12 Types of Cats With Fluffy Tails (With Info & Pictures)
By Beth Crane
Updated on
Cats come in all shapes and sizes. Because of the different traits between breeds, they can display various physical attributes, including fluffy tails! Contrary to popular belief, cats with all types of fur can have big, bushy tails.
Even curly haired cats can have beautifully fluffy tails. In this article, we’ll discuss 12 types of cats with fluffy tails and the kind of tail that is considered “fluffy.”
How Are Fluffy Tailed Cats Classified?
To know how fluffy tails in cats are classified, we need to examine the different types of coats. Most of the breeds on our list are semi-longhaired; semi-longhaired cats have a coat that’s longer than shorthaired cats but shorter than longhaired cats.
The fur tends to be silky and flowing. Many semi-longhaired cats have long, plumed hair on their tails, making them very fluffy! Fluffy tails should have longer hair length than that on the body, usually in a plume. However, some cats have short hair or even curly hair and still have wonderfully fluffy tails!
The 12 Types of Cats With Fluffy Tails
1. Nebelung
| Origin: | USA |
| Lifespan: | 15–18 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
The Nebelung (or “creature of the mist”) is a semi-longhaired cat originating in the USA. A Russian Blue queen gave birth to a litter of kittens with much longer hair than was usual for the breed. They were then analyzed by veterinary geneticists, who determined that breeding the semi-longhaired cats would be viable to produce a healthy bloodline.
Thus, the Nebelung was born! Nebelungs are quiet, loyal, and very loving. They have a deep blue coat with silver tips, giving it an ethereal sheen. Nebelungs are rare, and there are only a small number bred in the US.
2. Maine Coon
| Origin: | Maine, USA |
| Lifespan: | 9–15 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
Maine Coons are famous in the cat world and are the biggest breed of domestic cat in the world. Maine Coons can weigh up to 18 pounds when fully grown and be up to 40 inches long!
They can sport any coat color, and they’re beloved in feline show circuits worldwide. They’re rugged and bold, with broad faces and thick fur. These traits helped the Maine Coon perform the task they were initially bred for.
Maine Coons were used as working cats in rural environments like farms, and their strong bone structure, coupled with huge paws (sometimes with extra toes), allowed them to carry out their hunting duties with deadly precision.
3. Ragdoll
| Origin: | California, USA |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
Ragdolls are beloved for their looks and temperament. The cats are large and fluffy but gentle and sweet. The Ragdoll has a complicated past, originally bred out of California and only to a strict set of rules created by the breed’s founder.
Ragdolls are known for their tendency to completely relax in their owner’s arms like a ragdoll (inspiring the name). Ragdolls have beautiful fur, but they need daily brushing to prevent them from developing tangles.
4. Birman
| Origin: | Myanmar (Birma)/France |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
The beautiful Birman is a wonderfully calm and collected feline. They have a pretty cream and brown coat paired with piercing blue eyes. Birmans have a complex history steeped in myth, with goddesses and priests associated with the Sacred Cat of Burma.
In modern history, the breed was first shown in France in the early 1900s and came across to England shortly after. The gorgeous coloring of the Birman is second only to their beautiful temperament, and they’re known for their gentle and incredibly loving personality.
5. Himalayan
| Origin: | USA/UK |
| Lifespan: | 9–15 years |
| Hair Length: | Longhair |
The Himalayan is an interesting longhaired cat breed that is a mix of one of the oldest and fluffiest breeds (the Persian) and one of the most famously talkative (the Siamese). Himalayans have the fluff and fancy of the Persian, colored with the gorgeous, pointed colors of the Siamese.
They also share the Persian’s brachycephaly, and they have short muzzles and wide skulls. This can, unfortunately, mean they have some health problems, such as difficulty breathing. The Himalayan needs daily grooming to keep their beautiful coat in top condition, so be prepared to brush the fluffy tail thoroughly!
6. Norwegian Forest Cat
| Origin: | Scandinavia |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
Norwegian Forest cats are big and beautiful, hailing from the snowy regions of Norway. They’re a naturally occurring breed with thick fur and wide, fluffy paws to help them navigate the harsh climate.
They are large and muscular, with lots of tufted areas of fur. Their tails are long and fluffy, with a majestic ruff around their neck and flowing pantaloons on their hind legs. In the 1970s, the Norwegian Forest Cat became the national cat of Norway, and it’s easy to see why! These gentle giants are affectionate to their owners, and their waterproof fur is luxurious.
7. Turkish Angora
| Origin: | Turkey |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
Turkish Angoras are a very old breed from Ankara, Turkey. They are sleek and streamlined, and they were first recognized as a distinct breed in Europe in the 17th century.
Turkish Angoras are often pure white and have different-colored eyes, which gives them an incredibly striking appearance. They have an unfortunate tendency to be deaf, however, thanks to an inherited gene. The Turkish Angora is energetic and highly intelligent, often willing to “help” around the home as much as possible!
8. Persian
| Origin: | Iran (Persia) |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
| Hair Length: | Longhair |
The luxurious Persian is one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. These lap cats have thick bodies and long, flowing fur. Persians have the highest grooming requirements of any breed, and their fur is thick and quick to shed.
They have very fluffy tails that are comparatively short and have long tufts between their toes! Persians have flattened faces, and they often have trouble breathing and problems with overheating.
9. La Perm
| Origin: | Oregon, USA |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Hair Length: | Short or longhaired |
La Perms are a rare and special breed hailing from Oregon, USA. The pretty cats are born bald, but a wonderfully curly coat grows soon after. Despite their tight curls, the La Perm has a bottle brush tail that’s long and fluffy.
La Perms are very active and intelligent. They aren’t lap cats, and they only need a small amount of grooming to keep their curls and tails in good condition. The name “La Perm” comes from the Native American territory where the original kittens were born. As a tradition, La Perm kittens are given Native American names out of respect.
10. Somali
| Origin: | Egypt/USA |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
The playful and light-hearted Somali is sometimes known as the “smiling cat” after their jovial expressions. Longhaired Somali cats share the same multi-colored “ticked” fur as their shorthaired cousins, but they have plumes and ruffs that highlight their beautiful coloring.
The Somali is an ancient breed, with references to a cat strikingly similar to the Somali being described on Ancient Egyptian papyrus dating back to 900 BC! Their tails have blunt ends and long, fluffy fur. The friendly and active Somali is a beloved cat thanks to their lovely looks and inquisitive nature.
11. Selkirk Rex (Long Hair)
| Origin: | Montana, USA |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Hair Length: | Longhair |
Selkirk Rex’s have a unique coat that almost resembles that of a wooly sheep! The coat is curled and thick, and they have a long and heavy tail. They’re very cuddly and heavy enough to feel like a solid presence in your arms.
They’re playful and expressive, but they retain the relaxed and cuddly nature inherited from the breeds that go into making them. Persians, British Shorthairs, and Exotic Shorthairs are the breeds used to create the Selkirk Rex, and the curly fur was a mutation from the Persian side.
12. Turkish Van
| Origin: | Lake Van, Turkey |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Hair Length: | Semi-Longhair |
The Turkish Van is a naturally occurring breed that is known for both their beautiful coloring and interesting behavioral traits. Turkish Vans originated from Lake Van in Turkey, the biggest lake in the region.
They have beautiful coats and predominantly white coloring paired with a splash of color on their ears and fluffy tails. This is usually orange or tabby but can include a rainbow of colors and patterns, including tortoiseshell, blue, and even creams. They shed their fur in the summer months, making it lighter and less heavy. In the wintertime, it’s much longer and fuller.
Conclusion
Longhaired, shorthaired, and semi-longhaired cats can all have beautifully fluffy tails, and the 12 that we’ve covered in this article are beautiful examples. Not all fluffy tails are equal, however, and the differences between these breeds are clear. Regardless of whether they are thick and plush or bottle-brush, fluffy tails are a delightful and attractive trait of many cats.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
