Perhaps some people might think that because of the name Himalayan cat, this cat belongs to the Himalayas. It is not a natural cat breed, it is a crossbreed of Persian and Siamese cats.
That is the reason it has the beauty of Persian long-fur and the pointed color of Siamese. Pointed means the points on the cat’s body are darker, such as the ears, nose, tail, and paws. In this article, we will tell about the history and origin of the Himalayan cats.
Himalayan cat origin and history
The history of Himalayan cats is not very old. It hasn’t even been 100 years since they came into existence. Researchers and breeders around the world wanted to create a breed that combined the long-haired beauty of the Persian cat and the pointed markings of the Siamese.
Between 1920 and 1930, two men from Harvard University did extensive research and cross-bred many cats hoping to find a similar cat.
Official Recognition:
In 1935, a researcher named Margaret Forth cross-bred a black Persian male with a female cat. His research continued until World War II. He got the result of so many years of hard work and effort in the form of a Himalayan cat in 1950. In 1955 the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) named it the Longhaired Corpoint.
The Cats Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) recognized the Himalayan cat as a separate breed in 1957. But even today some organizations do not consider Persian cats and Himalayans as separate. They say that this is also a breed of Persian cat.
Himalayan cat origin country
The Persian cat belongs to IRAN and the Siamese cat is a native cat of THAILAND. Cross-breeding of these two cats took place at Harvard University in the UNITED STATES, resulting in the birth of a new breed of Himalayan cat. For this reason, the Himalayan cat breed origin is considered to be Iran, Thailand, and the United States.
| Breed Overview | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-16 inches |
| Weight | 3-5 Kg |
| Nick name | Nickname |
| Coat Color | Cream Or White (with pointed markings) |
| Eyes Color | Blue |
| Personality | Calm, gentle, friendly, and easily trained |
Himalayan cat lifespan
The Himalayan cat life expectancy is 9 to 15 years. There are many differences between the ages of humans and cats. If the age of a 1-year-old cat is compared with the human age, it is 15 years old.
If a Himalayan cat is 15 years old, then its age is equivalent to the human age of a 77-year-old person. You can also compare your Himalayan cat’s age with the human age from the chart given below.
Himalayan cat lifespan in human years
| Himalayan cat lifespan male | 9 To 15 Years |
| Himalayan cat lifespan female | 8 To 14 Years |
black Himalayan cat
Himalayan cats cannot be completely black, Because it is known for its signature light color with pointed markings on ears, face, paws, and paws.
As we told earlier many organizations do not consider Himalayan Cat and Persian Cat as different, that is why some people call Black Persian Cat as Black Himalayan Cat. Due to the similar structure of these two cats, the Black Person cat is also called the long-haired black Himalayan cat.
Himalayan ragdoll cat
Both may look similar but Himalayan cats are smaller in size than Ragdoll cats and their fur is denser and longer. Himalayan’s has a flat face and Ragdoll has a doll face. It has longer legs than the Ragdoll cat. Both cats are similar, they like to play and need a lot of attention. The Ragdoll cat has fewer health issues than the Himalayan. An adult Ragdoll cat weighs more than a Himalayan.
Himalayan cat weight
The weight of an adult Himalayan cat can be up to 3-5 kg (7-14 Ponds). The weight of the female is less than the male. Their length can be from 10 inches to 12 inches.
Are Himalayan cats high maintenance?
Hemmies need daily brushing to avoid tangles in their long fur. If their fur is not taken care of, they lose a lot of hair and can develop knots in the hair. Apart from this, due to Brachycephaly, they have breathing problems. They need regular health checkups, hence they need high-maintenance cats.
Can Himalayan cats go outside?
Himalayans are very active and playful creatures. They want a lot of attention if your cat lives mostly indoors and does not have enough windows to look out and entertain themselves.
So you can take your cat for an outdoor walk 2-3 times a week.
- Remember to take your cat outdoors only after wearing a comfortable harness.
- Choose a safe outdoor enclosure where your cat is not at risk from street dogs or anything else for safety and control, and provide leash and harness training at home before taking them outside.
- Clean your cat’s paws thoroughly when you bring them home from the outdoors so that any bacteria introduced from outside doesn’t harm them.
- Take it for a walk to a place without street dogs.
- Please do not repeatedly pick up the cat as it gets scared. Let it walk comfortably.
Himalayan cat indoor alternatives
Toys: Puzzle feeders, balls and feather sticks are some of the cat’s favorite toys. Using these to spend time with your cat will help build a closer relationship with the feline.
Window Catios: catios are a great idea that allows the Himalayan cat to have a good view of the outside through the window. Your cat is entertained by watching the birds sitting outside. catio gives cats a safe outdoor personal space that they enjoy. You can keep water and food for the birds on the outside, which will make Hemmie happy.
Scratching post: Himalayan cats may get stressed due to living indoors. A scratching post or tower can be a good option through which they can release their stress. they like to climb and sit in high places. You can also use a vertical climbing tower, increasing their physical activity and keeping them healthy.
Sibling Pet: They need a lot of attention. If you don’t give them attention and time, and if your cat stays alone at home, it will get bored which can slowly turn into stress and depression.
Himalayan cat interesting facts
1. The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest fur among cats was given to the Himalayan cat which is 10.11 inches.
2. Himalayan cats do not belong to the Himalayas
3. They got this name from the Himalayan Rabbit
4. All Himalayan cats have beautiful blue eyes.
Conclusion
I hope that from this article you will have got a lot of information about the Himalayan cat origin. Himalayan cat lifespan is quite long, so you should be mentally prepared that you will have to take care of them for 10 to 15 years. If you are a cat lover, then Himalayan can become your very good friend. Their cat’s coat and health need a little bit of extra care in return which you will get endless love and companionship.
Also read: Himalayan Cat Price In India 2024 | Care Tips, Rare Colors
I am Saral Kumar, a passionate blogger who dedicates my time to providing valuable information on pet care, especially cats. I create content that helps cat owners to understand their furry friends better and take care of them. I have spent the last decade trying to understand cats better. So I am sharing my valuable insights and tips with my fellow cat enthusiasts through writing.