5 Cat Coat Types And How To Care For Them

Cats are majestic creatures no matter what type of coat they have. However, in order to maintain that regal air, your cat's coat must be maintained. It's important to research how to care for your cat's coat before you bring them home, as the steps you take to groom them properly differ depending on the type of fur they have.

Cat coats are made up of four types of hair, however, not every cat will have all four types. Guard hair is long, coarse, and sits on the outer coat to "guard" the cat's skin from dirt and water. Awn hairs are shorter, but they are also coarse and thick. They are located under the guard hairs, and they protect your cat's undercoat. Down hairs are quite short and soft, and they make up the undercoat, which helps your kitty maintain their body temperature. Finally, "hairless" cats have vellus hairs, which are extremely fine.

While there are lots of different colors and patterns to cat fur, there are five main types of hair a cat can have that determine the way you care for it: long, short, curly, medium/straight, and hairless. Each one has different grooming requirements to keep them healthy and looking nice. Yes, even a hairless cat's skin needs to be cared for! Let's get into what these coats look like and how to care for them.

Long-haired cats are some of the most elegant, fancy-looking pets out there. Breeds like the Persian, Himalayan, Maine coon, ragdoll, Birman, and more have hair that is between about two and five inches long. But these gorgeous coats require daily brushing. Why is regular cat grooming important? Grooming keeps a cat's fur under control, prevents matting and hairballs, and fosters healthy hair and skin. If left untreated, matting can have serious consequences, like sores and skin infections for your kitty.

Many long-haired cats shed significantly, but if you're thinking of avoiding a long-haired cat because they shed more than short-haired cats, that may not be the case. While it depends on the breed, many short-haired cats go through the four phases of hair growth — the final phase being shedding — faster than long-haired cats. It may just seem like long-haired cats shed more because they tend to shed in clumps.

To properly groom your long-haired cat, you'll need to use a brush like the highly rated Swihauk Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, which will help detangle your kitty's hair, get rid of loose hairs, and spread their natural oils over their coat and skin. Cats require a very gentle touch, and it may take some time for your feline friend to get used to tolerating the brush. Don't worry if you have to start slow, stick to the top layer of hair at first, and be extra gentle when you encounter knots. If there are small mats or extra long hair, especially around the base of their tail, you may need a pair of scissors to trim some of their fur. Be extra careful during these moments and use scissors with rounded edges that are specifically made for cutting pet hair, such as these Pet's First Pet Grooming Scissors.

Cats with medium or straight coats have grooming needs similar to long-haired cats, though depending on their individual coat, you may be able to get away with a weekly brush or a few times a week as opposed to a daily grooming session. Cat breeds with medium-length coats include the fascinating Abyssinian cat, American bobtail, Balinese, American wirehair, Chartreux, Somali, and more.

Medium-haired cats tend to have the fluff factor, but without as many clumps and tangles as their long-haired brethren. These furry felines tend to have longer hair around their necks, tails, and ears, giving them the regal air of lions. Some breeds have thinner, silkier coats while others will have thicker, coarser coats.

No matter the type of hair your cat has, it's important to brush in the direction their hair is growing and brush the entire body, from tip to tail. If your cat really doesn't let you get close to them with a brush — especially if they have long or thick, medium-length coats — you might have to consider seeing a professional groomer on a regular basis.

You may assume that cats with short coats are easier to take care of in the grooming department than long or medium-haired cats, and in most cases, that is correct. However, their shedding can be just as robust, and regular grooming once or twice a week can help keep it under control. It's often more difficult to clean individual needles of hair that get into everything than longer clumps that you can scoop up with your hand.

Breeds with short coats include the American shorthair, Bengal, Russian blue, and more. To groom your short-haired cutie, you'll need a metal comb, which loosens dead hair and debris. The Aumuca Pet Deshedding Tool is designed for short-haired pets and has blunt edges that make it very gentle. Next, you can use a bristle brush or a rubber brush to remove everything you loosened with the comb. The Buddy System Combo Bristle Pet Brush has both a bristle side and a rubber side in one convenient product, so you can test out both and decide what works best for you and your cat.

You may wonder: Once you have brushed your kitty and their coat is detangled, do cats need baths? Every once in a while, they may be visibly dirty, feel especially oily, or smell pretty bad, and you'll know it's time to bathe them. In these cases, use a shampoo made specifically for cats, fill your tub or sink with a few inches of warm water, and as gently as possible, wet your cat, massage in the shampoo, and rinse them off, being careful to avoid their heads, ears, eyes, and nose. This is often easier said than done, so don't be afraid to hire a professional!

It's not as common to have a cat with a curly coat — there are only four curly-haired cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association and The International Cat Association: the Cornish rex, Devon rex, LaPerm, and Selkirk rex. There's also a fifth breed, the German rex, that is recognized by the International Cat Federation. It's safe to say that curly-haired cats are fairly rare, but they're some of the cutest kitties out there.

A different genetic mutation is responsible for each of these breeds' curly fur, making them quite unique. Caring for curly cat coats is also a bit different, and it also depends on the breed. Cats with short, curly coats, like the Cornish rex, Devon rex, and German rex, don't need as much grooming since they generally have very short, soft hair. A bath as needed and a quick comb every now and then is all that they need.

However, cats with longer curly coats will require more grooming: at least weekly brushing for the Selkirk rex and a few times a week for the LaPerm. Curly cat hair is susceptible to tangles and matting, so it's important to stay on top of grooming. As curly cat hair is quite fragile, you'll want to use a wide-toothed comb, which will prevent you from pulling out extra fur that shouldn't be taken out.

Hairless cats have quite a distinct look, but don't mistake their hairlessness for ease of care. They may not require brushing, but there are still steps you need to take to make sure their skin stays healthy and they stay warm and happy. Hairless cat breeds include the sphynx, bambino, Peterbald, Donskoy, Ukranian levkoy, and more.

Hairless cat grooming doesn't look like normal cat grooming. Instead of regular brushing, hairless cats need more regular baths than cats with long hair. It might seem counterintuitive, but cats develop oils on their skin, and it builds up much more easily on hairless cats, which can cause acne breakouts. Hairless cats need weekly baths and ear cleanings. It's important to dry them completely after to ensure they stay nice and warm.

If you live in a climate with cold seasons, you'll need to make sure you provide your hairless cat with lots of blankets, beds, and even possibly clothes to keep them cozy in the fall and winter. On the other side of things, if your hairless cat loves to sit in the window and sunbathe, especially during the summer, you may have to limit how much time they spend in the sun to prevent sunburns, and also make sure they have access to air conditioning and drinking water. Cats with hair can regulate their body temperatures more easily in the hot and cold, so you need to take steps to help out your hairless cat in any extreme weather. Regardless of if your kitty has extra long hair, or none at all, the right steps to grooming can help keep any coat type looking its best.