How to Care for Long Haired Cats

Long-haired cats are sweet, loving pets. They are a great addition to any family. In order to give your cat the TLC he needs, read on!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Don't leave out a constant supply of food. Your cat may be tempted to eat too much, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
2
Feed your cat a mix of wet food and dry food. This will ensure your cat will get all the proper nutrients. You can, however, feed your cat only one type of food if you choose.
- If you feed him dry food, make sure you give your cat plenty of water.
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3
Keep out a constant supply of water. Your cat needs to stay well hydrated!
- Change daily and when your cat runs out.
- If it's hot out, put some ice in the water dish. Cats get hot too, especially longhair cats!
At most, your cat should receive two small handfuls of treats a day.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

That way, your cat will get any needed vaccines, as well as getting checked for any underlying conditions.
3
Give your cat at-home health checks.
- Make sure your cat's eyes are clear and bright, and don't have any goop coming out of them.
- Whenever your cat comes indoors, if he is outdoor, run your hands over his fur and check for ticks. If you feel a bump, check it out. If it is in fact a tick, remove it.
- Look at the ears. They should be pink with no goo and no odor.
- Watch your cat. Make sure he doesn't limp.
  - If your cat does not pass your home health check, take him to the vet.
4
Help your cat exercise.
- If you can, take him on walks.
- Buy your cat a variety of toys, such as fishing rod toys, fake mice, and laser pointers.
  - Play with your cat daily.
Try to brush your cat's teeth daily. If your cat's teeth weren't brushed as a kitten, your cat may hate it and scratch you. If your cat scratches you or bites you when you try to brush his teeth, give him a FEW tartar control treats a day.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Longhair cats have more fur, and it's longer, too, and therefore needs to brushed more often than regular cats.
Pin or wire brushes are a great choice for longhair cats, since they are stronger and can untangle knots easier.
If your cat likes baths, give him a bath. If he hates baths, sprinkle him with some dry shampoo.
as soon as you see them. Because longhair cats' fur is more susceptible to tangling, knots will quickly become worse.
Trim your cat's nails. Nails that are too long will be more likely to get caught in things, as well as make it hard to walk if they get really long.
Seem like too much work? Take your cat to a groomer! The groomer will know what she's doing, and you won't have to deal with a bath-hating cat or your cat running away when he sees the brush!
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Adopt a cat! You'll give a cat a home and a second chance, as well as being sure you have a healthy cat.
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Don't buy your cat from a pet store. These cats are often from kitty mills, and, like puppy mills, are treated badly and are often very sick. If you want to buy a cat, go to a reputable breeder.
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Make sure you can fit a cat into your lifestyle! Long work hours? Small children? There does not need to be another homeless cat.
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Make sure you know what you are doing. Just trying to casually clip a cat's nails probably won't end well. Do your research!
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If your cat looks very sick, take him to the emergency vet immediately!
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