Himalayan Cat: Temperament, Size, Care & Health

The Himalayan is a Persian dressed in Siamese colors: a long, fluffy cream coat with dark points on the face, ears, legs, and tail, plus large blue eyes set in a round face. The name comes from other animals with similar markings, like the Himalayan rabbit. In Europe, this cat is often called the colorpoint Persian. In this cat breed guide profile, you will find their history, registry status, temperament, and care needs.

Origin	US and UK, Persian × Siamese
Status	CFA, GCCF – Persian color; TICA – Persian group; FIFe – colorpoint Persian; ACFA – separate breed
Body	medium to large, cobby, short legs
Head	round, massive, flat face
Coat	long, dense, with ear and toe tufts
Pattern	dark points (colorpoint)
Eyes	large, round, blue
Temperament	calm, gentle, like a Persian
Grooming	daily

Himalayan – A Persian Body with Siamese Points

In type, build, and coat, the Himalayan is a Persian: medium to large, with a cobby body, short legs, a massive round head, a round face, a thick neck, and a short, snub nose. The ears are small, round-tipped, and tilted slightly forward. The eyes are large, round, and set wide apart. The coat is long and dense all over the body, with tufts in the ears and between the toes. They only inherited the dark point colors and blue eyes from the Siamese—a Himalayan looks nothing like the slender, tubular Siamese type.

Most point colors are allowed: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, as well as tabby (lynx) and tortoiseshell. Only mink and sepia variations, typical of the Tonkinese and Burmese, are prohibited. Through Himalayan lines, solid chocolate and lilac colors were also introduced from the Siamese into the Persian breed.

History: From a Harvard Lab to Merging with Persians

In the 1930s, crosses between Persian and Siamese cats were conducted at Harvard University, with the results published in the Journal of Heredity in 1936. However, cat organizations did not recognize the new breed at the time. In the UK, Brian Stirling-Webb developed the breed independently for ten years, and in 1955, the GCCF recognized it as the Longhair Colourpoint. In the US, several breeders worked on the cat, including Jean Mill (who later created the Bengal cat), and the CFA recognized the breed in late 1957.

Early breeders aimed for dark points on a longhaired cat, so they constantly outcrossed to Persians. In the 1960s, some breeders reintroduced Siamese blood, resulting in cats with a less Persian-like type. However, by the 1980s, the breed was brought back to the Persian standard, and in 1984, the CFA merged them with Persians as a color division. In CFA registrations, Persians with Himalayan ancestry are given registration numbers starting with a 3, so breeders can easily identify which cats might carry the pointed gene.

Temperament: A Calm Blue-Eyed Persian

Because Himalayans are regularly bred with Persians, their temperament is identical: they are calm, gentle, and love a quiet environment and affection. They are undemanding and relatively inactive. They prefer keeping their paws on the floor rather than climbing, get along well with children and other pets, and will simply walk away from loud noises. They enjoy playing but usually need a little encouragement. This is the perfect cat for a peaceful home and owners who have time for daily grooming.

Famous Himalayan Cats

Himalayans frequently appear in pop culture. In the movie Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) and its sequel, one of the main characters is a Himalayan named Sassy. The comedy trilogy Meet the Parents features a flat-faced pointed cat named Mr. Jinx. In 2014, a Himalayan-Persian mix named Colonel Meow entered the Guinness World Records for having the longest fur on a cat. Additionally, Martha Stewart's Himalayans, famously named after composers, regularly appeared on her television shows and in her magazine.

Health: The Consequences of Brachycephaly

• Respiratory tract and eyes. Like Persians, Himalayans are brachycephalic (flat-faced), making them prone to respiratory infections, excessive tearing, corneal abrasions, ulcers, and corneal sequestra.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This is hereditary; breeding cats must have a PKD1 DNA test.
• Asthma. Himalayans are more susceptible to feline asthma.
• Hip dysplasia. In a University of Missouri study, it was found in 4 out of 16 x-rayed Himalayans, compared to an average of 6.6% across all cats.
• Skin conditions. They have a predisposition to dermatophytosis (ringworm), seborrhea, and idiopathic facial dermatitis, a condition described exclusively in Persians and Himalayans.

Because of the severe health risks associated with extreme flat faces, many veterinarians and animal welfare advocates strongly advise against breeding cats with exaggerated brachycephalic features. When looking for a Himalayan, it is highly recommended to seek out breeders who focus on a more moderate, traditional face type (often called a "doll-face") with open nostrils to ensure the cat can breathe comfortably.

Care: Daily Combing and Eye Cleaning

• Coat. Comb their long, dense fur daily with a steel greyhound comb; bathe them occasionally, but only after a thorough comb-out.
• Eyes and face. Wipe the corners of their eyes and facial folds daily with a soft, damp cloth to prevent tear staining and infection.
• Heat. Short-nosed cats are sensitive to heat and need a cool, air-conditioned space during the summer.
• Groomer. Many owners regularly use professional cat groomers to keep the coat manageable.

Himalayan, Persian, and Birman Cats

Trait	Himalayan	Persian	Birman
Pattern	dark points	many colors	points with white paws
Eyes	blue	copper, green, blue, etc.	blue
Face	flat	flat	medium length
Grooming	daily	daily	once a week

How to Choose a Himalayan Kitten

In the US, look for reputable breeders registered with the CFA or TICA, where Himalayans are often classified under the Persian breed group. Always ask to see negative PKD1 DNA test results for both parents. When visiting, evaluate the parents' face shapes and breathing, and ask about any history of skin or eye problems in their lines. Kittens are born almost entirely white, with their point colors developing over several weeks. Responsible breeders typically keep kittens until they are 12 to 16 weeks old to ensure they are fully weaned and socialized. As always, ensure your new kitten is microchipped and registered with your local vet, and check any local ordinances or housing rules regarding pets.

For more information on the parent breeds, check out our Persian and Siamese profiles. If you love the pointed, longhaired look but want a cat with lower grooming needs, read our guide to the Birman.