Himalayan Cat: Persian Elegance With Siamese Colorpoints

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

The Himalayan looks like what you might get if a Persian and a Siamese had a kitten, and that is almost exactly how the breed began. With its flowing coat, flat face, pointed coloring and deep blue eyes, it is an elegant, serene cat that suits quiet, devoted owners. It also asks for a lot of grooming and carries some health concerns that anyone considering the breed should understand.

Origin and history

Breeders began crossing Persians and Siamese in the 1930s, aiming for a longhaired cat with the Siamese's pointed pattern. The work was carried out in several countries, including the United States and Britain. The resulting cats were named Himalayan after the Himalayan rabbit, which carries a similar color pattern. Over decades, selective breeding gave the Himalayan the Persian body type with the point coloring of the Siamese. Today, some registries classify the Himalayan as a color division of the Persian, while others recognize it as a separate breed. See the Persian and Siamese profiles for the breeds behind it.

Appearance

The Himalayan has a round head, a short nose, full cheeks, small, rounded ears and large, round, vivid blue eyes. The body is cobby, with short, thick legs and a short, bushy tail. The coat is long, thick and silky, with a full ruff around the neck.

The coloring is the pointed pattern: a pale body, with darker color on the face mask, ears, legs and tail. Point colors include seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream, tortie and lynx (tabby points). Most weigh seven to twelve pounds.

Personality

Himalayans are gentle, sweet and quiet. They are not as active as Siamese, and they prefer lounging, watching the world and spending time with their people. They enjoy being petted and held, and they often settle on a lap. They are placid and can be a little shy with strangers.

They do best in calm homes with a stable routine. Loud noises and chaos upset them. They get along with other gentle pets. See how to introduce a new cat to your cat. They suit older children and adults more than boisterous toddlers. See best cat breeds for seniors.

Play is gentle. Offer feather wands and soft toys, and short sessions. See indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Grooming

The long, dense coat is beautiful and demanding. Plan to:

• Brush every day with a wide-toothed metal comb and a slicker brush, working down to the skin to prevent mats.
• Check the belly, armpits and behind the ears, where tangles form.
• Clean the face daily. Tear staining is common because of the flat face and tear duct shape. Use a soft damp cloth or a vet-approved wipe.
• Bathe every few weeks, especially if the coat becomes greasy. See how to bathe a cat.
• Trim hair around the rear for hygiene, if needed.
• Brush the teeth, trim nails and clean the ears.

See grooming longhaired cats, how to brush a cat and how to remove mats from cat fur. If you cannot keep up, schedule regular professional grooming.

Health

Himalayans share the health risks of Persians.

• Brachycephalic airway problems. The flat face can cause noisy breathing, snoring and heat intolerance. See keeping cats cool in hot weather.
• Eye problems. Tear staining, ulcers and other conditions. See cat eye problems.
• Polycystic kidney disease. An inherited condition in Persians and related cats. Ask for DNA testing. See chronic kidney disease in cats.
• Heart disease. See hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats.
• Dental crowding. See cat dental disease.
• Skin problems and ringworm. See ringworm in cats.
• Urinary stones. See bladder stones and crystals in cats.

Choose a breeder who health-tests and breeds for moderate, open-nosed faces.

Is it the right cat for you?

A Himalayan suits people who enjoy daily grooming, want a calm lap cat and can budget for veterinary care. It is a poor fit if you want a low-maintenance cat, if allergies are a concern or if your home is noisy and busy. See hypoallergenic cat breeds: the truth and cat pet insurance guide.

Finding a Himalayan

Look for registered breeders who test for PKD, raise kittens in the home and give records. See how to choose a kitten. Himalayans and Persians sometimes need new homes, so also check rescues. See adopting a cat from a shelter.

When to see a vet

See a vet if your cat has labored breathing, eye discharge, mats or changes in drinking or urination. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.