Not quite long-haired cats, not quite short-haired cats: semi-long-haired cats are those who offer you just enough scruff to pet for hours on end, but not too much that continues to shed in every room of the house all year long. Semi-long-haired cats are often just as similar as other breeds, with the only unique characterisation being the length of their fur. This isn’t just an aesthetic choice, but also one that can affect grooming and cleaning costs in the future.
Semi-long-haired cats tend to have coats slightly shorter than the beloved Persian, and they often don’t come with the undercoat that long-haired cat breeds have. They can fit into other cat breed groups such as oriental and natural cats, so if you like the idea of welcoming one of these specific breeds into your family, you might be able to find them with semi-long-haired coats, too.
There’s no specific measurement of how long a cat’s hair needs to be to fit into this category, so some breeds have shorter hair than others. When kittens are born it’s almost impossible to tell how long their fur will end up once they’ve grown into adulthood, so it’s a little bit of a mystery as to what your adult semi-long-haired cat will look like!
Semi-long-haired cats are super popular, so it’s a good thing that there are so many around to choose from. We can’t look at every single breed that fits into this category today, but we’ve pulled together ten of the most popular semi-long-haired cats in Australia right now:
Weight: 3.5 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years
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Javanese cats are related to both the American Shorthair and Siamese breeds to get their medium-length hair. This means that they require little in the way of grooming thanks to their coats that barely shed! The Javanese cat is an oriental breed who has a super caring temperament. They’re less demanding than their parent breeds, but they’re still curious enough to want to know what you’re doing at all times. They love attention and playtime, so make sure you have enough time to give them the TLC they need.
Weight: 3 to 7 kg
Lifespan: 11 to 15 years
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The complete opposite of the Javanese breed, Chantilly-Tiffany Cats need to be groomed daily to prevent matting and any loose fur from taking over your home. They don’t have a heavy undercoat which means any hair that falls out will be left around the house in clumps, so we’d recommend investing in a good brush. These cats are devoted companions and have plenty of affection to give without demanding too much back from you. They enjoy your company though, so they won’t want to be left alone too much.
Weight: 4.5 to 9 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 17 years
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The Turkish Van Cat is fortunate enough to have a coat that’s resistant to matting, despite their longer hair, so grooming isn’t as difficult as you might originally think. One brush a week should be enough to suffice between the shedding of their winter coats, and their summer coat will require even less. These cats are wild and reckless, so expect them to get some mud and dirt in their coats if you let them run outside! They love space and a quiet home, so don’t seek them out too much for cuddles. They’ll come to you!
Weight: 4.5 to 9.1 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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Siberian Cats shed their hair twice a year (in the spring and autumn), so make sure you keep up to date with grooming, particularly during these times. They have three layers to their coats, so they’ll need regular brushing to remove all of the shed hair and prevent it from piling up around your house! Siberian cats are plenty loving and will often enjoy a nice snuggle on the sofa, so keeping on top of their grooming needs will help you both enjoy the experience much more without hair filling the air with every stroke!
Weight: 6 to 9 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 17 years
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Ragdolls have gorgeously silky coats that are a joy to pet, but their longer coats mean that their hair can easily get matted if you’re not careful. This breed is one that requires a lot of TLC when it comes to grooming, so the best thing to do is start brushing their hair daily when they’re a kitten to make it a part of their usual routine. Luckily, Ragdolls are docile and calm enough to let you brush their hair throughout the day. They’re excellent lap cats, so if you want a snuggle buddy, look no further.
Weight: 5.4 to 7.3 kg
Lifespan: 14 to 16 years
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Norwegian Forest Cats need one good brushing at least once a week to keep their coats free of tangles and clean. These cats shed lots so regular grooming can prevent too much hair from overrunning your home. Plus, as natural-born explorers, grooming can help you find any injuries quickly to see if they need attention. The NFC is a Gentle Giant who loves attention but not constantly, so we’d recommend setting a set time for grooming to make it a routine so they don’t feel like you’re bombarding them with attention.
Weight: 9 to 10 kg
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
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Maine Coon cats are one of the largest domesticated breeds, so grooming can take quite a while anyway – especially considering their longer coats! Their fur is heavy and shaggy, so make sure you brush it regularly to avoid tangles and mats. They’ll most likely need to be brushed once a week and bathed once a month, depending on how much time they spend outside. Luckily, their laid-back nature makes grooming your Maine Coon much easier than if you were to try on a more unpredictable breed.
Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
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Birman cats have a super silky coat that doesn’t shed much despite its length, but it still requires weekly brushing to prevent your home from becoming overrun with bright white fur. Thanks to these cats being fab lap cats, they’ll often give you an excellent opportunity to get the brush out and groom them while you’re both sat in front of the TV. These cats are calm and affectionate, so they shouldn’t get mad at you for interrupting their snuggle time with the brush, either.
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