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How To Tell If Your Cat Has A Double Coat

Taking Care Of Your Maine Coon At Home

How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon!

Much of what you can do at home to keep your cat happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch her diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercise, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call us or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual . Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for your pet. During your cat’s exams, well perform her necessary check-ups and test for diseases and conditions that are common in Maine Cats. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing her up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.

The Different Types Of Cat Coats

The domestic cat will fall into one of three categories: short, medium, or long haired. Purebred cats range from the almost hairless Sphynx cat to fluffy-haired breeds like the Persian. Some breeds have crimped, wiry hair, which is also known as permed.

All cat hair originates in the epidermis. Most cats have three different types of hair in their coats. The undercoat consists of soft, short, downy fur. Its purpose is to keep the cat warm.

Guard hairs are coarse, long, straight hairs found in the outer coat. These guard hairs are designed to keep the cat dry. The intermediate coat is made up of medium length hairs known as awn hairs. The part of the awn hair closest to the skin functions much like the undercoat, the part further away from the skin has the same function as the guard hairs.

What Type Of Cat Has Short Legs

The Munchkin Cat or “Sausage Cat” is a new breed of cat that resulted from breeding for a genetic mutation. The International Cat Association recognized this controversial breed in 1995. Munchkin cats exhibit pseudoachondroplasiabecause they only exhibit the characteristic short legs but not the large head seen in achondroplasia.

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Significance Of A Double Coat To A Dog

While all dogs have natural oils and even bacteria that reside on their skin and fur to help keep them healthy and clean, double-coated dogs have the added advantage of extra insulation.

Single-coated canines also benefit from insulation, but its more comparable to a light fall jacket than to a heavy winter coat.

Many double-coated dog breeds originated from regions known for frigid temperatures. In contrast, double coats of the hunting breed benefit from added protection should they have a close encounter with whats being hunted.

However, all these benefits for the dog mean extra work for the owner when it comes to grooming double-coated dogs.

What Does It Mean When A Dog Is Blowing Coat

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Jerry Klein, DVM, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club, says double-coated dog breeds are often poofy or fluffy pooches. Their coats have two layers: a soft undercoat, and a ‘guard hair’ outer coat.

“The undercoat acts as insulation, keeping the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” Klein says. “The outer layer allows cool air to circulate near the dog’s skin after he sheds his undercoat.”

There are four phases of fur and hair growth in dogs :

  • Anagen: active growth
  • Catagen: hair is fully grown
  • Telogen: hair is not only fully grown, but also fully attached to the animal and dormant
  • Exogen: Dormant hair falls out and anagen hair growth starts again
  • Excessive shedding happens during the exogen phase, when seasonal changes require double-coated dogs to adapt for temperature and comfort.

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    How To Search For Your Cat’s Breed Online

    When searching one of my cats, I used the following formula:

    white with orange markings + loves water + stocky legs + quiet + gold eyes + cat

    Note:“Orange” may be substituted with “red.”

    The second query that appeared led me to the Turkish Van breed, which is right on the dot. After looking at several images, she looked identical to the Turkish Van breed standard. To back this up, we heard she was rescued from a hoarding situation with her brother .

    Why Not To Shave Double

    by Ben Moffett | Sep 23, 2020 | Uncategorized

    Although this article references dogs as the double-coated animals specifically written about, double-coated dogs and all cats share the same characteristics when it comes to hair & coat structure. So the issues addressed in this article would apply equally well to cats.

    Pets always do better when their natural coat is managed to its ultimate effectiveness. To ensure this, bathing and grooming every 6 weeks would address, and stay ahead of, hair & coat issues so that matting never occurs and the pet can use its own hair coat as the best seasonal defense at any time of year.

    In cases of hair loss due to shaved surgical areas, a series of ozone spa treatments would help to regrow hair more quickly. Ozone spa treatments can also help to effectively address many types of skin issues, in addition to soothing the aches and pains that can plague elderly pets.

    Finally, although this article was originally written for groomers in the industry, there is much here that will help to educate pet parents as to why groomers recommend against shaving their pets too closely.

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    What Does Your Cat Look Like

    Name on August 21, 2020:

    My cat is skinny but he has long fur not super long he has golden almond eyes and his fur s creamy color but a little bit brownish

    on August 18, 2020:

    I got a cat she is white with a black and brown spot on her head and the rest is white what is she?

    Emily on July 31, 2020:

    I just got my cat a couple of weeks ago, she is 8 or 9 weeks old.

    Shes a tabby with white on her stomach down to her paws. She has spots on the side of her stomach but the rest are stripes. The place we got her, the seller said that shes half main coon, but i dont think she is. Oh and my cat is very playful,and cocky.

    Donald on July 30, 2020:

    My cat is 15 years old ! He is dark grey on top and forehead and white underneath and the legs ! He weighs over 16 lbs. Eyes are kind of hazel ! He has long legs ! He is lovable but will nip at you to get your attention ! We got him when he was 6 weeks old and he has been inside ever since ! Other than house cat, we never knew his breed !

    someone on July 25, 2020:

    I do not know what breed my cat is. She is 11 years old and was a stray cat before we adopted her, she has white fur but some grey spots near her tail and on her ears. She is a jealous cat when around other cats and will fight them. She also has some bald spots on her head. Please help me… Thank you.

    Night shade on July 20, 2020:

    Anonymous on July 14, 2020:

    Nikki on July 13, 2020:

    Thank you

    MerMeg on July 01, 2020:

    EBH1031 on June 08, 2020:

    Mikki on June 02, 2020:

    Russian Blue Cat Personality

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    Russian Blue cats are curious but calm, affectionate but not clingy, and very smart. They can be shy at first, but they are playful and loving once they feel comfortable.

    While they are happy living with families and even other pets, Russian Blue cats tend to form a deep connection with only one person. Once they bond with someone, they will be very sensitive to their pet parents emotions if youre sad, dont be surprised if your Russian Blue pats your face to cheer you up!

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    Double Coated Dogs Its A Thing But What Are They Two Times The Coat Two Times The Fur If Youve Got A Double Coated Dog Heres What You Need To Know About This Type Of Fur

    There are so many dog breeds out there and every dog breed is just a little bit different from the others. These differences take on many forms . One of the most simple ways in which one dog differs from another is in its coat. If youve ever run your hand over a variety of dogs, youll know what we are talking about. Those furry exteriors are rarely the same.

    Dog coats can be divided into two main categories: single coat and double coat. Youve probably got a good idea of what a single coat might be, but the double coat? A mystery, right? Well, thats what Pet Guide is here for. Were hear to explain away all of these pet related mysteries. So if youve longed been vexed by these strange concept known as the double coat, youve come to the right place!

    Within each of these two main categories of dog coats, there are some variations. However, these are still the two basic categories you should know before grooming your dog. Lets go over the basics about double coated dogs including which breeds have double coats and how to properly maintain this type of coat. Worthwhile information if youve got a dog with a luscious double coat.

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    How To Identify A Russian Blue

    This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 20 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 521,700 times.

    Have you ever come across a stunning blue cat but didn’t know what kind of cat it was? The odds of it are low, but it could be a Russian blue cat. There are a few ways to help you identify a Russian blue cat when you find one.

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    Why Dont Most Other Salons Talk About Undercoat Removal

    Undercoat removal typically takes a long time imagine, a grooming session normally takes 2 3 hours. But with undercoat removal, it can take up to 4 hours! Plus, most salons tend to find it a tad bit troublesome to have to explain it to every customer that walks through their doors. It is quite a lengthy explanation!

    Top 7 Russian Blue Fun Facts

    Why is My Black Cat

    Seriously, the more you learn about them, the cooler these cats get. Check it out:

  • Russian Blue cats have a slightly upturned mouth, giving them subtle smile similar to Mona Lisas famous smile.
  • According to folklore, Russian Blues were kept in the chambers of newborns to chase away evil spirits.
  • In the Warner Bros hit movie Cats & Dogs, a Russian Blue cat is featured as a trained assassin.
  • Russian Blues are blue because of a diluted gene. The gene responsible for their blue-gray coloring is actually a form of the black-hair gene.
  • Internet sensation Nyan Cat, the half-cat, half-Pop-Tart animated meme is based on the illustrators Russian Blue, Marty.
  • Fans of the famous Tom and Jerry cartoon speculate that Tom, with his bright green eyes and blue-gray hue, is a Russian Blue.
  • Some Russian Blues are born with ghost stripes. These are faint tabby markings that disappear as the kitties mature.
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    Attributes Of The Medium Hair

    Firstly, the Domestic Medium Hair is not technically a single breedinstead, the term encompasses a type of cat that includes various breeds. They are, however, related to the Domestic Shorthair and Domestic Longhair cats. The easiest way to tell the difference between these three types of cats is to look at the length of their hair.

    Domestic Shorthair cats will have an overall shorter coat, and they will not have an excess of hair on their tail, mane, or around their legs. Domestic Medium Hair cats will still have shorter hair along their back, but the rest of their hair, especially around their neck and tail, will have a fluffier, slightly longer appearance. Domestic Longhair cats will have a longer, flowy coat that is more uniform in length all over the body.

    Due to the fact that Domestic Medium Hair cats come from mixed ancestry, the physical appearance of these cats is quite diversethey can be found in a range of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. This means that you could have a grey, short and stocky cat and a black and white, lean cat, and they both can still be considered Domestic Medium Hairs.

    Do Indoor Cats Get A Winter Coat

    Winter coats begin fluffing up in the fall, when the daylight begins to shorten. Even though indoor -only cats dont really need the extra insulation, they will still grow a winter coat if they are exposed to enough sunlight. That is because the thickening of the fur doesnt have to do with temperature at all.

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    What Type Of Brush Or Comb Should I Use

    Different styles of brushes work better on certain types of hair coats. Stiff bristle brushes will help remove loose hairs from cats with short coats or sparse undercoats, while long-toothed metal combs or brushes, especially ones with rows of offset tines, are useful to remove loose hair and smooth minor tangles in medium and long-haired cats. Some combs are designed to remove clumps of loose undercoat if your cat is undergoing a heavy seasonal shedding or for gently teasing out smaller mats behind the ears or along the back legs of long-haired cats.

    Whatever the choice of brush you use, it is important to be gentle when using it, and to avoid excessive pulling on tangles. Your veterinary health care team can to give you specific recommendations for grooming tools that will work particularly well for your cat’s type of coat.

    Healthy Coat And Skin

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    The first step to brushing your cat is to check over your cats coat. Healthy coats have a natural springiness and some gloss. Any bald spots, unusual bumps, patches of dead hair, or signs of ticks or fleas are cause for concern.

    Both long- and short-haired cats benefit from grooming. However, each coat style needs different brushes and brushing techniques to produce the best results.

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    My Cat Seems To Only Have Skin Or Coat Problems At Specific Times Of The Year Why Is This

    Some cats may suffer from skin irritation related to dry winter conditions, particularly from lack of humidity in our homes. Other cats that have allergies to pollens from trees, plants, or grass may develop skin problems during pollen season – this may occur in the spring with tree pollens or during summer or fall for plant pollen allergies. Some cats are allergic to fleas or other biting insects and can develop a rash or patchy hair loss with even a single insect bite.

    If you bathe or groom your cat and the skin or coat problem returns quickly, you should bring him or her to the veterinary clinic for an examination. Sometimes, skin problems such as a skin rash, itchiness, excessive dandruff, heavy shedding, a greasy coat, or an unpleasant skin odor can indicate a serious underlying problem. In many cases, this underlying problem will be easy to diagnose and treat, but occasionally, the underlying disorder can present a diagnostic challenge and might even require referral to a dermatologist. Once the underlying problem is diagnosed, the appropriate treatment can be prescribed to control your cat’s symptoms.

    Contributors: Tammy Hunter, DVM Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH

    To Protect Your Cat Check With The Vet First

    Before you change your cats diet, give it supplements, or make any big changes in kittys life, always talk to your vet first.

    Dry skin and a dull coat can be a sign of allergies, parasites, or infection. But it could also be something more serious, such as kidney, liver, adrenal, or thyroid problems. Home remedies could just complicate the problem or delay treatment.

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    Caring For A Cat’s Coat

    To avoid a cat’s coat from looking rough and to help make it lustrous and thick, there are certain considerations to make. This are both solutions to the cause of rough hair as well as general feline maintenance tips. They include:

    If you want to read similar articles to My Cat’s Fur Looks Rough, we recommend you visit our Beauty tips category.

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    This page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Our mission is to help save dogs’ and cats lives through our educational content. To help us create more veterinarian- and trainer-approved content, please consider buying one of our web-books for yourself or as a gift.

    Just because your cat already grooms themselves, it doesnt mean you cant help out.

    Sure, you probably dont absolutely need to brush your cat all the time, but doing so comes with a ton of benefits for both of you.

    Here are just a few of the reasons why you should brush your cat regularly.

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