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!
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
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.
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
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
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.
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 .
Aphrodite sounds like an absolute gem! Thanks for sharing, Bobbi!
I love my little Himalayan kitty she is 2 hrs old weighs only 8 pounds but she throws up any wet food we give her 🙁 any tips?
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!
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