Did You Know?
One of the most popular pedigreed cats, the Himalayan is known for her obvious beauty and striking appearance. The cat breed is the result of human intervention when breeders wanted to breed a Siamese-pointed Persian.
Size
Varies between 8 and 12 pounds.
Coat
Long
Color
Cream in color, with point coloring – Chocolate, Blue, Black, Seal, Tortoiseshell, Flame, Lilac, Red, Silver, Cream, Golden, Frost, Brown, Cinnamon
Life Span
8-11 years
A big beautiful cat who is generally friendly with anyone and everyone and does not mind changes in her routine. One remarkable trait of their personality is their strong attraction and attachment to kids. Himalayan cats live up to 8-11 years.
Physical Characteristics of Himalayan Cats
A beautiful feline friend to own, the Himalayan has striking round-shaped, bony body. Her short legs resemble her Persian cousins. Another distinctive physical trait is her short, thick neck, short tail, small ears, and large, round eyes.
Her sparkling blue eyes are a hallmark of their beauty, which is enhanced by the color point coloration on their body, including face and tail. The unique markings on their fur are attributed to an enzyme mutation that affects their melanin production. Due to the effect of heat on the enzyme, the hot parts are lighter in color compared to the comparatively cooler parts that are darker.
The sturdy, muscular, and medium-sized body has a thick long haired coat, which requires daily brushing to keep it looking marvelous.
The result of the crossbreeding between the Persian and the Siamese, the Himalayan has the color characteristics of the latter. They are generally cream in color with color point coloration, which can be in chocolate point, red point, tortie point, seal point, and blue point.
Personality and Temperament of Himalayan Cats
If you want a beautiful lap cat, who is cute as well as cuddly, the Himalayan should be your first choice. A Persian lap cat at heart, the Himalayan loves to be petted, groomed, and fussed over.
A placid kitty who makes a fantastic companion, the Himalayan often exhibits bursts of kitten-like activity. The Himalayan boasts a loving, affectionate personality, similar to her Persian cousin. However, they may get easily irritable if they get knotted furs and matts.
They are extremely intelligent and outgoing. The Himalayan is deeply in love with her favorite companion and is extremely discriminating. She is happy to sleep in your bed, though she will not jump on your kitchen counters or climb up your curtains. However, she wants to be close to you and will unhesitatingly stretch out next to you and jump into your lap.
They adore human contact and reserve their attention for their beloved humans, including “trustworthy” guests. They love to cuddle with their favorites and prefer a serene, calm ambiance while having a dislike for loud environments. You will get to hear their soft, musical voice only when they need something, which may be regular meals, love, or playtime with a catnip mouse.
Health and Care of Himalayan Cats
These cats are prone to health issues. Their flat face shape makes them prone to breathing problems. Their coat requires daily grooming to prevent knotted furs and matts. There is a risk of litter becoming stuck in their furry foot pads. Their Persian origin makes them vulnerable to obesity. As a result, you should monitor their food intake.
History and Background
The Persian and the Siamese are the parent breeds of the “Himmie,” as the Himalayan is lovingly called by cat lovers. The Himalayan was the result of breeding between the two breeds in the 1950s. Breeders wanted a cat with the coat of a Persian, but with the striking markings of the Siamese and beautiful blue eyes. As a result, the Himalayan was born with the distinctive coloring markings of the Siamese and personality of the Persian.
The Himalayan got its recognition in 1957 when the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the cat breed as a distinct breed. However, the breed was reclassified as a color variety of the Persian in 1984.
The American Cat Association considers the cat breed as a color variety of the Persian. In some registries, the Himalayan is classified as a different breed from the Persian.
