Cats' fur, which is more properly called "coat," is important to their survival for many reasons. It insulates them from heat and cold, and to some degree, from moisture. In nature, big cats' coat colors help them blend in among the landscape of their habitats. Thus, the Panther, who frequents dark jungles, is black, while the Cheetah, denizon of the plains, is lighter colored.
Different cat breeds develop different coats, partly for the above reasons.
For example, Siberian cats are said to have been taken originally from Russia to Siberia, where they developed their thick protective coats against the harsh winters; then, ultimately brought back to Russia. Siberian cats' coats are described to be "triple haired."
On the other end of the scale lies the Sphynx, which has such fine, short hair that it is sometimes described as "bald." The Devon Rex, like other Rex breeds originated from a spontaneous genetic mutation in a barn cat litter, resulting in a fine-textured wavy coat.
Allergies and Cat Hair
While cat hair is often blamed for allergies, most people nowadays are aware that the allergen that causes sneezing and wheezing in humans is found in the saliva of cats, and only transferred to cat hair by grooming. Cats with denser coats tend to trap those allergens more efficiently than cats with single coats. Thus, it is believed by some people that cats such as the Spynx and Rex breeds are "allergen-free." I've also read that black cats are either less prone or more prone to allergens, but neither has been proven, to my knowledge.
The same rumors circulate about red cats.
Since cats groom their coats with their tongues, the accumulation of hair is often swallowed, which causes those nasty hairballs we all deplore. Hairballs can be avoided if we help our cats with their grooming, by brushing or combing them every day.
Cats wear their coats like runway models, and there isn't a cat lover alive who won't oooh and aaah at the site of a colorfully dressed calico, lush-coated Maine Coon with his handsome ruff, or a sleek and shiny black cat.
Different cat breeds develop different coats, partly for the above reasons.
For example, Siberian cats are said to have been taken originally from Russia to Siberia, where they developed their thick protective coats against the harsh winters; then, ultimately brought back to Russia. Siberian cats' coats are described to be "triple haired."
On the other end of the scale lies the Sphynx, which has such fine, short hair that it is sometimes described as "bald." The Devon Rex, like other Rex breeds originated from a spontaneous genetic mutation in a barn cat litter, resulting in a fine-textured wavy coat.
Allergies and Cat Hair
While cat hair is often blamed for allergies, most people nowadays are aware that the allergen that causes sneezing and wheezing in humans is found in the saliva of cats, and only transferred to cat hair by grooming. Cats with denser coats tend to trap those allergens more efficiently than cats with single coats. Thus, it is believed by some people that cats such as the Spynx and Rex breeds are "allergen-free." I've also read that black cats are either less prone or more prone to allergens, but neither has been proven, to my knowledge.
The same rumors circulate about red cats.
Since cats groom their coats with their tongues, the accumulation of hair is often swallowed, which causes those nasty hairballs we all deplore. Hairballs can be avoided if we help our cats with their grooming, by brushing or combing them every day.
Cats wear their coats like runway models, and there isn't a cat lover alive who won't oooh and aaah at the site of a colorfully dressed calico, lush-coated Maine Coon with his handsome ruff, or a sleek and shiny black cat.