LaPerm Longhair

The LaPerm originated in Oregon in the 1980s, when a barn cat gave birth to a kitten with an unusual curly coat; the curl is a natural dominant mutation. The longhair variety has a soft, loose, wavy to curly medium-length coat, with longer ringlets around the neck and a plumed tail. The curls vary from cat to cat and may change with age and season. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 5 kilograms, on a medium, muscular frame. Gentle combing suits the coat better than heavy brushing, which can make it frizzy. LaPerms are generally affectionate and curious, and they often seek contact with their people. Life expectancy is typically around 10 to 15 years.

LaPerm Longhair: how old in human years?

2.5–5 kgWeight
10–15 yrsLife expectancy

LaPerm Shorthair

FIFe category: Category II — Semi-longhair
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: LPL
Country of origin: United States

Energy level

4/5
Playfulness

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 3–5 kg

Females 2.5–4 kg

Life expectancy

10–15 yrs

Coat

curly (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

LaPerm Longhair: average score for sociability and trainability is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Activity & Living Space

LaPerm Longhair: average score for activity and living space is high.

Energy level 4/5
Playfulness 4/5
Hunting instinct 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5

Personality & Communication

LaPerm Longhair: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 5/5
Independence 2/5
Vocality 3/5

Grooming & Shedding

LaPerm Longhair: grooming and shedding demands are moderate.

Shedding 2/5
Grooming need 3/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the LaPerm Longhair

Sit down at your desk and a LaPerm Longhair will soon be in your lap, or, if that seat is taken, parked beside the keyboard supervising. This is an affectionate cat that wants to be near you, and a long day alone feels very long to it. If everyone in the house works away from home, another cat for company helps, or at least a stock of toys you swap around every few days.

There is plenty of energy here: it chases a feather wand, climbs to the highest shelf and inspects every new box or bag that comes in. Its scratching post should be sturdy and tall enough for a full stretch and a climb. A flat suits it well, as long as there is somewhere to go up and a window to watch the street from.

It gets on well with children, other cats and calm dogs, and sizes up new visitors from a safe distance first. The voice is moderate: it will tell you what it wants, but it doesn't chatter for the sake of it.

Grooming and coat

The LaPerm Longhair's coat is not a smooth cape but a tumble of loose curls and waves, gathering into a ruff at the neck and a plume along the tail. The hair is light and airy and sheds little, so it doesn't need a comb every day. Once or twice a week, run a wide-toothed comb gently through it so the curls don't twist into knots.

A dense brush is not this coat's friend: overdo it and the curls fluff out into something closer to cotton wool. Small tangles behind the ears, in the armpits and on the belly come out better with your fingers or the tip of a comb. While you are there, look into the ears and the corners of the eyes, and every few weeks check whether the nails have grown too long.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 57 g of dry food a day, from €3,28 a month For a neutered, normally active 3,6 kg cat. Calculate for your cat