HimalayanCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The first attempts to combine the traits of the Persian and the Siamese took place in the USA, in the 1930s, at Harvard University; the results were published in 1936, but the breed was not recognised at the time.

In Britain, Brian Sterling-Webb worked on the cross for ten years, and in 1955 the GCCF recognised the breed as the “Longhaired Colourpoint”. In the USA, the breeder Jean Mill (who later created the Bengal) was, in 1948, one of three breeders crossing Persians and Siamese. CFA recognised the Himalayan at the end of 1957.

How the breed developed

• The 1930s – the first Persian × Siamese crosses, at Harvard.
• 1948 – Jean Mill crosses Persians and Siamese in California.
• 1955 – recognised in Britain as the Longhaired Colourpoint.
• 1957 – recognised by CFA as the Himalayan.

• Apartments. It is calm and gentle.
• Anyone with time to brush it every day. The long coat tangles easily.
• Quiet families. It prefers attention and cuddles.
• Choose a face that is not too flat. A very flat face brings breathing and eye problems.

In type, shape and coat it resembles the Persian, not the Siamese. It is medium to large, with a cobby body and short legs. CFA says everything should be round: the eyes, head, muzzle, body and even the tips of the ears.

General appearance

The long, thick coat covers the whole body, including the tail, with tufts on the ears and between the toes. The eyes are blue, and the face, ears, legs and tail have the colour of the “points”.

It comes in most point colours: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, tabby and tortie. Mink and sepia are not accepted.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Persian has the same body and coat, but different colours. The Siamese gave it the pointed pattern and blue eyes. The Birman also has points and blue eyes, but its face is not flat and its paws are white.

CFA describes Persians, including Himalayans, as playful but placid and easy to live with. They can be persuaded to chase a toy, but are happiest when they get attention and affection. They quickly learn what “no” means, and many answer to their name.

French Wikipedia says the Himalayan is calm and gentle, suited to apartments, but a little more active than the Persian, thanks to its Siamese blood.

Socialisation

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is a quiet cat. A short daily play session helps it avoid putting on weight. In hot weather, its flat face makes breathing harder.

Tips for a balanced life

• Get the kitten used to brushing from an early age.
• Wipe the corners of its eyes every day.
• Keep it away from great heat.

Coat care

The long, dense coat needs a lot of care and must be brushed every day. CFA says kittens should get used to brushing from an early age. The eyes are cleaned often, because they water.

Common health problems

Like the Persian, it has a flat (brachycephalic) face, which exposes it to respiratory infections, watery eyes, corneal ulcers and corneal sequestrum. It is also prone to polycystic kidney disease and feline asthma.

Wikipedia also mentions dermatophytosis (a fungal skin infection) and a facial dermatitis found only in Persians and Himalayans.

Recommended genetic tests

French Wikipedia says there is a DNA test for polycystic kidney disease, which makes it possible to avoid breeding from affected cats. Ask for the parents' results.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, CFA or TICA).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Ask for the parents' DNA test for polycystic kidney disease.
• Choose a kitten with open nostrils and quiet breathing.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• Studied at Harvard. The first Persian × Siamese crosses were made at Harvard University, in the 1930s.
• The same breeder as the Bengal. Jean Mill worked on both the Himalayan and the Bengal.
• Breed or colour? Some associations consider it just a colour of the Persian.
• It learns “no”. CFA says Persians quickly learn what “no” means.

How is it different from the Persian?

Only in its colours: the Himalayan has the pointed pattern and blue eyes.

Is it a separate breed?

It depends on the association: CFA and the GCCF consider it a Persian variety, ACFA a separate breed.

How often does it need brushing?

Every day; the long coat tangles easily.

Does it have health problems?

Like the Persian: breathing and eye problems because of its flat face, and polycystic kidney disease.