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Himalayan cat

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Home

Himalayan cat

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Appearance

Gallery

Origin

Temperament

Himalayan cat

Other names: Himalayan Persian, Colourpoint Persian, Longhaired Colourpoint, Siamese-Persian, Himmy

The Himalayan, also known as the Himalayan Persian or Colourpoint Persian in Europe, is a breed of long-haired cat that shares similarities with the Persian breed, except for its striking blue eyes and point colouration. These unique traits were achieved by crossing Persians with Siamese cats. While some registries categorize Himalayans as a sub-breed of Siamese or a colorpoint sub-breed of Persian, the World Cat Federation has combined them with the Colorpoint Shorthair and Javanese breeds to form a single breed called the Colorpoint.

Parent breeds:

Persian cat

Siamese cat

length

43-48

16.9-18.9

cminch

cm inch

hight

25-30

9.8-11.8

cminch

cm inch

weight

3.2-5.4

7-11.9

kglbs

kg lbs

life span

9-15 years

Size

Moderate

Country of Origin:

USA , Iran , Thailand

Fur Length:

Long

Breed origin:

Crossbreed

Recognized by: 4 registers

ACFA

CCCOFA

CCA-AFC

ACA

GCCF

LOOF

TSACC

CFSA

ACF

FIFE

WCF

NZCF

TICA

CFA

Appearance

The Himalayan cat breed is known for its rounded and massive appearance. It has short but strong legs with round and large feet. The eyes are large, round, and intense blue in color, while the ears are small and rounded in shape. The Himalayan's fur is long, shiny, and has a thick undercoat. The coat is always colorpoint, meaning the body is lighter in color than the points on the face, ears, paws, and tail, and it can come in various colors.

Coat type

Eye colour

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Head shape

Tail

Coat type

Eye colour

Fur colour

Body type

Ears

Eyes shape

Fur length

Head shape

Tail

Gallery

View 10 more photos

Gallery

View 10 more photos

Origin

Work to formally establish a breed with combined Persian and Siamese traits began in the United States in the 1930s at Harvard University; the breed was named Siamese-Persian. The results of this breeding were published in the Journal of Heredity in 1936 but were not adopted as a recognized breed by any major fancier groups at the time. Brian Sterling-Webb independently developed the cross-breed over a period of ten years in the UK, and in 1955, it was recognized there as the Longhaired Colourpoint by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). Separate US-based breeding efforts had begun around 1950, and a breeder, Mrs. Goforth, received breed recognition from the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) near the end of 1957 for the Himalayan. Presently, the Himalayan is considered a separate breed by the American Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association. The Cat Fanciers' Association and the GCCF consider the Himalayan a color variant of the Persian and not a separate breed.

Parent animals

Breed origin

Parent breeds

Origin countries

Temperament

The Himalayan cat is known for its calm and gentle demeanor, making it well-suited for apartment living. Despite its Siamese heritage, which gives it a slightly more active nature than its Persian counterpart, Himalayans are still considered a relatively relaxed breed. In addition to their intelligence, these cats are also known for being less vocal than other breeds. They enjoy sleeping but are also quite playful, and they tend to get along well with both children and other pets in the household.

Behavior:

Friendly toward other pets

Low prey drive

Friendly toward humans

Activity Level:

Calm

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences

Reproduction

Grooming

Common health issues

Diet preferences

Reproduction

Grooming

Common health issues

The Himalayan cat breed actually may have some special dietary requirements due to their long fur and potential for hairballs. It's recommended to include fiber in their diet to help prevent hairballs, and also to ensure they have a high-quality protein source to support their overall health. Additionally, it's important for Himalayans to have access to fresh water at all times to help prevent dehydration, especially since they have a thick coat that can make them more prone to overheating.

Himalayans usually give birth to up to 6 kittens in a litter. Kittens of this breed are born very light, almost white in color, with pink paw pads and nose, and without markings. The color of their ears becomes visible in the first months of life, and the mask gradually appears from the nose onward. The color of their coat is fully developed only by the age of one and a half years.

Litter size

1-6 kittens

kittens

Himalayan cats have specific grooming needs that should be attended to regularly. To prevent matting and tangles and control shedding, it is essential to brush them frequently. Some Himalayan cats may need daily facial care to eliminate tear staining and clean facial folds that trap moisture from tear ducts. Furthermore, regular nail trims, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning are also necessary parts of their grooming routine. Due to their oily skin, some Himalayan cats may require more frequent baths compared to other breeds.

Shedding

Normal

Grooming intencity

Requires lots of grooming

The Himalayan breed can be prone to several health conditions, including respiratory infections, epiphora, corneal abrasions, ulcers, and corneal sequestration. Additionally, they are susceptible to polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary condition that leads to the growth of cysts in the kidney, and have a higher incidence of feline asthma. Another health issue that Himalayans are predisposed to is dermatophytosis (ringworm), a fungal infection of the skin that causes a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash.