Top 10 Long Haired Cat Breeds
Long haired cat breeds are popular because they have a unique appearance that’s quite striking and unique from their short-haired counterparts. Sure, they need attention when it comes to grooming, but all the fluff makes it worthwhile. And, like all cats, they have great personalities and funny quirks, along with loads of love to give to your entire family. If you’re blown away by flowing fur, here’s our list of top 10 long haired cat breeds. (Photo credit: fotooxotnik/Bigstock)
Maine Coon: The Maine Coon is a large breed that also features a long, lustrous, soft coat of beautiful fur that’s quite easy to care for. You can find Maine Coon kitties sporting various colors and patterns, including tabby, tabby and white, particolor, and solid. These highly affectionate cats will get along wonderfully with people of all ages, as well as other animals. (Photo credit: flibustier/Bigstock)
Birman: The Birman is a remarkable beauty, with blue eyes and markings that are similar to the Siamese, as well as fur that’s usually cream or white in color. This breed is active, playful, gentle, and quiet. They have really friendly dispositions, and their lovely coats aren’t prone to matting either. (Photo credit: iVangelos/Bigstock)
Persian: No list of popular long-haired cat breeds would be complete without mentioning the Persian, which is one of the most beloved cat breeds of all. Featuring a long and silky coat, what makes Persians really stand out is their unique face shape. These cats aren’t as active as other breeds, and they’re very sweet, as they’ll be devoted to you once they learn to trust you. They do need to be groomed regularly, though, to keep their fur looking beautiful. (Photo credit: JuliaS/Bigstock)
Himalayan: Himalayans also feature striking blue eyes, and they’re actually the result of breeding Siamese and Persian cats, so they have a beautiful coat color and pattern as well. These kitties tend to be more active than Persians, but they’re quieter than Siamese cats. They’re adoring and become attached to their human family. But they do need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats in the best condition. (Photo credit: SuzyM/Bigstock)
Ragdoll: Another beloved cat breed is the large Ragdoll, whose personality is equally as lovely as its coat of fur. These cats are trusting and relaxed around people, making great companions. In fact, they’ll often go limp while being held, which is why they’re referred to as ragdolls. They’re typically light in color, with darker fur on the legs, tail, face, and ears, much like a Siamese. (Photo credit: Penalope Roses/Bigstock)
Norwegian Forest Cat: If you’re looking for a humongous cat, look no further than the Norwegian Forest Cat, which can weigh twice as much as other domestic cat breeds. These cats are easy-going, agile, smart, and calm. They really love interacting with people and playing, as they’re great hunters. (Photo credit: Bigandt_Photography/Bigstock)
British Longhair: The British Longhair is a wonderful kitty to adopt if you live in a small home or in an apartment because they tend to be really quiet and relaxed. These cats have a stocky build and can be compared to a teddy bear because of their plush fur. (Photo credit: Mark Fosh/Flickr)
Siberian: The Siberian’s coat features three layers, so you need to devote time to regularly groom this cat. Despite all of its long fur, though, this breed is actually recommended to those who suffer with cat allergies, as it produces less of the Fel d 1 protein that triggers allergic reactions. Plus, this breed has a fun-loving personality and will make a wonderfully loyal companion. (Photo credit: Jan de Boer/Flickr)
Turkish Angora: The Turkish Angora has one of the softest coats that you’ll ever feel on a cat. These kitties are also quite graceful and elegant, and they’re particularly striking in white. They’re highly affectionate and very devoted and playful towards their human family as well. (Photo credit: Helena Jacoba/Flickr)
Turkish Van: The Turkish Van is a fairly independent kitty that has a downy soft coat of semi-long fur with a beautiful fluffy tail. These cats have active personalities, but what really sets them apart from other domesticated kitties is the fact that they like water and swimming! (Photo credit: Imbue85/Flickr)
Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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