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A domestic longhaired cat is the proper name for any cat with medium or
long fur, if it is not a
pedigreed member of a recognised breed.
They make excellent family pets for people who are prepared to give their coat
the extra care it needs.
Domestic longhairs come in all the standard cat colours including tabby,
tortie, bi-coloured
etc. If their fur combines several shades of the same colour they may be
referred to as a 'smoke'.
A longhaired cat is not able to maintain its own coat - they must be groomed
for at least half an hour per day, and preferably bathed every week or two. The
cat may not enjoy the bathing process, but if it is bathed and groomed regularly
from kittenhood it will accept it as a standard part of its routine.
Very long-haired cats do not make good outside animals, as their coats are
extremely prone to matting. In extreme cases, the mats come to resemble wings,
leading to stories of winged cats.
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