The Himalayan cat is a cross between the well-known Persian and Siamese. The Himalayan cat is best known for its thick, lush coat and crystal blue eyes. This species is quite relaxed and likes to be treated like a real ‘prince’. They love attention and affection, but as a companion they are quiet and not demanding. For these reasons the Himalayan cat is one of the most popular breeds in the world. Despite the fact that this cat adapts easily to its environment it is very important that you take good care of it. How do you do this? You can read it in this article.
The origins of the Himalayan cat
From the appearance of the Himalayan cat, it is quite easy to tell that it is of Asian descent. That he has this appearance is not strange, the cat is descended from the Siamese and Persian cat family. At the beginning of the thirties in Switzerland the Himalayan cat became the result of decades of selective breeding. The aim of breeding was to create a cat with the physique of a Persian, but with the coat and eye colour of a Siamese.
This worked out excellently, because breeding ended in a Persian cat with beautiful blue eyes and a thick, Siamese coat. A few years later this cat got the name Himalayan cat. He probably owes this name to the Himalayan rabbit, to which the cat resembles in colour pattern. It was not until 1957 that the breed was recognized under this name, after which the popularity of the Himalayan cat increased enormously.
The United States also plays a decisive role in the further development of this cat. After the Second World War an American breeder – Marguerita Goforth – succeeded in creating the colourpoint. In 1957 this breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
The character: smart and relaxed
A Himalayan cat can be recognised by its relaxed character. Its gentle and friendly nature makes it very suitable for both the elderly and children. They are also very affectionate and often quickly develop a good and close relationship with their owners. It is possible that they are quite shy in the beginning. This has to do with the fact that this breed prefers to ‘look the cat out of the tree’ before they get attached. This is normal. Over time the cat will feel more at ease and it will become easier to make contact with him. Once you have won the trust of a Himalayan cat it is impossible to beat around the bush and it is a real cuddler. Despite the fact that this cat loves a lot of attention, he doesn’t mind being alone every now and then.
Also, unlike other cat breeds, this breed can adapt quite quickly to new situations and environments. It is often the case that cats find this difficult and prefer a fixed and safe environment. The Himalayan cat is a bit easier in this and can adapt quickly. This species is also known for its intelligence. They learn very quickly and are very easy to train. This has the advantage that this cat is very easy to learn a new routine, for example around eating or sleeping. Routine and regularity is important for both the cat and the owner. The fact that the Himalayan cat is a big fan of regularity is a bonus! Furthermore, they are very playful and curious. They love to discover new toys, so don’t hold back when buying the latest cat toys!
Appearance: crystal blue eyes and a thick coat
When you see a Himalayan cat two things immediately stand out: the bright blue eyes and the thick, long coat. Other characteristics of the Himalayan cat are the round head, wide jaws, an upright nose and a rather short and flat snout. In addition, this breed can be recognised by their short legs and medium-sized body. The eyes of this cat are very special, they are large, round and have beautiful shades of blue. Through the eyes the cat gets a lovely and handsome appearance. This cat is also chosen by many people because of its beautiful appearance. The combination of the coat and the eyes gives a nice contrast which is loved by many people.
The coat of the Himalayan cat
The coat of the Himalayan cat is long and falls all over the body like a coat. The cat has a thick undercoat, which gives the coat a lot of volume. The cat also has a big and thick pleated collar which is seen by many people as one of the beauties of this cat. The coat comes in several colours and always has a colour point.
The colourpoint is a dot drawing where the coat is darker in colour at the ears, the feet, the tail and on the face. It is suspected that this is caused by a certain gene. This gene causes the cooler parts of the cat to become darker in colour. The Himalayan cat is not born with a colourpoint. The dark markings develop as the cat gets older. Research has shown that when the Himalayan cat grows up in a warm space this point pattern doesn’t develop/minor.
In the Himalayan cat there is a clear contrast between the body of the cat and the colourpoint. The body of the cat is a lot lighter in colour than the point drawings. The colours that occur most often in the Himalayan cat are:
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Cream
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Lila
- Brown
The colours blue and cream are dilutions of black and red. The colours lilac and brown are dilutions of chocolate and cinnamon. The body of the Himalayan cat is white.[1]
Education: socialising is important!
A good upbringing is essential for a cat. If you don’t take the time to teach your cat rules and routines in the beginning, you may suffer from this for years to come. It all starts at birth. Make sure that a Himalayan cat has been able to spend enough time with his mother before he comes into your home. Contact with the mother is very important for the mental state of your cat. It is better to bring him into your house a little later than too soon. If you take a cat away from its mother too early, it may develop mental problems that it will not be able to get rid of later in life. So, give him time with his mother.
After a Himalayan cat has spent enough time with its mother, the real education starts. From that moment on, the responsibility for this lies with the owner. First of all, it is important that you let the cat get used to dealing with people in a calm way. Read your cat what he likes or dislikes and slowly take steps to teach him more and more. Because the Himalayan cat adapts quickly it will not be such a problem with this kind of cat. It is important to learn bad behaviour right away. You can do this by reacting in the right way immediately. When you immediately disapprove of bad behaviour your cat will learn that he is not allowed to do this. If you also encourage good behaviour then it is very easy for your cat to learn what is and is not allowed.
The care of the Himalayan cat
Because the Himalayan cat has such a long and thick coat it is very important to take care of it every day. It is also advisable to wash it thoroughly once a month with special shampoos and then dry it with a hairdryer. This will ensure that the coat stays clean and there will be no tangles. It also reduces the risk of hairballs.
It is also important to keep up with the teeth of the Himalayan cat. Brush his teeth thoroughly about twice a week. It is important that you start immediately and repeat it at set days and times so that your cat can get used to it. Because the muzzle of the Himalayan cat has a special build, tear fluid is quickly formed in the corners of the eyes. It is important that the eyes of this breed are kept clean, so that no irritations arise.
Also make sure there is a good scratching post so that the cat can sharpen its claws. This is part of taking good care of your cat. It also ensures that your cat can use his energy in a good and healthy way. This is essential for his health.
The food of the Himalayan cat
Because this cat does not specifically suffer from any conditions related to obesity, it is fairly easy to give this cat the right food. The general advice is to ensure a balanced diet full of animal protein, sufficient fats and the right vitamins and minerals.
It is important, however, to buy special foods in connection with the formation of hairballs. A veterinarian can help to prepare a good diet to prevent these hairballs. Are there any diseases or hereditary conditions that are common in this cat?The Himalayan cat is a very strong cat that almost never gets sick with the right care. In spite of that there are often hereditary and common diseases in this breed. The most common disorders are:
- Hairballs
- Eye problems
- Facial irregularities
- Kidney and urinary tract problems
The chances of your Himalayan cat getting one of these conditions are quite high. Because you now know what the most common conditions are, you can prepare yourself well and intervene immediately if you notice that your cat is behaving differently from normal. Veterinarians know this breed well thanks to its popularity. If you knock on a vet’s door with one of these problems on time, they will be able to remedy it quickly.
How old can a Himalayan cat get?
The Himalayan cat can live to be 12 to 15 years old. This is a fairly normal age for a cat. Depending on the degree of hereditary and other diseases, this life expectancy can be affected. Make sure you take good care of your cat. This will ensure a longer life expectancy and at the same time make your cat happier and happier.
Do you want to get a Himalayan cat? Then pay attention to the following!
If you are going to bring a Himalayan cat into your home, it is essential to prepare yourself to take care of it. Taking care of this cat species takes more time than taking care of other cat species. So, think about taking the time and effort to do this. Not sure? Then choose another breed that takes less time to care for, this is animal friendly. Buy a Himalayan cat from a recognised breeder. This will make sure you buy a Himalayan cat that has grown up well and spent enough time with its mother.
How much does a Himalayan cat cost?
The Himalayan cat can cost between 200 and 2500 Dollar. This is a very large price difference and that has to do with the following. The Himalayan cat is a unique mix of the Persian and Siamese. A unique and attractive breed, which of course also has a price tag. In addition, important factors play a role, such as which breeder the Himalayan cat comes from, how old the cat is and what the health of the cat is. Whatever you want to pay, it is always good to remember the following. Does something seem too good to be true? Then it probably will be. So, look around you and look at the average price of a cat. That will help you to make the right choice.
Do you have a Himalayan cat in your house? Let us hear from you!
Do you have a Himalayan cat in your house, and do you enjoy this cat very much? Then let us hear from you! We and the readers are very curious about your experiences with the Himalayan cat. Have you bought the cat since a few weeks or only at an older age? Do you have something you want to share about this cat and we absolutely need to know about it? We are very curious about your reaction. Leave a comment below!
