Himalayan cat – Persian and Siamese in one bottle

A distinctive cross between two well-known breeds, the refined Persian and the sleek Siamese, is the Himalayan cat. Cat lovers all over the world have fallen in love with this breed because of its gorgeous long coat and striking blue eyes.

The Himalayan cat may be the best option if you’re searching for a companion that offers the best qualities of both worlds. Due to its Siamese ancestry, it possesses both the playful and energetic side as well as the calm and gentle temperament of a Persian. This combination produces a well-rounded, playful, and loving personality.

The beautiful looks or the gentle disposition of Himalayan cats make them a delightful addition to any home. Continue reading to learn more about the unique qualities of this breed.

Characteristic	Description
Breed Origin	A cross between Persian and Siamese cats
Coat	Long and fluffy, like a Persian
Color	Siamese-like points on ears, paws, face, and tail
Eyes	Bright blue, inherited from the Siamese side
Personality	Gentle and calm, with a bit of Siamese curiosity
Care	Needs regular grooming due to its long fur
Health	Prone to breathing issues, like Persians

History of the origin of the Himalayan cat

Throughout the 20th century, breeders from the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Sweden made numerous attempts to produce long-haired cats with colorpoint coats. Thus, it was possible to cross a black Persian male with a Siamese female in the 1930s, but the result was kittens with short hair that inherited their father’s color. It wasn’t until the 1950s that a breed with the features and coat of a Persian cat and the color of a Siamese cat could be chosen thanks to the research of the Canadian B. Borret and the American M. Goforth who conducted parallel experiments with him.

In 1957, the Cat Fanciers’ International Association (CFA) officially recognized the Himalayan cat. The Himalayan rabbit, which has a similar color to the breed, inspired the name of the breed.

However, the Himalayan breed was merged with the Persian in 1984 as a result of their similar outward appearances, and they were given the designation of "sub-breed" or "division" (color group). The International Cat Association, or TICA, is in agreement, classifying Himalayan cats with Persian and Exotic Shorthairs.

Himalayan cats are classified by other cat associations (NCFA, AACE, ACFA, CCA, CFF, UFO) as a distinct species with their own breed standard.

Breed Description

The Himalayan cat breed is large, muscular, and has long hair. Its large round eyes, which are an unbelievably beautiful blue color and contrast sharply with the dark "mask" on its wide muzzle, are what give it its unique charm.

Standard

• Body: stocky, equally developed in the shoulders and sacrum, straight back. Legs are short with strongly developed muscles, straight. The male weighs about 4-6 kg, females 3-4.5 kg. Very short neck smoothly flowing into body.
• Head: wide skull, powerful jaws, correct bite. Head shape – round, smooth. Full cheeks. Profile short. The forehead, nose and chin are in line.
• Ears: small with rounded tips, set at a considerable distance from each other.
• Eyes: round and large, set wide apart, bright blue.
• Tail: proportionate to the length of the body, covered with long hair.
• Hair: long, thick, shiny. Frill on the neck turns into a train between the legs. A large number of colors.

Colors

Reference: The cat’s distinctive color only emerges in its second or third year of life.

The most typical ones are:

• seal point is a creamy, sometimes reaching light brown, color of the body and neck with dark brown marks on the protruding parts of the body.
• flame point or red point – protruding parts are fiery red

Additional uncommon hues:

tortie point (tortoiseshell) – walrus color the markings alternate with cream and red spots.

Crucial! Tortoiseshell cats are rare and sterile; they are typically only found in females.

The most esteemed are:

• lilac point or frost point — the color of the markings is bluish-pinkish (lilac).
• tabby point or lynx point (marbled or tiger) — the fur on the body of such cats is very light, and the markings have clearly visible stripes of any color (walrus, gray-blue, milky chocolate). The mask on the forehead has an M-shaped pattern, single-color ears with a light spot on the outside.

Health

What sets Himalayans apart is their comparatively robust immunity. Polycystic kidney disease is one of the ailments common to the breed. Additionally, pets may find the "flattened" muzzle bothersome due to increased lacrimation.

Although some people live longer than others, the average lifespan is 12 to 14 years. The conditions of care, feeding, and keeping have a direct impact on the longevity and general health of blue-eyed fluffies.

Himalayan cat photos

Photos of stunning Himalayan breed representatives. The Himalayan cat in the second picture has a pointed muzzle.

Himalayan character

Because it is a hybrid of a Persian and a Siamese cat, the Himalayan has inherited the curiosity of its Siamese ancestors as well as the kindness and laziness of its Persian parents.

Himalayans make great friends for kids and adults alike. Their unique attachment to their owner is a manifestation of their affection and loving nature. These cats may be cautious of strangers, but they are not aggressive, and once they get to know someone better, they will also give them lots of attention.

The Siamese gave rise to the breed’s love of games. The Himalayan adores paper balls and toys.

The Himalayan cat has an interesting characteristic in that they don’t annoy people with their loud demands because they meow little. The animals get along well with other pets, which is a big plus.

Possible problems

Because of its long, thick hair, the Himalayan cat is definitely not recommended for anyone who has a history of allergies. In the case of the Himalayans, the proverb "In the house where the cat lives, everything is a cat" is more applicable than ever. Consequently, the animal is also unlikely to approve of the "pure."

People who enjoy active cat games or who frequently travel, go on business trips, or move from place to place shouldn’t get such a pet.

The Persian and Siamese cat breeds, two popular breeds, are uniquely combined to create the Himalayan cat. This breed combines the best qualities of both worlds with the long, opulent Persian coat and the striking blue eyes and color-pointed pattern of the Siamese. Although they are renowned for having a serene, kind disposition, they occasionally exhibit playful vigor. Ideal for individuals who appreciate the allure of Persian cats and the disposition of Siamese cats, the Himalayan cat infuses a harmonious blend of style and allure into any household.

Care

Wool

The Himalayan’s luxurious hair requires extra special attention. It involves giving the pet a daily brushing, which is best done in three stages: first with a comb that has rare teeth to get rid of big stoopers, then more frequently, and lastly with a special brush to get rid of dead wools. The areas under the tail, the paws, and the neck are the most troublesome because that’s where the wool rolls the fastest.

There are many disagreements over the issue of water procedures. While some contend that shampooing the Himalayan cat’s woolen coat almost every week is necessary, others believe that bathing the cat just needs to happen once every six months. Considering the lifestyle and conditions of confinement, it makes sense to examine your pet more closely and give it a bath when necessary.

Nutrition

The diets of Himalayans are often excessive and imbalanced, which causes them to put on weight. For cats with long hair, it is advised to select dry and wet food from the premium and super-premium segments. This will aid in improved digestion and the removal of hairballs from the stomach. To get rid of trichobezoars, malt paste is also recommended.

Low-fat protein foods like chicken, beef, and turkey as well as necessary complex carbohydrates like sprouted wheat and various cereal varieties come from natural products.

Care of ears, eyes and other parts of the body

Because the breed is known for being more sensitive to tears, regular washings with a moist cotton pad should be part of the hygiene routine. Movements must be made from the eye to the nose in order to prevent inflammation.

Use a cotton swab to remove any extra sulfur from the pet’s ears while giving them care. You can use specialized ear drops.

A cat that is used to a scratching post may require fewer trims of its claws than one or two times per month.

Walking the pet, conditions of keeping in an apartment

The Himalayan cat truly qualifies as a "domestic" animal. Perfect for private homes or apartments. Nevertheless, a pet’s mental health will be strained by small, claustrophobic quarters, which may result in neuroses and even aggression. The cat requires room and the freedom to explore every inch of the house in order to be happy and healthy.

Owing to the unique features of the nose, issues with the animal’s ability to regulate their body temperature may arise. Therefore, it’s important to keep the animal’s room at the ideal temperature (20–22 °C) and provide shade on hot, sunny days.

The owner must be ready for more frequent bathing, the use of anthelmintic medications, and required vaccinations if he plans to walk the fluffy beauty outside.

Breed card

Characteristics of the cat		Notes
General information	The cat looks like a Persian breed	Not everyone recognizes Himalayan cats as a separate breed
Character	Calm, balanced and friendly	Quite playful, but not hyperactive
Appearance	The build and length of the coat came from the Persians, and the point color from the Siamese	Dense, light fur with dark points on the muzzle, ears, tail and paws

How to choose a Himalayan kitten

Selecting a Himalayan kitten can be challenging because the point color develops gradually over the last two to three years of the animal’s life. It is challenging to spot even the smallest trace of a mask and a "scorched" appearance on the paws and tail of a white, fluffy ball up until three months of age. You should carefully review the documents verifying the pedigree and pay attention to the parents of the future pet in order to avoid any trouble.

Think about the following when purchasing a kitten:

• the physical form and appearance of the cat,
• conditions for keeping animals in a nursery,
• age of pets.

Numerous variables affect the cost of the problem, including the issue’s color, gender, nursery’s reputation, and the parents’ "titles." A kitten that is capable of performing at shows must cost at least 10,000 rubles.

When the seller issues the necessary documentation, the transaction is finalized. Included in the package are:

• purchase and sale agreement;
• kitten card (exchanged for a pedigree);
• veterinary passport, which indicates the administered vaccines and deworming dates.

Breeding

Good male and female cats are essential for Himalayan cat breeding to be successful. Strong pedigree and external, exhibition indicators of the animal are important factors as well. This indicates that the required traits are well fixed in the genotype and that the quality can be traced back over several generations. Such animals are the ones from whom good kittens will inevitably come. Since the desired color is frequently the result of a recessive gene, inbreeding—that is, mating within a single related line—occurs frequently when breeding Himalayans.

After cats reach sexual maturity, which occurs after about 8 to 9 months, they can mate. A litter can contain three to six kittens.

When blue-cream point and tortoiseshell (tortie point) Himalayan cats are mated, the result is litters with the widest range of colors. As a result, kittens can be born to seal point males and tortie point females, as well as blue, flame, cream, and seal points in males, females, and blue-cream points in females.

The number of catteries producing Himalayan cats is increasing in the modern era. Here are a few instances of them that I discovered through straightforward internet browsing:

• Fleur de Mireille — Moscow.
• Luber — Moscow.
• Dikanta — Saint Petersburg.
• COLOROLLA — Severodvinsk.

The Himalayan cat offers a singular charm combination, fusing the fluffy beauty of the Persian with the elegance of the Siamese. Many people around the world who love cats have fallen in love with these cats because of their gorgeous coats, kind dispositions, and eye-catching blue eyes.

For those seeking a devoted and loving friend who enjoys human company, the Himalayan may be the ideal breed. They are happy in a variety of home settings and take pleasure in playing as well as relaxing.

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