Javanese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

The Javanese is also known as the Colourpoint Longhair in some cat registries, but it's a purebred domestic cat that was developed in North America.

It was Helen Smith that coined the name Javanese cat in 1950 with the name being derived from the tradition where cats of the Orient have the names of the countries and islands of south-east Asia.

The name Javanese was chosen by choosing Java, an island near Bali.

You’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

The Javanese is a medium-sized, slender, muscular cat that weighs between 3 and 6kg. It has a short or long, silky coat that comes in a number of colors. The short-haired variety has a single coat, in contrast to the double coat found in the long-haired breeds.

The tail is fairly plumed. The Javanese also has point coloration which means that the body is paler than the darker face. The coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from dark brown to cream to tortoisehell and others. The ears are large and the almond-shaped eyes are always blue.

Temperament:

Siamese and the Javanese differ a little in coat length and color but otherwise they are much the same in temperament. They love their human families and will follow them around like a dog.

When you sit down they like to curl up in your lap and simply be around you. They may not be as vocal as the Siamese but he is still prepared to have a jolly good conversation with you.

They’re clever cats too and like stimulating games and toys. He loves to climb, so a climbing tree will be excellent for him. He also likes being busy, so if you leave him alone for a length of time, ensure that he has activities to keep him happily amused.

If you have a Javanese be sure to include him in your activities just like you would a child of yours.

Your American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

Your medium-sized Javanese cat is active and talkative. These are cats that love leaping up onto high perches and into trees and it is therefore imperative that you invest in climbing equipment for him.

These slender Oriental cats need an excellent diet to maintain the fine-boned, muscular physique. You don’t want your Javanese becoming overweight as this spells bad health and sluggishness.

The Javanese is such a lively cat if his weight is maintained and he loves being around his human family, purring away while he is lovingly made a fuss of.

The American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

The same health issues that you’re likely to pick up with the Siamese may well be found in the Javanese too.

Some of the health issues to look out for include among others, asthma or bronchial disease, heart defects, lymphoma as well as gastrointestinal conditions.

For the health of your Javanese cat, make sure the vaccinations are up to date.

The long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.

Diet:

Cats are carnivores and have special dietary needs. They have unique nutritional needs, something like lions and cheetahs.

Their protein needs are very high, especially when they are kittens or nursing mothers. They need animal protein in their diets. Some of the unique nutritional needs of cats require them to have this protein as well as very important amino acids such as arginine and taurine.

Just because your cat needs such a high intake of protein, it doesn’t mean he won’t need other nutrients. Cats need balanced nutrition that is right for them. The best commercially manufactured cat food with fats, carbs, minerals, and vitamins will ensure a healthy cat. Speak to your vet if you’re not sure.

Not all cat foods are the same and choosing the right cat food will ensure your cat gets a sufficient dose of protein powder. So important is a cat’s diet for good health, that it will be important to speak to your vet about the food requirements of cats.

Grooming:

With grooming, the fine silky coat can be cared for easily by giving it a brush each week. You want to remove loose hairs from shedding. You can also take a damp cloth and wipe your Javanese down.

The nails will also need to be trimmed. When you brush your cat, check up on other things too.

Make sure the eyes are nice and clear, the fur soft and vibrant, make sure there are no new and unusual lumps.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth that could be causing all kinds of health issues and check inside his ears too. For all these grooming issues, a pet grooming parlor can do it all for you.

General:

Provide your Javanese with a litter box and keep the box scrupulously clean.