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In today’s video, we are going to talk about a lovable cat, that is capable of being a quiet companion, and an energetic playmate at the same time. This breed is generally friendly to everyone.
The Himalayan cat.
The Himalayan, or Himmie for short, is a Persian cat in a Siamese costume. The Himalayan cat is a man-made breed, established by mixing Persians with Siamese. Unlike its parent breeds, the Persian and the Siamese, which are considered natural breeds. The main goal of the breeders were to bring out the color points and blue eyes of the Siamese.
In 1931, Breeders started working towards this objective, specifically to decide how the color point gene was passed on. Cat breeder Virginia Cobb and Harvard Medical School researcher Clyde Keeler, produced longhaired cats with the distinctive color point genes of the Siamese, through selective breeding, over long periods of years. The first kitten to be called a Himalayan was labeled the Debutante of Newton.
This is a cat that is moderate-size. Typically, Himalayans have a weight category of 7 to 12 pounds.
The breed is known to have heavy bones, a well-knit body, and a short tail. It possesses short legs and a long, thick, and glossy coat. The Himalayan’s most stunning features are its broad head and it’s large, round, vivid blue eyes.
For the Himalayans, there are two facial types: extreme and traditional. Although the current show trend is toward a more extreme facial type, cats of this type are more prone to health problems and genetic disorders. Since then, pet owners are recommended by the TCA, also known as The Traditional Cat Association, to only adopt traditional, or “doll-faced” Himalayan cats.
The Himalayan is considered to be a breed that communicates in abundance, compared to that of the Persian. Although this breed is a lot more active than it’s natural predecessors, they are known to be a lot quieter than the Siamese. This uncommon combination of personality traits, make the Himalayan a perfect indoor companion. Even though these cats are gentle and peace-loving, they still need to have fun, physical activities, in which they can release their stored energy. The Himalayan is also known for playing games such as fetch and getting into a lot of mischiefs, amazingly though the simplest toy, or even a single piece of paper will keep it entertained. Besides that, a Himalayan may become highly attached to its owner, needing constant attention and pampering. That is one thing that you really need to keep a note of, in terms of the breed’s personality.
Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Health complications can’t easily be avoided, especially for breeds that are genetically altered by man. While breeds like these are attractive and sweet they are prone to a number of potential health issues, most commonly related to their physical structure.
Here are the most common diseases related to this breed.
1. Breathing difficulty, or noisy breathing caused by constricted nostrils.
2. Dental malocclusions, meaning the teeth don’t mesh well together.
3. Excessive fluid from the eyes.
4. Eye conditions such as cherry eye, entropion, and progressive retinal atrophy.
5. Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a nervous system disorder.
6. Heat sensitivity.
7. Polycystic kidney disease.
8. Predisposition to ringworm, a fungal infection.
9. Seborrhea oleosa, a skin condition that causes itchiness, redness, and hair loss.
Knowing all of these ailments, will drastically help you and your companion in the long run.
Now we are done discussing the possible health risks, It’s also important to keep a note of the following ways you can take care of your Himalayan cat.
The most important thing to understand about caring for a Himalayan, is the need for daily grooming. That long, beautiful coat doesn’t stay clean, and tangle-free on its own.
Another factor to consider, is the litter box issue. Litter may become lodged in a Himalayan’s paws or coat. Be sure to always have a clean litterbox, to avoid bacterial borne diseases.
It’s a good idea to keep a Himalayan as an indoor-only cat.
Lastly, it is very important to regularly visit your local veterinarian, for health consultations.
Doing all of these, will ensure that your Himalayan cat will live a very long and healthy life.