Getting A British Longhair Ready for Showing
The British Longhair Cat is an easy-going cat and, as a breed, they like to be brushed and groomed. While they are good at grooming their own coat to keep it clean it tends to get knotted and matted, especially if they have outdoor access in wet weather conditions.
Grooming is a weekly commitment, all year round!
They do not need to be excessively groomed but once a week is advisable to keep on top of little nodules of knots which will felt together into tight, large and hard, mats along the body. Sso keep feeling for the little knots and comb them out.
The coat should be combed regularity to get rid of old and dead hairs, the dense undercoat often needs combing out. Then use a soft brush to smooth to topcoat over, this acts like the tongue of a grooming cat making it an enjoyable experience for the cat.
For happy groomed cats, start young and make it a relaxing experience, like a mother grooming her kitten. This turns grooming into bonding time. Ours jump on the table when we start grooming and sit around waiting for the tickle of a comb or brush.
THE COAT
Angora fur
The Angora type coats are more disposed to matting into felt because the hairs are wispier and longer. We recommend that the underbelly fur is scissor thinned a little during autumn and winter months when their coats are fuller. This also helps prevent large quantise of moulting hair being be left on surfaces and clothing. The thinning is unnoticeable to the eye, but helps keep the knots away!
Long Silky fur
An all-around easier coat to handle, while still prone to knotting in the flank areas and behind the ears, it is a free-flowing coat that is mid-length.
When to Clip Away
We strongly advise that knots or matted fur should be clipped away - NOT cut away with scissors - as often the skin is too close to the knots or mats and, with such thin skin, it is all too easy to cut the skin. When using thinning scissors use a comb to separate the knot from the skin and then use the comb as a guard to protect the skin while you cut the fur.
It takes 6 to 9 months for the fur to fully grow back. So know the show date and count back before taking the clippers out!
Under Arm & Flanks
Special attention should be paid between the forelegs because the underarms and flanks are prone to matting and knotting. We tend to thin the hair with thinning scissors months before the show. Keep in mind it takes 6 to 9 months for the fur to fully grow back. So a little preventative trim will help keep knots away and will not be visible to the eye.
Ears, Eyes & Nose
Ears and nose should be clean with no residue visible. We use fragrance-free baby wipes and kitchen roll to clean them.
The British Longhair has rounded ears, any long pointing hair on the tips of the ears should be 'plucked' away to leave a nice rounded ear. Look for the shorter ear hair and pinch away what is above that, making a point. (Pinch the tip of the ear with one hand and with the other use your thumb against your index finger to pluck out the thin hair.)
The eyes are more delicate, we never use our bare fingers as this can bring germs, use Kleenex tissue paper or cotton wool.
Claws
Always trim the claws a few days before the show. We use human nail clippers but cat nail clippers with safety length are also practical.
The Private Delicate Posterior
A good wash a week before the show should help keep this area clean and fragrance free. Apply talc on the day of the show to ensure a fresh fragrance.
What not to do – EVER
Do not use scissors to cut away knots that are close to the skin.
Do not shampoo a cat the day before the show...the natural oils don't have time to come back.
Do not get frustrated – take a break and come back to the cat in a better frame of mind.
Do not sprinkle talc on the fur and get it wet or let the cat go outside in the rain – talc can set firm and hard when wet.
Remember your cat is your friend and maintaining that friendship is more important than the Show itself.
To wash or not to wash? That is the question
We try not to wash our cats unless it is absolutely necessary. Active boys over a year are naturally smelly. We wash their bottoms and tail hair. Sometimes a dip in warm water with a bit of cat shampoo mixed in does the trick.
The Grooming Kit
In a grooming kit, we would recommend:
a metal comb
a soft hogs hair brush
hand glove
a slicker brush
a furminator
scissors
longhair cat clippers
baby wipes and a box of Kleenex
talc
nail Clippers