Himalayan (cat)

There are seven Persian color classes that are recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA): solid colors, bicolor, calico, tabby, silver and golden, shaded and smoke, and Himalayan. Persian kittens in the United States usually grow into Persian cats that live between 10 and 18 years. Adult Persian cats weight 7 to 12 lbs.

The Himalayan cat is a breed of long-haired cat identical in type to the Persian, with the exception of its blue eyes and its point coloration, which were derived from the crossing of the Persian with the Siamese. In Europe they are referred to as Colourpoint Persians.

While the Himalayan is considered a breed separate from the Persian by The International Cat Association, it is grouped together with the Persian and Exotic Shorthair (shorthaired version of the Persian) under a "Persian Breed Group standard". The Cat Fanciers' Association considers the Himalayan a color variation of the Persian rather than as a separate breed, although they do compete in their own color division.

Temperament

These cats are sweet-tempered, intelligent and generally very social and good companions. Because of their heritage from the Siamese cats they tend to be more active than Persians.

Himmies, as fanciers call them, are perfect indoor cat companions. They are gentle, calm, and sweet-tempered, but they possess a playful side as well. Like the Siamese, Himalayans love to play fetch, and a scrap of crumpled paper or a kitty toy will entertain them for hours. Himalayans are devoted and dependent upon their humans for companionship and protection. They crave affection and love to be petted and groomed .

The average length of pregnancy in the cat is 65 days, but it can vary from 61 to as long as 71 or 72 days.

We rely on our veterinarian to make the determination as to when our kittens can go home. Between 10-12 weeks of age (at the earliest) the vet will issue a health certificate for air travel or a health report card for local delivery.  In 

addition to the Alameda East endorsement of health, we strive to properly socialize the Baby so he or she has the needed skills for a comfortable transition from the nursery to the new experience of interacting with his or her new family. For these reasons, all of the kittens are evaluated on an individual basis. 

Training your kitten

You have a new kitten- now it is time for training your kitten. Purrinlot wishes to help you on this quest for kitten training and adapting your new kitten to your home.Training your Kitten to do tricks, to understand your words, and to know what to do - when- and where is pretty easy.

First- Never yell or fuss- kittens are babies and tend to not be your friend when they feel unloved. Spoil them as new born human babies - this is how you have a best friend lap cat for years to come.

Second, the first few weeks your new kitten is in your home - hold, love, and sweet baby talk to the kitten - this kitten training technique will help the cat socialize and bond to you.

Some kittens feel the need to jump down- feeling uncomfortable with being held. That's ok- simply let the kitten down and a few minutes later- try again. Do this as much and as often as you can during the first 3 weeks of bringing the new kitten into your home.

When kitten training: It takes 3 weeks to create a habit, and 3 weeks to break a habit.

Third. Make sure to show kitten where all of his new stuff is - the place to scratch- help by showing him how to use it. Do this over and over until kitten does it all on his own.

Litter Problems

Himalayan-Persians are notoriously difficult to litter train because urine and feces get caught on their long fur. Himalayans also have a lot of fur on their paws, so soiled litter can get stuck on the paws. Himalayans, like all cats, like to keep clean and may avoid a litter box because they do not want soiled litter stuck to their fur. Because of their pushed-in faces, Himalayans have more difficulty grooming themselves than cats with longer faces. Changing the litter may encourage the cat to use the liter pan again, but grooming the cat every day and making sure the fur is trimmed will keep the cat feeling clean enough to use the litter pan again.

Grooming

The Cat Fanciers' Association recommends that Himalayan-Persians be groomed (combed and brushed) at least once a day. This not only helps the cat keep clean and straightens out any tangles but also helps the cat get used to people. Getting rid of dead hair will help prevent hairballs. Ideally, grooming should start as soon as a kitten is weaned. For extremely matted Himalayans, there is no alternative but to have the cat shaved. The fur will grow back. Shaving or trimming is also recommended for cats living in hot, humid environments.

Health Problems

• Make sure you have a vet before you bring a Himalayan home, and plan on going to the vet often throughout the cat's life. The ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats lists several common health problems in most Himalayans, which is why they must be kept indoors. The most common is tearing eyes or blocked tear ducts. These cats need their faces wiped clean every day. Other eye problems include inflammation of the third eyelid and inverted eyelids. Himalayans often have breathing problems because of their pushed-in faces. They also commonly get kidney problems, skin problems and genetic deformities of the mouth, which can lead to periodontal disease. When grooming, check for any strange symptoms like bald patches, excessive drooling or strange growths. When caught early, most Himalayan health problems can be managed.