Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison

Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed ComparisonBoth American Wirehair and Domestic Longhaired Cat are originated from United States. Both American Wirehair and Domestic Longhaired Cat are having almost same weight. American Wirehair may live 4 years less than Domestic Longhaired Cat. Both American Wirehair and Domestic Longhaired Cat has same litter size. American Wirehair requires Low Maintenance. But Domestic Longhaired Cat requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

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United States
United States
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
15 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
House cat, Longhair
Colors Available:
Any color or pattern
All colors and patterns
Coat:
springy, coarse and wiry
Thick and fairly long
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american wirehairThe American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

domestic longhaired catThe Domestic Longhaired cat came about because of various attempts by breeders to bring in certain Persian cat varieties in the American Shorthairs.

The cat comes from champion bloodlines but one of the most remarkable traits of the Domestic Longhair cat is that they are just typical cats with long hair. In other words, Domestic Longhairs are a product of various cat breedings and it is thought they arrived in the USA with the early settlers.

They shouldn’t be confused with the purebred American Longhair cat. The ancestry of the Domestic Longhair cat is unknown but for people who own them, they are a longhaired cat that becomes special to their owners. The cat isn’t recognized by the larger cat organizations.

Description

american wirehair kitten - descriptionThe American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

domestic longhaired cat kitten - descriptionThese Domestic long-haired cats are hugely popular in the United States. They can be of any color and the coat can have different patterns too, including bi-color, tortoiseshell and tabby.

With his muscled, athletic body he can weigh between 3 and 6kg. He can have a variety of eye colors, ear sizes, and shapes Essentially, their size and shape is influenced by the breed that dominates.

Temperament:

These are just your regular, balanced cats and they make splendid pets for first-time cat owners, single pet owners, those with kids in the home and seniors. You can’t really tell how their personality will be and some will be more quiet than others and some more loving than others too. A lot depends on how you raise- and socialize your cat.

Characteristics

american wirehair cat - characteristicsThe American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

domestic longhaired cat cat - characteristicsDomestic Longhairs are such wonderful cats and slot into a host of different lifestyles.

They are generally content cats with the different lifestyles they find themselves in. Some are smart, some playful, some quiet and some naughty, some are very vocal and some are content to be lap cats.

They're all different but they all have needs and concerns – to be part of a loving human family and to be treated with love, care and respect for the companionship they offer.

Health Problems

american wirehair kittens - health problemsThe American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

domestic longhaired cat kittens - health problemsIt is their mixed breeding that ensures that the Domestic Longhaired cat doesn’t have any health issues. Like any cat, things such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease can plague your cat.

A good diet, exercise, lots of love and care can all help to ensure your kitty kat doesn’t succumb to anything that your vet can’t handle.

As soon as your cat shows any sign of illness, get him to the vet. If you look after your cat well, he can avoid a lot of vet visits and can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

Caring The Pet

General:

american wirehair cats - caringBrush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

domestic longhaired cat cats - caringThe hair of the Domestic Longhair will need to be tackled and you will need a firm brush to gently brush your cat once a week. This ensures the hair remains silky and tangle-free.

Remember, there are always professional cat groomers who specialize in grooming cats and ensuring their teeth, inside of ears, their nails and their fur is in tip-top condition.

Keeping your cat healthy is always going to require a trip to the vet. Your Domestic Longhair is going to require certain vaccines and deworming to ensure he remains free of deadly cat diseases. Also, if your cat is acting in a lethargic, ‘sick’ way, it could well be a sign that he is ill and a trip to the vet will be imperative as the condition could become worse.

To ensure your cat has the best chance at health, make sure you feed him well. Gut health is absolutely imperative and feeding your cat too many carbs will give him plenty of digestive problems.

A cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and therefore his food needs to be meat. A kitten will require 4 small meals a day and an adult cat – over the age of 1 year – will require 2 meals a day. Any questions you have about feeding your cat can be answered by your local veterinarian.

Speak to your vet about spaying or neutering your Domestic Longhaired Cat as this will prevent unwanted kittens, particularly if your cat is allowed outdoors and wanders off.

Also, neutering and spaying have a host of health benefits for your cat and it also improves their personality.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. American Wirehair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. American Wirehair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. American Wirehair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. American Wirehair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  13. Asian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Mist vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  16. Balinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  17. Bengal vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  18. Bicolor vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  19. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Russian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  21. Bombay vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  22. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  23. Bristol vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  24. British Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  26. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison