Himalayan Cat Breed Profile

From Lynn Peck, Dover , Pennsylvania
This is Jack, who we adopted from a family that could no longer keep him. We think we are so lucky to have him!

Coat Type, Color & Grooming	Himalayans have Siamese-like coloring -- a cream colored body with "points" of darker color on the face, ears, feet, and tail. Point colors are seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, tortoiseshell, blue-cream, seal-lynx, and blue-lynx. (Lynx points have bars of slightly darker color on the points.) Nose and paw pad colors correspond to point color.
Physical Attributes	Medium to large in size; short, stocky body; large head on short neck; snublike nose; small ears set low on head; large, round eyes; short, full tail in proportion to body length; long fine coat with ruff around neck. See Also: Picture Gallery
Personality	Intelligent and outgoing; devoted, gentle, and affectionate; fairly vocal; gets along well with other pets. See Also: Readers' Opinions and Add Your Own
Health Problems	The same problems seen in Persians afflict this breed: tear overflow; constricted nostrils (which may lead to noisy breathing and may also make the cat less able to cope with high temperatures); dental malocclusions (teeth that fail to meet each other properly, possibly causing more rapid buildup of plaque and tartar); cherry eye; entropion; polycystic kidney disease; seborrhea oleosa (a skin condition that causes itchiness, redness, and hair loss); susceptibility to ringworm. These cats are also notorious for litter box lapses, at least in part because they dislike having litter granules stuck to their feet and in their fur.

Reader's Comments on this Breed

From Tish, NY
This is our first Himmie. What a wonderful breed. Every time you just touch her (Mallory) she purrs. Even when your eyes meet hers, she'll sing. This is truly the most gentle breed ever.