Himalayan Cats

Himalayan cats are actually Persians; they were bred to have Siamese markings with Persian body types and facial characteristics. The Himmy has personality traits from both its ancestral paths, too; while many Himalayans are gentle, loving and easygoing, they are also very playful and active and often have the quirky natures of their Siamese forefathers.

Visit a slideshow of facts about Himalayan cats!

Himalayan Cat Characteristics

Himalayan cats are considered a color variation of Persian, although to be considered purebred, they must have blue eyes and a cat's color must be limited to the face and extremities. While originally Siamese and Persians were mated to develop the Himalayan breed, today a purebred Himalayan must have two Himalayan parents.

There are many different colors in Himalayans. While the body is always white or fawn (a light beige), a Himmy's points can be seal, flame (red), lilac, blue, chocolate, cream tortie or even combinations of these colors, including blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream, seal lynx, and chocolate lynx.

A Himalayan cat has the flattened face and nose of the Persian breed and a short, stocky body, with diminutive legs. The fur is long and flowing, usually with a silky texture. While the fluffy Himalayan make look fat, this breed is usually well muscled and does not tend toward obesity.

While Himalayans do have a voice and do not hesitate to use it, they tend to be quiet and sweetly vocal. They do not share the demanding yowl common in their Siamese cousins.

Special Care

Himalayan with lion cut

Himalayan cats do require some special care. Their luxurious and thick fur must be groomed daily, to keep it from tangling and matting. You may also need to give your cat regular baths. In addition, regular grooming will help keep your himmies from getting hair built up in their stomachs when they self groom. Remember that long hair on your cat may mean extra home maintenance too; you may need to vacuum or sweep more often and remove fur from your upholstered furniture.

Other issues with Himalayan cats include chronically runny eyes. These do not usually cause any complications; you will simply need to wipe your kitty's face with a soft cloth regularly. In addition, some Himmies have such flat noses that they may breathe loudly or wheeze; however, most Himalayan kitties are perfectly healthy.

In hot weather, you will want to help your kitty deal with his long coat. If you do not have air conditioning, or cannot keep your home cool enough for his comfort, consider giving your Himalayan cat a "lion cut." In this cut – which should be done by a professional groomer experienced with long-haired cats – the body fur is shaved. Generally the fur around the ruff and on the tail is left long, making the kitty look like he has a lion's mane. While some cats take the shave as an affront to their dignity, others enjoy their warm-weather fashion.

One-Person Cat

Some Himalayans are 'one-person' cats; they will bond with one person in the household and trail them from room to room. This doesn't mean they are indifferent to other family members, just that they like to be wherever 'their' person is. Fortunately, they can adopt a new 'one-person' if circumstances require it.

A particular Himmie named Gordon belonged to an elderly woman. When she died, her family was a little worried about him, since he was extremely devoted to her. But when one of the woman's daughters took the cat back to her home, he eventually decided that the daughter was now 'his person' and follows her around just like he did his original owner.

Is a Himalayan Right for Your Family?

Himalayans are affectionate and friendly, making them good family pets. Their outgoing personalities and playful natures make them very engaging. However, your Himalayan kitty is more likely to be opinionated than his classic Persian cousins. He may be finicky about food, toys or his favorite sleeping spots, however a Himalayan kitty will love you all the more when you humor his little moods. While each cat is unique, most Himmies are friendly with other animals and are good pets for families with children.

The biggest issue with having a Himalayan cat as art of your family is whether you are committed to the time requirements of the grooming rituals. If you can't plan on 20 minutes of brushing per day, you should probably look for another breed. On the other hand, if you are willing to give your cat this special attention, you will be rewarded with the addition of a very special member of your family.

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