Easy-going | Diverse | Popular. Written in the history books of hooman-cat companionship reigns one steadfast character; the trusty moggie. There are two types of moggie, the domestic shorthair and the domestic longhair. Today we’ll be unwrapping the quirks of the domestic longhair cat so stick around to find out why this floof is one of Britain’s most popular kitty-cats.

DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CAT BASICS

Average Lifespan: 12 – 20 years

Average Weight: 4.5 – 7.5kg

Coat Length: Long 

Colouring: All colours and combinations

Shedding: Moderate – High

ORIGINS OF THE DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CAT

Like the domestic shorthair, the domestic longhair cat has an unknown ancestry. As they are often made up of large gene pools from differing breeds over the ages, their origins are shrouded in mystery. 

One hypothesis is that these kitties may have ties to the wintery regions of ancient Persia, Russia and Turkey where the longhaired trait was favourable, however, this is just a theory. 

What we do know is that these kitties have lived alongside hoomans for centuries, adored as part of the family due to their affectionate purrsonalities as well as their skill in hunting vermin, helping to control the spread of diseases including the plague. The domestic longhair is the second most popular breed in the UK, behind the domestic shorthair and this is because the gene for short hair is more dominant than that for long hair, therefore more shorthaired moggies are born each year than their floofier cousins.  

ANATOMY OF THE DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CAT

As domestic longhairs have one of the most varied gene pools in the cat kingdom, they can be found in any colour and pattern including black, white, tan, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, ginger etc. The coat colouring often reflects the region where the domestic shorthair lives and what cats are popular in that area. For example, in Asia, where the Siamese breed is popular there are more domestic longhairs with pointed colouration with dark extremities and a lighter body. 

Their thick long coat distinguishes them from the domestic shorthair, which requires a weekly brush to keep it smooth and silky. Their size also varies depending on the region they live in, with British domestic longhairs often being thicker than American domestic longhairs, due to their breeding with the chunkier British breeds.

PURRSONALITY OF THE DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CAT

Just as their coat colour varies from kitty-cat to kitty-cat, their purrsonalities are also completely unique. Some are high-energy acrobats who love nothing more than to show off their death-defying stunts and play with their pawrents for hours on end. Whilst others prefer a leisurely stroll and early night in, tucking into bed after they’ve demolished their favourite delicious salmon cat food delight. 

Most though are friendly and sociable making them excellent family cats and companion animals. What a lot of them do share is a love for having their luscious locks groomed regularly to keep it looking fresh whilst also engaging in some much loved bonding time with their hooman mother or father.  

WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A DOMESTIC LONGHAIRED CAT?

Thanks to their varied genetic makeup, domestic longhairs typically enjoy healthy and long lives with some living as long as 20 years of age. Domestic longhairs are not predisposed to any genetic health conditions which a lot of pedigree breeds are, including Polycystic Kidney Disease which is common in Persian cats, and Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is found in Maine Coones, Persians, Ragdolls and Sphynx cats.

DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CAT FEEDING REQUIREMENTS

Just because domestic longhair cats are generally very healthy floofs, it doesn’t mean that you can slack off in the nutrition department! Like all cats, domestic longhairs need a carefully balanced mix of protein from animal meat, fats, vitamins, minerals and a small amount of carbs to keep them in ideal health. 

Make sure you feed them a cat food that’s specifically labelled as “complete” with at least 60% named high-quality animal meat to tick all of these boxes and keep them kicking on well into their nine lives.

SCRUMBLES, THE PAWFECT MATCH FOR DOMESTIC LONGHAIR CATS 

At Scrumbles we’re on a mission to deliver optimal feline nutrition with added gut health, to keep our fur babies thriving, their tummies healthy and their poops happy.

Here’s why you and your furry friend will love our gut-friendly cat food:

• High Levels of Quality Meat: We use up to 77% human-grade meat to keep domestic longhairs satiated and to provide them with the essential nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life.
• We Avoid Common Allergens: We don’t use ingredients that domestic longhairs are commonly allergic to such as dairy, soy, gluten and egg, meaning our recipes suit even the most sensitive of cats.
• Added Probiotics or Prebiotics: We add prebiotics to our gut-friendly wet cat food as well as our Gnashers Cat Dental Treats and Chillz Calming Cat Treats, and probiotics to our dry cat food to improve the health of your cat’s gut microbiome and make for pretty poops.
• Lip-smacking Taste: With nearly 5000 five-star reviews from happy kitty-cat customers who can’t get enough of our delicious kitties, they’re sure to impress even the fussiest of cats.
• Eco-Friendly: Choosing a cat food for your floof shouldn’t have to go against your climate-conscious morals. That’s why we use eco-friendly packaging and source our poultry from British farms, cutting down on food miles to reduce our carbon footprint on this planet. We’re also proud to be the second ever pet food brand in the world to be certified B-Corp with a commitment to reducing our impact on the climate. 

Whilst you're here, why not read:

1. Burmilla Cat Breed Guide
2. Bombay Cat Breed Guide
3. Ginger Cats: Breed Guide