Himalayan cat - description of the origin, character, care and maintenance of Himalayan cats (85 photos)

History of the Himalayan cat breed

Oddly enough, the name of the breed has absolutely nothing to do with its breeding area.
In fact, the homeland of cats is the USA, and the definition of “Himalayan” stuck to them simply because their color coincided with the color of rabbits living in the vicinity of the Himalayas. The first attempts to breed a Persian cat with a color-point color were made back in the 30s of the 20th century at Harvard University. The experiment was successful, but the felinological associations were not impressed, so the animals did not receive the status of an independent breed at that time. But British breeders became interested in them, seizing the initiative from their foreign colleagues and starting their own crossbreeding experiments. In the early 50s, American breeders Virginia Cobb, Margarita Gorford and Clyde Keeler again began promoting the new breed. As a result, in 1955, Himalayan cats were recognized by the GCCF, and two years later by the CFA. It is worth noting that in the early stages, breeders simply wanted to create an atypical Siamese color in the Persians, while maintaining other external characteristics. As a result, animals were bred mainly by intrabreeding outbreeding. In the 60s, fashion changed, and individuals born as a result of direct crossing of Persians with Siamese began to appear in nurseries, which introduced strong dissonance into the ranks of the breeding stock.

The breeders managed to agree and come to a single standard only by the end of the 80s. As a result, they relied on the dominant “Persian” features of the exterior, which led to the designation of the breed in the CFA felinological registries as Himalayan-Persian. As for the domestic Himalayas, their numbers are extremely small - color-pointed fluffies came to our country on the eve of the collapse of the USSR and did not cause a stir. Today, the popularity of Himalayan cats in the world has also decreased slightly, although in the second half of the 90s the breed literally “lit up” in the exhibition rings.

Reproduction of Himalayan cats

The breed is considered difficult to breed because the color may not be fixed in subsequent generations. The probability of marriage is approximately 40%, so animal owners often turn to specialized nurseries for help. As a rule, a related individual is selected for mating so that the breed characteristics are fully preserved. The owners of Himalayan purrs negotiate this possibility when purchasing a kitten from professional breeders.

Himalayan cats may start wanting a male cat before puberty if they are not neutered.

If you plan to sell kittens, you need to register your nursery with an international felinological organization. To do this, contact the felinological center and submit documents - an application, pedigree and veterinary passport for each existing animal, a diploma of appropriate education or completion of special courses (veterinary, medical).

Peculiarities of breeding of Himalayan cats:

• first mating of cats at 8 months, males at 10 months (time of puberty);
• the partner for mating must be completely healthy and not aggressive, well-groomed and purebred;
• gestational age - 63–72 days (about two months);
• There are 2–4 blind kittens in the litter.

Babies have a uniform color - white or cream. Dark markings appear after 3-4 weeks, the final color is formed by the age of 2 years.

If there are no plans to breed Himalayans, the pet will be castrated or sterilized. The optimal age for surgery is 5–6 months.

Himalayan cat breed standard

At first glance, the Himalayan is a typical Persian who decided to disguise himself as a Siamese. Blue eyes also came to animals from representatives of the oriental group. In fact, the breed is most often identified by the color of its iris. The general fatness of the build, bordering on moderate obesity, is nothing more than an optical illusion created by the cat’s voluminous fur. Under its “fur coat” the Himalayan hides quite average dimensions and a moderate stockiness of build.

Officially, the breed is bred in two lines. The first is the classic Persian type, whose representatives have gentle doll-like “faces” with a short, but not too upturned nose. The second variety is the so-called Beijing (Pekingese) Himalaya, which has more flattened muzzles of a distinctly brachycephalic type. In recent years, there has been a tendency to extremalize the exterior characteristics of the family, so cats with exaggerated round eyes and snub noses most often end up in the show class.

Head

The head of the Himalayan cat is characterized by a smoothed dome-shaped shape, impressive width and a developed chin area. The size of the skull is from large to medium. The cheeks are plump and voluminous, the expression of the muzzle is touchingly tender.

Jaws

Representatives of the breed have fairly wide and powerful jaws. The bite must be correct, that is, pincer-type, when the incisors are closed straight.

Ears

Himalayan cats have very miniature ears with a rounded tip. The distance between the hearing organs is large, the ears are set low.

Eyes

The eyes are perfectly round, widely spaced, and shaped like transparent buttons. The iris is clean, expressive, colored in a rich blue or pale blue tone. The look can be both concentrated and hypnotic, and slightly perplexed.

Nose

The correct Himalayan has a miniature snub and short nose. During sleep, a cat can sniffle and wheeze, which is considered an acceptable physiological feature for animals with a brachycephalic muzzle structure. An important requirement: the nose, forehead and chin are located in one straight line.

Neck

The Himalayan cat's neck is always thick and short, but it is important that it be muscular and flexible.

Body

The Himalayan has a large (not to be confused with swollen) body with soft outlines. The shoulders and croup are equally voluminous. The backs of the representatives of the breed are shortened and perfectly straight. The belly and ribs are moderately rounded. The Perso-Siamese has a well-developed muscle corset, but at the same time it is characterized by amazing softness, which can easily be confused with an excess of adipose tissue. The frame is strong and quite heavy.

Legs

When viewed from the front and rear, the limbs appear straight. The front legs are very short, which gives the cat a slight “toy-like” appearance.

Tail

The tail is of normal proportions, relatively short and straight.

Wool

Himalayan cats have the richest “fur coats”, giving their purrs a resemblance to giant pom-poms. Elongated throughout the body, the soft coat is “reinforced” by elastic, dense layers of undercoat.

Color

An animal with a pure pedigree has a Siamese mask on its face. Shaded markings on the tail, paws and ears are also required. The colors of Himalayan cats registered by the standard are: blue point, lilac point, seal point (dark brown markings), chocolate point, as well as red-red and cream point.

Disadvantages and disqualifying vices

The championship title is not given to individuals with contrasting spots in the form of a medallion or buttons, as well as animals with any eye color other than blue. Cats with kinked tails, asymmetrical faces, malocclusion (noticeable overbite or underbite) and strabismus are unconditionally disqualified.

Standards

The body of these long-haired “purrs” is massive and tightly built, with good bone structure. The first impression is that of a powerful and strong animal. Males are larger than cats and weigh on average 5-6 kg, while females weigh 3.5-4.5 kg and are somewhat more graceful. How big an animal will grow depends, first of all, on heredity.

There are several standards for this breed: the basis is the CFA metric, common to both the Himalayans and the Persians; for the convenience of breeders, the TICA metric was developed.

Disadvantages affecting show scores: lack of fangs in adult cats; long back; bad wool; "Roman nose; narrow head; close-set eyes. Animals with strabismus, malocclusion (undershot or underbite), kinks in the tail, or muzzle asymmetry are not allowed to participate in the competition.

Photo of a Himalayan cat

Personality of the Himalayan cat

By nature, the Himalayas are more imposing Persians than headstrong Siamese, so in everyday life these comrades behave neatly and peacefully. True, occasionally “inspiration” descends on the cat, and then the furry darling begins to indulge in petty hooliganism. Therefore, often remember the episode from the comedy with Ben Stiller, where the Himalayan lawless man flushes the dog that is boring him down the toilet, and watch for changes in the mood of his ward.

Otherwise, Himalayan cats are quite cushion pets, dependent on comfort and an affectionate atmosphere. These fluffy sybarites are happy to take a nap on their master’s lap and will be happy to accompany a person as he moves around the apartment. To some, such behavior will seem like a banal obsession, but in fact, animals in this way satisfy the insatiable curiosity received from their Siamese ancestors. As an example: if a ward climbed onto the table where you laid out work documents, do not rush to mistake his actions for unscrupulous sabotage. It is likely that the cat just decided to help you with your business.

Himalayans are much more playful than their Persian relatives, so they can chase a wad of paper or a feather flying through a window until exhaustion. If you give a purring mouse a mouse stuffed with catnip, the animal will fall into real euphoria. True, you shouldn’t expect a furry gambling addict to run around at the speed of a meteor – such extreme activity is not typical for the breed. The toy object will be tortured intelligently, with feeling, with arrangement and often at a half-asleep pace, occasionally punctuated by sharp attacks.

The Himalayan cat is very loving and has sincere sympathy for all family members, provided that they reciprocate. At the same time, the pet will always have a separate pet, who will receive a little more affection and contented rumbling than the rest of the household. Representatives of this furry family are not vengeful or vindictive, but they subtly sense the mood of those with whom they communicate. So if you are the same owner who believes that petting a cat only spoils it, you are not on the same path with the Perso-Siamese. Himalayan cats treat children fairly evenly, and even in the most critical situations they prefer not to let out their claws, sincerely counting on a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Cost of Himalayan kittens

The price of kittens of this breed will depend on a number of parameters:

• pedigree of the animal;
• floor;
• appearance.

The cost of one kitten is from 10 thousand rubles. If you buy a furry baby from your own hands and choose from the PET class, then the price can be much lower. True, when buying you need to be very careful and cautious. You should ask in advance what the reviews are about the seller, carefully study the condition of the kitten and inquire about its health.

So let's recap.

Key Characteristics of Himalayan Cats:

• smart, understanding, obedient;
• require certain care to prevent deterioration in their health and appearance;
• strongly attached to their owner and love to receive attention from him;
• are excellent with children and other animals, get along well with others;
• not always quite active, but playful (especially kittens);
• may have problems with the health of the nose, eyes, skin and kidneys due to genetic predisposition and anatomical features.

Representatives of the Himalayan breed are open and peaceful. If the owner and other family members treat such a cat with care and respect, she will definitely repay in kind.

Education and training

Despite their generally docile nature, Himalayan cats are in no hurry to join the educational process. For this reason, basic etiquette standards need to be instilled in an animal from a very early age - an adult Siamese who has managed to master bad habits, unfortunately, cannot be re-educated. After the kitten has been socialized and accustomed to its new home, immediately begin developing its toilet habits. The tray should be located in the most calm and quiet place and in no case next to the food bowl.

The little Himalayan should be placed on the tray immediately after sleep and active play. To make sure your baby understands that the toilet belongs only to him, it is recommended to put a piece of cloth in the litter that you used to wipe up the puddle left by your pet. At the same time, wean your animal from the habit of sharpening its claws on furniture, but first buy a scratching post. If after this the kitten encroaches on the upholstery, sprinkle water on it when you catch it sabotaging, and then send it back to the scratching post.

Are you used to leaving aromatic delicacies on the table? Get ready for your cat to taste them! Himalayans, of course, are passive companions, but they cannot resist a tasty treat left unattended. You need to wean your ward off jumping on the table immediately and unconditionally. Firstly, do not leave meat products on the kitchen surface so as not to tempt your furry. Secondly, try to make sure that this piece of furniture evokes unpleasant associations in the animal. For example, treat it with products that have a strong menthol or citrus scent, which cats hate. You can also place strips of tape on the table, sticky side up, to “catch” the prankster with them.

Teaching a Himalayan cat funny tricks is difficult and essentially unnecessary, but if you decide to play the role of a great trainer, stock up on deli meats. Make allowances for the fact that cats are not dogs; they will not strain solely out of a desire to please you. An important nuance is to clearly convey to the animal what is expected of it. For example, if you want to teach a cat to sit on command, then you first need to demonstrate a treat, and then gently persuade the fluffy to the required position, rewarding it with a delicacy for doing so. Some owners use catnip as a training stimulus. This is the easiest path that experts do not recommend taking.

It is also useful to slightly modify the method with tasty rewards by adding a clicker to the treat. Click the device while the command is being executed, and then, if the task is completed, treat the cat with a treat. Soon the fluffy will understand that the sound of the clicker is followed by encouragement, and will fulfill the requirements more readily. By the way, if you notice that the cat is sincerely resisting your commands and is trying to leave, you should not try to suppress his will. Exercise only when the cat is ready to study and no more than once a day - in a 15-minute lesson, the breed exhausts its internal resource and needs a long rest.

Description

They are muscular, short-legged animals with very long and fluffy fur. They have a massive head with a rounded muzzle, small rounded ears and expressive blue eyes. And their long hair makes them look like a soft white cloud, ready to purr for hours on the lap of a caring owner.

In general, we can say about Himalayan cats that they are Persians with the color of Siamese. In this case, the color of the coat can vary - from white to creamy yellow, with dark brown, chocolate, lilac, blue or red spots.

Interestingly, one of the representatives of this breed is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This is Tinker Toy, the smallest cat in the world, weighing only 680 grams.

Maintenance and care

Himalayan cats are comfort-dependent creatures, so take a responsible approach to choosing a comfortable bed, tray, toys, as well as bowls for food and drink. To care for your hair, it is better to invest in a set of combs, which must include a slicker brush, metal combs with fine and rare teeth, and a brush made of natural bristles.

Dressed in voluminous “mantles,” Himalayan Persians are sensitive to rising temperatures and easily suffer from heatstroke in hot weather. Animals also overheat in stuffy city apartments, so in the summer the cat will either have to be cut or turn on the air conditioner more often. The breed does not suffer from increased jumping ability. This means that you can save money on the purchase of a tall play complex or replace it with some interesting labyrinth with jute scratching posts.

Hygiene and grooming

The spectacular fur of Himalayan cats without care instantly loses its luster, turning into an eerie collection of tangles and dirty dreadlocks. So three times a week, and daily during the shedding season, take out your arsenal of combs and work through your pet’s fur. First, the hair is “disassembled” with a sparse comb, then the tangles are manually untangled, removing dead undercoat using a furminator and a fine-tooth comb. The final touch is adding gloss with a natural bristle brush.

If there is an acute shortage of time, the animal can be cut, but this trick will not work with show animals, who, after such transformations, will simply not be allowed into the exhibition. You should not rely on the fact that the cat will lick its fur on its own - even a gigantic tongue cannot cope with such a shock of hair as the Himalayas. By the way, about licking: a product for removing hair from the stomach should always be in the first aid kit of the owner of a fluffy cat. Otherwise, prepare to spend a lot more on surgery at the vet.

Once a month, the Perso-Himalaya should be bathed using a mild shampoo and conditioner - most animals are loyal to this procedure and do not panic. Drying wool with a hair dryer is allowed, but the fluffy will have to be accustomed to such manipulations gradually - the sound of a working hair dryer frightens and unnerves kittens. Pay special attention to the fur around the anus - it needs to be trimmed periodically and washed thoroughly. Due to their anatomical features, the eyes of representatives of the breed leak, so it is necessary to carry out their hygiene daily. For this purpose, it is better to buy a special herbal lotion with taurine and D-panthenol. During the day, it is also useful to wipe the tear troughs with a clean cloth soaked in cooled boiled water.

Cleaning the ears of a Himalayan cat is carried out weekly using hygienic drops and fabric or cotton pads. Once every two to three days, it is advisable to brush your pet’s teeth, for which you need to buy cat toothpaste and a brush. Even if your furry ward has perfectly mastered the art of scratching a scratching post, it is better to shorten his claws once a month - this is both safer and more hygienic for furniture upholstery.

Feeding

Himalayan kittens up to 6 months of age are fed 4 times a day. The same diet for adult pregnant cats. Six-month-old pets are transferred to a three-course diet, which is followed until the animal is 1.5 years old. Next, the Himalayan cat eats twice a day. If you don’t want to worry about calculating the calorie content of each serving and waste time searching for useful vitamins and dietary supplements, use dry and wet industrial food. At the same time, the drying class must be no lower than super-premium or holistic.

Feeding the Perso-Siamese "natural" is also acceptable, but in a particular case it is easy to overdo it, since the breed is prone to overeating and weight gain. Products that are necessary for a pet “sitting” on a natural menu: lean meat, fish fillet (once a week or less), low-fat fermented milk products, vegetables (carrots, pumpkin), quail egg. Porridge as such is not necessary, although almost all breeders add rice and buckwheat to the meat to enrich the Himalaya’s daily diet with fiber. And of course, do not forget that it will not be possible to balance a cat’s homemade diet without ready-made vitamins and microelements, so periodically stop by the veterinary pharmacy and consult a veterinarian.

Catering

Kittens (up to 6 months) and pregnant cats are fed at least 4 times a day, adolescents (from 6 months to one and a half years) - 3 times, older ones - 2 times. The owner chooses the food: natural dishes or dry and wet food. You can't mix them! It is allowed to use dry and wet food of the same brand.

Natural products

General nutrition rules:

• Check foods before giving them to your cat. Inspect meat and fish for parasites, do not skimp.
• Cats should not be fed fried food.
• Be sure to cut dense and hard food into pieces to prevent your cat from choking.
• Alternate foods. You cannot feed the animal only meat or only porridge.

The diet should include:

• Meat: rabbit, chicken, veal, lamb, turkey. Duck, quail, lamb and pork are prohibited: they are too heavy for a cat's stomach. It is allowed to give liver, hearts and ventricles. The meat is stewed, boiled or, after defrosting, doused with boiling water. Give daily.
• Fish (hake, salmon, trout, taimen, pink salmon) contains amino acids, lipids, magnesium and phosphorus, but you should not get carried away with it. Otherwise, the animal will have kidney problems. Bones must be removed. Freshwater fish accumulate toxic substances, so it is better to feed your cat saltwater fish. Give no more than once a week.
• Oil (vegetable and butter) is a source of vitamin E and fats. It is added to the prepared porridge half a teaspoon per day.
• Dairy products (kefir, fermented baked milk, natural yogurt, sour cream, cream) are rich in protein and calcium and are easily digestible. Of the eggs, the cat is given only the yolk. Give 4-5 times a week.
• Cereals (oatmeal, millet, rice, rolled oats) are boiled in water. It is recommended to give every other day. Liquid semolina porridge is given to babies up to 3 months old.
• Vegetables replenish the body's needs for fiber and serve as a source of vitamins and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The diet includes carrots, beets, zucchini, pumpkin, asparagus, cucumbers, greens (green onions, spinach, celery, basil). Give every day.
• Fruits (apples, melon) are a treat. Give 1-2 times a week.
• Sprouted grains of oats or wheat: place a container with sprouts next to the bowl, and the cat will treat itself at the right time.

Clean water at room temperature should always be freely available! Change it twice a day: morning and evening.

You cannot give:

• Peas, legumes, potatoes and cabbage: they cause increased gas formation.
• Seasonings, ketchup, adjika and other sauces: they are too hot and salty.
• Bones, meat trimmings, chicken skin, fat: they have no nutritional value - they are ballast for the stomach. The bones can puncture or scratch the lining and larynx.
• Sausages, sausages, sausages, ham, human canned food.
• Snowballs, yoghurts with additives, ice cream: they contain so much sugar that it negatively affects the functioning of the pancreas and causes the development of diabetes.
• Baked goods (bread, buns, cookies) are poorly digestible and have no benefit.
• Tea: The caffeine in its composition has an stimulating effect, causing hyperactivity and anxiety.

Photos of Himalayan cat kittens

Recommended food

Among industrial feeds, we can recommend the brands Bozita, Pronature Holistic, Barking Heads.

Below are recommended premium foods, links with food names are clickable. Using them, you can, within our website, read descriptions of food and read reviews from owners of the Himalayan cat breed.

When choosing food, always consider the characteristics of your pet. Oriental breeds and “Siamese” eat a lot, so the diet should be more dietary. Long-haired cats need maximum fiber, kittens and adolescents need more high-calorie food. Take into account concomitant diseases.

Health and Diseases of Himalayan Cats

With good care and qualified medical support, the Himalayan cat lives up to 14-16 years. The breed's health is good, there are no problems with immunity, but it is important to remember a number of physiological nuances. This, for example, difficulty breathing is a common occurrence for all animals with a brachycephalic muzzle structure. In addition, the breed often has uncontrollable lacrimation. Another scourge of the Himalayas is obesity, aggravated by reduced physical activity, so the issue of nutrition will have to be given maximum attention.

Among the genetically determined diseases, polycystic kidney disease was identified in the breed. Animals may also experience hyperesthesia syndrome, eye diseases (glaucoma, entropy, retinal atrophy), von Willebrand disease, urolithiasis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Predisposition to fungal infections, dermatosparaxis and primary seborrhea occurs in a limited number of individuals.

Interesting facts about the breed

• The gene responsible for pointing (Siamese, Himalayan) color is recessive in relation to the dominant gene for non-Siamese color. This means that both parents must pass on the gene in order for the kitten to have its external manifestation.
• The blue color of the eyes of Himalayans is due to the low level of melanin in the cells of the iris.
• Persians are the only cats in the world that have a flattened skull, like pug bulldogs. This feature was passed on to the Himalayan and exotic shorthaired Persians. However, there is a variety of Himalayan with a more traditional - pointed muzzle.

The Himalayan cat is ideal for those who are looking for a loyal friend, curled up comfortably on the owner's lap. The lucky owners of these cats will not have to worry about the fact that the pet will not get along well with other animals, meow loudly and be a nuisance in every possible way. The only caveat is the hassle of caring for the luxurious wool of the Himalayans.

How to choose a kitten

• Himalayan cats of chocolate and lilac-point colors are born extremely rarely, so be prepared to pay much more for the owner of such a color.
• The most common color type of the breed is seal point, which is also the least valued. Accordingly, if you want to save a little, choose an animal with such a “fur coat”.
• Himalayan kittens are born very light-colored, often without a mask on the face and with uncolored ears. The pigment on the head, paws, ears and face forms gradually and is completely stabilized only in one and a half year old cats.
• Buy a pet from a seller who is willing to provide the cat with vaccination records, as well as a certificate of the animal’s health.
• Before purchasing, visit the cattery several times to see the conditions in which the cat family lives, what they are fed, and how the babies are treated.
• Find out how many births a Himalayan cat has had in the last 12 months. Remember that felinological associations allow the registration of no more than two litters per year. The best option is if the interval between the previous and last births is at least 8 months.
• Try to get reliable information about the age of the producers. In nurseries registered by felinological systems, cats are removed from breeding upon reaching 5 years of age.

Purchasing a Himalayan kitten

If you have studied the breed enough or your friends recommended it to you, then you can make a choice. Many people who decide to purchase a purebred kitten believe that any cat can be found in an advertisement, but this is not so. Himalayan cats are a relatively new breed, which means that such animals have not yet managed to become boring domestic cats. A Himalayan kitten cannot be picked up on the street. If you are very lucky, you can find a kitten from those whose Himalayan cat has already given birth. But even if the baby has Persian fluffiness and color-point coloring, this does not mean that he will pass this on to his children. After all, a cat’s blood may contain the genes of an outbred father. Therefore, if you need a purebred kitten, it is better to contact a nursery or private breeders.

My friends had a similar situation. The woman was looking for a purebred kitten, but purebred ones were too expensive, and the owners of the fluffy sofa babies did not want to give up. Then she just began to wait. Every week she bought newspapers with advertisements and went to the indicated addresses. At one of the addresses they gave her a purebred baby. He was 2-3 months old, but he already knew the tray and was vaccinated. The former owners asked only 50 rubles for him, saying they simply could not cope with a large litter. Years passed, and when a friend of mine once took her cat to the clinic, they told her that he was not purebred, but simply fluffy. Of course, she still didn’t leave him. He still lives with his kind and thrifty owner.

Due to the Persian appearance of Himalayan cats, you can easily make a mistake when choosing a kitten

Criterias of choice

When choosing a kitten, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

• reputation of the nursery (you can find customer reviews on the Internet);
• living conditions for animals (in a good nursery all animals are well-groomed, well-fed and happy);
• the appearance of the kitten you like (it should look healthy);
• documentation;
• baby's age.

At your request, the breeder (kennel owner) must provide documents for the kitten (passport and pedigree). The passport must indicate the vaccinations performed. Opposite the vaccination mark there should be a small hologram, the veterinarian’s signature and a seal. This is the only way to make sure that the kitten is truly vaccinated. The passport also indicates whether the kitten is spayed/neutered. In addition, the breeder can be asked to show the pedigree of the kitten and its parents. Even if both his parents are purebred, then their parents must also have a high-quality phenotype. If you adopt a kitten, the passport and pedigree must be given to you.

As far as I know from my experience, if the kitten is purebred, and the breeder likes you, he will offer all the documents himself. I found myself in such a situation when in a nursery I was approached not by the owner, but by a volunteer caring for the animals. I spent a long time trying to persuade this employee to show me the necessary documents, but he resisted. At some point I doubted, it even seemed to me that they wanted to deceive me. After some time, the owner of the nursery came and brought all the documents. So if you are refused, then call the owner or ask to explain the reason.

The age of a kitten at which it is better to adopt it

The smaller the Himalayan kitten, the more it looks like a “cloud”. But you cannot take the smallest kittens. Both veterinarians and breeders say one thing: furry pets can be adopted no younger than three months of age. And there are a number of good reasons for this:

• immunity;
• vaccination;
• social education;
• psychological reason.

Breastfeeding by the mother is very important for the health of the kittens. Only a nursing cat can give the baby primary immunity. This is especially important before the kitten reaches two months of age. In the third month, the cat is vaccinated. In addition, while the kitten is very small, the cat can teach it to play, communicate and go to the litter box. A Himalayan kitten must receive these skills from its nurse, otherwise it will never learn to care for its coat. If a kitten is separated from a cat too early, then in addition to health problems there will also be behavioral problems. And also when moving to a new house where the mother will no longer be there, the baby may experience extreme stress. Sooner or later this will certainly manifest itself in the character and habits of the animal.

You can’t adopt a kitten immediately after birth

You can take the smallest kitten only if the cat is gone. Or if the cat was taken away, so she still cannot raise her cub.

Video: how a Himalayan kitten plays

Himalayan cat price

A club Himalayan kitten with a good pedigree and no exterior defects costs around 25,000 - 30,000 rubles. The price for show animals of rare colors usually increases by one and a half to two times and reaches 50,000 - 60,000 rubles. If you want to buy an animal cheaper, choose representatives of the pet class and kittens with appearance defects that do not affect health. The average cost of such Himalayans is 8,000 – 10,000 rubles. It is also recommended to pay attention to the fact that in Russian nurseries they prefer to breed the Peking type of breed, so in most cases be prepared to get a brachycephalic pet.

Diseases

Due to their anatomy, Himalayan cats are often susceptible to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and eyes.

In addition, these cats have a congenital tendency to obesity. To maintain the health of the animal, you need to carefully monitor its diet - the diet must be balanced and include all the vitamins and microelements the cat needs. We must not forget about regular examinations by the veterinarian.

On average, the life expectancy of representatives of the breed is not very long - about 12 years.

Purchase and kittens

Himalayan cats attract the attention of many, so there are many people who want to buy an animal. However, when purchasing, it is recommended to pay attention to some nuances.

What to look for when choosing a kitten

When choosing a kitten, you should consider the following factors:

• the kitten should be nimble and playful;
• the eyes are clean, the coat is fluffy and shiny;
• absence of skin diseases and others.

The breeder must tell everything completely and show the animal’s parents.

Important! Be sure to ask for your pet’s passport and clarify all the information about vaccinations and helminth prevention.

The best breeders and nurseries

It is recommended to purchase a kitten only from official nurseries. There are few of them on the territory of Russia, but they still exist. The most popular are Fluffy Beauty, Tigris Amigo in Moscow, Legocat in Samara. You can also find good nurseries in Orenburg, where this breed is very popular.

How much does a kitten cost approximately?

The approximate cost of a Himalayan kitten ranges from 7 to 30 thousand rubles.* It is not recommended to purchase an animal at too low a price. Most likely it is due to illness or other problems.

The Himalayan cat is a beautiful animal with an interesting color and friendly character. With proper care, your pet will always delight you with its beauty and cheerfulness. It is recommended to comply with all nutritional conditions and carry out the necessary vaccinations on time.

*Prices are as of August 2021.

Character of the Himalayans

Being a cross between Persian and Siamese cats, the Himalayan has combined the features of its “ancestors” in its character, having inherited curiosity from the Siamese, and a good disposition and laziness from the Persians.

Himalayans are excellent companions for both adults and children. Their affectionateness and love of love is manifested in their special affection for their owner. Such cats can treat strangers with wariness, but not with aggression, and after getting to know each other more closely, they will shower them with their attention.

The Siamese gave the breed a love of games. The Himalayan loves toys and paper balls.

An interesting feature of the Himalayan cat is that they meow little, so they will not annoy you with loud demands. An important advantage is that the animals easily get along with other pets.

Character of the breed

The Himalayan cat, like the Himalayan cat, is more demanding and adventurous than the Persian. But at the same time, they are less emotional and more obedient than Siamese. They love to find something to do for themselves, but they will not refuse to play with their owner.

They do not tolerate closed, cramped spaces well - a cage is not at all for them.

Raised in an artificial environment, this cat is not able to defend itself on its own - it scratches too weakly and almost never bites. This is your friend and bed ottoman, and not a mouse hunter in the underground. Remember this!

Breed description and standards

Externally, the Himalayan cat breed is very similar to the Persian. The same stocky round body, beautiful bushy tail and short legs that do not allow them to jump high. The main difference between the Himalayans is a dark mask on the muzzle with a pronounced outline that does not extend onto the chest and neck. Small kittens may have a slightly different color, but by the age of 2 they acquire the correct color.

Head and muzzle

The cat's head is massive, rounded with a wide skull and well set on a thick, short neck. The nose is wide, short and snub. An obvious “stop” is located between the eyes. Cheeks are full. Wide jaws. The chin is well developed and reflects the correct bite. Himalayans have small ears, set at a great distance, their tips are rounded, slightly tilted forward.

The eyes are round, large and expressive, set wide apart. There is only one eye color - blue.

Frame

The body is stocky and squat. The chest is wide. The back is flat. Muscularity is not very well expressed, but there should be no signs of obesity. The legs are short and strong; The paws are rounded, the toes are collected close. The short tail is slightly lower than the back, but without curvature. The weight of the Himalayan cat is 4-6 kg. Some males weigh more.

Wool

Himalayan cats have fluffy, thick, soft and long hair. Seeing a beauty, it is impossible not to recognize the breed in her.

Colors

The Himalayan gene gives the breed a charming color type that resembles the color of the Siamese breed.

For the Himalayan cat breed, two types of color are allowed:

• Color point is a light-colored body with markings on the face, ears, paws and tail. There should be a contrast; the darker shade is considered the main color.
• Links point - the mask on the muzzle is brightly aligned, vertical stripes form the letter “M” on the forehead, and horizontally located on the cheeks. There is a dark rim around the eyes. The inner surface of the ears is white, and the outer surface is dark. In addition, the inner surface of the tail is lighter.

The main color of the coat is white or cream, decorated with lilac, blue, chocolate or brown spots. The rarest and most valuable colors: chocolate and lilac.

What is the Himalayan gene?

For the first time, the Himalayan gene was studied in a breed of Himalayan rabbits with dark colored protruding parts of the body:

• ears;
• muzzles;
• paws and tail.

The same pigment is responsible for the dark color in cats as in other mammals; it is also produced in humans when tanning, making the skin darker - this is melanin.

In humans and most animals, the pigment is produced by the active enzyme tyrosine, but in the Himalayan breed, among other things, it is sensitive to temperature and melanin is produced only in areas of the body with lower temperatures. That is, wherever the body protrudes, pigment is formed, but in other places there is practically no pigment. So it turns out that the Himalayan gene is the scientific name of the mutated gene responsible for the Siamese color.