Turkish Angora Cat: Graceful, Silky and Intelligent

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest natural longhaired breeds, a cat that moves like a ballerina and thinks like a diplomat. It has been admired in Europe for centuries, and its elegance and wit have kept it a favorite.

Origins

Longhaired cats from the Ankara region of Turkey reached Europe in the 1500s and 1600s and influenced the development of other longhaired breeds, including the Persian. The pure Angora declined as Persians became fashionable, but the Ankara Zoo in Turkey ran a conservation program that preserved white Angoras, and the breed was revived and recognized in North America in the 1960s and 1970s.

Appearance

Turkish Angoras are small to medium, fine-boned and graceful, with a wedge-shaped head, large pointed ears set high, almond eyes and a long plumed tail. The coat is long, silky and fine with little undercoat, forming a ruff and a flowing tail but lying flat. White is the classic, but the breed also has tabby, smoke, black, blue, red and other colors. White cats can have blue, amber or one of each.

Temperament

Angoras are intelligent, athletic and social. They like to climb and survey the house from a high perch, and they often choose a person to follow. They are playful, learn tricks easily and will figure out latches. They tend to be dominant with other pets and need to meet them gradually.

They are affectionate but independent, and they do not always enjoy being held. They like company and activity, and they can become bored. Provide interactive play, puzzle toys and tall trees. See our indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Grooming

The coat is silky and mats less than many longhaired coats. Comb two to three times a week with a steel comb, focusing on the ruff and britches, and more during seasonal shedding. Trim nails, check ears and brush teeth. See how to brush a cat.

Health

Turkish Angoras are generally healthy, but there are breed-specific topics.

• Deafness. Linked to white coat and blue eyes. Hearing tests, such as BAER testing, are available.
• Hereditary ataxia. A neurological condition seen in young kittens, with a DNA test available.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Reported in the breed, so ask about screening.
• Dental disease.

Ask breeders for test results, and see our cat health guides and the emergency warning signs guide.

Living with a deaf cat

Many deaf cats live full, happy lives indoors. Use visual signals and vibrations, keep them indoors for safety and approach them gently so they are not startled. Our cat behavior guides have more on reading cat communication.

Is a Turkish Angora right for you?

An Angora suits active, patient people who want a clever, graceful cat and enjoy play and training. It is less suited to homes with very young children or dominant dogs, or someone who wants a lap cat. For comparison, see the Birman and the Siamese, and use the cat breed finder.

A day with a Turkish Angora

An Angora starts the day by checking its kingdom, often from the top of a bookshelf. Mornings are for supervised breakfast and a game of chase, midday for a graceful nap in a sunny spot and evenings for a more energetic session with toys, often leaping from one perch to another. Many choose one person as their favorite and follow them quietly around the house.

Questions to ask an Angora breeder

• Has the hearing of white kittens been tested, and with what method?
• Have the parents been DNA tested for hereditary ataxia?
• Have the parents had heart screening?
• How are the kittens socialized, and with which other pets?

Mistakes to avoid

Do not assume that a white Angora can hear, and do not let a deaf cat outdoors. Do not introduce a new dog or cat too fast, since Angoras like to be in charge. Do not leave the cat without vertical space, because it will turn the furniture into a climbing wall.

Living with a deaf Angora

If your Angora is deaf, you can still have a rich life together. Stamp lightly on the floor so the cat feels vibrations, use a flashlight or a hand signal to call, and avoid approaching from behind. Keep the cat indoors or in a catio, because it cannot hear cars or dogs. Many deaf cats are loud, since they cannot hear themselves, and a regular routine helps them feel secure.

Ownership and costs

Expect a purchase price that varies by breeder and region, plus regular veterinary care, vaccines, dental care and good food. See cat vet visit costs, and use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Finding one

Ask breeders about hearing testing and DNA tests, and consider rescue. Our guide to cat vet visit costs can help you plan.