A Complete Price Guide for Himalayan Cats

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The Himalayan cats are among the most popular breeds in the United States. Ideally, they are a beautiful mix of a Persian cat with Siamese markings making them very attractive and unique. According to How Much is It, Himalayan cats have long fur with distinct markings on their ears, legs and face. Their bodies are solid-colored, making them look like they are wearing a mask because of their points. Thanks to their round faces and short thick necks, the Himalayan cats are considered a part of the Persian breed, according to the Cats Fanciers’ Association. So, does the Himalayan breed sound like the right cat for you? Read on as we explore more about these beautiful felines.

What Are Himalayan Cats?

The Himalayan cats or Himmies are known for their elegance, luxurious beauty and excellent qualities, which have earned them nicknames like “the gentleman” or “the lady.” They are intelligent felines with a charming personality. They are the ideal indoor companions, given that they are laid-back, mellow, and sweet-natured.

Occasionally, they enjoy messing around, however, they aren’t too wild. You can expect them to want to be on your lap or another member of the family constantly. At the same time, they are not known to suffer from separation anxiety, so you can leave them and go to work. However, there might be some vocalizations if they are left alone for too long. Additionally, Himalayan cats are big cats that have a large bone structure. They should be equally massive across the shoulders and the rump.

At the same time, the Himalayans should not be fat but should have the bone structure to carry their weight. Himalayan cats are also sophisticatedly lovely, reproduced in different colors with darker colours on their paws, faces, legs, ears, and tails. Various organizations recognize many different colours of Himalayan cats. When the Cat Fanciers of America first approved the breed in 1959, they supported the three-point colours, and they remain popular till today, according to A-Z-animals. These are:

• Seal – Deep seal brown points, nose leather, and paw pads on a pale fawn-to-white-coloured cat
• Blue – Blue points on a bluish-white cat with slate blue nose leather and paw pads
• Chocolate – Milk chocolate points on an ivory-coloured cat with cinnamon pink nose leather and paw pads

Later on, in 1964, the association added flame and torte points. Flame points are deep orange flame to deep red points on creamy white cats. Torte points should be sealed with patches or red or cream. This is one of the few colour combinations where cats can have coral pink or seal brown nose leather and paw pads.

Pet Potential

Himalayan cats can make great family pets, and they prefer living in quiet homes. Thus, people with young kids can consider buying a breed that is more playful, as the Himalayan cats prefer having their own space and socialize on their own terms. However, if there is some supervision to teach the children how to act around the cat, they are genuinely wonderful family pets.

They are fun-loving and adore being the centre of attention. Occasionally, they want you to acknowledge their presence with a soft rub or by talking to them, but they can easily entertain themselves. Himalayans get along pretty fine with other pets and are generally great with other cats. However, like most cats, they do not like dogs, especially highly energetic and boisterous dogs.

They might experience anxiety due to their calm personality. Breeders report that Himalayans with flame or flame-lynx points are often more strung than other color variations. If you have an active family, therefore, this may be an excellent choice for you. Alternatively, if you are looking for a calm lap cat, you may want to consider the other color choices.

Himalayan Cat Lifespan

The Himalayan breed was developed from the Persian and Siamese cat breeds, which are among the longest-living cats. On average, the Persians live 15 to 20 years, but they tend to develop some stomach issues as they age. On the other hand, the Siamese breed also lives to be between 15 and up to 20 years old. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that the Himalayan is one of the longest living cat breeds.

How Much Does a Himalayan Cat Cost?

The cost to buy a Himalayan cat varies depending on various factors. These are:

• Coat- Himalayan cats have gained a reputation for their gorgeous coats. Thankfully to their parents, the Siamese for the colours and the Persian for the fluff, Himalayan cats are highly sought after. Taking their stunning blue eyes into account, beautiful is really an understatement.
• Breeder- It is crucial to find a reputable breeder. Breeders have the essential job of taking good care of their kittens and finding the perfect breeding match for them. A good breeder should also be in a position to answer questions about health, genetics, or other information about the cat.
• Age- A kitten will cost more than an adult cat due to the high demand for cute little kittens compared to independent adult cats.
• Mixed breed- Himalayan cats are a crossbreed; hence it takes a lot of time and expertise to have a successful litter. This is, therefore, among the most critical factor that determines the price.
• Health- kittens who have deformities or health concerns tend to be much cheaper than those in perfect condition.

So, How Much Do Himalayan Cats Cost?

Given their high demand, Himalayan cats are one of the most expensive cat breeds globally. Additionally, their unique coloration, fur pattern, looks and personality also causes a costly price tag. On average, the cost of Himalayan cats ranges from $200 to $2,500, depending on the several different factors we have discussed above.

• Price of Himalayans with limited registration
• The price of pet-only Himalayans ranges from $500 – $1000.
• Price of Himalayans with complete registration
• Fully registered kittens are allowed to breed.
• Himalayans from typical breeding farms cost around$650 to $900.
• Himalayans from well-known breeding farms, with excellent color and perfect proportion, can cost between $850 and $4000.

Adopting a Himalayan Cat

Buying a cat is a lot more expensive compared to adopting one. There is simply a fee covering the animal’s care while waiting for a new home when adopting a cat. Adoption fees also filter those genuinely interested in giving the cat a new home. It is advisable that you do proper research and set up your house correctly, as most animal shelters will inquire about the care you will give your new feline friend. Occasionally they even do a home inspection and initial application.

What should be included in the adoption fee?

During adoption, the breeder or shelter should include:

• Registration paperwork.
• Up-to-date vaccinations.
• A health guarantee.
• A health check-up by a licensed vet.

If your cat is being shipped or transported, they should include a travel crate. Additionally, since the breed is registered with the CFA, a breeder should consist of the appropriate CFA paperwork.

Costs Associated with Raising a Cat

The initial costs of a kitten will be the most expensive as you will likely have to spend money on shots, spay/neutering, food bowls, water bowls, litter boxes, toys, etc. Not forgetting food, these initial costs can be several hundreds of dollars, especially if you are buying a purebred cat. Annually, you are looking at around $500 to $1,000 per year. This price covers food, litter, extra toys, and annual health checks for your little feline friend. The number may fluctuate depending on what kind of diet range you consider or if your kitty has health conditions that need to be looked at.

Medical Expenses

Despite the great things about this cat breed, it’s vulnerable to various health issues and this is one of the disadvantages of owning it. This is a highly essential topic since medical expenses are among the most significant expenses. Brachycephaly, is a major problem that affects Himmies. This is a common skull issue that Burmese and Persian cats also experience.

Being brachycephalic means that a cat is “short-headed.” Himalayan cats have several inherited health issues. One of the traits that make the Himalayan so uniquely adorable and responsible for causing health issues is their flat face. Brachycephalic felines have a small skull, which is believed to cause severe breathing difficulties if they exert themselves.

This has brought about the controversy around whether the breed, along with Persians, should be developed further. As adorable as they may look, their flat faces are actually an impairment that leads to weight issues and a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, Himalayan cats may experience frequent cases of distorted tear ducts due to their flat faces. Their tear duct’s course is not particularly normal given the modifications in their skull, and for that reason, their tears can run over their faces.

Unfortunately, this may trigger dermatitis. Himalayan Cats have a reputation of struggling with early-onset (PRA) progressive retinal atrophy, a common genetic anomaly for Persian cats. PRA can cause kitties as young as four months to lose sight, according to Spend On Pet. This is a good reason to find reputable breeders because they will be aware about the condition. It would be best if you neutered or spayed a Himalayan cat with this condition.

This prevents infections and decreases cancer risk. Your cat can be neutered or spayed at pet clinics. This service will cost you $45 for spaying and $35 for neutering. Another hereditary health issue to which Himalayan cats often suffer from is polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This is an illness that leads to inefficient and larger kidneys. The illness starts slowly in kittens and aggravates with time. A DNA screening for PKD may cost you $48 per cat. Before you buy your cat from a breeder, ensure that it has undergone PKD testing and the results are negative. Considering all these medical conditions, you should offer your Himalayan kitty enough medical attention to ensure that it grows into a strong, healthy adult.

Grooming Expenses

Because of their beautiful fluffy coats, Himalayan cats are high maintenance when it comes to grooming. These cats are long-haired. Therefore, you need to brush their hair for about twenty minutes per day. Brushing their coats daily prevents knotting and matting. That’s not all. General necessities for your Himalayan cat grooming procedures may include:

• Ear cleaning solution: $13.00
• Nail clipper: $7.50
• Cat hair shampoo: $6.50

If you choose to hire an expert, some pet salons offer a basic Himalayan cat grooming services for about $25 to $50, including ear cleaning and nail cutting.

Food expenses

Himalayans have beautiful long coats and are heavy shedders. This increases the risk of hairballs which is an issue. Therefore, their diet should consist mainly of high-quality fibres. Most commercial cat foods will provide your Himalayan with adequate nutrition. However, if you are not sure about the quality of your cat’s food, you should consider asking for recommendations from your vet. Food expenses can fetch no more than $50 per month.

Hygiene Expenses

It is crucial to provide a comfortable personal space for your feline. You can start by getting an indoor litter box. You can get this in different styles online. A typical cat litter box goes for $25.00. Nonetheless, if you want something with a unique feature, you can buy a self-cleaning litter box for $100. Also remember to buy a cat litter box. Each 40-pound bag costs about $18 to $30.

Toys

Toys are not basic requirements for your cat. However, who would not want to keep their Himmie happy? Given their calm personality compared to other felines, a standard ball is adequate to play the entire day. Therefore, toy expenses for your Himalayan cat may add up to $9 at most. We believe that now you are well up to date with the things you should know before becoming a pet parent to a Himalayan cat. As much as you may not be low on options if you are looking for a loving docile feline, the Himalayan cat is the best choice.

You can also read:

• The Complete Price Guide for the Abyssinian Cat
• A Complete Price Guide for the Devon Rex Cat
• A Complete Price Guide for the Siberian Cat
• A Complete Price Guide for the Russian Blue
• 20 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Himalayan Cats