Himalayan Cat: Cat Breed Information, Characteristics And Facts

This Himalayan Cat is brilliant with children, friendly with other pets, and ‘Himmies’ as they are affectionately known have their own distinct personality traits. They are extremely caring and loving and could be considered a perfect breed of cat. When you consider the charm their little faces have, and all the differences of the breed, then you will see that you own a cat that is a great fit for anybody. Nevertheless, the truth is not as much information exists about Himalayan cats as there should be, so here is a guide to outline what you need to know.

History of the Himalayan Cat

Their origin can be traced back to the 1930s as cat breeders began to breed a cat with a characteristic Persian cat body and Siamese cat markings on the coat. Dr. Clyde Keeler of Harvard University also began a breeding program in 1930 to experiment on how particular traits may be inherited. Dr. Keeler and assistant Cobb eventually produced “Debutante,” the first known Himalayan kitten. Keeler’s findings were returned to in the 1950s to produce more Himalayan Cats as there was a desire for longhaired cats with classic Siamese eyes and markings.

The Himalayan Cat was officially a new breed for the American Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1957 but in 1984, the CFA unified the Persian and Himalayan cat breeds because they had comparable body types. But, the Himalayan cat now has Championship status in every association and is often considered one of the most popular breeds of cat in the country according to CFA statistics

There is another popular rumor about how the Himalayan cat came about. The story goes that it might be an offspring of an Asian wild cat. A lot of people have faith in the idea that the Himalayan cat is really a descendent of the Felis Manul which a wildcat from central Asia. The truth is no one can be totally certain of the history of this cat and it is actually quite ambiguous. Similar to many other cat breeds, there exist lots of different origin myths dependent on time and place. Essentially, it is a cross breed between the popular Persian and Siamese cats.

The most recognizable Himalayan cat of recent times is “Mr. Jinx,” the cat that makes an appearance in the well know comedy film Meet the Parents.

Quick Facts About the Himalayan Cat

• The CFA distinguishes many diverse color variations of Himmies including torte point, lynx point, blue point, cream point, and tabby.
• Himalayan cats can get big as they usually weigh around 7 to 12 pounds.
• The Himalayan cat has a large flat face, little ears a short neck, and thick legs with a comparatively short tail.
• The Himalayan cat enjoys a quiet life, it is friendly, but this cat is more appropriate for quiet and tranquil family homes and they cannot stand regular changes in their everyday environment.
• All Himmies can be divided up into two types: extreme and traditional. Traditional Himalayan cats will possess a more advanced nose and so have less of a flat face enabling them to breathe better. Extreme cats have very flat face and nose and are more likely to frequent cat shows.
• Every sort of Himalayan cat will have large, circular and blue-colored eyes.
• Himalayan cats forge strong bonds with just a few specially chosen family members and likes to cuddle up to them regularly.
• The Himalayan cat is much livelier on the odd occasion than a Persian cat and it enjoys to play with its human family.
• Unlike most other cat breeds, the Himalayan will not really want to climb on your kitchen counters or down your curtains.
• A Himalayan cat lets you know what it wants through a soft, agreeable, musical sounding purr.
• Himalayan cats can give birth to up to 5 kittens on average and has a lifespan of up to 15 years.

Things You Should Know Himalayan Cat

Himalayan cats can be fairly high maintenance due in part to their appearance. They are brachycephalic which means basically that they have a short-nosed facial construction. The difficulty with this is that it can lead to extreme tear production, and so your cat might require you to wipe their eyes with a damp cloth on a day-to-day basis. Brachycephalic also results in the constriction your cats’ airways and this can cause breathing difficulties and overheating. If it starts to get hot, it is sensible to let your cat feel the benefit of some air conditioning.

Your Himmy will require more than basic grooming but just the same as most other cats, they will just need consistent nail trimming and regular dental care. The great news is that your Himalayan cat loves affection and will probable enjoy any attention you give them.

Most of these cat’s desire to be indoors as they prefer the protection and comfort of living inside.  This then means that they are ideal pets for somebody who might be limited in terms of space or even for people who live in an apartment. If that small space has at least one cosy place for them to curl up in, then they will be happy.

Health of the Himalayan Cat

Every pedigree cat will have the likelihood of developing genetic health difficulties, just we have the possibility of inheriting a specific disease. Himalayans have their fair share of inherited diseases. Do not believe any breeder if they say that their breed has no health problems because at best this means that they are not well-informed about their breed. Run from any breeder who says that a kitten has been isolated from the main home for health reasons. It is just a fact that Himalayan cats do have genetic health problems which can be a major cause for concern, particularly if you are not very vigilant about who you buy your kitten from.

The main inherited diseases include PKD polycystic kidney disease, extreme tearing of the eyes and breathing difficulties caused by the limited nasal passages. Good breeders should take all of the appropriate steps to avoid these complications. Everyone should want the same thing, for Himalayans to be healthy and energetic, be able to breathe and produce a standard amount of tears.

Polycystic kidney disease is also a genetic illness which causes kidney dysfunction. This typically happens to cats between the ages of 7 and 10, though it can appear as early as 3 years. PKD is linked to a dominant gene in cats making it easy to recognize and so responsible breeders can eliminate it. You will need to request proof from the breeder that both of your new kitten’s parents are completely free of cysts in an ultrasound to ensure you are buying a healthy cat.

Related Post: Cat Food for Kidney Disease

Feeding

Himmies are robust and sturdy cats that are medium build with big bones like their Persian lineage. Their Persian nature when combined with their calm and relaxed qualities means that you might discover that lots of Himalayan cat’s struggle with keeping their weight down if you do not keep an eye on it. Ensure that you watch their food consumption and attempt to feed them intermittently as an alternative to giving them a grazing bowl which they keep on returning to throughout the day.

If you are worried about what you are feeding your cat or if you are concerned that your cat is overweight, there are an amply range of things that you can do to keep your cat’s weight in order. A balanced diet full of varied nutrients and fiber is very significant in keeping your cat feeling filled up for longer. You do not want them to be looking for treats all of the time. Feeding top quality meat is still of the highest importance in keeping your cat healthy.

For more information on picking the right cat food, you may wish to read our reviews of the best cat food for constipation, wet cat food, high fiber cat food, grain free cat food, and organic cat food.

Caring for your Himalayan Cat

Your Himalayan cat ought to be kept inside the home due to its non-aggressive personality and obviously to keep its long luxurious fur, that effortlessly collects dirt, nice and clean. Your Himalayan cat requires brushing every day to avoid tangling of their coat. Their face will require consistent cleaning for the removal of their tear stains and your Himalayan even when it stays indoors ought to be bathed at the very least once every month.

As has been already said, even where Himalayans do not have any obvious breathing difficulties, these flat-faced cat breeds will be sensitive to the heat. They really should be living in air-conditioned luxury, protected from the extremes of the weather. Fresh clean drinking water should always be available for your cat.

Have it in mind that if you travel a lot, airlines will not usually transport this breed in the cargo bay due to their potential for breathing distress in stressful conditions.

Grooming a Himalayan Cat

Himalayan cats are the show-off of the cat world in terms of their beauty. You will have to groom your Himmy every day as their fur is so dense and it will tangle very easily. Their coat is just so long and flowing and necessitates this continuous grooming since the undercoat will mat if this is not done. The Himmy is defiantly a cat that requires a big-time commitment to retain the coats lovely condition and it takes familiarity and practice to do it correctly. But they unconditionally love being smothered with your attention as you groom them, so take advantage of that with a great set of grooming utensils.

You will need to get your Himalayan cat used to getting into the bath the instant that you bring them home to keep them smelling nice. As a result of their facial features these cats have that issue with the tearing of their eyes, so ensure that you wash their face every day to avoid staining. You can assume that you will be spending up to 30 minutes every day brushing your Himalayan cats coat.

Himalayan cat fur is likely to matt fairly badly if this does not happen. Even a single day without brushing makes your cat more vulnerable to matting. This will then in turn make their grooming time more troublesome for both of you and it will increase the probability that your cat will get hairballs. Due to the quantity of hair that Himmies have, they are sometimes inclined to get lots of hairballs. Therefore, it is vital to groom them day-to-day. You may also contemplate using a hairball formula that will aid your Himmy to digest any additional hair more easily.

For more help on cat grooming, you may wish to read our guides on the best brushes for cats, cat shampoo, cat ear cleaners, cat nail caps, cat toothpaste, and cat nail clippers.

Temperament

Himmies are very warm and kind cats. They are loving, sociable, and disposed to bond very well with older members of the family or quieter children. The Himalayan cat is a quiet cat who also favours low-key settings. They are not extremely active, but you may get them to play a little with a ball or a toy mouse. Himalayan cats prefer however to lounge on the couch, and this is the reason why you will not discover them on top of a cupboard as that needs too much energy. They adore to be in the same place as their owners and they will softly let you know when you are not giving them enough of your attention. They are not the perfect cat for busy people who are seldom home as even though they are independent cats they can get lonely. The Himalayan is a composed, loving and cute breed. The Himalayan cat will also be responsive to the moods of their human family. They are very bright, and Himalayans tend to talk to their owner a fair amount. They like to be petted often but they do not request lots of attention like other cat breeds.

The Himalayan cat or “Himmie” is a cat known for its twinkling blue eyes and exceptional markings on their deluxe coats. The Himalayan cat is frequently looked upon for its outstanding appearance and noticeable beauty. The Himalayan might at first seem aloof but once they are relaxed with you, they will be loving, making amazing family cats.

Source:

1. Himalayan – PetMD