

My DH had a purebred persian in the late 50s/early 60s. I've only seen photographs. He was regal and big boned, with a grand face and nose, and tremendous attitude. When professional photographers were at the house, they would ask to take photos of the cat. He looks absolutely nothing like persians you see today. There is a story of having to take him to the groomers to have him shaved one time.
 

kittymomma1122

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I lived on a farm when I was young and my first cat ever was a long haired cat.  He did get matted some and we would have to shear those spots.  He did groom a lot more than my indoor cats do though.

Sorry, off subject:

@Stewball  I agree! Look at the Turkish Angora in Ankara Zoo, then look at pics of todays version. I also love the old applehead Siamese.

http://pictures-of-cats.org/The-Real-Turkish-Angora.html
 

chromium blues

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My camera and the computer are not on speaking terms, unfortunately...Or perhaps it is fortunate, or you all would likely be bombarded by photographs of my moggies!

You found some beautiful pictures though. Weren't they lovely?
 
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