The Domestic Longhair is a cat with mysterious origins. For one thing, they’re actually not a specific breed like the American Longhair, which has a pedigree with a traceable background.
Rather, Domestic Longhairs refer to cats that are similar in size to Domestic Shorthairs but have one or both parents that have the longhaired gene. Due to their mixed ancestry, these felines can vary in color, markings, and size.
Breed Overview
Height:
9–16 inches
Weight:
8–15 pounds
Lifespan:
9–15 years
Colors:
White, black, gray, tortoiseshell, tabby, orange
Suitable for:
Apartment dwellers, small families, children, people with no other pets
Temperament:
Playful, good with children, curious, shy toward strangers
Domestic Longhairs are adorable and have luxurious coats and wonderful personalities that match their beautiful appearance. We’re always excited about the idea of a kitty finding a new home. So if you’ve acquired a Domestic Longhair, read on for a comprehensive overview of this special cat to help you provide the best care that you can for them.
Domestic Longhair Cat Characteristics
Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
Domestic Longhair Kittens
Image Credit by: Marcel Delor, Shutterstock
The Domestic Longhairs is a popular cat. Fortunately, they are common, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one. Always make sure you do your research about the breed and where to buy or adopt one. Make sure that your kitten is healthy and that you have enough time and energy to care for them.
Their temperament and traits can vary from each other. Generally, these cats tend to be playful and curious. They are a great fit for families or people living in apartments. Take a look at what type of care Domestic Longhairs need in terms of diet, grooming, and exercise.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Domestic Longhair
Since Domestic Longhairs have mixed ancestry, they don’t have a predictable temperament like purebred cats do. However, many cat owners have noted that their Domestic Longhairs are playful and curious, just like their predecessors that used to be mousers in Europe.
These cats’ personalities usually land between aloof and needy. They’re independent, so they can be left home alone without feeling much separation anxiety. However, they also form strong bonds with their families and can be sweet companions.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Domestic Longhairs tend to have patience with young children and can also have a playful side to them. When properly socialized, they can become great playmates for children.
The best way to socialize this cat is to work on it when they’re a young kitten. Kittens will have an easier time learning and getting used to being handled.
When you first bring home a Domestic Longhair, make sure to supervise all interactions the cat has with your kids. Children should also learn how to respectfully handle cats, such as not poking them or trying to touch their faces.
Image Credit by: Pictureman2014, Pixabay
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Domestic Longhairs typically don’t do well with other pets. They tend to be solitary and don’t like being around dogs. These cats like to observe from perches, so they won’t want to interact with a loud or energetic pup.
They also tend to be territorial, so they typically don’t do well in a house with too many cats. Sometimes, though, you can bring home a bonded pair, which are sets of kittens that grew up together and formed an attachment to each other.
Since many Domestic Longhairs were bred as mousers, they also can’t be fully trusted with small pets. Their prey drive can kick in at unpredictable moments, so they should never be left alone with other small pets, especially rodents.
Overall, this cat will do best in a home where they’re the only pet. You can try to socialize them to live with other cats, and you’ll have the most success if socialization starts when they’re a kitten.
Things to Know When Owning a Domestic Longhair
Domestic Longhairs are generally fairly easy cats to care for and don’t typically have any severe health conditions. So, they’re great for first-time owners. Here’s a breakdown of their basic care needs.
Food & Diet Requirements
Cats are obligate carnivores, so they thrive on high-protein diets. Your pet should have a diet consisting of at least 25% protein. Indoor cats and those that have been spayed or neutered are especially susceptible to becoming overweight and obese.
So, if you have an indoor Domestic Longhair, it’s important to make sure that they’re on a low-carb diet. You can work with your veterinarian to figure out the right brand of cat food and the correct amount of food that your cat should eat every day.
Domestic Longhairs don’t tend to have food allergies, so it’s safe for them to eat most kinds of cat food. Cats will display some or all of the following signs if they have a food allergy:
Domestic Longhairs tend to be active and playful cats with a strong prey drive. They’ll need plenty of play and exercise to prevent them from experiencing boredom that can eventually lead to destructive behaviors.
You can promote healthy exercise by supplying toys that your cat can chase around, such as an automatic cat toy or cat wand. You can also install cat trees and perches around the house to encourage your pet to jump, leap, and perch from platform to platform.
If you have an enclosed backyard, you can let your cat out to explore. Just make sure your fences are over 6 feet tall or have fence rollers or other safety measures in place to prevent your pet from escaping. Domestic Longhairs can be extremely agile and smart escape artists, so it’s imperative to watch for any escape attempts.
Training 🧶
In general, cats don’t typically learn training as dogs do. They can be independent and not learn or take to listening to verbal commands. You may be able to use treats as positive reinforcement whenever your cat exhibits good behavior, such as using the litter box. However, your Domestic Longhair most likely won’t learn any tricks that you can use on command.
Grooming ✂️
The coats of Domestic Longhair will vary depending on the cat’s history. However, most owners can expect to spend at least several days a week brushing their pet’s hair. These cats will groom themselves, but if they have particularly long coats, their hair can tangle and become matted. So, they’ll need help with maintenance. This breed will benefit from slicker brushes and combs that can get past their long fur and thoroughly brush their coat.
Image by: Sabrinakoeln, Pixabay
Health and Conditions 🏥
Since Domestic Longhairs don’t have a specific lineage from purebred cats, they don’t have any unique health conditions. However, they can develop common health issues as they age, so it’s important to stay on top of routine checkups.
Minor Conditions
Hot spots from matted fur
Hyperthyroidism
Feline urinary tract disease
Vomiting
Serious Conditions
Cancer
Diabetes
Feline immunodeficiency virus
Feline leukemia virus
Male vs. Female
There aren’t any definitive distinguishable traits between male and female Domestic Shorthairs. Temperament will vary depending on the cat’s unique ancestry and home environment.
However, spaying and neutering can affect a cat’s behavior. For example, neutered cats are less likely to do urine marking, and spayed cats won’t be as active as their unspayed counterparts. Spayed and neutered cats may also not be as territorial, so they may have an easier time learning to live with other cats.
Image Credit: brisch27, Pixabay
3 Little-Known Facts About the Domestic Longhair Cat
1. The Longhair gene is recessive, and only 10% of cats are recognized as longhaired.
It’s rarer to find a longhaired cat than a shorthaired cat because long hair is a recessive trait. For a cat to receive recognition as longhaired, their coat must be at least 2 inches long.
2. Humphrey is one of the most famous Domestic Longhair cats.
Humphrey was a Domestic Longhair that was found as a stray near the official residence of the British Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street. He was adopted and employed as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office and lived in 10 Downing Street from 1989 to 1997.
Humphrey’s employment started a long tradition of cats living as Chief Mousers in the Prime Minister’s home. Today, the Chief Mouser in residence is Larry the Tabby.
3. Domestic Longhairs were excellent mousers that helped keep the rat population in Europe under control.
During the 1600s when the plague was rampant, Domestic Longhairs were used to catch rats. Many rats carried infected fleas that would spread the plague, and people bred more Domestic Longhairs to hunt them.
Settlers and travelers eventually brought these cats aboard ships sailing to America, and they became just as popular in new lands.
Final Thoughts
Domestic Longhairs have been co-existing and living harmoniously with humans for centuries. They’re independent yet affectionate, making them great companions built to survive. These cats will do well in homes with no other pets, but they should have plenty of playtime moments, toys, and fixtures that help them exercise their prey drive.
Bringing home a Domestic Longhair can be unpredictable. Still, as you learn and get used to their unique temperament and personality, you’ll be sure to find a loving companion that shows you love and affection in their own special way.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
