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11 Cat Breeds With Fluffy Tails: Pictures, Facts & History

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Portrait of a beautiful persian cat

11 Cat Breeds With Fluffy Tails: Pictures, Facts & History

Cats are glorious creatures. Everything about them is wonderful, from their pointy little ears to their sharp little claws (okay, maybe not those). Our favorite part, however, will always be their tails. The charming appendages will tell you everything that you need to know about how your kitty’s feeling.

There’s nothing better than a fluffy cat tail. If you agree, you’ll love the shaggy felines on this list, each with an incredibly lush, fluffy tail.cat face divider 2

The 11 Cat Breeds With Fluffy Tails

1. Maine Coon

tortoiseshell blue smoke maine coon standing outdoors
Image Credit: N Roberts, Shutterstock

As the largest domesticated cat breed, Maine Coons have the tails to match. The tail resembles a raccoon’s, right down to the black rings that encircle it. Their tails don’t sink in the snow, and they can curl around their entire body to keep them warm when it gets cold. Most importantly, it makes them look adorable all year round.


2. Birman

Balinese
Image Credit: Pikist

The Sacred Cat of Burma, the Birman, has a long, silky coat that ends in a thick, fluffy tail. Despite the heft that they carry in their tails, these cats don’t have undercoats, which makes them less prone to matting and shedding.

The breed almost went extinct after WWII, and they were whittled down to a single pair. Luckily, thanks to the work of dedicated breeders, they’ve come roaring back in a big way in recent years.


3. Norwegian Forest Cat

shell cameo Norwegian forest cat
Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock

From their name, you’ll probably guess why the Norwegian Forest Cats need such fluffy tails. Their entire bodies are thick and bushy, and they have waterproof fur with a thick undercoat. In addition to being quite popular in Scandinavian countries, the Norwegian Forest Cat is France’s fifth most-owned breed.


4. Nebelung

nebelung cat sitting
Image Credit: Kinga P, Shutterstock

One of the rarest and newest cat breeds, Nebelungs originated in the United States. They have long, fluffy tails with fur that’s longer than that on the rest of their bodies. You’ll also find tufts of fur on their ears and between their toes. These cats are picky about certain things, like the quality of their litterbox. Then again, if you had a tail this majestic, wouldn’t you be protective of it too?


5. Himalayan

Himalayan cat lying on floor
Image Credit: MULTI ILHAM ANUGRIYA, Shutterstock

Also known as the “Himalayan Persian,” these cats resemble their Persian cousins. Two key differences should immediately jump out at you: their piercing blue eyes and thick, luscious tails. These cats have round bodies and short legs, so they can’t jump as high as many other breeds. However, they make up for their lack of athletic ability with their great beauty. After all, why should they need to jump (other than to prevent you from stepping on their tails)?


6. Somali

a portrait of ruddy somali cat
Image Credit: Nataliya Kuznetsova, Shutterstock

The Somali is a descendant of the Abyssinian cat, but its origins are unknown. While they have thick fur, their bushy tails are especially notable. Their coats are extremely fine, which makes them softer to the touch than many other breeds.

Their coats have another trick up their sleeve: they can sport up to 20 different colors on each strand of hair. That’s a big reason that these cats are so gorgeous, and we invite you to grab a tuft of fur and a microscope to see for yourself.


7. LaPerm

tri-color laperm cat
Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock

LaPerms have long and curly coats. However, the curls aren’t as tight on their tails, giving them a thick, bushy appearance. These cats originated in the United States and are genetically unique, meaning they’re unrelated to any other Rex cat breeds. Many people claim they’re hypoallergenic, but that’s not confirmed. Still, we can tell you that they shed less than your typical feline friend.


8. Ragdoll

Sealpoint Ragdoll on blue background
Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock

Ragdolls earned their name by going limp whenever being picked up. These are huge cats, often growing up to 20 pounds, and they have tails to match. Ragdolls are considered excellent pets for people who don’t like cats, as they follow their owners around, have no issues being handled, and are incredibly affectionate. Then again, people who like cats love this breed too.


9. Turkish Angora

Turkish Angora Cat standing on grass
Image Credit: Vadim Petrakov, Shutterstock

If you start scanning at the tip of their nose, the Turkish Angora will look like any other cat. That is, right until you get to their tails. Then, it’s just an explosion of long, fluffy white fur.

These cats are extremely athletic and prefer to perch on the tallest surface in any room. That’s good for you, as it puts their beautiful tails within prime petting distance. Of course, you’ll need to groom the Turkish Angora quite a bit.


10. Balinese

Portrait of a balinese cat
Image Credit: A__B, Shutterstock

Often mistaken for Siamese cats, the Balinese was developed after a mutated Siamese gene was identified. They’re pretty similar to one another except for their silky coats and long, plumed tails. Another way they differ from their Siamese cousins is in their use of vocalization. The Balinese are quiet pets, and they only talk when they have something to say, presumably, “Hey, look at my tail!”


11. Persian

orange long haired doll face traditional persian cat
Image Credit: Light Hound Pictures, Shutterstock

The flat-faced Persian is genetically similar to the Turkish Angora, which explains why both breeds have such amazing tails. However, Persian tails are longer, with hair that is both fuller and more coarse.

These cats are incredibly easygoing and prefer lounging in your lap to running around the house. They’re a loyal breed as well.

3 cat face dividerThe Fluffier, the Better

While every cat deserves love, a cat with a fluffy tail is slightly harder to resist than their thinner-appendaged counterparts. The breeds listed above are all known for their glamorous back ends, and they’d make great pets for anyone in the market for a fuzzy friend. Of course, all that fluff might mean you have to deal with more shedding, but that’s a small price to pay for beauty, don’t you think?

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: Irina oxilixo Danilova, Shutterstock

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