Himalayan: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The Himalayan cat is a cross between the Persian and Siamese breeds. Their beautiful long, silk coats come from their Persian relatives, while the pointed coloring on the ears, tail, face, and paws are thanks to their Siamese ancestry—along with their bright blue eyes.

Himalayans, also known as Himmies, are gentle giants of the cat world. They're sweet and playful, adoring any attention and affection they get from their owners. They do require work, however. All that fur requires daily grooming.

Learn more about the Himalayan cat:

Himalayan Characteristics

Himalayans are gentle, somewhat sedate cats, but they're not boring. These felines enjoy playing with toys, although they aren't likely to go wild climbing your curtains like some other breeds. They are intelligent and very attuned to their owners, often greeting them at the door after an absence. Himalayan cats love to cuddle, be petted, and spend time interacting with their family.

These medium-to-large, sociable cats generally get along well with children who aren't too boisterous, and can settle in very well to a home with other cats and cat-friendly dogs.

History of the Himalayan

Unlike many other breeds, Himalayans don't have a very long history. They've existed for fewer than 100 years, but attempts to breed a long-haired Siamese stretched over decades.

In 1931, Virginia Cobb and Clyde Keeler founded an experimental breeding program and eventually produced a Himalayan kitten named Newton's Debutante. In the 1950s, the Himalayan emerged as the colorpoint longhair.

An American breeder named Marguerita Goforth continued working toward a Siamese-Persian cross. Her attempts to bring recognition to the Himalayan as a new breed were successful. In 1957, this hybrid was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and the American Cat Fanciers' Association (ACFA).

However, several years later, the Cat Fanciers' Association dropped recognition of the Himalayan as a truly separate breed, instead recognizing it as a division of the Persian. Today, many organizations still do not consider Himalayans and Persians to be distinctly separate breeds.

Himalayan Care

Daily grooming is a must for Himalayan cats and their long, fluffy coats. That's the main aspect of Himalayan care, though you'll also need to keep your Himmies entertained with plenty of toys.

Grooming

If you're not willing to dedicate some time to grooming each day, the Himalayan probably isn't the right cat for you. Because they have long, silky hair that tangles and mats easily, a Himalayan's coat should be brushed daily with a sturdy, wide-toothed comb. This will help prevent tangling and mats and remove any dirt, dust, debris, and loose hair.

Himalayans should also visit a professional groomer every few months to ensure their coats are healthy and clean. The good news: Himalayans love to get attention from their owners, which makes grooming easier—and it's an excellent bonding experience for both parties.

You can protect your furniture by trimming your Himalayan's nails regularly, removing just the tip of the claw so as not to cut into the quick. Examine your cat's ears weekly, too. If you find debris in them, know how to clean them. If the ears are very red or inflamed, very dirty, or smell bad, take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Like other short-faced cat breeds, Himalayans are prone to tear-staining, called epiphora. This can leave unattractive reddish-brown stains on your cat's face. If this is an issue with your feline, gently wipe their face once or twice a day with a soft, damp cloth to remove the excess tears before they stain. If the color persists, ask your vet to recommend a product specifically formulated to remove the stains. Many are sold over the counter.

Exercise

Himalayans don't need a ton of exercise, but they'll experience short bursts of zoomies. They're extremely playful and will get into mischief if they become bored. You can keep them entertained and engaged by providing plenty of cat toys and offering a few minutes to playtime each day. Because Himalayans have such playful personalities, something as simple as a ball of paper will keep them entertained for hours.

Common Health Problems

Like Persians, Himalayans are prone to several health conditions more than other breeds. It's very important to ask for health information from the breeder if you are planning on purchasing a purebred Himalayan kitten. While this does not guarantee that your cat won't develop health issues, it can give you some indication of potentially inheritable conditions the kitten's parents have.

Some common health conditions among Himalayans include:

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: PKD is characterized by the development of multiple cysts on a cat's kidneys. It's not immediately life-threatening but should be treated as early as possible to prevent the development of new cysts and to reduce the risk of dangerous bacterial infections.
• Respiratory Issues: Because Himalayans have flattened faces, they're more susceptible to certain respiratory problems like feline asthma, difficulty breathing and swallowing, or inability to perform physical activity.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This inherited eye disorder can lead to blindness.

Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to reduce your Himalayan's risk of these health conditions. They'll be able to provide active steps you can take to protect them and an action plan if a health problem does arise.

Appearance

The gorgeous coat and coloring truly make the Himalayan stand out. The white or cream-colored fur is long and flowing with darker "points" on the face, ears, tail, and legs. The points can be lilac, chocolate, seal, red, and blue. Their tails aren't long, but it is exceptionally fluffy.

A healthy Himalayan should feel muscular and solid but not overly chubby. Their head is somewhat large in proportion to their body size and includes a snubbed nose, flattened face, small ears, and large, wide-set blue eyes.

The cat's eyes should be a vivid blue, and their nose and paw pads should match its point color.

They are definitely not a hypoallergenic cat. They shed considerably without regular grooming.

Diet and Nutrition

Your cat's nutritional needs depend on their age, weight, and activity levels, so it's important to talk to your veterinarian about their feeding schedule. Because Himalayans are susceptible to hairballs—it happens with so much shedding—you might want to ask your vet about a food specially formulated to prevent or reduce hairballs.

Feline obesity is a common problem among all breeds, so be careful not to overfeed your cat during regular mealtimes or with treats. If your cat is gaining excessive weight, your veterinarian can provide a customized diet plan.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Himalayan

Himmies are very popular, so it's possible to find one at a cat rescue or shelter if you're persistent. Check out pet adoption websites like Petfinder for breed-specific adoptions, but be aware that you'll mostly find mixes, rather than purebred cats, in a shelter.

Many breeders specialize in Himalayans, so if your heart is set on a purebred cat, look for qualified breeders by searching online or visiting cat shows to speak to breeders in person. You can also look for breeders on the websites of the major cat associations, including The Cat Fanciers' Association.

Himalayan Overview

The Himalayan is a gentle giant with the coloring of a Siamese and the face and body of a Persian. These long-haired beauties are gentle, fairly quiet cats who enjoy cuddling and quiet time with their owners, but they do like to play, as well, and enjoy batting around a ball or swatting a crumpled piece of paper.

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

As always, be sure to determine if a Himalayan cat is right for your family's schedule and lifestyle before bringing one home.

If you're interested in breeds similar to the Himalayan cat, check out:

• Persian Cat
• Siamese Cat
• Maine Coon

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.