Himalayan

The Himalayan is one of the most popular breeds of cats and they are colloquially referred as Himmy. These longhair, blue-eyed beauties capture the eyes and hearts of cat lovers all over the world. Himalayan is the American term, while in Europe they are referred to as colorpoint Persians. Himalayans rank high in affection toward their owners, need for attention, and compatibility with children and other pets. Himalayans are outgoing, yet will sometimes slyly sit back and observe a situation before approaching.

The pet Himalayan is intrigued by guests and not shy about planting himself in the center of a party or social gathering. However, the pet Himalayan’s heart belongs to its owner and he is dependent on him for reassurance and security. Central Pets reports that Himalayan cats will often greet you at the door and follow you around the house, telling you about their day.

Himalayan History

The history of the Himalayan is well known and documented. Experimental breeding of Himalayans took place in the United States and England as far back as the early 1920's when the Persian and Siamese breeds were bred together, but actual recognition as a purebred cat did not come until 1957 in USA. The name Himalayan because their coat patterns were similar to that of the rabbits and goats with the same colouring found in the Himalayans in Asia. Early Himalayan cats looked more like Siamese but now have the same head and body type as other Persians.

Vocality

Himalayans exercise a wide range of vocal cues to communicate their needs to you. After exposure to their different yowls, growls, soft meows and sometimes, insistent yowls, you will soon learn to speak their language. You’ll know when they are hungry, tired, or just in need of some attention.

Temperament

They have lovely, gentle, affectionate personalities. They're calm, easy going, not particularly active and fairly quiet. They are good with other pets, but prefer environments that aren't too noisy or lively. For this reason, they're better with older children if they are living with a family.
Their fur is very prone to matting, and must be combed on a daily basis. Some with longer fur may need regular bathing to keep it in good condition.

These cats can sometimes suffer from watery eyes and breathing problems because of their flat faces. The breed is also more prone to cat kidney failure than most other breeds. Whilst their lovely personalities mean they make wonderful pets, they are only suitable for people who have the time to comb them every day, wash their faces and bath them.

Body type

The body of a Himalayan is white or cream, but the points come in many different colors: blue, brown, lilac, chocolate, flame, red and cream. The points can also be tabby or tortoiseshell-patterned. Both the chocolate and lilac point Himalayan are the most difficult to produce. These color traits are autosomal recessive, meaning both parents must possess the gene in order for any offspring to express the trait. The Himalayan cat has short legs which makes it harder for them to jump as high as other cats do. Also they have very round bodies and weigh around 13 pounds on average.

Color points

Blue Point: A cat whose blue coat color is confined to the points: the feet, ears, tail, and face mask.
Chocolate Point: Chocolate color on the points (face mask, ears, tail, and legs), as opposed to the darker seal brown.
Cream/Flame Point:These colors can be very close. There are hot creams and light reds. If both parent cats are definitely dilutes (blue, cream or bluecream), the offspring cannot be a flame point.
Seal Point:Sealbrown color on the points.

One person cat

Some Himalayans are 'one-person' cats; they will bond with one person in the household and trail them from room to room. This doesn't mean they are indifferent to other family members, just that they like to be wherever 'their' person is. Fortunately, they can adopt a new 'one-person' if circumstances require it.

A particular Himmie named Gordon belonged to an elderly woman. When she died, her family was a little worried about him, since he was extremely devoted to her. But when one of the woman's daughters took the cat back to her home, he eventually decided that the daughter was now 'his person' and follows her around just like he did his original owner.


Is Himalayan right for your family?

Himalayans are affectionate and friendly, making them good family pets. Their outgoing personalities and playful natures make them very engaging. However, your Himalayan kitty is more likely to be opinionated than his classic Persian cousins. He may be finicky about food, toys or his favorite sleeping spots, however a Himalayan kitty will love you all the more when you humor his little moods. While each cat is unique, most Himmies are friendly with other animals and are good pets for families with children.

The biggest issue with having a Himalayan cat as art of your family is whether you are committed to the time requirements of the grooming rituals. If you can't plan on 20 minutes of brushing per day, you should probably look for another breed. On the other hand, if you are willing to give your cat this special attention, you will be rewarded with the addition of a very special member of your family.