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 Photo by Alicia Marie Photografy @ flickr.com |
No two long hair kittens are the same. The length and the thickness of the coat will depend upon both genetics and breed type. When determining whether to get a long or short haired cat, you must decide what type will best fit your lifestyle. Short haired cats are great for owners with busier lifestyles. They are easier to care for than long hairs and generally need fewer baths and combing sessions.
Longer haired cats tend to get more mats and tangles in their coats that short haired cats. They may even need to be shaved if the matting becomes too severe. Bad matting that eventually irritate the underlying skin and may even invite infections. Objects and substances can also get trapped in the long fur. Some long hair cats may need to be trimmed especially near their rear end as poop can get caught on the hairs in that region.
Just a Few Types of Long Haired Kittens
The Long Haired Kitten and HairballsLonger haired kittens are particularly prone to getting hairballs as they have lengthy coats. What are hairballs? They are matted balls of hair that cats swallow while grooming and cleaning themselves. Cats with hairballs often gag or cough or even vomit as they attempt to bring up the fur balls. Some cats can even get intestinal blockages that require surgical removal due to the hairballs. Cats with hairballs may also experience constipation, poor appetite, and excessive tiredness.
What are some remedies for hairballs? Feed your kitten more fiber in its diet. Fiber enables food and hair to move more quickly through the intestinal tract helping to resolve hairballs. You can also give your kitten petroleum or mineral oil based products that help coat the digestive tract and ease fur balls out. Many of these products are flavored and made to taste appealing to cats and are available in most pet stores. Increase the amount of time you spent brushing your long hair. This will help catch any dead hair that falls out.
A natural remedy such as lecithin which is found in eggs helps to break down the hair in the stomach and intestines. You can get lecithin in health food stores. It comes in powdered and pill forms and can be added to cat food.
Bath Time
You may need to spend more time bathing your long hair. Cats with lengthy coats tend to pick up more dust and dirt than shorter hair cats. Just keep in mind that rinsing is very important with long haired cats. Their coats often take longer to rinse and dry. And is soap or excess conditioner is left in the hair it can appear overly greasy.
Remember…long haired kittens do take more work. Yet, they make great companions and pets.
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