If you own a British Longhair cat, you may face a few common challenges that come with their unique care needs. As a professional breeder of British Longhair cats, we’ve gathered some helpful tips to make caring for your furry friend easier:
Managing Shedding
As a long-haired breed, British Longhair cats naturally experience seasonal shedding, especially during spring and winter when the weather changes. This can lead to more noticeable hair loss, and you may find your furniture and clothes covered in their fur. While it’s impossible to stop hair loss completely, there are a few ways to manage the problem.
Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil won’t stop the natural shedding process, but it can provide significant benefits for your cat’s skin and coat health. The fatty acids in fish oil, especially linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, are key to promoting healthy skin and fur. Linoleic acid helps to create a water barrier for the skin, which in turn improves coat quality. Alpha-linolenic acid contributes to softness and helps address dryness or flakiness in the fur. Regular supplementation can improve the overall appearance and texture of your cat’s coat. Fish oil is also rich in DHA and EPA, which can help the sebaceous glands produce more squalene. Squalene is essential for healthy hair and can further enhance the quality and look of your cat’s coat. Additionally, fish oil promotes better circulation by stimulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. This improves the delivery of nutrients to the skin, supporting healthier hair growth. The DHA and EPA in fish oil also have antioxidant properties, which can help protect and rejuvenate hair follicles. This is particularly beneficial in preventing the effects of oxidation, which can contribute to aging hair. Finally, if your cat is suffering from skin inflammation due to allergies or infections, the anti-inflammatory properties of DHA and EPA can help reduce inflammation, improving the overall health of both the skin and coat.
Preventing Fur Knots
British Longhair cats, especially during shedding periods, are prone to developing knots in their fur. To keep your cat’s coat looking its best, it’s important to brush through their fur at least twice a day, paying special attention to the underarms, belly, and tail. We recommend using the following grooming tools for effective detangling:
1. Catit Long Dematting Tool
2. Chris Christensen 6-inch Dual Tooth Butter Comb
3. Chris Christensen Pin Brush
Trimming
British Longhair can sometimes have their fur become soiled, especially around the backside. To maintain cleanliness, it’s important to trim the fur in specific areas, such as around the butt and thighs, using either scissors or a trimmer. This helps keep your cat tidy after using the bathroom.
Bathing Routine
Regular baths are essential to keeping your British Longhair cat’s coat clean, smooth, and shiny. Typically, we bathe our cats every two months to maintain their appearance. We use Davis shower gels and conditioners to ensure a gentle, thorough cleanse that keeps their fur soft and healthy. Davis Grubby Dog™ Shampoo is the perfect solution for cleaning dirty, grimy pets. Its rich, deep-cleansing lather works to penetrate the coat, loosening dirt, mud, grease, and filth. Formulated with Jojoba, Macadamia, and Olive Oil, this non-drying shampoo is ideal for any pet in need of a makeover. It rinses quickly and thoroughly, leaving the coat shiny, manageable, and refreshed. The shampoo is concentrated at 50:1, making it both effective and economical. Davis Creme Rinse & Conditioner is specially designed to create a protective layer on each hair shaft, while also restoring essential collagen amino acids and moisture to your pet’s skin. It adds volume and shine, leaving coats looking healthy and radiant. With regular use, it helps soothe dry coats and makes combing and brushing much easier. This conditioner can be diluted at a 7:1 ratio for optimal results. By following these tips, you’ll help your British Long-Haired cat stay comfortable, healthy, and looking beautiful year-round!
Reference Link:
Fish Oil: (https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/fish-oil-cats)
Davis Shampoo: (https://davismfg.com/)
Longhair Cat Care: (https://www.animalclinicofwoodruff.com/pet-blog/prevention-health/how-to-care-for-long-cat-hair)
Longhair Cat Grooming Guide: (https://embassylakesanimalhospital.com/blog/grooming-long-haired-cat/)