How To Identify Your Cat’s Coat Type?

Do you know what fur type your kitty has? Different breeds of cats have different types of coats. Some cats have short hair, some have long. There are tabby patterns while some only have a solid color. No matter if you are looking for a new kitty or learning about cat care, it is always helpful to know the types of cat furs.

While many cats are known for their furry, soft coats, some are famous for their “naked” look. A hairless cat is not totally bald. They have very short hair that is like suede and feels like velvet. Hairless cats are sensitive to temperatures. If it is getting cold, protect them with warm clothing (and give them hugs since they love to snuggle when they lose heat). And if the sun comes, keep them indoors. Due to the lack of fur, hairless cats don’t have enough hair to absorb oils from their skin. That is why they need regular baths. Common breeds of hairless cats are Sphynx, Peterbald, and Donskoy. Learn more about how to care for a sphynx cat.

If you want a low-maintenance kitty, a short-haired cat may be your perfect choice. Short-haired cats have coats that are no longer than 1.5 inches. They generally shed less. They don’t require as much grooming as long-haired cats and don’t usually get tangles on their fur. The short-haired breed is the most common one. Examples are American Shorthair, Bengal, Bombay.

If you would like a soft, fluffy ball of fur, you might want to look for a long hair cat. Depending on the breed, the coat of a long-haired cat can grow between 1.5 and 5 inches with different colors and patterns. These cats have plush and luxurious coats that are silky and soft to touch. However, their hair can tangle easily and they normally shed all the time. Thus, long-haired cats need to be groomed more often than short-haired ones to make sure their coats are mat-free and knot-free. Popular examples of this type are Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and Persian.

How to identify cat coat type that has curly fur? This kind of feline is very rare and great for you if you are looking for an unusual cat. Crimped fur is the result of a genetic mutation, which alters the hair structure. Curly-haired kitties can have short or long hair and different texture due to a different genetic mutation. It is only found in a few cat breeds such as Selkirk Rex, LaPerm, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex.

Cats with solid coats have only one color. Their coat doesn’t have patterns or spots and it is not that common. According to The Cat Fanciers’ Association, “there are several solid colors: white, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, lilac or lavender, red, cream, sable or brown and cream”.

Tabby is the most common fur pattern for feline (yes, tabby is a pattern, not a breed!). Tabby cats have stripped markings like tigers. It is common in crossbred breeds of domestic cats. There are four different patterns for tabbies: mackerel, classic, spotted, or ticked. No matter what pattern a tabby has, it has very complicated markings on its face but with a distinctive marking of an “M” on the forehead (they think they are the Master).

A bi-color cat has furs with white and another color or pattern. There can be different patterns. For example, a bi-color cat may have a red tabby pattern and white. It is most common among mixed breed cats. Interestingly, the word bi-color can have other names depending on the amount and position of the colors. What does this patterns of cat fur look like? If its coat has more white, we call it a “bi-color van”. A black cat with white paws and chest is called a tuxedo. And a white cat with a black patch on its back and head is called “cap and saddle”.

The tri-color cat is also called a calico cat. It has patterns of orange, black and white. They are mostly female due to the chromosome that in general exists in female cats. There are many different calico cat breeds instead of one breed called calico. It is the official state cat of Maryland because of its colors.

Tortoiseshell is a coat coloring named because of its similarity to the shell of a tortoise. Like tri-color cats, they are female in general with coat colors mixing black and ginger red. They can also have cream, orange or gold specks on their body. Tortoiseshell cats are considered to be “money cats” in the US, which means they will bring good fortune into your home.

“Torbie” refers to tortoiseshell-tabby. As it sounds, a cat with a torbie coat has tortoiseshell markings and tabby stripes. It is rare and more common among domestic shorthairs. Torbie cats are known to be talkative, affectionate, and clingy. The key to identifying a torbie is to look for the red or orange within a tabby pattern.

Colorpoint cats have one color but with a darker shade on the face, paws, ears, and tail. Cats with a pointed pattern can have points in many different colors. The most common breed that has a colorpoint coat is Siamese. Their hair is interesting. As this kind of feline has genetic mutations associated with temperature-sensitive, the cooler the body or the environment temperature, the darker the fur patches.

Knowing what type of fur your cat has will help you become a better groomer at home. No matter what type of hair coat your kitty has, regular grooming and skincare help keep their fur clean, free of tangles, and remain healthy.
 

See the easy peasy pet wipes gloves for cats… purrrrfect for all types of cat fur.