The Himalayan cat: the perfect combination of Persian and Siamese
The Himalayan cat is a feline with a very special appearance, combining the best of their parents since they comes from a Persian cat and a Siamese cat, whose union results in their unparalleled beauty.
We invite you to meet the Himalayan cat, a breed obtained through experimentation with crossbreeding that debates their origins among three different countries.
Origin of the Himalayan cat
The origin of this beautiful species is Sweden. Although their name may indicate that they come from the Himalayas, the truth is that the name comes from their similarity to the Himalayan rabbits thanks to the colors of their fur.
The Himalayan cat is a breed that comes from the crossbreeding of the Persian cat and the Siamese cat.
In the 1930s, Virginia Cobb and Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Clyde Keeler investigated the gene responsible for colorpoint cats and decided to put a Persian cat and a Siamese cat together to see which kitten they would get.
The goal was to breed a cat with the coat of a Persian and the blue eyes and markings of a Siamese, and this crossbreeding resulted in the first Himalayan Persian cat.
Later the breed began to attract the attention of American and British breeders between 1940 and 950 who were interested in continuing with the crosses to give it recognition.
Great Britain recognized the breed in 1955 under the name Longhaired Colorpoint, while the United States officially recognized the breed in 1957. However, although the breed was officially recognized as the "Himalayan cat", some cat associations classified them as a variation of the colors of the Persian cat.
They were accepted by TICA, the International Cat Association in 1979. Himalayan cats are more popular in the United States and Canada, but in Europe, they are more difficult to find.
Himalayan cat physical characteristics
Size: they measure 40 to 50 cm.
Weight: males weigh 5kg but can weigh up to 10 kg, while females weigh between 3'6 - 5'4 kg.
Eyes: they are large and round, usually blue,
In case of having eyes of a different color, they would be qualified as a simple variation of the original Persian (white).
Ears: are rounded-pointed and small; well separated, following the contour of the head.
Coat: it is long, smooth, and silky, with a dense undercoat and its main characteristic is the pointed pattern, inherited from the Siamese cat, which consists in that their face, ears, legs, and tail are dark colored while their body is beige or cream-colored.
Even so, they have a great variety of colors such as brown, chocolate, lilac, reddish, and creamy blue, among others.
Body: their head is round and flattened with a flat nose, their build is robust and corpulent due to their strong and heavy bones, their legs are short and wide and their tail is wide and bushy according to their body size.
Life span: 8 - 11 years.
The character of the Himalayan cat
Himalayan cats are very elegant, docile, and calm. They are usually affectionate with the people they love and trust, so they can be very selective about who to give their affection.
With their owners, they are really affectionate and attached while they tend to be serious and a little distrustful with people they do not know. This can reflect an imposing and very serious attitude.
They do not like homes where there is a lot of noise, a noisy environment, or too many people because it makes them sensitive, their nature is a quiet place with quiet people.
In fact, you won't have any problems with your curtains or furniture in the house, although you will see them having a good time with their toys.
They don't mind changes in routine and are generally friendly with everyone, plus they get along well with small children.
Himalayan cat care
Himalayan cats, like other cats belonging to long-haired breeds, must be especially careful in this aspect.
- You can brush them 3 times a week but during the molting months, you should do it daily as their fur gets tangled easily and knots are produced, for this purpose choose a white bristle cat brush.
- It is necessary to bathe them frequently to keep their coat healthy and clean.
- Trim their coat regularly, especially their paws, as they tend to get dirt trapped in their fur.
- These cats tend to produce a lot of tears that accumulate in the hair in the tear duct area. Therefore, their eyes should be carefully cleaned with a damp cloth.
Himalayan cat nutrition
They must have controlled nutrition with food adapted to their metabolism, their lifestyle, and age to maintain a healthy weight, it is necessary that they do physical activity to maintain better conditions.
Wet food is an excellent choice as it is more easily digestible for the Himalayan cat, whose face shape can cause chewing difficulties.
It will also be essential to choose a cat food that contributes to preventing the formation of hairballs, we must control with malt that there is no recurrent vomiting of hairballs, because if this were so we would have to consult a veterinarian.
Himalayan Cat Health
The Himalayan cat, like the Persian, is prone to certain health problems due to their flat facial structure.
Their flat face means that the nasal turbinates may be more closed than they should be, causing breathing difficulties, snoring, etc.
In addition, the tear ducts will not drain at 100%, which may cause more tearing than normal and even accumulation of eyelashes or associated conjunctivitis.
They may also suffer from polycystic kidney disease, which causes swelling of the kidneys and renal dysfunction.
In these cases, it is recommended to perform an ultrasound at 12 months of age to find and treat cysts that may be present in the cat.
Himalayan cats are an ideal companion
This cat is ideal to have as a pet, especially in cases where we are looking for a calm and relaxed companion.
Although they require a series of cares, with time it becomes quite easy and routine, in return you, will have a great loyal and calm friend who will enjoy the quiet life at home with you.
