Himalayan Cats & Kittens for sale from Ethical Breeders

Meet the Himalayan

Himalayan cats, affectionately known as "Himmies", are medium to large size felines. They have stocky bodies with solid bones, short legs, broad chests, and rounded bellies. As fully grown adults, Himalayan cats usually weigh between 8 and 12 pounds. When well cared for, most Himmies will live for 8 to 12 years, with some living up to 15.

Himalayan cats inherit the best qualities of the Persian and Siamese breeds. They have a long, silky double-layer coat with a colour-point patterning. The majority of the fur on their body is white or cream, but the points can be one of several shades, including seal, red/flame, blue, chocolate, or lilac. Because they have a dense undercoat and long outer hairs, their fur can tangle and mat easily. Therefore, you should brush or comb it every day to keep it in top condition.

Like Persians, Himalayan cats have a round head with a "doll-face" and flat nose. However, some Himalayan cats are bred from peke-faced Persians, so they have more squashed-like facial features. What's more, Himmies inherit the Siamese's striking blue large, round eyes.

The temperament of a Himalayan cat

Himalayan cats are super friendly and affectionate, and like their Persian parents, have a sweet and gentle nature. Still, due to their Siamese heritage, they are social, intelligent and have a very playful side, too. They are significantly more active than Persians but calmer than Siamese, creating an even-temperament, which is what makes them a fabulous indoor kitty.

Thankfully, Himmies did not inherit the Siamese's highly vocal trait, and they are generally pretty quiet felines. They do crave attention from their owners, though and love to be petted. This love of physical contact makes daily grooming a breeze, as it becomes a ritual that they look forward to.

Being a hybrid of both a calm and an active breed means that Himalayan cats can go from one extreme to another. For example, this kitty could be lying in the sun, relaxed one minute, and then suddenly go crazy and start running around. Even so, their playful bursts are generally short, and they only require a couple of quick play sessions each day. Plus, they are easily entertained, so provided they have plenty of toys and scratch posts, Himmies are pretty good at keeping themselves entertained.

Himalayans often become incredibly loyal to their owners and love to lay on the laps of their humans. They are also a very adaptable breed with a good amount of independence. They generally do okay when left alone for short periods, but they do get lonely too. How long you can leave your Himmie alone will depend on their specific personality.

Best homes for a Himalayan cat

Being friendly, social, and adaptable felines, Himalayan cats do well in most types of homes. They do not have high exercise or playtime needs, but they do require grooming every day. Even so, a quick comb through their luxurious coat is usually sufficient, and once you get into the habit of doing it, you'll find it doesn't take too much time or effort.

Because they are so affectionate and love to be petted, Himalayan cats are ideal for someone looking for a furry friend to relax and watch the evening soaps with. However, some Himmies can display the shyness of the Persian breed, so they may not enjoy living in loud, busy environments. What's more, some Himmies are not too fond of strangers and visitors to the house.

Since Himalayan cats are pretty docile, they generally get along with other well-behaved cats and dogs. They do not display any aggressive behaviour toward other animals or children. In fact, as they are so affectionate, they tend to welcome attention from young kids, as long as they do not roughly handle them.