The male, healthier cat behind the cat with longer hair was massaged at an early age when he moved to our place on his first night. I took him on my lap and we both slept on the sofa the whole night since he just arrived and cannot be calmed. I massaged him early on and he is used to be on the lap of my son during the day when he can find an opportune moment. While the female cat, grew sickly as she aged, her skin and hair show dullness compared to the shiny hair of the male cat who received more massage. Both cats are of the same age.