The Himalayan cat is also known as the Himmie. This is a charming cat developed by breeders from the cross between a Siamese and a Persian. The cat has blue eyes like the Siamese, arranged in striking color patterns consisting of a light body tone with accents of dark colors on the points: the face, legs, feet, and tail. Except for the point coloration and blue eyes, the Himalayan is quite similar to the Persian. Sometimes it is referred to as a 'Colorpoint Persian.'
HISTORY
The origin of the Himalayan can be traced to when breeders in several countries attempted to produce a cat with a typical Persian body but with Siamese markings between the 1920s and '30s. In 1924, the first signs of success were seen in the U.S. when White Persians were crossed with Siamese, resulting in 'Malayan Persians.' It was recognized officially as a new breed by the American Cat Fanciers' Association and Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1957.
GENERAL FEATURES
The Himalayan is a medium- to large-sized cat with a cobby body. They have the coat coloring of the Siamese but the body type of a Persian. The cat has a flat face with a snub nose, broad head, and small ears. The eyes are large, broad-set, and blue.
To help you avoid confusion, here are some features that you can look out for to confirm that you have a Himalayan cat in your home:
- The Eyes: They have lovely blue eyes that stand out despite the long fur that gets all your attention.
- Color: The fur of the cat is normally white or cream all over. However, there are several colors available for the points. The dominant colors are blue, lilac, seal, chocolate, red, and tortoise.
- Fur: No doubt the fur is long. But what sets the coat of the Himalayan cat apart is the shine and the inherent thickness.
- The Head: The head shape varies by type. There are two looks for the Himalayan Cat - the doll face and the Peke-face. The head is rounded in both types, but the features are more squished in the Peke-face in comparison to the doll face.
WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE
The beauty of the Himalayan cat lies in the fact that it is a perfect balance between the Persian and the Siamese. The Himalayan cat is often just as gentle and docile as the Persian cat. They love to be petted, and they will usually reciprocate in return.
The Himalayan cat often gets along quite well with all members of the family, including other pets. When you are bored, your Himmie will make a great companion. They are extremely playful and will spend time with you when you need it. One thing that is adorable about the Himalayan cat is that they often seem to know exactly how you feel and will respond perfectly to that, making you feel a lot more at home.
Persian cats are longhaired and bred with Siamese cats for their markings, thus resulting in colorpoint longhair cats. It is also known as the Colorpoint Persian cat in Europe.
GENERAL CARE
- Annual check-ups: Himalayan cat care generally includes an annual visit to the veterinarian, but consider not waiting for your annual appointment if you have any health concerns regarding your cat.
- Lots of Brushing: For your Himalayan cat care regimen to be complete, it is helpful if your cat is groomed on a daily basis to keep this longhaired breed's fur from tangling.
- Culinary needs: Many experts suggest this breed of cat should not be fed table scraps. Pay attention to the different stages that are available for the brand of food you choose and progress as your kitten grows into an adult cat.
WHY A HIMALAYAN CAT
Like most cats, the Himalayan is one that can live a long time.
What is so beautiful about this cat is the fact that this cat has the best of both worlds. It has the flawless coloring of the Siamese cat with the beautiful long hair of a Persian.
Families often cherish the fact that this cat wants to sit in laps and watch television, or curl up when they are sleeping. This is the type of cat that many families want because it is a cuddler. The Himalayan cat often doesn't care much to go outside. It would rather sit around the house and look pretty.
IN CONCLUSION
If you have chosen a Himalayan cat for your home, you are definitely in for a treat. Your Himalayan cat will likely love to be with you and spend time with you. These cats are quiet and docile but can make the best companions that you could ever ask for.
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