6 of the Most Pet-able Fluffy Cats When it Comes to Coats, the Fluffier, the Better

All cats are cute, but some breeds are especially fluffy. While these fluffballs may be a bit more work in the grooming department, they more than make up for it in their enhanced huggability. All of these breeds love the company of people, and thanks to their pillow like apperance, you will love to have them around as well.

Maine Coon

One of the most popular breeds, Maine Coons are large cats with a thick semi-longhaired and waterrepellent coat and a big fluffy tail. These cats actually like the water, because their soft and silky coat wicks away the mositure, keeping them from getting weighed down when wet. Maine Coons need biweekly combing with a steel comb to keep their fur beautiful and clean.

Persian

The most popular cat breed is the Persian, with their beautiful long coat and calm personality. Their coat requires frequent grooming, and some owners clip their Persian's fur short, at least around the back legs because the fine, downy undercoat puts them at higher risk of matting. Despite their popularity, some people wish that they didn't shed so much, were more active, and not so picky about litter boxes.

Exotic Shorthair

They may not have the long fur of the Maine Coon or Persian, but the Exotic Shorthair's thick, plush coat is very fluffy, especially when they are kittens. Very similar to Persians in temperament, they were cross-bred with American Shorthairs, and as a result their shorter coat is much easier to groom. Since Exotics only need weekly brushing, they are sometimes known as the “Lazy Man's Persian.”

Birman

Birman cats used to decorate the sacred temples of Burma. They have blue eyes and a rare coat: they are born pure white and as they age, darker colored fur grows in on their points (nose and ears), and then finally the most unique element emerges -- their white “gloves.” Even though Birmans have long fur, they only have a single coat and don't require intense grooming. They should be combed with a sturdy steel comb once or twice a week, and more often during seasonal shedding. Birmans are very social cats who love people, so they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time.

Himalayan

Another Persian cross-breed, Himalayans are a cross between a Persian and Siamese, but officially classified as a sub-category of the Persian breed. Himalayans have Siamese coloring and an extra fluffy, medium-long coat that tends to stick out more than other cat breeds. They are a very active and independent breed but still love people and being handled, which is good since they need to be brushed every day to keep their fur from matting.

Ragdoll

These are very large cats with medium-long hair that crave companionship from people and other animals. Their name comes from a tendency to go limp while being held, but this can cause joint damage if you aren't careful to support their legs. The extremely soft, fluffy fur has dark points like the Birman and the body color varies but is always a lighter shade of the point color. The Ragdoll's fur is not prone to matting but does need occasional combing and brushing, especially around the back legs.

More on Caring for Your Cat

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5 Things to Know About Hairballs
The Principles of Nutrition for Adult Cats
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