Persian cats with colored points, known as Himalayan cats (Felis catus), were created in the United States as a result of the work of Marguerita Gorforth, Virginia Cobb, and Dr. Clyde Keeler in the early 1930s, as breeders had long desired to produce a Persian cat that resembled a Siamese but had a pointed coat.
A breeding initiative to create these cats also started in England in 1935, following a visit to the United States by British breeders to see the Himalayan. After the war, the breeding program was resumed after having to be suspended during World War II.
The Himalayan cat was given official status in the middle of the 1950s. Goforth’s LaChiquita won the distinction of first American champion under the guidance of the American Cat Fanciers Association. Every American registry had recognized the Himalayan by the 1960s for use in the show ring.
Recently, the Himalayan has been added to the Persian class in various American registry systems. This breed is listed in these registries as a pointed Persian, but it is sometimes referred to as a Himalayan-Persian, Himalayan-Persian, or simply a Himalayan. The Himalayan has long been referred to in Britain as the Colorpoint Longhair.
Read Also: Understanding Cats
The Himalayan is a variety of long-haired cat that resembles the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes and its point colour, which were developed by breeding the Persian with the Siamese. The Himalayan is the shortened name for the Himalayan Persian, also known as the Colorpoint Persian in Europe.
It is a type of long-haired cat. Some registries may classify the Himalayan as a longhaired Siamese or colorpoint subbreed of the Persian. The World Cat Federation united the Colorpoint Shorthair, Javanese, and them into one breed, the Colorpoint.
The Himalayan is a peaceful cat that occasionally exhibits kitten-like behavior. She’ll be rolling around the room, napping in the sun, when she suddenly explodes.
The Himalayan will lay down next to you, sleep in your bed, or even sit on your lap if the whim strikes. Routine changes don’t bother her, and she gets along with most people.
The Himalayan is a breed with an extraordinary appearance. With strong legs and a short, heavy neck, the body is short yet hefty.
The Himalayan has a large cranium and enormous, wide eyes while having a small tail and small ears, and thick boning.
When viewed from a profile, the face is flat and the nose shifts direction, making the prominent feature visible to be the colorful skin on the nose (nose leather).
The furry coat of a Himalayan cat is thick and lengthy. Although it is quite good, it should be glossy and lustrous.
A genetic test can identify which cats carry the PKD gene so that they can be spayed or neutered. Some Himalayan cats may carry the gene that causes polycystic kidney disease (PKD) due to their Persian ancestry.
Like all long-haired cats, Himalayans require frequent brushing to maintain the healthiest and best-looking coats. Additionally, depending on the cat, they can require daily facial wipes. Some breeders advise bathing Himalayan cats to help with the oil buildup on their skin and fur. 8 to 11 years is their lifespan.
Read Also: Russian Blues (Felis catus) Cats Description and Complete Care Guide
Himalayan Cats (Felis catus) Grooming Guide
Himalayan cats are well known for having flat faces, gorgeous eyes, and smooth fur. The Himalayan cat has long, luxurious fur covering its body.
The silkiness of the coat gives it a nice feeling to the touch. However, their lengthy coat can easily tangle and mat since they constantly shed their coat.
As a result, the coat needs to be brushed frequently. The finest grooming method for your Himalayan cat is daily brushing. Before it forms knots, all the dead and shed hair can be removed with a brush.
The brush will also gather shed hair before it lands on the ground. If you routinely groom your cat, it will have a clean coat all the time. Regular grooming also helps to prevent off future skin conditions.
You’ll need specific tools to groom your Himalayan cat. Keep in mind that the Himalayan cat is a breed of cat that requires a lot of upkeep.
1. Brushing: To get your cat used to it, brush her every day beginning at a young age. After each grooming session, show your cat lots of love and reward her with a gift to make grooming even more fun for her.
With a wire slicker brush, start by brushing your cat’s back before proceeding to the sides of her body. Be sure to use the slicker brush to clean your cat’s tail, chest, and stomach as well.
If there are any knots, use the stainless steel greyhound comb to untangle them. Working your way up from the bottom of the knot, bring the comb closer to your cat’s skin as you untangle it.
If you don’t brush your Himalayan every day, it’s very possible that her hair will become matted. For your cat as well as an unpleasant event for you, mating can be painful.
2. Nail Trimming: To sharpen their own claws, most cats will scratch and roam about. You might need to trim your Himalayan’s claws every few weeks if she is not overly active or doesn’t use scratching posts frequently.
Just cut the white tips of your cat’s claws, not the pink regions that extend further down the claw, when you trim them. Use a pet nail trimmer in the guillotine fashion to cut your cat’s nails.
3. Bathing: Because Himalayans have a lot of furs, regular bathing is required to keep them clean. To boost your Himalayan’s likelihood of accepting it, bathe her from an early age. Bathe your Himalayan every other day if you want to keep her fur in good shape and display her.
4. Eye Cleaning: To prevent coloring behind the eyes, which some Himalayan cats experience, you should clean your Himalayan’s eyes each day.
Once per day, use a soft, moist cloth to wipe the region around your Himalayan eyes. Inspect the area to make sure it is totally dry.
5. Pick a premium cat food brand: The majority of conventional cat foods will adequately nourish your Himalayan cat, but high-quality food will help to guarantee that your cat looks and feels his best. The first ingredient in a cat meal should be meat, not just a byproduct of meat.
Read Also: Siamese Cats: All You Need to Know About Them
6. Establish a timetable for regular feedings: You must establish and adhere to a feeding regimen if you want to keep your Himalayan at a healthy weight.
Free feeding, which involves leaving food out and letting your cat eat whenever he wants, can lead to your cat gaining weight. It is best to give your cat a measured amount of food twice daily because of this.
7. Water should be plentiful and clean: You must always have access to clean, fresh water for your Himalayan. Make sure the water is accessible to your cat and is not close to a litter box before placing it there. Cats prefer not to consume food or liquids close to their litter boxes.
8. Brush the teeth of your Himalayan: Maintaining your Himalayan’s teeth will assist to avoid major dental problems in the future. Brush your Himalayan teeth once a day, if you can. Start brushing your Himalayan’s teeth now if she’s a kitten to get her used to it.
9. If necessary, take your Himalayan cat to a cat groomer: You should take your Himalayan cat to a cat groomer for a haircut if her fur-ever becomes matted. Make sure the groomer you select has experience with long-haired cats.
10. Visit a vet with your Himalayan: As with other cats, Himalayans require immunizations, so make sure to take yours to the vet as soon as possible. A complete physical examination and a feline leukemia test for your cat are both required.
Himalayan kittens are cute and develop into magnificently sized animals. The long-haired Himalayan cat, sometimes known as a “himmie,” has the potential, under certain circumstances, to be a good addition to your home.
Also okay with living alone in your home are these cats. The breed won’t have any issues coexisting as long as the other animals are kind.
For them to stay active, don’t forget to give them catnip and goodies. Even as they become older, they’ll still have plenty of energy bursts that help keep them trim and in good health. Kids are a different area that you can deem safe.
Himmies enjoy spending time with children and are just as content to play and snuggle with them as they are with adults.
The Himalayan kitten is a lovely feline with the body and hair of a Persian cat with the color, pattern, and breathtaking dark blue eyes of a Siamese.
It’s pointed pattern, known as Himalayan in many other breeds, inspired the name of this artificial breed. One of the most well-liked breeds, it comes in a variety of pointed colors.
Himalayan cat for sale or Himalayan kittens for sale: You can buy and sell kittens and cats in your area on Pets4Homes, the largest pet classifieds website in the UK. Your Himalayan kittens and cats can be found there.
As an alternative, visit UK Pets to find Himalayan Cats and Kittens for Sale in the UK as well as other pet shops within your location.
Himalayan cat price ranges between $1000 to $3000 USD on average while Himalayan kittens range in price from $800 to $1500 depending on the coat color and pedigree. Generally speaking, adults cost less than kittens.
Obtaining a trustworthy breeder is the first step to finding the ideal Himalayan kitten. Himalayans with good color and ideal proportion from reputable breeding farms can cost between $1,800 and $3,500 USD.
Read Also: Complete List of the Different Breed of Cats
Read Also: Integrative Soil Classification Systems