Shorthaired cats may be single- or double-coated. Single-coated breeds, like the Siamese, Korat, Bombay, Havana Brown, Snowshoe, Burmese and Oriental Shorthair, have smooth, silky fur that contours their bodies, needing only an occasional polish with a chamois cloth or a silk glove to keep them well-groomed.
Double-coated shorthairs include the Chartreux, Russian Blue, Abyssinian, Scottish Fold and Manx, as well as the British, American and Exotic Shorthairs. To keep these dense coats at their best, a comb and curry once or twice a week will maintain a healthy coat and help prevent hairballs caused by overzealous self-grooming.
Two unusual variations of the shorthair are the wirehair and the Rex coat. The American Wirehair is similar to the American Shorthair, but its fur is springy, taut and curled. Brushing and combing are not advisable, though gentle bathing may be needed once a month. The Cornish Rex and the Devon Rex may also have curly coats. The Cornish coat has no guard hairs. Like the less dense Devon coat, its curl may vary from tight ringlets to a rippling wave.