Himalayan

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Weight: 3 - 5kg M | 3 - 5kg F

Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The beautiful Himalayan Cat combines the exquisite colouring of its Siamese parent with the plush and majestic coat of its Persian parent breed. The Himmie, as it is also called, is virtually a Persian with a colourpointed coat of a Siamese. It is a laid-back lap cat that can melt cat owners’ hearts with its expressive eyes and soft voice. It is a wonderful pet for families as it is very adaptable and is good with children and other animals.

Are you interested in getting a Himalayan cat? Here is a brief background of this long-haired breed also known as Himalayan or Colourpoint Persian.

History

The Himalayan Cat first emerged in the United States, after breeders crossed the Persian with a Siamese. Two scientists at Harvard University initiated the crossbreeding in the 1930s and published the results in “Journal of Heredity”. The result of their efforts was not acknowledged by feline fanciers groups then.

In the 1950s, the Longhaired Colourpoint was developed by Brian Sterling-Webb of the UK. His effort was recognised by the GCCF, which gave a boost to this cat’s development. In the US, Marguerita Goforth helped improve the new feline type further after producing a kitty that had Siamese colourpoints. It was then assigned championship status by the breed groups in the US in 1957. It was also at this time that the new development was named as the Himalayan.

Whilst the Himalayan Cat has become popular in the US and other parts of the world, there are only few such felines in the UK. The fact that it is still not recognised by the GCCF plays a significant role. It may be because it is still considered a Persian, albeit with a different coat pattern. Nevertheless, the Himmie remains an appealing choice to a growing number of owners due to its laid-back and sweet nature and its magnificent appearance.

Appearance and Grooming

The Himalayan Cat has the appearance of the Persian but with a colourpointed coat. Its medium to large-sized frame has a cobby structure. It has a round head and the same smushed-in face characteristic of the Persian. As such, it is also brachycephalic.

The Himmie’s round eyes can be green, blue, or copper. Its coat, which is lighter on the torso and darker on the extremities, can be chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, flame, and cream. The shading is noticeably darker on its extremities—ears, mask, tail, legs, and feet. The Himalayan’s fur can be short or long, with the long-haired variety making it look fluffier. The short-haired types, however, are rather longer-haired than the typical short-haired cat. As such, the Himmie tends to have a fluffy, plush appearance.

As the Himalayan Cat has a double coat that is longer-haired than other feline breeds, grooming needs to be done daily. This kitty must be brushed daily to prevent matting and keep its coat in good condition. Its eyes also need to be wiped regularly to prevent tear staining and stickiness in the eye area.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Himmie has a Persian temperament, with a light sprinkling of Siamese. It is a lap cat that loves nothing more than reclining on some furniture or lap and just relaxing as it pleases. It is sweet-tempered, calm, and likes attention. It may even be said that it craves human attention. This can explain why it likes to stay near its humans and be involved in whatever they are doing, which is a very Siamese trait.

Despite its sedate personality, the Himmie does like to play. It is said that it is more active than its Persian relative as it has some of the high-energy qualities of the Siamese. But, even as it plays, it does not go into frisky territory. It likes to engage in a game of fetch and will find simple things, like crumpled paper, amusing.

This cat is intelligent and very sensitive to its human’s moods. As such, it makes a wonderful companion capable of forming strong bonds. It also does not vocalise as much, but when it does speak, it does so with a soft voice. Good with children and other pets, the Himalayan makes a wonderful addition to the family. However, it may not do well with very young children as it is not a high-energy cat.

Nutrition and Feeding

The Himalayan Cat should be provided a nutritious diet that fulfils its daily requirements. It should be consistently given the same food following the same feeding times. If there are changes to its diet, those must be done gradually to prevent digestive problems.

The serving portions should depend on the Himmie’s weight, age, and activity level. Its meals must include at least 25% protein and just 5% carbohydrates.

Health and Exercise

The Himalayan cat is known to have a life expectancy of 10 - 15 years. She is a fairly healthy breed, except she can acquire polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and respiratory problems associated with her flattened face. But these hereditary health issues can be avoided with regular vet check-up.

The Himmie is prone to hairballs due to her coat length. As such, she should be monitored for hairball every now and then. Include oil in her diet to help ease the movement of trapped hair outside her body.

The Himmie needs to undergo weight management as she has low exercise needs. As a laid-back breed, she will likely put on extra pounds when her meal portions are not controlled or when she is not active enough. Make sure to encourage the Himmie to play, and provide her with high activity toys, puzzles, and climbing towers. Engage her in physical and mental activities to keep her in top shape.

Cost of Ownership

The price for a healthy purebred Himalayan is between £500–£700. Make sure that your new pet gets all the essential vitamins and minerals that she needs by feeding her high-quality cat food. Prepare approximately £20–£55 for her monthly food expenses.

Help your Himalayan Cat quickly feel accustomed to her new home by buying her basic necessities such as a carrier, litter tray, and cat toys. The overall cost may range from £50–£400 depending on the brand you choose.

Never skip getting your Himalayan Cat vaccinated as it protects her from contagious life-threatening illnesses. You may need to pay around £40–100 for vaccine shots.

Avoid parasite infestation by giving your pet tick and flea treatments, which cost between £50–£60, and heartworm treatments, which has a price ranging from £60–£120.

Routine vet visits are essential in ensuring that your Himalayan Cat is healthy. You will be charged around £30–£60 for each vet check-up session.

Avoid costly vet expenses from accumulating by getting pet insurance. If you prefer a time-limited package, be ready to spend £6–£15 monthly. Should you go for lifetime coverage, over £10 will be added to your monthly bills.

Himalayan Breed Highlights

This beautiful crossbreed has the same temperament as its Persian parent breed.
Its easy-going ways and ability to get along with older children and other pets make it a wonderful addition to the family.
Its brachycephalic trait makes it vulnerable to breathing issues.
The Himalayan Cat’s long hair needs daily brushing and makes it prone to hairballs.
It is very adaptable and easy to amuse.