The Himalayan

More often referred to as a Himmy, the Himalayan is a widely known cat. Many have seen Meet the Parents, and although Mr. Jinxy wasn’t the main character how can one now remember the cute Himalayan that used the toilet? Himalayans are simply not rare so everyone should recognize a Himalayan for what they are. But if one is unfortunately drawing a blank canvas when they hear Himalayan, read on. Also known as a Colorpoint Longhair in Britain, the Himalayan was regarded as a separate breed for show purposes. In Britain and elsewhere they are shown as a Longhair or Persian. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and the American Cat Association have now adopted the practice of calling a Himalayan a Longhair or a Persian. This means that the days of the Himalayan identification as a specific breed are numbered. The Himalayan is a manmade breed, which resulted from crossing a shorthaired Siamese with a Persian to produce a longhaired Siamese type. In the 1920s and early 1930s in Sweden and the United States the first crosses. These crosses were made by scientists that were more interested in the genetic research instead of cat breeding. The American experiments, at Harvard Medical School, were with a Siamese queen and a black Persian tom. This produced a litter of black shorthairs. Looking for different results they then crossed a Siamese tom with a black Persian queen. Again, they produced a little of black shorthairs. In 1935, matings between kittens from the two litters finally produced a longhair with Colourpoint markings. Named Debutante, the first Himalayan, Colourpoint Longhair, or Himmy was born (Pollard). The Himalayan cat has a cobby, round body and a round head with long whiskers. The head is carried on a short, thick neck with a rounded face. There should be a break between their short nose and forehead. Himalayans ears should be far apart, and set low and their head. They should look small, rounded, tilted forward, and have good tufts. Tufts are clusters of hair coming out of the ears, or between the toes. They have sturdy, but short legs which make jumping as high as other cats difficult. Their body should be deep chested and massive across their shoulders and hindquarters. Paws should be large and round with good tufts. The tail should be short, full and carried low. Their coats are long, soft, silky, and mat easily. True Himalayans should have a full ruff and a curtain of long hair between the front legs. They have very large round eyes, with a nose leather right between them. Himalayans eyes are always blue, breeders try to produce the deepest blue they can, simply to make them cuter. Matting occurs when the cat hasn’t been brushed daily. The hair clumps together and forms mats that are impossible to comb out. Once matting occurs the only option is to get the cat shaved. If the cat has never been shaved and is above a year old they must be put under for the shaving. Mats cause a lot of unnecessary pain for the cat. They rub and pull at the skin which causes irritation. They also collect a lot of dirt. If there are other animals in the household that are indoor and outdoor pets, fleas can be given to a Himalayan. One flea turns into hundred fleas. Fleas because a pest very quickly and can be very difficult to get rid of. When cats like themselves or bit at the fleas, fleas are swallowed and then gives the cat tape worms. Tape Worms do not cause serious injury to a cat, and cats can usually live with Tape Worms their whole lives. One pill with easily get rid of all Tape Worms inside the cat. Getting rid of fleas can be expensive. If a cat has fleas take them to the vet and discuss different options. The fur of the body is white or cream an its points are a different color, like their Siamese ancestors. The points are their facemask, ears, legs, paws, and tail. They can be seal point, chocolate point, blue point, lilac point, red point, cream point, tortie point, blue-cream point, lilac-cream point, tabby point, blue-cream point, tortie-tabby point, and lynx points. The most sought after color currently are lynx point Himalayans. They have striped or tabby points. These colors are the result of the combination of the dominant agouti (tabby) gene and the recessive melanin-inhibiting gene of the Himalayan color pattern. Documentation of breedings between tabbies or silvers to Himalayans started showing up in the 1970s, (Berg). On cozy kittens.com, they are selling a male, cream lynx bi-color point for $2500, which is over double the average price for other Himilayan color points. Even with the fact that female kittens cost more than male kittens. The average price for a pure-breed Himalayan kitten is $1000. These kittens will come with papers, which means they are CFA registered as a pure-breed Himalayan. Although this may seem pricey to some, especially when they can find a “pure bred” Himalayan for as little as $200, the difference is huge. If you go to a cattery, which is a place where cats are bred, they will be more expensive but well taken care of. They will have been to the vet for regular checkups. They will be well groomed, trained, and given attention and love. Cats or kittens found somewhere else probably won’t come with papers which means they are likely not a pure bred, and will not be as well taken care of. Himalayan kittens are born with a fluffy, but not yet long, creamy-white coat. A true Himalayan kitten Longhair coat does not appear until the kitten reaches maturity. The coloring at the points however, begin to show within a few days of birth. Due to their heritage form the Siamese breed they are more active than the Persian breed. However, they are still quite lazy. They are very placid, and adaptable. Unlike their Siamese origins they are not mean when it comes to being protective of their owners. They like to do whatever their owner is doing. They are people oriented, and like to help their owner do whatever they are doing. Such as reading the paper, doing homework, making the bed, and simply walking. Himalayans like to sleep with their owner or someone they are close with, they do not like to be alone or sleep alone. They take the phrase “lap cat” to a new extent, and love being picked up and held, petted and groomed. Like many other long hair cats, the Himalayan needs to be brushed daily, to keep their long coat form matting. Their face must be wiped daily, under the eyes and around their nose. Veterinarians simply suggest using Saline Solution. Bathing them can be difficult but often necessary to reduce the amount of oil collecting in their fur and skin. If the owner has intentions of bathing the cat, they should start at a very young age of the kitten, so that the kitten grows accustomed to it and doesn’t claw, scratch, or bite during bath time. The Himalayan is a very relaxed placid cat. They love to be loved, and occasionally want to play. They would rather be carried than walk. They would rather be held than sit. They sleep, eat, walk, and everything else with their owner. They like a lot of attention and get feisty when they don’t get it. But with their “squished” faces and overwhelming “fluffiness” they are simply irresistible.