Five Myths About the Himalayan Cat

Himalayan cats are by far one of the most popular breeds in the history of furry felines. They are popular for many reasons, with their luxurious fur coats, stunning blue eyes, and their sweet dispositions being the biggest reasons people easily fall in love with the breed. Other than what a Himalayan looks like, how familiar are you with the breed? It’s always good to learn about a breed before adopting to make sure they would be a good fit for your home. If a Himalayan seems like a good breed for you but you want to learn more, then here are five myths about the breed you may be interested in so you know the facts about this adorable feline.

1. Not a natural breed

When most people think of the Himalayan cat, they probably think of it much like the Persian cat which is a full breed line. Many cat breeds came about by the mixing and matching of different breeds to create a new breed. This is how the Himalayan breed developed. It is not what we consider to be a naturally occurring breed like the Persian or Siamese, which happens to be the two breeds the Himalayan was derived from. A breed with the coat of a Persian and the eyes and markings of the Siamese was desired so the two were bred, and the Himalayan was born.

2. They are the family’s cat

There are many breeds of cats that are what is considered a “family” cat. This is a cat that loves, and enjoys being around the whole family and really does not show much favoritism towards any one family member. Many people think that because the Himalayan breed is so laid back and sweet in disposition, that it will adhere to the entire family when in reality, it is more of a one-member cat. The Himalayan seeks out the one person in the group that she feels most comfortable with and will attach herself to them. Other family members may have to work for her attention a little harder. Even still, she does enjoy her playtime so pick up a kitty ball or toy and watch her get silly.

3. Self cleaning

While it’s true that many breeds of cats’ selling point is that it is self-cleaning, the Himalayan is not one of them. Yes, the Himalayan will self-clean as needed, but because of her thick, luscious coat, she will also require the help of her human. Himalayans have very thick top and under coats and they are unable to get through all the layers for deep cleaning. Their fur tangles easily so the theory that a Himalayan is self-reliant in the grooming department is a myth. You will need to brush and groom your furry feline every day if you want her to stay beautiful, and happy with her looks.

4. A fit for any home

While some cats will fit in with any family and an environment, Himalayans are not always the best fit for homes with lots of noise, chaos, loud activity. The notion that Himalayans are laid back gives the impression that they can handle any type of living quarters but this is a myth. Himalayans actually prefer a more quiet home where they are not startled by loud music or the children that are highly active and tend to want to startle the cat. Conditions like this will have your fur baby running and ducking for cover. Himalayans are a quiet, shy lap kitty who prefer to be in a slower-paced home where they can feel secure in their environment.

5. Mixed breeds don’t develop health issues

So, the myth that mixed breeds of dogs or cats, are typically less prone for health issues is just that, a myth. Yes, the Himalayan is a hybrid breed but they are still prone to certain health issues. For one, the flat-faced breed of Himalayans are more prone to breathing issues due to the indented nasal passages. They will also need their eyes cleaned daily due to leaky eyes and water stains. You already know that Himalayans are bursting with fur and somewhere under that fur is their body, which can be hard to keep track of as far as weight. When you can’t see under there, you don’t always realize when their gaining extra pounds, so monitoring their weight is important. Speaking of fur, cats who sport a long coat like the Himalayan have a tougher time in the litter box, they are prone to having their business stick to their fur and will need help cleaning it off sometimes when they can’t.

The more you know about the breed you are interested in, the better apt you are to make the best choice of cat for your home and your family. With the right breed, it’s easier to create a happy and harmonious home for you and your furry friend with no surprises or expectations that just weren’t met.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.