Persian Cat, Thailand Heat.

[Minke]

I was given a Persian? type kitten for a birthday present. She is my first cat so I don't have a lot of cat experience. But, she has turned into my best buddy and I adore her to pieces. I am worried about her comfort with all of that fur though. She is medium to long haired with very fine and dense fur. She is incredibly soft. But I worry that in this climate she is miserably hot. Does anyone else have a long-haired cat? Do you shave their fur? She drinks plenty of water and pees a few times a day so I don't think she is dehydrated but I worry she may be miserable with the heat. How do your long-haired cats cope? She lays around during the heat of the day like she is dead but I am not sure if that is just typical cat behavior (being nocturnal) or just normal for her breed/personality. Attached is her picture to give you an idea of her fluffiness. I don't really want to shave her fur but will if keeping it long is cruel in this heat. Thanks!

/edit deleted duplicate photo... woops

Edited June 22, 2009 by Minke

[EndofDays]

I was given a Persian? type kitten for a birthday present. She is my first cat so I don't have a lot of cat experience. But, she has turned into my best buddy and I adore her to pieces. I am worried about her comfort with all of that fur though. She is medium to long haired with very fine and dense fur. She is incredibly soft. But I worry that in this climate she is miserably hot. Does anyone else have a long-haired cat? Do you shave their fur? She drinks plenty of water and pees a few times a day so I don't think she is dehydrated but I worry she may be miserable with the heat. How do your long-haired cats cope? She lays around during the heat of the day like she is dead but I am not sure if that is just typical cat behavior (being nocturnal) or just normal for her breed/personality. Attached is her picture to give you an idea of her fluffiness. I don't really want to shave her fur but will if keeping it long is cruel in this heat. Thanks!

/edit deleted duplicate photo... woops

Do you have air conditioning? If not, then put a swivel fan in the area where the cat likes to lay about. That is what we did with ours.

[murni]

We have a Birman that we brought with us from the UK 6 years ago. He was of course used to the English climate & we were concerned as to how he would adapt to the HOT, HOT weather here.

It doesn't affect him at all although he does moult more than he did over there. As your Persian was born here I am sure she will cope very well with the heat, you may have to brush her more in the hot season but as Persians need brushing every day she will probable enjoy it.

[ad61]

Hi Minke,

That's a Siberian cat and she's gorgeous. you do not have to worry to much about the climate she will get use to it. I have a female Siberian cat too since two and half year and she is totally aclimated to the temperature.

[Minke]

Hi Minke,

That's a Siberian cat and she's gorgeous. you do not have to worry to much about the climate she will get use to it. I have a female Siberian cat too since two and half year and she is totally aclimated to the temperature.

You're right! I looked up Siberian cats and she fits the bill in all but size. She is about 10 months old and still a bit petite, but the websites claim she will continue growing yet. My BF got her from someone who breeds cats in Krabi, and apparently she was rather expensive (His mom spilled the beans that he paid 6000baht for her). She was a surprise birthday present. To be honest I have never been a cat person as I am allergic to most. But as the info states, yes, Siberian cats are low allergy because despite the clouds of fluff she disperses throughout the house (despite brushing every few days) I don't get any allergic response to her. She knows several commands and is almost 100% consistent in obeying them, knows her name, comes when called, stops doing stupid things when I bark 'hey, no!', and when critters get in the house she runs to me and yowls until I go watch her do battle with it. She even knows when I have treats for her (before I even go to the fridge) she knows 'Ouh? Ouh Mai??" and comes skittering over at top speed for whatever I am about to give her. Everyone is quite impressed with her personality and her ability to understand some commands. She really is like a dog and needs interaction and attention to the point of being needy: laying on me, directly next to me when I finally kick her off my lap, or within a metre at all times. Oh and she is leash trained... and yes she walks on a leash to the neighborhood's amusment. Thanks so much for the help in identifying her breed. Now I know what to tell people when they ask where they can find a cat like her. A few folks were really disappointed that I had her neutered because they want her kittens. But I felt it was better for her to be neutered young and not have the roaming, physical stress of reproduction, and exposure to feline diseases from the gnarly sore-ridden street cats that would surely come to hump her every few months. Thanks again for the info! Out of curiosity is your Siberian cat from Thailand too?

[ad61]

Hi again Minke,

Yes, my Siberian cat is from thailand too, actually, she was born in Phuket and that's maybe one of the reason she's totaly acclimated to our hot and humide wheater. I forgot to tell you that my wife bath her regulary (once a month) and she love it. We've also neutered her when she was 8 month old for the same reason as your. She love the company of my two Bangkaew dogs as well and they all sleep together

[Minke]

Hi again Minke,

Yes, my Siberian cat is from thailand too, actually, she was born in Phuket and that's maybe one of the reason she's totaly acclimated to our hot and humide wheater. I forgot to tell you that my wife bath her regulary (once a month) and she love it. We've also neutered her when she was 8 month old for the same reason as your. She love the company of my two Bangkaew dogs as well and they all sleep together

What a beauty! I have been converted to a cat fan by these Siberian cats. Very cool. while my cat does not like the shower experience she will stand still for it but acts all butthurt for a few hours.. Thanks so much for sharing. Good to find out! Take care.

Edit: I love how your cat has the same little fluff horns coming up from her ears. Only other cat I have seen with them other than mine.

Edited June 24, 2009 by Minke

[pattaya_girl]

I have a Ragdoll Cat. His fur is 3 inches long in places. It is best to brush the fur every day to prevent knots forming in the groins and under the arms.

He does get very hot at times and walks around panting, but I think he is use to it now. My Vet said I should shower him once a week, so I think showering should cool them down.

I disagree with cutting there beautiful fur though..

[ktamp]

My cat doesn't seem to mind the heat. In fact he seems to love it. I always find him sleeping between the blinds and the window like he is sunbathing. He's used to a cold climate in the US. We also have an outdoor persian cat that came with the house apparently. Don't know if he got lost from his owners or was abandoned. He lives outside and has very long hair. Doesn't seem to mind the heat although I make sure he has plenty of cool fresh water to drink.

[Priceless]

I have a Ragdoll Cat. His fur is 3 inches long in places. It is best to brush the fur every day to prevent knots forming in the groins and under the arms.

He does get very hot at times and walks around panting, but I think he is use to it now. My Vet said I should shower him once a week, so I think showering should cool them down.

I disagree with cutting there beautiful fur though..

I have three (soon to be five) Ragdoll cats that I brought with me from Scandinavia (think COLD ). They all acclimatized quickly (within weeks) and now have no problems at all with the heat. My eldest, who was 4½ years when we moved here, loves to sun bathe in the garden. I do however comb them every day to keep the coats in the best possible shape. I also keep the A/C on (at 26 degrees) during the hottest days, but they don't seem to mind if I would ever forget. Their coats are actually longer and more beautiful than ever, which is the best proof that they are well acclimatized. I really think that the coat helps to protect from the heat, rather than worsen any problems from it. The proof is in the pudding:

Nothing wrong with that coat, is there? One should remember that cats are originally tropical animals, so they were designed for this kind of climate.

/ Priceless

Edited August 14, 2009 by Priceless