If you are ever in the presence of a Turkish Angora cat, know that you are in the presence of a national treasure. In its homeland of Turkey, the Turkish Angora cat is a much loved and respected feline. we totally agree: who wouldn’t want this delicate and playful kitty to grace their homes?
The Turkish Angora is a cat known for its handsome appearance, long elegant body, silky coat, and affectionate manner. While their beauty is obvious, getting to know and understand this cat will open up a whole different side of them. they are wonderful cats and loyal companions.
if you’re looking for a unique cat that will become a staple in your family, you’ve come to the right place.
general view of a Turkish Angora cat
This long-haired cat came to Europe in the 16th century from Persia and Russia, but the history of this breed goes back much further. Sometimes called a Turkish cat or a Persian cat, they are famous for their ballerina-like appearance. they have long, graceful bodies and limbs and silky fur. When you see a Turkish Angora, you can’t help but notice how majestic they are.
They are considered small to medium-sized cats, with female Turkish Angoras being slightly smaller. This breed has a well-proportioned build, with a fairly long torso, legs, and tail. Interestingly, their hind legs are longer than their front legs, which is evident when they effortlessly jump to the top of your cat tree.
These cats are friendly and affectionate. They make an ideal companion and will fit in very well in a variety of settings, along with children and other pets.
weight
Turkish Angoras are not large or compact cats. although they are long and long, they usually weigh between 6 and 9 pounds. these cats will feel very light when picked up, as their weight is distributed across their long bodies.
length
With long bodies, tails, and legs, the Turkish Angora is not surprisingly a long little kitty. despite their smaller size, they can reach up to (and more than) 18 inches.
coat
Turkish Angoras are known for their beautiful medium to long length silky coats. The length of the body fur will vary among different Turkish Angora cats, but typically the tails and ruff are long, fine, and full. you may notice their actual “breeches” on their hind legs and the ruff that adorns their necks.
Although Turkish Angoras are associated with a white coat, they actually come in a variety of colors. They may exhibit chocolate, lavender, cream (among others), or any of these colors combined with a white coat. it is also possible to have a tabby or calico variation. the white cat variation is prone to deafness and usually has blue or green colored eyes. they often have odd eyes and deafness in the ear on the side of the blue eye is likely to occur.
life expectancy
Turkish Angora cats can live long and healthy lives when properly cared for. With proper nutrition and exercise, regular vet checkups, and lots of love, your Turkish Angora can live for 13 to 20 years!
if you’re looking for a companion that will last you for decades, this is one long-haired cat to consider.
History of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora cat is one of the oldest natural cat breeds known to mankind. Unlike many cats today, this breed was not created on purpose, but originated based on circumstance and perpetuated for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Like most natural cat breeds, it’s hard to be sure what the specific history of the Turkish Angora cat was, but it is almost certainly descended from the African wildcat (as are most domestic cats). .
These cats probably came from cold, mountainous regions of Turkey that would limit crossbreeding abilities, leading to inbreeding. the recessive mutation for long hair probably occurred spontaneously centuries ago and was then able to establish itself due to inbreeding. The long hair of these cats is a staple in the region they come from, with long-haired Angora rabbits and long-haired goats.
angora cats began to be transported to britain and france in the 17th century, but over time they became associated with other long-haired breeds. this resulted in Turkish Angora cats being crossed with Persians as if they were the same cat. pure Turkish Angoras were phased out in most parts of the world, except for their homeland, and were simply called longhairs.
the revival of the purebred Turkish Angora
In the 1900s, the Turkish government saw a problem with the dissipation of the Turkish Angora breed.
they worked with the ankara zoo to create a breeding program that would restore pure white angora cats with blue and amber eyes and long, silky fur. breeders specifically held cats with odd eyes to a higher standard, as it was suspected that they were honored by allah.
During this time period, it became very difficult to obtain a Turkish Angora because they were magnificent and prized creatures. in 1962 lies f. Grant, the wife of an army colonel stationed in Turkey, successfully exported two Turkish Angoras to America, sparking interest in the breed. that’s when more and more people started going through the import intensive process to bring these cats home.
physical characteristics
The Turkish Angora cat stands out for its silky coat and slender body. they can look like a ghost at night as they climb into bed with you. they have beautiful eyes that stand out against their luscious coats.
Some Turkish Angora cats have bright blue eyes, others dark amber, and some even have one of each. When you see an odd-eyed Turkish Angora, you better believe you’re in the presence of a treat.
These cats have large, pointy ears that are set high and close to the head. Their ears are likely tufted with hair and are in tune with their surroundings. Turkish Angora cats are lean, muscular cats with grace and strength stored in their small bodies.
personality traits
Turkish Angoras are affable, active, and curious cats who need to spend a lot of time with their humans. to see a Turkish Angora thrive in their environment, they need plenty of play time and human interaction.
They want to participate in the activities their humans participate in, so don’t be surprised when your Turkish Angora follows you around your home.
These cats are social and affectionate, especially with their humans, but will open up to strangers after a while. They are sweet and gentle, making them an excellent pet when you have children or other animals. The more people and pets in the house, the better, so your Turkish Angora will have plenty of beings to keep them busy and entertained.
Caring for the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is an active breed that needs a lot of play. They like to chase toys around scenes, pounce on anything that moves fast, and can even be trained to walk on a leash. they even enjoy the water and are considered good swimmers! Letting your Turkish Angora explore as safely as possible will satisfy his curious nature.
Since the Turkish Angora has a longer coat, grooming is essential. By using a self-cleaning litter box like Litter-Robot 4, you don’t have to worry about tracking dirty paws (or dirty fur) around the house. your Turkish Angora will always have a clean place to go potty!
toilet
One thing to keep in mind with Turkish Angoras is how much they will need to be brushed. the good news is that their hair is long and fine, with no undercoat, so it’s less susceptible to knotting.
Brushing his coat once or twice a week can prevent too much shedding and matting, and will save your cat from a world of painful detangling.
brushing your teeth and trimming your nails regularly is also an important part of your grooming routine.
possible health problems
Turkish Angora cats tend to be very healthy, and this is seen a lot in older breeds. Taking them to the vet regularly and when you notice a change in their behavior can help keep them in top shape.
still, they are susceptible to some health problems that you should be aware of. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease in which the muscular walls of a cat’s heart thicken, making it difficult for blood flow and breathing. ataxia is a condition that affects Turkish Angora kittens up to 4 weeks of age and impairs balance and coordination.
adopt a Turkish Angora
Bringing a Turkish Angora cat into your home will be one of your greatest joys. they are so affectionate and playful that you will never be bored or lonely.
You will be amazed every day you spend with them. Who wouldn’t want that kind of love?
sources:
- Turkish Angora | animal hospitals vca
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | cornell university college of veterinary medicine
- African wildcat | mammal | British
- the wobbly cat: diagnostic and therapeutic approach to generalized ataxia – jacques penderis, 2009 | wise diaries
- sergey semin via unsplash
- © franzioseph / cc-by-sa-4.0
- © moyan brenn / cc-by-sa-2.0
photo credit:
