Cat Hair Length Chart

Some cats look like giant fluffy marshmallows, while others seem to have barely any fur at all.

As cat owners, we often face challenges in understanding and managing our furry friends’ coats. Some cats have short, sleek coats that are easy to care for, while others have long fur that requires extra attention.

Therefore, it’s important to understand your cat’s hair length for its health and comfort. But figuring out exactly what kind of fur your cat has can be tricky. This comprehensive cat hair length chart will help you identify your cat’s fur type to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Table of Contents

Cats have around 60,000 hairs per square inch on the back and 120,000 hairs per square inch on the underside. Moreover, the average cat has about 40 million hairs on its body. The cat hair length chart below will help you find out how hairy your feline friend is.

This way you can also analyse how much it the grooming needs of your cat will cost you so that you can make an informed decision of owning a you want.

Breed Name	Hair Length	Hair Length	Description
American Shorthair	Short	< 2 cm	Short, close-lying fur that requires minimal grooming
Maine Coon	Medium to Long	2-7 cm	Moderate to long fur that may require occasional grooming to prevent matting
Persian	Long	> 7 cm	Long, flowing fur that requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats
Turkish Angora	Semi-Long	3-6 cm	Medium-length fur with some longer areas, may require regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles
Sphynx	Hairless	N/A	Lack of fur or very short, fine hair, minimal grooming required
Siamese	Short	< 2 cm	Short, sleek coat that requires minimal grooming
Burmese	Short	< 2 cm	Short, silky coat that requires minimal grooming
Scottish Fold	Short	< 2 cm	Short, dense coat with distinctive folded ears
British Shorthair	Short	< 2 cm	Short, plush coat with a dense undercoat
Bengal	Short	< 2 cm	Short, soft coat with distinctive spots or marbling
Devon Rex	Short	< 2 cm	Short, curly coat with soft, fine hairs
Ragdoll	Medium to Long	2-7 cm	Semi-long, silky coat with distinctive colorpoint markings
Norwegian Forest Cat	Long	> 7 cm	Long, thick double coat with a bushy tail
Himalayan	Long	> 7 cm	Long, luxurious coat with colorpoint markings
Birman	Semi-Long	3-6 cm	Semi-long, silky coat with striking blue eyes
Siberian	Semi-Long	3-6 cm	Semi-long, triple-layered coat with a water-repellent outer layer
Chartreux	Short	< 2 cm	Short, dense coat with a woolly undercoat
Abyssinian	Short	< 2 cm	Short, ticked coat with a distinctive agouti pattern
Russian Blue	Short	< 2 cm	Short, dense coat with a blue-grey color
Cornish Rex	Short	< 2 cm	Short, wavy coat with soft, fine hairs

Types Of Hair Length

Cats come in a variety of fur types, patterns, and lengths, each with its own grooming needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the different hair lengths and types that cats can have. Here are the main types:

Short-Haired Cats:

Fur is usually 2 inches long.
Easy to groom and doesn’t shed much.
Breed Example: Burmese and Bombay.

Medium Haired Cats:

Fur is a mix of short and long lengths.
Longer fur on chest, neck and tail.
Prone to knots and tangles if not groomed regularly.
Breed Example: Ragdoll and Birman.

Long-Haired Cats:

Fur can reach a length of up to 6 inches long.
Fur is most prominent on the chest, neck and tail.
Need regular brushing to avoid tangles.
Example Breeds: Persian and Maine Coon.

Hairless Cats:

Little to no fur.
Skin feels like velvet.
Need bath to remove body oil and ear debris.
Breed Example: Sphynx

Furthermore, all cats have 3 main types of hair;

Down Hair: Soft undercoat for warmth.
Awn Hair: Longer hair for insulation.
Guard Hair: Longest, thickest hair on the outside for protection.

Also read: Cat Breed Size Chart

Types Of Fur

Cats have different types of fur, and each type needs special care. Here are the main types of fur you’ll find on cats:

Curly-Haired Cats: Some cats have curly hair, ranging from loose to tight curls. These cats are rare and often non-shedding. An example of a curly-haired breed is the Selkirk Rex.
Double Coat Cats: Some cats have a double coat, consisting of a short, thick undercoat and a longer, thinner topcoat. These cats require more frequent grooming to prevent matting and manage shedding.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an example of a breed with a double coat.

Coats Patterns and Colors

Cats also come in a variety of patterns and colours, which can be independent of hair length:

Tabby Coat: It is the most common fur pattern in cats. They have stripped markings on their body like tigers. Tabby cats have four unique patterns; Mackerel, Blotched, Spotted, and Ticked.
Solid Coat: solid-coloured cats have a uniform colour throughout their coat.
Bi-Colour Coat: These cats have a combination of white and another colour.
Tri-Colour Coat: Also known as Calico, these cats have a mix of three colours.
Tortoise Shell Coat: Cats with a mix of black and red (orange) fur.
Colourpoint Coat: Cats with dark colouration on the extremities contrast with lighter body colour.

Grooming and Care

Regardless of the hair length or type, all cats benefit from regular grooming. This helps reduce shedding, prevent hairballs, and keep the coat shiny and healthy. Long-haired cats require more frequent grooming to prevent matting, while short-haired cats require less grooming.

Also, it is important to provide a balanced diet, a clean litter box, and regular veterinary checkups for overall health.

What Determines Cat Fur Length?

The fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene is the main factor in determining cat fur length. Researchers have identified at least four different recessive mutations in FGF5 that cause long hair in cats.

Besides the FGF5 gene, other modifier genes can influence the length and texture of a cat’s fur. Cats can have single, double, or triple coats with varying proportions of down, awn, and guard hairs.

However, the FGF5 gene is the primary determinant of whether a cat will have a short or long coat.

Also read: Cat Collar Size Chart

How To Tell How Long A Kitten’s Fur Will Be?

When determining how long a kitten’s fur will be, there are a few indicators to consider:

Check the mother’s coat (long-haired moms often have long-haired kittens).
Look for fluffy tails, fur between toes, ears and paw tufts.
Wait until 8-12 weeks for clearer signs.
Coat patterns like swirls may indicate long hair.

It’s important to note that these signs can only provide clues, and there can be variations within breeds and individuals. The exact length of a kitten’s fur may still be unpredictable until the kitten fully matures.

Moreover, environmental factors, diet, and grooming practices can also influence the appearance and health of a cat’s fur.

Domestic Medium Hair Cat VS Long Hair

The major difference between a Domestic Medium Hair cat breed and a Domestic Long Hair cat lies in their fur length and appearance. Below are a few more differences to consider:

Domestic Medium Haired Cats

Medium-length, flowing fur.
Silky and fine-coated.
Moderate grooming needs.
Fluffier around the neck and rear.
Long feathery tail.

Domestic Long-Haired Cats

Long fur, up to 6 inches.
Fine and silky coat.
High grooming needs
Need regular brushing to prevent matting.

Also read: Cat Clothes Size Chart

Conclusion

Taking care of your cat’s hair doesn’t have to be hard. With this handy cat hair length chart, you can have a better idea of what kind of fur your cat has. Whether your cat has short, medium, or long hair, knowing the specific fur type makes grooming easier.

Regular grooming not only keeps your cat looking good but also helps them feel comfortable and reduces shedding around your home. So, keep your kitty looking great and feeling good by giving them the right care for their unique fur type.

After all, when your cat is happy, your home is happy too!