Nebelung vs Oriental Longhair - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Nebelung is a new breed of cat originating in the USA. It is a close relative of the short-haired Russian Blue.

The name Nebelung means 'creature of the mist' in German. This is because of the cat’s beautiful silver-blue coat.

It was in the mid-1980s that Cora Cobb had a domestic shorthair cat mated with a Russian Blue, with one kitten from the litter having long, blue hair. She started a breeding program and in 1987 the Nebelung was given status as an entirely new breed by The International Cat Association as well as the American Cat Fanciers Association.

Your Oriental Longhair cat has his foundations in the Siamese breed. The Siamese came from Thailand to the UK in the 1800s.

Sometimes a litter of Siamese kittens produced a long-haired variety but in the 1950s breeders started honing in on these longer haired Siamese cats.

Various crossings took place and Oriental Shorthairs came about. By breeding these Shorthairs with Balinese cats, the Oriental Longhair came about in the 1970s.

The beautiful Nebelung is a rare domestic medium-sized cat with a long muscled body and long legs. They weigh between 3 and 6kg. The oval-shaped eyes are green or a yellow-green color and the eyes are large and pointed. The coat of the cat is long and thick with an undercoat and grey in color with the males and some females having a ruff round the neck.

Temperament:

The Nebelung is a lively, playful cat that is good-natured and loves to be around his human family. People who have owned them say they behave a lot like dogs. It means you can have him trained to walk on a leash.

He is somewhat aloof with strangers. He is a gentle cat and very intelligent, forming tight bonds with some special members of his human family. They love to be petted and stroked by this favorite human being.

The cat also communicates well. They like their litter box kept nice and clean and they can be quite finicky when it comes to their food.

Because of their playfulness, make sure you have lots of puzzle toys for him. They’re cats that like things to remain the same – no sudden changes for them as they become stressful. Because of their quiet natures, they don’t relish the idea of wild, undisciplined children and would prefer to live in a home with a few adults,

The Oriental Longhair is a medium-sized cat with a fairly long, muscular, lean body. The Oriental Longhair actually resembles the Siamese cat.

They also come in an outstanding array of colors and patterns with the coat being long and silky. The coat can be a solid color but you can also find tabby-type coats as well as tipped coats. The cat doesn’t have an undercoat and coat lies fairly flat against the body. You will also hear it being referred to as a semi-longhair.

The tail is attractive and forms quite a bushy plume.

The Oriental Longhair cat has almond-shaped green eyes. If you see the white Orientals, they can have green or blue eyes. They can also be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

These cats are intelligent, curious, and good-natured and they love to talk. Therefore it is important that such a cat breed have a home where there is plenty of company.

They’re active cats too, loving to play and bound and leap. He'll want to willingly join in with some of your games. The cat will certainly need some exciting toys to keep him occupied.

They are loyal cats and become loving and devoted to their human family, getting on well with children in the home as well as other pets.

They don’t like being left alone at all and will prefer to have company, even if it is from another pet.

The Nebelung is a gentle, quiet cat that simply wants to live in harmony with the human family he loves.

He prefers a quiet, consistent kind of lifestyle. He is active, social, and fun around them but is reserved with strangers.

He is a loyal and loving cat and can become dejected if he doesn’t receive the same amount of love and attention that he craves and which he is so willing to give.

Your Oriental Longhair is such a friendly, lively cat and he makes a splendid companion. It is an inquisitive cat and likes to be part of the activity in the household.

He is a social, talkative cat and has always got a lot to say/ They love the attention of their human family and don’t like being separated too long from them.

When you get one of these cats, you get both an entertainer and a friend.

These beautiful cats don’t have many health issues. They are generally healthy cats.

Don’t allow your cat to become overweight as this can bring on a host of health conditions. There was a time when cats didn’t get much older than 10 years of age, but with advancements in good nutrition and good veterinary care, a cat can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

Certainly, as your beloved pet starts to move into his senior years, he will face aging problems. Aging cats are susceptible to faltering vision, arthritis, hearing loss, thyroid problems gum and teeth disease, diabetes, incontinence, and even dementia.

Remember to continue feeding your senior cat the best quality cat food there is.

The Oriental Longhair is generally considered a healthy breed. Because the cat can be prone to some inherited conditions, it is always a wise move to buy a kitten from a reputable breeder.

A couple of these diseases to look out for include Progressive Retinol Atrophy which is a degenerative condition that can lead to blindness.

Also, look out for periodontal disease which is common in many cat breeds.

Diet:

This cat, as a carnivore, should be fed a high- quality cat food that is high in protein. The poorer quality foods won’t have the right mix of vitamins and minerals – so important for your pet.

These inferior foods often lack the right nutrients and can make your cat sick. Make sure you give your cat a top protein diet with ingredients that must have taurine, an important amino acid.

The Nebelung has a long, double coat and even though the cat isn’t a heavy shedder, it will require a brush every week to prevent the coat from becoming tangled.

Make sure you have everything you need for welcoming a cat into your home. He will need food and water bowls, warm, soft bed, litter box, climbing tree, scratching post, collar, grooming accessories, and a cat-carrying box for when he needs to go to the vet.

Ensure you take your pet to the vet as soon as he shows signs of illness. There are some terrible cat illnesses and they can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for your furry friend.

This is a slim cat and you can easily tell when he has put on weight. Be very careful with how much you feed your cat and what you feed him.

Cats are carnivores and you need to ensure that his diet is rich in meaty ingredients. These cats have long slim legs and extra weight can put pressure on the cat’s joints. Keep your cat lean and healthy. If in any doubt about diet for your cat, speak to your vet, Always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Prepare to have a cat included in your family. Invest in food and water bowls, a cat bed, grooming brushes, toys, climbing tree, scratching post and litter box. A cat box for transporting your pet to the vet is also a good idea.

The Oriental Longhair loves to leap up into high areas so he will need a climbing tree. Try to get your cat out into the sunshine where possible and allow him to climb into a tree.

They’re playful cats and will require some stimulating toys.

The cat’s medium- to long hair will require brushing once or twice a week. When you brush your pet gently but purposefully, he loves it and it becomes a bonding session.

Provide your cat with a litterbox and make sure to clean out the box every day. You can do that by buying a small plastic rake at the pet shop and it keeps the litter nice and even for your pet.

Have your cat neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.