Himalayan Cat

Himalayan
Overview
Characteristics
Himalayan
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate, family-friendly, sweet
Origin
United States
Other Names
Himmy
Group
Medium-sized longhair
Height
12"-14"
Body Length
12"-16"
Weight
7-12 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Price
$200-$3,000
Affection Level
? Breeds with a high affection level want to give and receive a lot of attention, while less-affectionate breeds are not as interested in petting and snuggles.
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100%
Activity Level
? Breeds with high activity levels will engage more in active play and demand more space and attention.
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50%
Pet-Friendly
? How well the breed tends to get along with cats, dogs, and other pets.
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80%
Kid-Friendly
? Breeds with a higher rating in this area tend to be gentle and patient, while lower-rated breeds may feel uncomfortable with children.
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90%
Sociability
? Breeds with a higher sociability rating will want to spend time with you all day, while less-sociable breeds seldom seek out human interaction.
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100%
Intelligence
? Breeds with higher intelligence ratings are more curious, investigative, and easy to train. Less-intelligent breeds are less trainable but often laid-back and easygoing.
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90%
Playfulness
? Breeds that score higher in this area have strong hunting instincts that make them great playtime companions.
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70%
Independence
? Breeds that score higher in this area are able to spend hours alone, while less-independent breeds require plenty of attention.
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30%
Vocality
? A higher rating in this area indicates a breed prone to plenty of meowing and other vocalizations, while less-vocal breeds are happy to stay quiet.
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50%
Grooming
? Breeds with higher grooming scores require more maintenance like brushing and bathing, while lower-scored breeds are virtually maintenance-free.
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100%

Himalayan Personality and Temperament

Is the Himalayan a Persian cat? Is the Colorpoint Persian the same as a Himalayan? The answer depends which registry the cat belongs to! Some organizations view the Himalayan – fondly nicknamed the "Himmie" – as a Persian variant rather than a separate breed. Others classify  the Himalayan cat as a breed of its own.

Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cats have pointed markings and gorgeous blue eyes like Siamese cats. At the same time, they possess long, silky coats like their Persian cousins. In addition, that Persian influence means Himalayan Colorpoint Persians typically have flat or shortened faces that contribute to their unique appearance.

Most Himalayan cats are incredibly sweet natured, with a fondness for cuddling up to their favorite people. Thanks to their Siamese heritage, these kitties tend to be a bit more playful than the average Persian. If you are looking for a cat that loves to lounge and you don't mind daily grooming sessions, then the Himalayan / Colorpoint Persian might be your perfect feline companion!

About the Himalayan Cat

Care

Himalayan Cat Care
Image Credit: https://www.pinterest.se/pin/17029304814992174

Nutrition

Nutrition

Grooming

Grooming

Exercise

Exercise

Health

Health

Colorpoint Persian cats have no special nutritional needs, however you might wish to look for food that contains added Omega essential fatty acids to support skin and coat health. Like all other cats, the Himalayan thrives on a high-quality diet that includes real meat or fish as the first ingredient.

Long, luxurious fur calls for daily grooming sessions, which Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cats typically enjoy. Not only does daily brushing prevent mats from forming, it is a wonderful bonding ritual. Some Colorpoint Persian cats require daily facial care to remove tear staining. This is more common in individuals with flatter faces and facial folds that catch moisture as it travels down from the tear ducts.

Additional grooming rituals include regular nail trims and toothbrushing, along with ear cleaning. Some Himalayan cats are prone to oily skin and hair, making occasional baths necessary.

Because the Himalayan Colorpoint Persian is prone to obesity, it is very important to encourage daily exercise. Luckily, these cats enjoy intense play and come to look forward to it once it is a habit. Just like Siamese, Himalayan cats enjoy interactive games like fetch and will happily chase a laser beam.

If you have a cat with a very flat face, you may need to reduce the speed and intensity of your play sessions to help prevent shortness of breath.

Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cats are generally healthy, however some do carry the gene for polycystic kidney disease. Responsible breeders test for PKD, greatly reducing the likelihood of producing pets that are prone to the disease.

Since Colorpoint Persian cats are brachycephalic, with flattened faces, they can suffer from breathing difficulties and dental malocclusions, along with cherry eye, which can occur in any breed with eyes that protrude.

Some individuals suffer from feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which is a nervous system disorder that can cause a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

None of these issues are prevalent and most Himalayan breeders are careful to pair only the healthiest parents with the hope of preventing heritable diseases from plaguing offspring.

History

During the 1930s, two Harvard researchers – Clyde Keeler and Virginia Cobb – decided to conduct a study by combining Siamese and Persian cats. Their efforts led to the birth of a cat named Newton's Debutante. They simply called it a Siamese – Persian after its parents. This beautiful cat had classic

Siamese Colorpoint markings, blue eyes, and a long, silky coat. He ultimately became one of the first cats to represent the Himalayan Colorpoint Persian breed.

Cat breeder and conservationist Jean Mill, also known as the founder of the Bengal cat breed, began working on the breed in 1948.

In 1955, Brian Sterling-Webb created a similar crossbred cat that he called the Long-haired Colorpoint. In 1957, Margaret Goforth's continued efforts at combining Siamese and Persian cats gained breed recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association. Goforth is credited with naming the Himalayan cat breed. Outcrossing to both Siamese and Persian cats continued throughout the next few decades, with various breeders focusing on either Persian or Siamese traits. In 1984, CFA decided that the Himalayan cat was actually a Persian variant and many of today's Himalayans exhibit more Persian traits than Siamese traits.

All major cat registries recognize Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cats, using either the Himalayan name or the Colorpoint Persian name. Despite the labeling conundrum that pits the Himalayan vs. the Colorpoint Persian, both breeds are exactly the same.

Himalayan Cat History
Image Credit: http://catjk.blogspot.com/2012/11/himalayan-persian-cats.html

Did You Know?

The smallest adult cat ever recorded was a Himalayan Colorpoint Persian. Named Tinkertoy, this tiny kitty was under 3 inches tall and was less than 8 inches long.

Himalayan and Colorpoint Persian cats are among the world's most popular. They are considered to be the most popular Persian color variant, and the Persian breed is among the planet's most popular!

The Himalayan cat is not named after the Himalayan mountain range, and it does not come from the Himalayan region. Instead, it is named after the Himalayan rabbit, which shares its beautiful color pointed coat.

The Breed Standard

About the Himalayan Cat
Image Credit: https://www.typesofcat.com/2020/04/himalayan-colorpoint-persian.html

Eyes

The Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cat has large, round, blue eyes. In some Colorpoint Persian show cats, the nose leather is positioned directly between the eyes.

Legs & Paws

The legs should be strong and thick, with a sturdy appearance. The paws should be large and round, preferably with tufts between the toes.

Tail

A Himalayan or Colorpoint Persian cat should have a thick, well plumed tail with a rounded tip.

Body

The Himalayan Colorpoint Persian has a cobby body with a round appearance and ample underlying strength, with a broad chest and shoulders.

Head

Himalayan Colorpoint Persian cats have round heads, with variations on face type. Doll face Himalayan cats have longer noses, while peke-face or ultra-typed Colorpoint Persians have extremely flat faces.

Ears

The ears are typically small and rounded, set wide apart and positioned low on the skull. Dense ear furnishings are typical.

Coat

Himalayan and Colorpoint Persian cats have long, double coats. A distinct ruff surrounds the neck, there is a lovely frill between the front legs, and there are typically tufts between the toes.

Color

The Himalayan Colorpoint Persian is a pointed cat with a light-colored body and darker colored extremities. Points may be chocolate, blue, cream, seal, tortoiseshell, or flame (red).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Himalayan cat cost?

Himalayan cats cost between $200-$3,000.

How big do Himalayan cats get?

Himalayan cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown Himalayan cat might weigh between 7-12 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 12"-14" inches tall.

How long do Himalayan cats live?

The Average lifespan for Himalayan is 12-15 years.

Do Himalayan cats shed?

Himalayan are long-haired cats, so you do have to expect a certain amount of shedding from this breed, but they don't shed as much as other cat breeds.

5 thoughts on “Himalayan

  1. Bobbi J.

    My Himalayan was the sweetest most perfect cat in the word. She loved petting, but when you stopped petting her, she would just lie down next to you and purr. Other cats I’ve had would head butt you or use some other way to try to get you to continue petting them, not my Aphrodite. I’ve never owned another cat that was nearly as sweet. I wish I could afford to get another one .

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta

      Assuming you mean two years, not two hours! Does she not throw up dry food? I would advise considering which proteins are in the wet food you’re giving. There’s a chance that she’s having a reaction to something in the food, not the type of food altogether. Additionally, you may want to think about a slower transition to any new foods. Rapidly switching from a familiar dry food to a new wet product could be a shock to the system, and it’s usually recommended that cats slowly transition from diet to diet. Hope this help!

      Reply

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