Which Cat Breeds are the Fluffiest?
Cats are beautiful creatures, aren’t they? Just like dogs, there are many cat breeds that have features that range from smooth to fluffy. Fluffy cats are known for their silky, luxurious coats of fur that extend from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. Regardless if they’re short-haired or long-haired, they’re among some of the cutest felines around. They also tend to fetch a higher dollar value when purchased directly from breeders. Should such a cat be a single color or calico, their price can easily spike up. So, who among the fluffy cats earns the honor as the fluffiest of them all?
10. Somali
What makes the Somali cats so easily recognizable is the color of their coats and their full, plumed tails. They’re known for their bushy tails, tuft toes, and soft and silky coat. Usually, a Somali looks like a reddish fox, full of fluff. This breed from the feline species is known for its intelligence and playfulness. They can be a bit on the mischievous side as they enjoy playing with cupboards and the water. As a breed, Somali cats don’t shed so much so their grooming needs are minimal. However, occasional brushing will help keep their silky coats clean and fluffy.
9. RagaMuffin
Folks with a lesser knowledge of cat breeds often confuse the RagaMuffin with a Ragdoll. Yes, the RagaMuffin has a luxurious coat that’s medium in length, as well as thick and soft. They’re known for their wide variety of colors and patterns. This breed is also known for its charming personalities as they develop a strong bond with its families, including children and other pets. They love to cuddle and use your lap as a hangout. Normally, a RagaMuffin likes to be held in your arms. They’re also known for their playfulness. RagaMuffins don’t require so much maintenance as their coats don’t mat up or clump so easily. They’re easy to keep clean. With regular brushing, the shedding can be kept to a minimum in order to maintain a soft and healthy coat.
8. Exotic Shorthair
The name of the breed is Exotic Shorthair but don’t let the name fool you. They’re also known as the lazy person’s answer to a Persian cat. This member of the feline species has a luxuriously lush coat that’s dense and plush. Yes, the hair is short, but the Exotic Shorthair is well noted for its teddy bear appearance. They’re quiet and loyal as a breed, as well as very affectionate. Exotic Shorthair cats love attention and are playful. At a moment’s notice, they can spring from their cat nap to chase a toy before curling back up to fall back to sleep, probably on your lap. One great feature of the Exotic Shorthair is not having to contend with mats that are more common among long-haired breeds. They do require regular brushing to help tone down the shedding.
7. British Shorthair
Again, don’t let the name fool you. The British Shorthair may have short hair but their thick, plush coats feel like velvet. They’re the feline equivalent of teddy bears with their blue-colored coats. However, they come in different colors and patterns. Their round face, eyes, and ears make the British Shorthair cat one of the most adorable breeds there is. Their personalities are just as amazing and their easygoing nature enables them to get along with every member of the family. This includes getting along with another cat or dog. They’re quite quiet and shy but are also fun-loving. As mentioned, their coats are thick and plush, which means they require regular grooming. Give it a bit more devotion during shedding season. Weekly brushing will help prevent matting and keep the coat healthy.
6. Birman
Known for their silky soft coats that are fluffy and lush, the Birman is also a breed of cat known for its beautiful blue eyes. The fluff around the neck is prominent, as are the extra fluffy tails. They’re also famous for their sweet and gentle disposition. Affectionate by nature, their personalities are just as majestic as the coat they sport. They also love attention and love to socialize, even with other cats and dogs. They have chirp-like voices that are rather distinguishable from other cat breeds. As for grooming needs, they’re relatively low maintenance, even for a fluffy cat. There’s no undercoat so there are no matting issues. Occasional brushing and grooming are good enough to maintain the healthy coat look and feel of a Birman.
5. Siberian
Just the breed name, Siberian, should be enough to clue in this is a cat that will sport a coat that can endure a cold climate. A Siberian cat has dense, water-repellent triple coats, bushy tails, and full, fluffy backends. The hair length can range anywhere from medium to long. Siberian cats are quiet, easygoing creatures that love to play. They’re capable of learning how to fetch, as well as a few kitty-style jumping tricks from place to place. This breed of cat loves to spend time with members of the family, including other pets.
They’re gentle around children and are extremely attentive. Another great trait about a Siberian cats is they’re hypoallergenic despite the long hair. The reason for this is there’s a lower level of Fel d 1 protein, which is the main trigger for allergy sufferers when it comes to cats. The coat of a Siberian cat is usually easy enough to maintain with occasional grooming. During shedding season, owners pay more attention to the coat. Among the households that have members that have allergies to cats, the Siberian has become a preferred choice who still want a feline companion as part of the family.
4. Norwegian Forest Cat
In order to contend with the bitter winters of Norway, you need a thick enough coat. The Norwegian Forest Cat has this covered with its dense double coat with bushy tail and tuft paws. As one of the larger breeds of the feline family, Norwegian Forest cats feature coat colors such as brown tabby, and white. There are, however, other variants, including all black. Norwegian Forest cats are sensitive and social cats that love the companionship of their family members, including other pets. However, they’re also independent and intelligent. They are somewhat active cats who also love to sit on a tall perch where they may choose to curl up and take a nap.
Norwegian Forest cats do shed rather often due to the size of the breed and their long coats. Whenever there’s a change of season, the shedding becomes more obvious. Regular grooming and brushing reduce the hairballs, and it keeps the cat’s coat healthy and free from matting. The story behind the Norwegian Forest Cat apparently has a connection with Great Britain as it’s believed the Vikings brought these furry friends back to their homeland with them over a thousand years ago. They’re also a big part of Norwegian folklore. A reputable breeder selling a Norwegian Forest cat typically has a kitten priced at the $700.00 USD mark. However, animal shelters also have these impressive cats, and they are available at a much lower cost. Sites like Adopt-a-Pet are known to have this breed available for as little as $25.00 USD and as high as $125.00 USD.
3. Maine Coon
If you want an impressive fluffy cat that resembles a miniature lion, go for the Maine Coon. Their coat of fur is long and silky and they have tuft ears and feet. The tails do set them apart from the lions as big and bushy. These are among the larger cat breeds, normally weighing as much as twenty pounds and stretching as long as forty inches in length. These are very intelligent members of the feline family that also have personality traits not much different than a dog.
Their disposition is usually friendly and they get along with children and other pets quite well. They’re the feline equivalent of gentle giants. Maine Coon cats are highly intelligent animals that are always an integral part of your life. They love the lap cuddles, as well as guarding over you as you take a bath in the tub. Believe it or not, Maine Coon cats enjoy playing with water. Should you observe one using its paw to scoop water out of the bowl and drink from it, this isn’t unusual behavior.
The Non-Dense Coat
Despite Main Coon cats known for their long hair, the coat really isn’t all that dense. They also love to groom themselves, making your job a bit easier to keep up. They do love it when you take part in a routine grooming ritual, though, as they’re known for turning into miniature boat motors as soon as the brush gently comes into contact with them by you. Remember, they love to interact with you as much as possible. As far as they’re concerned here, the grooming ritual is the closest thing to feline heaven.
According to Spend On Pet, the price of a purebred Maine Coon kitten has been known to fetch as much as $2,400.00 USD. Speaking as the former parent of a Maine Coon cat, I got mine from an animal shelter for $200.00 as she and her sister were the product of a purebred Maine Coon rescue. I took both sisters home. One shares colors like a tortie and the other is calico. I had Xena, the calico, for twelve years before her health issues required the difficult decision to cut her life short. Madison, the tortie, is now approaching seventeen years old and is the official master of the house. Her lioness presence consistently commands respect from all her subjects, both animal and human alike.
2. Ragdoll
The coat of a Ragdoll cat is semi-long that’s plush, silky, and often colorful. These cats feature striking blue eyes. The bodies are typically lighter in color than the faces, tails, ears, and paws. Families who have a Ragdoll as a member of the family appreciate the incredible loyalty it has. The feline is equivalent to a shadow, everywhere its owner goes, it’s bound to follow. They’re very affectionate and gentle, making them the perfect candidate to live in a family home. They get along well with other pets as well, including dogs. Ragdoll cats don’t have a thick undercoat so they shed less than some of the other fluffy cats.
When it comes to grooming, they’re not quite as demanding but do require regular brushing so they can look and feel their best. According to My Ragdoll Cats, a Ragdoll kitten from a breeder can cost anywhere from $450.00 USD to $2,500.00 USD. The cost factors involved depend on whether or not you’re buying breeder rights. It’s rare to find a good quality Ragdoll from a reputable breeder for under $1,000.00 USD. Anything lower than this should give cause for concern about the legitimacy of the breeder’s claims. However, cats shouldn’t be seen as a commodity. It should be treated as a member of the family in order to ensure it has the best quality of life it can receive.
1. Persian
Persian cats are among the most popular breeds, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association. They’re well known for their luxurious coats and adorable facial expressions. These long-haired felines are known to come in a number of colors and varieties that range from one solid color to the tri-colored calicos. The temperament of a Persian is usually quiet and gentle, making the breed among the sweetest there is. They love to snuggle up on the lap just as much as they love to play. Unlike most cats, Persians prefer to stay closer to the ground. They’d much rather curl up next to you on the couch than climb a tall kitty condo. Instead of climbing to the perch at the top, odds are they’ll be perfectly content in a dark box near the bottom. When caring for a long-haired cat like a Person, make sure the long, flowy coats are kept in pristine condition by regular brushing. This helps the cat stay clean and tangle-free. The fewer hairballs both of you have to contend with the better.
The Top Spot
Persian cats get the top nod over all the other breeds as their coats are the thickest and fluffiest in what really is a no contest. They’re among the most common pets worldwide due to their popularity. Because of this, the cost of a Persian cat will vary. It’s all about the rarity, facial structure, gender, and age of the cat that will determine how expensive they are to purchase. Breeders will charge the most amount that will see the price go as high as $1,500.00 USD.
Since these are so common, people wanting a Persian to take home can easily pick one up locally. There are many local breeders who know how popular this member of the feline family is. Spending approximately an average of $500.00 USD would be considered normal for a Persian kitten. The more flat-faced they are, which is a Persian trademark, the higher the price may become.