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When deciding what type of kitten to get, you may want to consider how much time you have for grooming. Some longhaired kittens, like Persians, must be groomed every day. Others may simply need an occasional comb-through when they're shedding. If you want an indoor/outdoor kitten, you may want to stick with a shorthair, because long hair attracts grass, burrs, and gunk.
The longer the hair, the greater the care
Longhaired kittens sure are beautiful. But when you go to cat shows and see the Persians, Birmans, and Norwegian Forest Cats, remember that their owners have spent a lot of time getting them ready. Coats that silky don't happen by accident.
Grooming any longhaired kitten, whether for a cat show or simply to keep the kitten's hair clean and tangle free, takes more time than caring for a shorthair. Just how much longer varies from breed to breed and kitten to kitten. For example, you'll find the longhaired Persian on the high side of the groom-o-meter labeled "labor intensive." A Persian's coat mats in no time at all. So if you're looking at a Persian or a domestic longhair with a Persian-type coat, expect to comb daily — more when he's shedding. Medium-length coats, like those of Balinese and Turkish Angoras, can go a week between combings.
If you get a longhaired kitten with fluffy britches (you know, the ruffled fur along his bottom and back legs that resemble Victorian underwear), you'll have to keep an eye out for cling-ons after he uses the litter box. Cling-ons aren't warlike aliens from Star Trek; they're clumps of poop clinging to that long fur. Be prepared to occasionally wipe off your kitten's butt; otherwise, he may do the butt scootin' boogie and use the carpet as toilet paper.
 | Although you don't need to bathe a longhaired kitten unless he gets into something, you should check him with a comb or pin brush at least once a week for mats. If you don't, the mats will get progressively worse. Eventually, the skin beneath the mat will become irritated and raw, and could develop an infection. If the clumping gets too bad, you may need to take kitty to the groomer or vet to get shaved. |
In addition to frequent grooming, cats with long coats shed twice yearly — once when they change their wardrobe from summer to winter and once when they put away their fur coats and get out their shorts. Be prepared to bring the vacuum out for a daily de-furring during shedding season.
 | If you want a longhaired kitten, you'll have to make a commitment to regular grooming and cleaning. Get a kitten with longer hair only if you have time to spare. |
Shorter hair means easier care
Short hair fits a kitten's active lifestyle, because most shorthairs don't need much fussing. Although not as striking as some longhaired kittens, shorties make your life much less complicated in the grooming category. And as with the longhairs, shorthaired kittens don't need baths unless they get into something you don't want them to lick off.
 | Even though shorthaired kitties don't mat, they still shed as much as longhairs; it just looks like less because it's shorter. Under normal circumstances, a quick weekly brushing should cut down on shedding and that hairball projectile vomiting. During seasonal shedding, comb your shorthair a couple of times a week. |
Bald is beautiful
You may be able to throw away your comb if you bring home a hair-challenged kitten. But what you save on grooming tools, you'll need to reinvest in sweaters. Be careful: These kitties chill easily. Shedding is a non-issue, and fleas don't care much for kittens without fur coats. However, bald cats, like the Sphynx, and near bald, like the Devon Rex, tend to have greasy skin and need to be bathed every few days. The oil from the kitten's skin stains fabrics the way greasy hair will stain a pillowcase. Bathing isn't that big a deal. After all, just wash them, towel them dry, and put them on the floor. They don't have fur so they don't need to be blow-dried. But do remember to keep them warm! These kittens aren't good candidates if you want an outdoor pet because they're more sensitive to the cold. Too much sun on that unprotected skin isn't good for them either.
Hypoallergenic kittens — Not really
Fel D1 is a protein in the kitten's saliva that causes allergies. When she grooms herself, the protein attaches to cat dander. So, there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic kitten. But if your allergies aren't severe and you would like to have a cat, you may have some options.
- Go girl: Girl kitties tend to produce a lot less of the Fel D1 protein.
- Get him clipped: Neutered males make less Fel D1 than intact males.
- Buy an allergy-friendly breed: Some breeds appear to produce less of the protein including the Cornish, Devon, Selkirk Rex, Sphynx, and Siberian.
| Just because a kitten produces smaller amounts of the protein doesn't mean your allergies can tolerate her. Lots of these poor kitties are sent to shelters or returned to the breeders by hopeful people who turn out to be too allergic after they get a cute little kitten home. If you're interested in a kitten, ask the breeder if you can spend time in the cattery — the longer the better — before deciding to adopt. Insist on a clause on the contract that allows you to return the kitten if your allergies don't tolerate his presence. |
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