Choosing Your Cat: Short-Haired or Long-Haired?
Posted on May 26, 2010 6:50pm PDT
If you have made the decision to become a cat owner or if you are looking to increase your pet family, you may have put some thought into whether you should become a long-haired cat owner or a short-haired cat owner.
When choosing between a long-haired or short-haired breed, there are many factors that you should take into account, including the following:
- Allergies - if you or someone in your family is sensitive to cat dander, you might consider choosing a short-haired breed such as a Siamese, Abyssinian, Bengal, Bombay or other short-haired type of cat. You might also consider "hypoallergenic" short-haired breeds such as a Cornish Rex, Siberian, Russian Blue or Sphynx.
- Grooming Needs - Though long-haired breeds often have very soft, gorgeous fur, they do require more grooming. Some breeds might require regular brushing or professional grooming, depending upon the length of the fur. Some cat owners find long-haired felines to be more aesthetically pleasing and choose to own long-haired breeds such as the classic Persian, Himalayan, Maine Coon or Ragdoll.
Choice of long-haired or short-haired breeds often comes down to pet-owner preference. Regardless of your choice, you should always spend time researching proper pet grooming and care to ensure that you are able to offer an excellent home to your future furry family member.