#Cymric cat grooming

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99% of Cymric Cat Owners Don't Know This!

meowmoe.com

[mysteriesofthehiddenclans]

Tawnyleaf

Warrior/queen

A yellow-and-brown calico gorgeous she-cat with scratch’s all over her face

Affiliation: alphaclan dark forest

Previous Names: pumakit, pumapaw

Kin: Otterstalk (Father);Flowerleg (mother) Sebastien (son) sweetie (daughter)

Amberkit (son), Diamondkit (Son), Honeykit (daughter), Leafkit (son), & Poppykit (daughter)

Apprentices: Kestrelpaw/ kestrelwing

Proceeded By: None

Breed

Asian Semi-Longhair 50% Cymric 25% Javanese 50% Maine Coon 25%

Tawnyleaf is a snarky, aggressive, voracious she-cat. Who was also tricky and sneaky but not nearly as much as her ‘friend’ yowlbright. she was responsible for the most illegal killings of clan members, and any rouge within eyesight of her was in danger of being caught and tormented. Sometimes she acted as though she’d be nice, or that she’d changed her ways, but it was always a facade. Together with yowlbright, she helped kill many cats before Yowlbright Turned on her, killing her as well.

Facts:

Has so many kits it might be hard to list

Often calls people: baby, doll, sugar, darling, sweet heart, handsome, babydoll, honey.

Loves to groom herself and keep up her appearance

Loves to sing

Said to be a vampire and drink blood of her fallen clanmates

and is a cannibal

keeps bones of her fallen victims

Scent: The musky smell of damp swamp mire and sage and blood oozes from her pelt due to being in the dark forest. It's pungent, sharp on the nose, and unmistakably her's.

Often called: “Witch of the Wilds”, "The Briar Witch", “Voodoo Queen”, “Dark Harpy”, “vampiric queen” or “madame guillotine” by most of the clans in the legends they tell of her

This is probably how it sound when they tell her legend: m.youtube.com/watch?v=RXzB9krP…

Refuses to harm kits due to her believing that they should at least live a full life and there so innocent

Has many followers most of them are she-cats

Tawnyleaf was the queen of sass and no alphaclan cat has surpassed her legacy.

Towers over all toms and she-cats except for bigstar and Bolderstar

Loves her son, Sebastian, and will do absolutely anything to protect him

Cause of Death: rockslide caused by Yowlbright

[batimimagines]

We gave the Toons a puppy, now what about a kitten?

Bendy

- He gets a black Persian cat- Curious if it’s a demon like him- Just like a puppy he’ll play with him/her everytime- Even takes naps with them, too

Alice Angel

- She gets a Turkish Angora cat- Always grooms them and ties a bow around their neck no matter what the gender- They are always on her shoulders- No matter what

Boris

- He gets a Cymric cat- Always seen in his pocket - Alot of sleeping and cuddling - IT’S TOO CUTE- EVERYTHING THEY DO IS TOO CUTE!!

[cutshawsnidowoa]

Tails Not Required: The Cymric

The post Tails Not Required: The Cymric by Stacy Hackett appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Legend has it that the Cymric and its short-haired cousin, the Manx, lost their tails when they strolled onto Noah’s ark late one evening as the rain started falling. Noah, of course, was in a hurry, and as he rushed to seal up the ark, the cats’ tails were caught by the door.

More likely, the trademark lack of tail shared by the Cymric and the Manx can be attributed to a genetic mutation that caused the trait. Because the cats were isolated on their native Isle of Man, the trait was passed down to subsequent generations.

Did you know? Cymric is pronounced kim-rick.

The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea not far from England or Ireland, and the tailless cats made their way to the United Kingdom where the short-haired variety (the Manx) became one of the first breeds shown in the cat fancy. In the mid-1970s, several breeders began to exclusively breed the long-haired tailless cats that sometimes arrived in litters, and by 1976 the Cymric was accepted for championship status by the Canadian Cat Association. Today the breed enjoys championship status in most major cat associations.

Rumpies, stumpies and risers

It’s not hard to see why the Cymric wins over cat-loving fans, both in the cat fancy and in family homes. The strong, compact body combined with an arched back gives the cat an overall appearance of roundness. “No other cat in the cat fancy has the combination of heavy body, dense coat, strong head and ear set within such a compact package,” says Catherine Roso, a breeder in Alaska. “Some people call them bowling balls with smiles.”

And of course, there’s the matter of the Cymric’s tail — or lack thereof. The cat’s tail can come in several lengths, which breeders refer to by the following nicknames:

Rumpy: completely tailless, with no detectable tail protrusion

Stumpy: small stump of a tail

Rumpy riser: small tail that will stand up when the cat’s rump is stroked

The Cymric also can have a half tail or full tail, and can come in every combination of color and pattern except pointed patterns. The length of the cat’s coat is what sets the Cymric apart from its Manx cousin. Catherine explains that the Cymric’s fur can range in length from “slightly shaggy” short hair (½ inch in length) to fur like that of a Siberian (2½ inches in length). “Show-quality Cymric have a semi-longhaired double coat, ¾ to 1½ inches long with a shorter, softer undercoat,” she adds.

Regular grooming keeps the Cymric looking his best. Catherine recommends brushing the cat at least once a week. For Cymrics with longer coats, more frequent brushing may be necessary, anywhere from two to five times a week. Pay attention to the area around the rump, as the lack of tail can result in a dirty backside. Finally, Catherine recommends petting the cat frequently to help remove loose hair.

Photo: Preston Smith Photography

Effortless grace

Most likely the Cymric will welcome the petting (and probably the brushing). “Cymrics make it clear that they are all about people,” Catherine says. “My cats will follow me anywhere, including out the door to shovel snow!”

The breed shares its affection with all members of the family, including other pets and visitors to the house. Catherine describes the Cymric as friendly, loyal and devoted. The cat will meet you at the door, jump up in your lap as soon as you sit down, and rub against you as you try to read the paper or work on your laptop. Don’t be surprised if the Cymric tries to snuggle with you under the covers as well!

While snuggling tops the list of his favorite activities, the Cymric also loves to play. The cat’s strong legs support his love of jumping and climbing — and racing through the house. Get two or more Cymrics together in one room, and you may see them tearing down halls and around corners, their coats flowing behind them.

Photo: Tetsu Yamazaki

The intelligent cats may work together to open doors and investigate other mysteries in the house, as their curiosity leads them to learn every nook and cranny in their environments. Still, this exploration rarely leads the breed into trouble.

When playtime is over, the Cymric will happily return to quiet time with his family members. To let their people know it’s time to snuggle, the cat may softly meow or trill, but overall, the breed is on the quiet side. The Cymric’s gentle voice reflects his overall sweet, gentle personality.

Beautiful, strong and sweet, the breed makes a wonderful addition to any home. Catherine sums up the Cymric this way: “Endearing to look at, charming to hold and a pleasure to own.”

The post Tails Not Required: The Cymric by Stacy Hackett appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

from Catster https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/tails-not-required-the-cymric via IFTTT

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Suggestions And Methods To Forestall And Treatment The Prevalence Of Hairballs In Cats

Do you know wholesome cat ought to solely develop hairballs a few times a 12 months? That is in keeping with the manager director of The CATalyst Council, Dr. Jane Brunt. Though usually regarded upon as a standard prevalence, the fixed growth of hairballs in your cat may point out severe well being problems. So severe, the truth is, that each April 26th, we have fun Nationwide Hairball Consciousness Day, a day designed to create consciousness about these seemingly regular however life-threatening occurrences.

Hairballs, scientifically known as trichobezoars, are sausage-like or cylindrical wads of indigestible fur regurgitated by a cat. These hairballs can significantly have an effect on the well being and wellness of your cat by inflicting intestinal blockages. It’s due to this fact essential to be taught – or to relearn – all there’s to find out about hairballs and learn how to stop them.

Causes Of Hairballs In Cats

Cats have immaculate wanting shiny fur, they usually work onerous to maintain it that approach via self or allogrooming. Matter of truth, research from the Science and Tech division at The Jakarta Publish point out that ¼ of a cat’s time is spent on grooming. By this routine licking, they stimulate secretions that preserve their coats shiny and waterproof. The saliva deposits additionally work to maintain them cool throughout excessive temperatures.

Nonetheless, though grooming is an efficient factor, it has one disadvantage: it helps the formation of harmful hairballs. Naturally, the tongues of cats have 300 backward going through hook-like constructions known as filiform papillae. Whereas these barbs will be helpful in eradicating parasites and particles from their coats, in addition they catch unfastened or shed fur.

This trapped fur is then swallowed by the cat. The vast majority of it passes via the digestive tract uneventfully and is excreted within the type of stool. A few of it, nevertheless, accumulates within the abdomen forming a hairball which the cat regurgitates.

Usually, hairballs are one inch lengthy, however they are often so long as 5 inches. If not vomited, hairballs may trigger severe well being problems like intestinal blockages. Pure grooming apart, parasitic infestations and allergic reactions to widespread family chemical substances can not directly trigger hairballs. It is because they stimulate compulsive grooming that encompasses itching and licking, which will increase the quantity of fur the cat swallows, and consequently the formation of trichobezoars.

Cats Prone To The Improvement of Hairballs

Though all breeds of cats naturally do develop hairballs, some cats are extra inclined to the phenomenon than others. First, on this checklist are lengthy haired cat breeds. These embrace Birmans, Turkish Angoras, Maine Coons, Cymrics, Ragdolls, Persians, Himalayans, Javanese, Balinese, Norwegian Forest, and Somali cats. The extra hair a hat has, the extra it’s more likely to ingest.

Second, on the checklist are cat breeds that shed essentially the most. Chartreux cats, American Bobtail and Curl cats, Cymrics, Ragamuffins, Siberians, Ragdolls, Nebelungs, and Russian blue cats all fall on this class. Cats that shed loads of fur and for lengthy intervals are extremely more likely to develop hairballs, as this unfastened hair shall be collected by their paws and tongues. Lastly, older cats usually tend to get hairballs in comparison with kittens, as they develop higher at grooming as they age.

Stopping The Prevalence Of Hairballs In Cats

You will need to word which you could not fully stop hairballs, as a cat’s grooming is a pure phenomenon. You possibly can, nevertheless, cut back the frequency with which they happen to the wholesome one or two instances a 12 months. How so?

Correct Grooming

First up is common and correct grooming. Goal to brush your cat at the least as soon as daily if long-haired, and weekly if it has brief hair. Not solely will these enable you bond along with your furry buddy, however it should additionally do away with unfastened and lifeless fur that the cat would in any other case ingest. Maintain the classes beneath 10 minutes, ideally after meals or when the cat is relaxed. Begin with a steel comb, gently untangling any knots, and eliminating grime from the top to the tail for short-haired breeds, and from the stomach for long-haired ones. Subsequent, use a rubber or bristle brush, brushing upwards, to take away unfastened hair. When brushing the tail, half it within the center and work on one aspect first.

You possibly can then fill a bathtub or sink with about four inches of heat water, and wash the cat, taking care to keep away from wetting its eyes and ears. As soon as executed, dry it and unfold pure oils to its coat for those who please. In the event you don’t need to wash it, you may wipe it down with perfume and toxin free moist wipes after combing. This can do away with any unfastened fur the comb may need missed. Don’t neglect to clip its nails, as lengthy nails which the cat will lick, can acquire unfastened hair when it’s scratching itself. In case your cat isn’t a fan of the common combing, you may take them to an expert groomer for a correct hair reduce at the least each 6 months.

Discourage Compulsive Self Or Allogrooming

In the event you discover your cat tends to groom compulsively, it’s good to discourage the conduct. Take time to coach it or rent an expert coach to show it to do different enjoyable actions that may distract it from licking its coat. These new actions may embrace new toys for the cat to play with. If the cat licks its coat much less, it swallows much less fur, and it will decrease the probabilities of it getting a hairball.

Correct Vitamin

Cats are carnivorous in nature. Their our bodies, due to this fact, course of proteins higher than they do carbohydrates. Feeding cats with loads of carbohydrates, which their our bodies can’t effectively digest, can result in digestive points. Mixed with swallowed fur, the end result will be deadly. It’s due to this fact essential to make sure your cat’s food plan options excessive protein meals, zero grains, and little or no carbohydrate content material. Guarantee your cat additionally drinks loads of water. This water will support in digestion, in addition to the disbanding of hairballs and passing them alongside the digestive tract.

Embrace Fiber Wealthy Meals In Your Cat’s Eating regimen

Your cat’s diet ought to primarily be from animal-based proteins since cats are carnivores, however on the finish of the day, they nonetheless want a bit fiber. Fiber is simply as essential to cats as it’s to people. It is likely one of the few meals that may assist stop hairball formation.

As soon as ingested, fiber binds up the fur within the cat’s abdomen and encourages it to cross down the digestive tract so it may be excreted with the cat’s fecal matter. It additionally minimizes shedding by enhancing the well being of the cat’s fur coat. You possibly can naturally supply fiber from vegatables and fruits like canned or cooked pumpkin, mashed carrots, strained prunes, and mashed peas. These ought to, nevertheless, be blended with common cat meals and administered in very small doses – a teaspoon for 2 meals.

Encourage The Consumption Of Catnip And Cat Grass

Cat grass, which encompasses a number of varieties of grasses, is extraordinarily helpful to the prevention of hairball formation in two methods. Other than offering vitamins unavailable in a carnivorous food plan, cat grass incorporates fiber and laxatives which assist with the passage of any fur down the digestive system.

Secondly, since carnivores lack enzymes crucial for the digestion of greens, they normally vomit all of it again up, within the course of regurgitating any forming hairballs. The consumption of catnip, however, is helpful in lowering compulsive grooming and itching.

As soon as ingested, catnip acts as a laxative, making the cat relaxed and mellow, and minimizing the probabilities of it swallowing its fur. In the event you can’t entry catnip, scientific research by Sebastian Bol, a molecular biologist, discovered that the silver vine is a tremendous various.

Signs That Point out Your Cat Has Hairballs

The above steps will decrease the prevalence of hairballs, however even a wholesome cat often will get hairballs. The indicators and signs of hairballs are normally very disturbing to witness. The cat coughs, gags, hacks, and retches in a bid to regurgitate the hairball.

It may be a scary expertise for the proprietor, who normally finds themselves unable to assist. Fortunately, it’s a brief course of that’s adopted by the vomiting of the hairball. The tube-like mass of hair vomited is normally the colour of the pet’s fur however in a barely darker shade. It additionally has a nasty however tolerable odor.

If the cat isn’t in a position to expel the hairball and its intestines turn out to be blocked, you’ll discover modifications in its bowel actions. It is going to both be constipated or having suits of diarrhea. Moreover, the cat could have a distended stomach resulting from swelling the place the intestines have been blocked.

Ongoing vomiting, lack of urge for food and weight reduction are different indications your cat could have hairballs blocking its digestive tract. Additionally, you will discover lethargy, the place the cat shall be sluggish, bored with actions it normally is happy for, and sickish. When you discover these indicators, contact a veterinarian for help, or attempt administering a number of the house treatments mentioned under.

Treating Hairballs

When you discover signs that point out your cat has a hairball blocking their digestive tract, you may attempt including a teaspoon of oil or melted butter to their meals. This can assist lubricate the abdomen partitions and promote the expulsion of the hairball via stool. Alternatively, you may feed the cat with fish, which have naturally occurring oils that may do the work simply as effectively. Additionally obtainable available on the market are cat treats and meals which have a specialised formulation helpful for eliminating hairballs, to not point out hairball laxatives. If the scenario is grave and none of those treatments are working, it might be essential to resort to surgical procedure.

Hairballs must be taken significantly, as they are often life-threatening, or could also be a sign of an excellent larger downside. Stopping their formation is a method you may make sure the well being and wellness of your cat. You simply must be taught the ropes on learn how to groom, feed and encourage right conduct in your cat.

from Pet Supply and More http://petsupplyandmore.com/index.php/2019/04/23/suggestions-and-methods-to-forestall-and-treatment-the-prevalence-of-hairballs-in-cats/

[purrcraze]

Here Is How Smart Persian Cats Really Are

Come to think of intelligence in animals, you will agree that it’s much easier to measure it in dogs than in cats, particularly in Persians. However, every cat parent knows some tricks which can be useful in checking whether these furballs are smart or not.

So, how smart Persian cats really are? According to the statistics, not so, ranking 4 out of ten. There are two main reasons for this- they are slow learners, and their hunting and survival skills are rather poor. It seems like innate instinct is pretty undeveloped.

But, intelligence is not the single criteria one uses when choosing a cat pet, but there are many other values one looks for. For that reason, besides giving a short explanation on their (poor) intelligence, we shall point out some good sides of this adorable breed.

Persian Cat Intelligence Explained

Remember the tricks we mentioned? Well, now is a good time to confirm that they indeed exist, but the truth is that not every cat will react to them. Not because it is rude, but simply because it doesn’t ring a bell to it what to do.

Like with people, not all the felines are equally brainy, but that certainly doesn’t make them less worth as pets.

Nature decided to treat each cat breed with a different level of intelligence. That’s something we cannot change.

Of course, we can train our pets, try to teach them some tricks, motivate and encourage them. But we cannot do wonders way beyond boundaries established by nature.

Speaking of Persians, every owner will confirm that these adorable felines are slow learners. Trying to teach this lovely bundle of fur something new requires lots of patience and devotion and countless hours.

And this goes even for the simplest thing such as figuring out how to use a cat door. Even though this breed has a sweet temper and really enjoys the human’s attention and company, still all the same, learning is not quite their cup of tea.

We mentioned their low hunting and survival skills.

This somehow goes hand in hand with the previously described learning process.

Moreover, this instinct (or the absence of it) also reflects and determines intelligence in a cat breed.

So, Persians are the best to keep as indoor cats. If you let them outside, you should either supervise them or keep them on a leash. Otherwise, you seriously risk them, getting lost or hurt by other animals.

As for their interest in hunting, here’s a funny yet true description.

Their hunting instinct is so low that you could almost imagine a mouse sleeping right next to this lovely feline who is not even aware that the tiny guest is present.

While some cats really enjoy chasing and catching mice, birds, and lizards, Persians show no interest in it at all.

As a matter of fact, they are not likely to survive if left outside for some longer period of time. They would, quite sadly, become prey for some bigger animals.

Cats Ranked By Their Intelligence Level

We would like to make one thing clear at the very beginning. This ranking goes in general, as you would rank people, dogs, elephants or whichever living creature that comes to your mind.

Each breed and species has some more and less intelligent examples featured because every rule has some exceptions.

Therefore, this list we gave you here goes for cat breeds in general. Every owner can agree or disagree with it, as every single feline is a story for itself.

Measuring the intelligence on a scale from 1 to 10, with ten as the highest level, here it comes:

The only one that got 10/10 was the Sphynx.

Balinese, Bengal, Colourpoint Shorthair, Havana Brown, Javanese, Oriental, and Siamese got a high 9.

Receiving a high 8 felines include Russian Blue, Siberian, Singapura, Burmese, Devon Rex, Turkish Van, Japanese Bobtail, Korat, Chartreux, Turkish Van, Egyptian Mau, Tonkinese, and Norwegian Forest Cat.

Still remaining on the “brighter side” of our list, with 7 out of ten are British Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, Abyssinian, Cymric, American Wirehair, Maine Coon, Somali, American Curl, Snowshoe, and Manx.

The list of those receiving 6 is a rather short one. Keeping it short, the first to start is American Shorthair, along with Bombay and Birman.

Getting to the very bottom of the list, now is the time to mention our beloved main character of the story, Persian cat, ranking 4 out of ten.

But, the good thing is that it’s not the last one on the list, as the Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair received 3 out of ten.

But once again, it’s not only intelligence that matters when choosing a pet cat. There are some other more important factors, such as lifespan, general health, shedding level, grooming, affection level and few more.

These are the best parameters that may be of help when deciding which would be the most suitable breed for you.

Common Facts on Persian Cats

Being among the most popular pedigree breeds in the world, this easy going and sweet-tempered feline is the ultimate lap cat. As long as there is a loyal human companion nearby, to take good care of it, it’ll be gentle and satisfied.

To confirm that, it’ll meow in a soft and melodious voice. What it lacks in intelligence, a Persian greatly compensates with a high level of affection towards owners.

But, there’s one important thing you should know about them. Besides not being so bright, nature has given them another not so good gift.

These lovely felines are prone to numerous health issues, mostly inherited. The most common ones have to do with their flat-faces and obesity.

Speaking of, this is the thing where a responsible owner can be of help. Having in mind that they are indoor cats, obesity is among their greatest enemies.

That’s why a cat parent needs to establish a strict routine when will a cat have a meal and be precise with the amount. Of course, giving your pet a quality food is a must. Besides this, provide it with enough fresh water.

So, whether you are planning to buy or adopt one, it is of vital importance to get to know the breed well. Only that way you will be able to take proper care of a pet.

Moreover, make sure you take it from a reputable breeder or adopt it from a shelter where conditions are satisfactory. A health certificate is also a significant thing to ask for.

So, leave the intelligence aside, if you are ready to a commitment which pays of in the cuddliest way you can imagine, then Persian cat is just the one you need.

As long as you are informed how to look after it properly, and ready to devote some significant amount of time grooming it, you will get the greatest unconditional love a cat can give to its human parent.

Can They Learn Tricks?

Now, we discussed their intelligence, or to be precise, the absence of it, but still, we hope. Not just we, but every other Persian cat parent hopes that maybe there’s a way to make the kitty look brainy. So, we try our luck with some simple tricks.

High five is the first that comes to one’s mind. Remember all the devotion, patience, and time we mentioned? We have all of them, in significant amounts. Plus, some food to make the offer more attractive.

The first thing to do is pet the kitty to make it feel relaxed, say some good and encouraging words, show the feline what to do and… Nothing happens!

After a few attempts fulfilled with an aspiration to get the cat to understand what to do, something happens. The cat makes a move that really looks like exactly the same as high five!

It makes you wanna jump with joy, as it was like, the fifteenth attempt, but at the same time, some doubts appear.

Did the cat really realize what you want it to do? Was it by accident? Or was it the food you were holding in your hand the feline was trying to reach for?

So, you repeat the whole procedure over and over again. Sooner than you realize, the whole day is gone, and all in all- you have just three or four high five (wannabes).

We did it on purpose, making all this sound funny. But it is more or less the truth. They are really slow learners, some would be brutally honest and say-no learners at all. But again, we cannot blame them because that’s what nature decided.

You can always try, but don’t let the fails disappoint you. And do not use too much food, as you know that obesity is their great enemy.

If the price of a trick learned is a fat kitty, it’s not worth it. They are meant to be cuddled and they really make great pets.

Related Questions

How long do Persian cats live? Having in mind that you should keep them as indoor cats exclusively, they have a rather long lifespan. It goes somewhere between 12 and 17 years, with 14.1 as an average.

Are Persian cats good with children? Due to their laid-back temper, they may be labeled as kid-friendly cats. Still, never leave younger kids without supervision as sudden movements, screaming and over-affectionate behavior may disturb the animal.

[cutshawsnidowoa]

6 Fluffy Cat Breeds to Fawn Over

The post 6 Fluffy Cat Breeds to Fawn Over by Erika Sorocco appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

We’ve got longhair and shorthair aplenty, we’ve got hairless and munchkins galore, you want tabby stripes, we’ve got 20 …. But today, we’re introducing you to not one, not two, but six fluffy cat breeds that will leave you itching for a pet, cuddle or all of the above.

First, What Makes Fluffy Cat Breeds Fluffy?

What makes fluffy cat breeds so fluffy? Photography by Dave Wetzel / Shutterstock.

Before we get to meeting the cats, let’s cover the science … what makes those fluffy cat breeds so fabulously floofy?

“A cat’s coat is comprised of three layers of fur,” says Sasha Gibbons, DVM at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. “The topcoat is made up of guard hairs. These are the thickest type of fur and are designed for protecting against the outdoor elements. Beneath the guard hairs are the awn and down, which provide insulation to the cat. Variation in the number of hairs in each layer result in varying coat thickness or fluffiness. For instance, a Cornish Rex has no guard hairs, whereas a Siberian has a large number of guard hairs, as well as down.”

And now for the main (or shall we say mane?) event … the felines behind the fluffy cat breeds.

1. Ragdoll

Ragdoll cats naturally come to mind when thinking about fluffy cat breeds. Photography by Tony Campbell / Shutterstock.

With a name like Ragdoll, don’t expect anything less than a plush princess with a personality as bright and shiny as her trademark blue eyes. Named for her penchant to go limp in your arms ragdoll-style, this feline angel makes our list of fluffy cat breeds due to her silky-to-the-touch coat, which lacks the insulated undercoat of many long-haired breeds. This means her luscious locks are easier to care for, and reduces the chances of matting and shedding.

Though she’s happy to hang with other kitties, her true love is humans – even meeting you at the door when you return home from your day to day!

2. Birman

Birmans make our list of fluffy cat breeds. Photography ©ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo.

Known as the Sacred Cat of Birma, the Birman earns a spot among fluffy cat breeds because, similar to the Ragdoll, his lack of an undercoat gives him a silky, fuss-free mane. However, his true coat trick is something far more unique. Though born entirely white, as the Birman ages he develops darker-colored fur (lilac, gold and chocolate) on each of his points, giving him a kiss of uniqueness that is all his own.

The one commonality across the Birman board: the four white paws known as gloves. But don’t be fooled by his posh, debonair looks. The Birman is a ball of energy who loves to play for hours on end – his flowing locks sailing in the wind as he fetches and frolics!

3. Nebelung

The Nebelung is a lesser-known breed in this mix of fluffy cat breeds. Photography ©Tierfotoagentur | Alamy Stock Photo.

Before you say it, no, the Nebelung is not a Russian Blue … though she is a distant cousin of the ethereal feline, sporting a longer coat, and being as elusive as a crimson diamond. Rare in the cat world, the Nebelung is known for her shy persona and rightfully makes this roundup of fluffy cat breeds for her plume-like tail, Oriental-inspired looks, and fluffy-to-the-touch, medium-length fur.

With a name that means “creature of the mist” in German, the Nebelung has yet to clinch recognition from the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), but has been a member of The International Cat Association (TICA) since 1997, with the hopes that the breed will soon become more commonplace in the cat world. Fun fact: the Nebelung is one of the featured (and very rare) Harry Potter Patronus options for users who take the Pottermore personality test!

4. Cymric

Cymric cats are another unique breed on this list of fluffy cat breeds. Lilac-point Cymric ‘Ramsey’ 2011-04-06. Photography © Flickr user Stanton McCandlish. Used under Flickr’s Creative Commons License. Some modifications have been made to fit the specifications of this site.

First things first … the proper pronunciation is, say it with me now, kim-rick. A sister breed to the short-haired Manx, some say the Cymric is part rabbit due to his cottontail, long hind legs and the fluffy-to-a-fault fur coat that nabs him a place among these fluffy cat breeds. Being part rabbit isn’t biologically possible, but a cute concept nonetheless. Bred to be tail-free, the Cymric, sometimes referred to as a ‘cabbit,’ has a double coat that is long and silky yet easy to maintain.

Born to work as a mouser, the Cymric has fierce hunting skills, and could easily be considered a watch cat, but that doesn’t stop him from loving to curl up in your lap for a cuddle sesh every now and again. Fun fact: the Cymric, like the Manx, can be seen in four tail lengths: no tail, or rumpy; a rise of bone at the base of the spine, or riser; short tails, or stumpies; and normal-length tails, or longies.

5. Exotic Shorthair

Shorthair cats snag a place on this list of fluffy cat breeds! Photography © Seregraff | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

Surprised to see a so-called shorthair in an article about fluffy cat breeds? That’s because the Exotic Shorthair is a shorthair like no other. A mirror-image of a Persian (no, really), the Exotic Shorthair has been dubbed by the feline fanciers world as the Lazy Man’s Persian due to his plush, short coat that is teddy bear-esque but easy-peasy to maintain – meaning no matting, no tangling and far less combing required.

Over-the-top affectionate, this fluffy feline (known for his rounded features), lives for love and never misses an opportunity to cuddle. Fun fact: Some Exotic Shorthairs have been known to hug their humans when pet, and may even sit on your shoulder!

6. Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cats are an easy choice for a list of fluffy cat breeds. Photography ©GlobalP | Thinkstock.

 A star of Norwegian folktales and mythology for centuries, the Norwegian Forest Cat, or ‘Wegie,’ is relatively new to the US, but has quickly captured the hearts of many with her beauty and social butterfly ways.

Believed to have served as ratters for Viking explorers aboard ships, the Norwegian Forest Cat is known for the sumptuous coat that lands her on this list of fluffy cat breeds. Insulated and waterproof, the Wegie was bred for cold climates, making her fluffy fur a standout characteristic that is equal parts elegant and cozy to cuddle up to. Fun fact: In her native country of Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat is known as the skogkatt, which translates to forest cat.

Caring for Fluffy Cat Breeds

How is caring for fluffy cat breeds any different than caring for other types of cats? Photography by Sylvia Adams / Shutterstock.

Think that fluffiness has an effect on a feline’s health? Think again! Sure, these fluffy cat breeds may need a touch more TLC when it comes to grooming than their short-haired counterparts, but more hair won’t negatively affect their health. Promise.

“A common myth is that fluffy cats are at a higher risk of hairballs,” says Dr. Gibbons. “Hairballs are an accumulation of fur in the gastrointestinal tract that can cause irritation and lead to vomiting. The occurrence of hairballs, however, is not related to the length or amount of fur a cat has. Hairballs result from an individual cat’s grooming habits and metabolism. Short-haired cats that overgroom themselves or groom their housemates are equally at risk of hairballs as long-haired cats. In the same regard, some long-haired cats will simply pass the fur in their stool without it getting stuck in the stomach and intestines. If your cat does have problems with hairballs, daily brushing, petroleum-based lubricants, and hairball diets or treats can be helpful in treatment and prevention.”

Tell us: Do you have one of these fluffy cat breeds in your household? Is your cat fluffy but not one of these breeds (or a mix)? Tell us about him/her in the comments!

Thumbnail: Photography ©Vadimborkin | Getty Images.

Read more about cat breeds on Catster.com:

All About the Birman Cat Breed

5 Hairless Cat Breeds — The Naked Truth

11 Reasons to Love the Snowshoe Cat

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