Fluffy, capricious and unapproachably proud - these are the beloved cats of many, whom nature has endowed with charm and beauty. However, it is possible to get some inconvenience from these animals, and wool is not in the least important place here. Of course, a chic fur coat needs careful care, because it can become matted and lose all attractiveness. Particular attention should be paid to pets during their molting period.
Persian
The ancestors are Asian steppe and desert cats. The animal deservedly receives a gold medal from our top. Its long fur reaches 13 centimeters in length. Included with it we have a flattened muzzle, giving it a slightly harsh appearance. Because of the latter feature, many owners are forced to feed their pets by hand, since representatives of the extreme type have a nose and upper jaw set too high, making it difficult for animals to take food from a bowl on their own.
Long, thin wool requires careful grooming and combing to prevent loss of appearance and the formation of tangles. The most common colors are cream, chocolate, smoke and tortoiseshell.
Himalayan cat
The Himalayan was developed in the United States in the 1950s by crossing a Persian and a Siamese cat. The result combines the rich fluffiness of the Persian with the coloring of the Siamese.
Genetics determines the color of a given breed. The “wild” type will have a brindle color; depending on the degree of mutation, brown (walrus) and all shades of red (from cream to bright orange) are distinguished. The paws, muzzle and tail are darker in color compared to the body.
The character also shows a mix of two leading breeds - the curiosity of the Siamese and the measured nature of the Persians. Grooming them requires daily combing of their thick coat with a special comb.
Mr. Cat recommends: the best breeds
Below are the most striking representatives among felines with tassels.
Caraquet
This hybrid breed was bred at the Moscow Zoo in 1998 completely by accident, by crossing an ordinary cat and a caracal.
The caracat has a brownish-red coat color; an adult cat reaches almost 1 meter in length (including the tail). They also have long large paws, a small head compared to the body, large mobile ears with characteristic tassels.
Although this breed looks like a wild animal, the cat’s character is quite friendly and affectionate. Such a cat is in dire need of constant movement, so if you decide to have this handsome cat at home, you need to make sure there is enough space for him.
In addition, the caraqueta, like a dog, must be walked on a special leash-vest.
Kittens need to be bathed no more than once every three months, and adult cats - when dirty. It is necessary to ensure that a caracat with wet fur does not fall into a draft, otherwise there is a high risk of catching a cold.
Combing occurs 1-2 times a week, and in the summer during the molting period it should be done more often, preferably every day.
Food: raw meat (beef, poultry, rabbit, fish). Clean water should always be freely available to your cat.
You cannot give pork, cooked meat, or table food.
Maine Coon
This breed was obtained through natural hybridization in the USA more than a century ago.
Maine Coons are considered giants among cats. They have a good, strong body, wide bones and a massive muzzle. An adult cat can reach a weight of 15 kg (a male in rare cases can weigh up to 15 kg, the usual weight is 5-8 kg) and in isolated cases grows up to 1 meter in length. The coat is long and fluffy and comes in a variety of colors.
These cats are real good-natured people, but incorrigible lazy people. Maine Coons love to climb somewhere high and watch the bustle of the world from there. This breed is very attached to its owner, and it also differs from other cats in its “talkativeness” - cats make sounds that can be heard as unintelligible speech, and it seems as if they are trying to tell something.
Wool is the first thing the owner will have to take care of. The cat needs to be brushed daily.
These good-natured creatures bathe with great pleasure, but it is better not to arrange “bath procedures” too often, but to wash only when it is necessary to maintain hygiene.
Maine Coons are susceptible to developing periodontal disease, so do not forget about the cat’s oral cavity and buy special food to strengthen teeth.
They enjoy eating raw beef and boiled poultry meat, quail eggs and cottage cheese.
Pixie Bob
In the second half of the 20th century in the United States, breeders specifically tried to develop a cat breed that looked like a lynx, but with a short tail. Until the 80s, these experiments were inconclusive, until the work finally paid off. An individual was born, a cross between a domestic cat and a short-tailed forest cat.
They decided to name the breed “Pixie-Bob” (translated from English as “short-tailed elf”).
It has a stocky body, a large head and an animal look (due to deep-set eyes, looming, evil-looking eyebrows and a massive chin), a reddish fur coat with black spots, and a short thick tail. This breed is prone to an abnormality called polydactyly (extra toes). The ears are round and small; they do not always have tassels.
Short-tailed animals are quite friendly with people, but only one person is recognized as the owner - the one who feeds them.
Pixie Bob is an active breed that loves to play, but it is not recommended to have these animals in a house where other animals already live, otherwise there is a high risk of witnessing constant conflicts and merciless fights.
Due to his mobility, Pixie-Bob loves to walk in the fresh air, but it is better under the supervision of his owner, because. If a cat gets lost, it will go wild and is unlikely to ever approach a person again.
You need to comb the coat once a week, more often in the summer.
Cats of this breed are not picky eaters; they eat dry and wet food from the store with appetite. But if the owner decides to switch Pixie-Bob to natural food, then the cat should receive fresh meat every day.
Norwegian Forest Cat
As you can guess from the name of the breed, the homeland of these fluffy beauties is Norway. It has existed as a separate cat breed since the 70s.
An adult animal weighs about 8 kg. It is distinguished by long hair of white, black, red and gray colors. The Norwegian cat has a powerful skeleton, dense body, large paws, long whiskers and a bushy tail.
Norwegians are affectionate but energetic cats. By their “forest” nature they are hunters, so small animals and birds (hamsters, rats, chinchillas, canaries, etc.) will be in great danger around them. Despite their good-natured disposition, these cats do not allow themselves to be squeezed, especially by small children, who sometimes cannot control their strength.
Maine Coon
“Maine Raccoon” is the literal translation of this breed. It is recognized by all influential organizations and deserves “bronze” on our list.
The first Maine Coons appeared in the USA. Living in semi-wild conditions, they acquired long, warm fur coats to adapt to the harsh local climate. The raccoon coloring has survived to this day. The characteristic tassels on the ears remind of the wild past. Externally, cats look like a small lynx. By the way, they are record holders in size; there are individuals weighing up to 10 kilograms.
Norwegian forest
Norway, the birthplace of the breed, is characterized by cold frosty winters, so the fur of representatives of the Norwegian forest beauties is very thick, long and fluffy. There is a “collar” and “pants” that serve as additional protection from the cold. Even the inside of their protruding ears is covered with fur. The color of the fur coat can be very varied (white, gray, blue, black) and always harmonizes with the shade of the eyes.
Cats have a dense build and a rich, bushy tail proportional to their body length.
Siberian cat
A typical Siberian with a fluffy, warm fur coat that can keep you warm on the coldest winter day. The ancestors of the breed were Bukhara cats, brought by Asian traders. The Bukharans mixed with taiga cats and acquired long, warm hair, gradually spreading with merchants throughout the country. This is a very popular breed; it was Siberian cats that became the prototype of cats in the folk epic.
In winter, the fur of Siberian cats becomes thicker, “panties” and a “collar” appear, and by spring shedding occurs.
Siberian cats are varied in color, they can be white, silver chinchilla, all shades of reddish-red, cream, blue, brindle, tricolor.
Neva Masquerade
This breed is often considered a variety of the Siberian cat, however, in 1992 it was recognized as an independent cat. In fact, she shares 5th and 6th place with the ancestor of the suit close to her.
The color of these fluffy beauties contains the Siamese cat gene, which gives them a characteristic silver-blue color. However, variations of black-brown and orange-white are possible. The most interesting thing is that the body is always a lighter shade, while the muzzle, ears, tail and paws are in darker contrast. It looks elegant. Hence the name.
The thick, dense coat changes twice a year. The mustachioed pet has massive fluffy paws and a luxurious bushy tail.
American Curl
The history of this breed begins with a strange stray cat with characteristic crescent-shaped, backward-curved ears. The first litter of kittens from this mother was obtained in California. It is characteristic that when mating with other breeds, among the newborns there are always “eared” individuals. This feature of the breed should be taken into account when stroking the animal’s head; this should be done carefully so as not to damage the fragile ear cartilage.
Curls have a dense, thick, silky coat that requires moderate grooming. The color can be very varied. At the same time, kittens are born snow-white, only acquiring color with age.
Burmese cat
This breed has another, more “folk” name – “sacred Burma”. Externally, representatives of this breed are similar to the Siamese, but differ in the length of their coat. This is the main difference between Burma.
The description of these cats defies the Russian language, as their beauty is majestic and unique. The color of a Burmese cat must have “gloves” on the tips of its paws - this is its calling card, without which the breed of a pet may be called into question .
- The weight of a cat often exceeds 5 kilograms. Her coat is semi-long.
- Despite the external playfulness and languid look, the Burmese cat is very calm and loving in character. She develops tender feelings for her owner. The fluffiest cats become integral members of the family.
Such a pet easily makes contact with small children and other animals living in the living space. The color of kittens changes with age - kittens are born completely white, and over time, characteristic spots appear near the nose and on the paws.
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Turkish Angora
Owners of a bushy tail and no less luxurious fur. Not very large, reaching 2.5 kg in weight. Clean and without a dense undercoat, despite their long hair, they are easier to care for than, for example, Persians. Many owners note the love of these cats for water procedures.
There are a wide variety of colors from cream, charcoal, blue and white to the more interesting merle, brindle and different variations of tabby.
This breed is distinguished by unusual eye pigmentation; in addition to the standard green, heterochromes and blue eyes are often found.
Siamese fluffy breed
It has no undercoat, so caring for it is somewhat easier. The animal has a slender, graceful body and a wedge-shaped head. The cat's eyes are almond-shaped with a very interesting color - azure, blue. The tail is long, decorated with long silky fur. Weight – up to 5 kg, life expectancy – 12 years. The creatures are incredibly affectionate in nature, sociable and easily find contact with other animals.
Burmilla longhair
These voluminous fluffy balls with huge eyes will charm anyone. The line was officially recognized by breeders in 1993, first obtained several years earlier in Australia.
Cats have shiny, silky and very fluffy fur. Their thin hairs and silvery undercoat harmoniously form a real fur cocoon, giving incredible cuteness to these four-legged animals. The fur comes in a variety of shades. The most popular are smoky, brown and lilac, cream, black tortoiseshell, Bombay and brindle.
In addition to their pleasant external characteristics, Burmillas are distinguished by their “golden” character, they are not intrusive, get along well with other pets, are affectionate and touching, and enjoy being handled.
Buying a kitten
There is probably no more charming creature in the world than a small fluffy kitten - a gentle and touching bundle of soft, warm fur. However, all children tend to grow up quite quickly, and problems that at first might seem completely insignificant to you grow with them. A few tips to help you make the right choice:
- Do not be led by your emotions - do not buy a kitten spontaneously, succumbing to a completely understandable feeling of tenderness at the wonderful baby - you are not buying a soft toy, but a living creature that has its own character and its own needs.
The little fluffy ball will grow up soon, so it’s important to base your choice of a kitten on more than just cuteness
- You will need to take care of the kitten, educate, adapt, tolerate its pranks - it is quite possible that some problems associated with the new family member will not suit your family - be sure to consult with them and make only a collective decision.
- Try to learn as much as possible about the breed you like, prepare for the arrival of a kitten in your home, both theoretically and practically - purchase in advance everything you need for feeding, rest, hygiene and leisure for your baby.
How to choose
You need to decide in a timely manner not only about the breed, but also about the purpose of acquisition. Do you want a boy or a girl? Pet or show-class animal? The criteria for choosing a little furry will largely depend on your ambitions and financial capabilities.
But the main selection criterion always remains the same - you need to purchase a healthy animal with good heredity. It is clear that no one can give one hundred percent guarantees on these issues in advance, but buying a baby not on the market, but in a professional breeding nursery, still significantly reduces many risks. In addition, a responsible breeder will forever remain your friend and first mate.
Don't try to buy a kitten that is too small; The optimal age for moving him to a new home is 2.5–3 months, when the necessary vaccinations have already been completed and independent living skills have been acquired. If possible, look at the conditions in which your baby grew up, observe the habits and habits of his parents, brothers and sisters.
After two months, vaccinated kittens can move to a new place
The baby will get used to the new place quite quickly, and from the second or third day he will need to be taught the rules of life that you consider necessary. The sooner he learns them, the more positive and pleasant moments will appear in your life together.
Find mutual understanding with your baby as soon as possible
Video: fluffy kittens - all good
Kimra cat
Cymriks are distinguished by a large massive body with a large head. The highlight is also the expressive large eyes from yellow-green to light blue.
Their thick, rabbit-like fur requires delicate care. By following it, you will get a beautiful, healthy pet of a wide variety of colors. There are individuals from white with colored splashes to tabby or calorpoint. A piquant feature is the absence of a tail in Cymrics. This is an artificially bred feature.
These friendly, calm cats get along easily with children, are peaceful and moderately active.
Persian cat
This breed is the most popular among residents of the CIS countries. The pet's character is calm and affectionate; rarely, a Persian cat can attack a person. Each individual has a beautiful, sophisticated appearance in its own way .
- Persian cats are loving - they become attached to people and require affection and understanding on their part. Therefore, it is important to pay as much attention as possible to pets of this breed and give them your love.
- Persian cats are famous for their emotional stability. Animals rarely scream and meow quietly. Such pets will appeal to those people who love silence and solitude.
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Grooming is also important, as the fur of the Persian cat is very dense. The tail of animals is very fluffy and rounded. If you don't pay attention to the fur, it can roll into tangles and shed.
Ragdoll
The name of the breed translates as “rag doll”. The ancestors were a white long-haired cat and a Burmese cat. Artificially selected, they are absolutely devoid of the instinct of self-preservation and require special care and a lot of attention. They are calm and pliable, thanks to their specific muscle tone, and sometimes seem like toys.
This fluffy treasure has soft, thick fur, a thick bushy tail and a “collar”, the animal sheds little. But he has a thirst for research and an easy-going character.
British Longhair
Recognized by the International Cat Federation (FIFe). Long silky hair, a charming face and a calm, easy-going disposition are the main characteristics of this British breed.
Cats have short, dense legs and small, widely spaced, rounded ears. The irises of large, attentive eyes can be copper, amber, blue or even orange, depending on the color of the coat. The latter is also very diverse: smoky, tabby, bicolor, tortoiseshell, color point.
Despite their long hair, the British are not prone to tangles, unlike, for example, the Persians. Once you have representatives of this breed, you will be able to enjoy your pet fluffy without much effort.
Officially recognized breeds of fluffy cats FIFe – I and II categories
The American Curl Longhair (WCF recognized) is an unforgettable cat with inverted elf ears and dense, silky fur. Curls are very friendly, relatively unpretentious and independent, adapt well to new conditions and love to play even at an advanced age.
The Balinese cat or Balinese (recognized by WCF, CFA) is a semi-long-haired cat with a fluffy tail and a bewitching Asian appearance. The breed is a variety of Siamese cat, has the appropriate color and temperament. Balinese are very active, talkative and sociable. Cats strive to understand all the intricacies of the owner’s everyday life, get along well with children, “educate” and protect them.
The British Longhair (recognized by WCF, CFA) is one of the varieties of the aboriginal British cat. The breed has a very rich history of formation and served as a “base” for breeding new groups of cats. The advantage of tailed animals is their ideal, family character.
This is interesting! Not many purebred cats can boast of a bright red color; peach and cream colors are more common. Among breeding animals, red fluffy cats are predominantly Persians and British.
Himalayan cat (recognized by WCF) - in appearance, the breed could be confused with a Persian, if not for the color-point color. In addition, only a cat with blue eyes and a certain head shape is recognized as Himalayan. Many potential owners are interested in unusual, exotic fluffy cats with a flattened muzzle; the Himalayan fits all the criteria. The breed's temperament is similar to the Persians, but is distinguished by its energy and flexibility.
The Maine Coon (recognized by WCF, CFA) is one of the largest representatives of the cat world. An adult reaches a weight of 7.7–10 kg (this is provided that there is no excess weight). The appearance of Mei-coons can be described as wild, they have tassels on their ears and the face itself looks very serious.
Persian (recognized by WCF, CFA) is a record holder breed in the category of numbers and recognized varieties. In addition, the Persian is the fluffiest cat breed in the world; the length of an adult’s fur reaches 15–20 cm. The character of the Persian is purely family-oriented, sociable, loyal and self-sufficient.
Nibelung
The long-haired version of the Russian Blue cat is considered quite rare among breeders. Translated from German, the name means “creation of fog.” Indeed, the fur of these magnificent creatures is like a fabulous blue mist. It is believed that the main color is blue, but the tips of the hairs are white. In sunlight it creates a stunning shine effect.
Nibelugas are large cats with a strong, muscular body. The body is covered with thick undercoat, which adds additional volume to the size of the cat. To keep the coat in good condition, it is necessary to comb it at least twice a week.
Rules for keeping furry pets
The main disadvantage of keeping fluffy ones is caring for their fur. If you don’t set aside time (at least twice a week) for grooming and combing your pet, there is a high probability that they will lead an unhealthy life.
To care for a beautiful coat, we recommend:
- Use a fine-tooth comb, slicker brush, or furminator (comb with trimmer). Use them to prevent the formation of tangles.
- Maintain a balanced diet: vitamins, micronutrients for growth and healthy coat condition. Consuming fiber to prevent intestinal obstruction.
- In addition to brushing your pet, keep the house clean of fur.
Rules for caring for fluffy cat breeds
Balinese cat
Balinese have a dense, medium-length coat, which may visually appear shorter than it actually is. Their fluffiest tail is their large, luxurious tail, which is why they make it into our top. The length of the hairline here reaches 7 centimeters. The animal requires proper care, as it requires frequent brushing. Without it, the undercoat gets tangled easily. Another feature of the species is congenital strabismus.
The breed was named after the Balinese dancers, because these beauties are not inferior to them in grace, elegance and flexibility.
The color shows the influence of Siamese ancestors, the eyes are sky blue.
Oriental Longhair
Native to North America, this breed is a mix of Siamese and Shorthair.
Most often it has solid, tabby and smoky colors. Color is the main distinguishing factor from the Balinese cat.
Representatives of long-haired Orientals have a friendly and easy-going character, however, like any pet with long hair, they require special care. It is believed that these cats easily and firmly become attached to their owners, remember this when getting a kitten of this breed.
Strong build, soft fluffy fur combined with grace and dexterity.
Peculiarities
Cats with tufted ears are common. They have a slightly wild but attractive appearance. There are several theories explaining why pets need brushes.
- For the purpose of amplifying sound waves. They enable the pet to distinguish not only the immediate sources of different sounds, but also to detect even minor rustles. These qualities are important when a cat is hunting, because at such moments you need to pay attention to any rustles and the quietest sounds that rodents or birds leave. It is generally accepted that cats that lack ear tufts do not have the most acute hearing.
- Tassels are kind of beacons. Thanks to them, pets have the opportunity to see and recognize each other even at a serious distance. Being in dense green thickets, cats with tassels still “don’t get lost.”
- Tassels are an indicator of the age of the animal. The longer they are, the older and wiser the cat.
Many representatives of the cat family are happy owners of tassels on their ears. Most often, such additions occur in animals with long hair. The appearance of such pets seems stern and menacing to many people. In fact, such cats are perfectly adapted to life in an ordinary city apartment or on the territory of a private house.
Most members of the cat family are covered in fur, but some have a fuller coat than others. It is for these luxurious fur coats that the pets of these breeds are valued. Of course, animals with long hair require more care than short-haired and bald ones, but everything is compensated by their beautiful appearance. Which longhaired and semi-longhaired breeds are most popular?
Ragamuffin
These cats will not leave anyone indifferent! A magnificent large cat with large expressive eyes. You just want to hug her fluffy body.
A wide variety of colors from white and black to striped, brindle and tortoiseshell, as well as interesting patterns on the coat make this breed very popular!
Ragamuffins have a rabbit-like feel and require a lot of attention and care.
Napoleon
In essence, this is an offshoot of the Munchkin breed, their close, but much more miniature and fluffy creatures.
These cats are among the most expensive due to the unique small size and fluffiness of the Persians (crosses with which were carried out during the breeding of the line). Their front legs are shorter than their hind legs, and their short ears end with sharp tips.
These babies are distinguished by their gentle and devoted character.
Recommendations for choosing a fluffy kitten
How to tell if the kitten in front of you is fluffy? Fluffy cat breeds are noticeable due to several characteristics:
- From a young age they look cute, like a voluminous ball of fur. By the way, they have it wavy and raised.
- The ears and tail are also covered in fur. The more, the softer the adult will be.
- If possible, take a look at his parents. Their breed must be from an internationally verified list or they both appear to be fluffy in appearance.
How to determine if a kitten is fluffy?
Even with all the disadvantages of care, such breeds will always be in demand. Soft and fluffy four-legged animals create an atmosphere of goodness in the house!
Laperm
The Rex breed can boast of long hair and the presence of a fluffy “curly coat”. During their life, they completely change their woolen outfit several times. They often look a little disheveled, often have a pronounced “collar”, the coat is elastic, loose and very light. If you blow on it, it is easy to expose an area of the body.
Individuals are medium to large in size, their beautiful almond-shaped eyes widen when they sense danger. Cats have a funny tail that resembles a bottle brush.
Ural Rex (long-haired)
This breed has been around for many years, but it is not as popular as, say, the Siberian. The first kitten with unusual curly hair appeared in a village in the Sverdlovsk region in 1988, three years later they were officially described by Russian felinologists.
They are a well-built, sturdy, medium-sized cat, they look less fluffy than many other breeds, but boast cute curls that give them a voluminous and original appearance. There is also a peculiar mane. Almost all colors are recognized, with the exception of cinnamon and chocolate.
Semi-longhaired fluffies
Representatives of semi-longhaired breeds, although their hair is not as long as Persian and Himalayan cats. As a rule, the longest coat is observed in the neck, paws and tail. Like long-haired cats, they require careful grooming. What breeds of cats are classified as semi-longhair?
American Curl (semi-longhair)
The main feature of these pets is their inverted ears, which appear in kittens at 4–5 months. Curls are similar to Siberian cats: they have the same muscular body, hairy hind limbs and a long bushy tail. Any colors are acceptable. Curls' devotion to their owners makes them similar to dogs. They are also friendly, sociable and love to be the center of attention. Interestingly, representatives of this breed are trainable, so you can learn a few tricks with them.
Balinese cat
The Balinese cat has a graceful build, bright blue almond-shaped eyes and medium-length hair without undercoat, so it does not look overly fluffy. The color of representatives of this breed is color point. The longest hair covers the tail. Balinese cats are inquisitive, very intelligent and devoted to their family, but very proud cats, so they should not be petted unless they ask for affection.
British Longhair
Britons have a dense coat with a thick undercoat, round amber eyes and a short bushy tail, giving them a toy-like appearance. Any coat color is allowed. The British Longhair cat is valued for its even temperament and unobtrusiveness. She calmly tolerates separation from her owner and gets along well with other pets.
Karelian, Kuril, Japanese Bobtail (longhair)
Bobtails are medium-sized cats (their weight ranges from 4–6 kg, and Kuril cats can weigh 7 kg) with short, pom-pom-like tails or no tails. They have elongated and developed hind limbs, which compensate for their lack of a tail and provide balance to the body during movement. The fluffiest breeds of this group of cats:
