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What is the origin of long-haired cats?
In the 16th century, the Angora was
brought to Europe from Turkey. A whole 3 centuries
passed before the Persian reached the shores of
western Europe.
What feature should I look for when choosing a
long-haired cat?
Kittens should be at least 12 weeks
old and look happy and interested. Its ears, eyes
and nose should be clean and free of any
discharge. The cat's gums should be pink, its hair
soft, clean and shiny and it should feel 'solid'
not bony.
How can I find a good breeder?
The best way is to visit a cat show
and enquire to exhibitors about breeders they
would recommend.
Are kittens born with long hair or does it grow?
Long-haired kittens are born fluffier
than standard kittens but the hair does continue
to grow as they mature.
Is a special diet required?
A normal varied, nutritional diet
will be adequate. They require no different to
short-haired relatives. Conditioning tonic for
their hair is available but not entirely necessary.
How much grooming is required?
You should spend at least 5 minutes
a day grooming a Persian. Some owners may spend
up to half an hour every day. Other long-haired
breeds have silkier hair and may not need such
attention.
What equipment do I need for grooming?
A metal comb should be used - one
with alternating long and short teeth. A pure
bristle brush is good as well. Round-ended
scissors may also be useful to remove knots. If
your cat's hair is very matted, a little
grooming powder (or talcum powder is this is
unavailable) will make the hair less likely to
stick together.
How young should I begin to groom kittens?
If you begin as soon as you handle
the kitten you will familiarize him with the
process and you will gain good experience before
it become a more necessary task. To begin with,
simply stroke the cat as you would normally and
then carry on with a comb in your hand. Always
begin and end with a pleasurable area such as
below the chin.
Are there times of the year that more grooming
is required?
Cats molt in spring and summer, so
this is the time you need to pay particular
attention. Hair loss can be considerable in
these breeds.
What problems can occur due to neglecting
grooming duties?
Your cats fur will become matted. The
fur will form knots, causing the hair to tighten
and tug at the skin. Cats with badly matted hair
can be in a lot of pain. You will also loose
interaction with your cat, since he may respond
badly when you stroke or groom him. In severe
cases, the cat must be anaesthetized while a vet
removes the worst areas. A few minutes every day
will save you more time in the future.
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