At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the Himalayan for a Persian, as both have long, fluffy coats, large eyes, and flat faces. They also have similar personalities, including a sweet and gentle temperament that is great for households that want a laidback, gentle feline. It should come as no surprise that the Himalayan is one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and their popularity continues to grow.
Breed Overview
Height:
10–12 inches
Weight:
7–12 pounds
Lifespan:
9–15 years
Colors:
Cream with points in chocolate, seal, blue, lilac, red, and blue-cream; various tortie and lynx points
Suitable for:
Households looking for a quiet, mellow, docile cat
Temperament:
Sweet, affectionate, quiet, gentle, independent
The Himalayan is a medium-sized breed, though they often appear far larger due to their long coat of fluffy fur. That said, they are stocky cats, with well-muscled bodies and fairly short tails. The most endearing traits of this breed, however, are their large, beautiful eyes, broad head, and flat face. Along with their unique looks, their playful, affectionate, yet not overly needy personality is likely the breed’s biggest draw. Overall, this is a wonderful cat to own.
If the Himalayan, or “Himmie,” as they are affectionately known, sounds like the cat for you, read on for more info about this gorgeous feline.
Himalayan Characteristics
Energy
+
A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
+
Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
+
Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
+
Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
Before bringing home a Himalayan cat, you need to know that they require a ton of grooming. Their long, luxurious coats need daily brushing to prevent knotting and matting and can be fairly high maintenance. But these cats are low maintenance in every other regard and aren’t hugely attention-seeking animals. Himalayan kittens are adorable, though it’s important to note that they are born without their signature pointed colors: They are usually born white or cream and only develop their darker points at around 6 to 8 weeks.
It’s also important to mention that Himalayans commonly suffer from several health issues due to their Persian genetics, sometimes leading to breathing problems, eye issues, and dental problems.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Himalayan
The Himalayan is the ideal indoor companion: laidback, mellow, and sweet-natured.
Image By: Michelleraponi, Pixabay
They are more active than their Persian parents but less so than the Siamese, making an ideal feline for those who want a placid cat that is still up for a play session from time to time. While the Himalayan is not overly attention-seeking, they still love to cuddle and will happily sit on your lap—when they’re in the mood!
They are friendly cats with the people they know and love but can be wary of strangers, though they tend to warm to new faces quickly. They don’t enjoy too much loud activity and prefer peace and quiet where they can stick to their routine of lying in warm places! They are calm animals that can be almost ornamental in their presence, happily resting on top of the sofa and welcoming the occasional petting.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
Himalayans can make great family pets, though they prefer a quiet home without too much loud activity. Families with young children may consider a more playful breed, as the Himalayan prefers their own space and tends to socialize on their own terms. Of course, slightly older children can be taught to handle these ats correctly, in which case, they are truly wonderful family pets.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Himalayans, like most cats, are not particularly fond of canines but can make friends if the dog is not overly energetic. A highly boisterous dog is definitely not suited for a Himalayan and may cause them anxiety. These cats are generally great with other felines and don’t have a strong prey drive like many other breeds, making them ideal to have around if you own any smaller pets, like hamsters or rabbits (though, of course, you should never leave them unsupervised).
Things to Know When Owning a Himalayan
Bringing home any cat is a massive responsibility that should never be taken lightly, and a cat like the Himalayan requires higher-than-average care and grooming.
The extra effort is certainly worth it, though, and here are a few additional tips to keep your cat healthy and happy.
Food & Diet Requirements
As with any breed, high-quality protein is essential in a Himalayan’s diet. All felines are obligate carnivores, and the first listed ingredient on the food that you purchase for your Himalayan should be an animal-based protein source. Himalayans don’t require any special ingredients in their diet, though they can benefit from eating plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as these will keep their coat shiny and healthy.
Another important consideration is that Himalayans can have a difficult time eating due to their flat faces and breathing difficulty. Fortunately, there are commercial cat food brands that make kibble in shapes that are easier for flat-faced cats to eat, and there are also specially designed bowls.
Image Credit: Nattapong Pongpiyapan, Shutterstock
Exercise 🐈
Himalayans are laidback, placid cats that spend most of their time napping and relaxing. They can be playful when the mood hits but are definitely not overly energetic or active. Still, they need regular exercise just like any breed; otherwise, they can become overweight, which can lead to a domino effect of other health issues.
Himalayans can be difficult to entice to exercise, as they generally are not fans of climbing, making cat trees unsuitable for the breed. Still, exercise is vital, and there are various other means to try out. It’s a good idea to get them to play with an interactive toy or ball for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day and having another cat for them to play with can help too.
Training 🧶
Himalayans are intelligent cats and can be trained easily to use litter boxes, respond to basic commands, and even walk on leashes. That said, they are happy to be indoors and don’t enjoy long walks that much. These cats will benefit from short training sessions; otherwise, they can quickly lose interest. It’s a great idea to use treats as motivation for training and rewarding your cat when they successfully obey a command.
Image By: No-longer-here, Pixabay
Grooming ✂️
Grooming and brushing are at the top of the list of priorities when owning a Himalayan. The long, luxurious coat of this cat needs daily brushing to keep it from matting and knotting, and it can attract a great deal of dirt too. Cat litter is another problem with these felines because it can easily get stuck to their long fur. You’ll need to keep an eye out for any attached litter and make sure their litter box stays clean at all times. While most cats rarely need to be bathed, the Himalayan will benefit greatly from an occasional bath, even though they’ll likely protest it!
Health and Conditions 🏥
Himalayans are prone to several different hereditary health conditions, mostly associated with their flat faces, which causes difficulty breathing and dental issues. Other, more serious conditions include the following.
Polycystic kidney disease. This is a hereditary condition that causes enlarged kidneys and eventual kidney dysfunction or even kidney failure. Reputable breeders should take extra care with testing to avoid this, but it can still occur.
Dental malocclusions. Also known as an underbite or reverse scissor bite, dental malocclusions occur when the lower jaw of a cat is longer than the upper jaw, causing the lower teeth to protrude. This is most common in flat-faced cats like Persians or Himalayans.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS). An illness common in flat-faced breeds, FHS is characterized by an area of your cat’s body having extreme sensitivity. This can be treated and even cured with medication, but most cats that suffer from FHS will need lifelong treatment.
Serious Conditions: These include the aforementioned polycystic kidney disease, dental malocclusion, and feline hyperesthesia syndrome, along with breathing difficulty and eye conditions.
Minor Conditions: These include excessive tearing, heat sensitivity, and predisposition to fungal infections.
Male vs. Female
The final choice to make before bringing home your Himalayan is whether to get a male or female. The temperaments of both are fairly similar, and both make wonderful, loving pets. Your choice will largely depend on what, if any, cats you already have at home, as a same-sex pairing may cause fighting, even with the mild-mannered Himalayan.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Himalayan
1. The Himalayan is not a natural breed
The Himalayan was created by crossing a Persian with a Siamese, with the aim of getting the beautiful pointed coloring and blue eyes of the Siamese with the fluffy coat of the Persian.
Both the Himalayan’s parent breeds are what are called “natural” breeds, meaning they weren’t created by human intervention and development. The Cat Fanciers Association and the American Cat Association consider the Himalayan to be a different-colored variety of the Persian and don’t recognize them as a separate breed.
2. Himalayans are named after their genes
The gene responsible for the pointed coloration in Siamese cats is known as the “Himalayan” gene and is found in several other breeds. After the development of the crossing between the Siamese and Persian, the Himalayan got their name due to this unique gene and pointed coat.
Interestingly, the color points on the Himalayan’s coat are responsive to temperature. If your cat grows up in a warmer climate, their coat will remain white or cream, possibly with slight pointing, but if they live in a colder climate, their points will darken.
3. Himalayans can have several inherited health issues
One of the traits that make the Himalayan so uniquely adorable is also responsible for causing health issues, and there is controversy around whether the breed, along with Persians, should be allowed to be developed further. The Himalayan’s flat face can cause serious breathing difficulties, especially in warm climates or if they exert themselves.
Image Credit: MULTI ILHAM ANUGRIYA, Shutterstock
Conclusion
The Himalayan is a laidback, sweet, and docile feline that is loved the world over for their gentle personality. While these cats love being around their owners, they are not overly attention-demanding, which is great for owners who are not always at home. They generally get along great with dogs and other cats and don’t have a strong prey drive. This is ideal if you have other small pets at home, but it’s not ideal if you have pest problems!
It’s important to note that these cats require a great deal of regular grooming and are known to suffer from several inherited health problems. This care requires dedication, but in every other way, these cats are low maintenance. If you’re looking for a loving, docile cat to have around the home, the Himalayan is a great choice.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
