When you choose what type of cat to bring home, there are always many variables to consider with your decision. Each breed of cat has its own unique set of characteristics, and usually, there are pros and cons to each one. Before getting a cat, make a list of your top priorities with your animal to determine what matters most to you. Two types of cats that may seem similar but are not the same are Persian and Himalayan cats.
If you think that Persian and Himalayan cats look similar, it’s because they are related! Himalayan cats are a type of Persian cat, and the two varieties of cats share many distinctive physical features, like their fluffy coats and beautiful big eyes. While they are from the same cat family, each of these furry friends has different pros and cons.
Persian and Himalayan cats offer a lot of positives, but because they are very similar it’s only natural to want to compare them. Read on to learn about all the differences, similarities, and unique facts when comparing Persian vs Himalayan cats!
Persian Cat Facts
At the surface, it’s important to get a basic overview of Persian and Himalayan cats as a base comparison. Below is a chart outlining important information about Persian cats. This includes information such as the cat’s life expectancy, size, general colors, and other facts. Also included is a picture so you can easily get an idea of what they look like, especially when compared to a Himalayan cat shortly after.
| Persian Cat Facts |
|---|
| Life Expectancy of 15 – 20 years |
| Medium-sized ranging between 12 – 15 inches in length; Some adults may get as long as 18 inches |
| Average weight between 7 – 12 pounds |
| Come in a variety of colors including orange, white, black, blue, cream, chocolate, and bi-color |
| Long, silky coat; prone to high levels of shedding (requires daily grooming) |
| Mild-mannered personality and dog friendly |
Right away you can see that Persian cats have a long life expectancy. Anytime a cat has the potential to live past 15 years and into its 20s, that’s a good thing. They are pretty decent length but don’t weigh a whole lot. It’s pretty standard for a cat to weigh between 7 – 12 pounds.
What’s special about this breed is the variety of colors they come in. More on this later, but you can get them in rare colors like chocolate and blue.
Because Persian and Himalayan cats have long coats, be ready for daily grooming to being a part of your routine. The more you can reduce shedding, the less cleanup down the road.
Himalyan Cat Facts
Now that you understand a bit more about Persian cats on their own, it’s time to take a much deeper dive into Himalayan cats. The chart below breaks down the same group of information as Persian cats along with a picture to help you compare their looks.
| Himalayan Cat Facts |
|---|
| Life Expectancy of 9 to 15 years |
| Medium-sized ranging between 10-12 inches in length; Some adults may get as long as 19 inches |
| Average weight between 7 – 12 pounds |
| Come in a variety of colors including blue, orange, white, black, blue, cream, chocolate, and bi-color |
| Thick coat; prone to high levels of shedding (requires daily grooming) |
| Mild-mannered personality and dog friendly |
Generally speaking, Himalayan cats have an average life expectancy; making them well worth the investment. However, when compared to a Persian cat, the value is not as great as Persian cats tend to live 5 years longer on average than a Himalayan cat.
A quick look at the size comparison, and Himalayan cats are a bit smaller than persian cats. However, in some cases, they can get as long as 19 inches. Much of the size and weight a Himalayan cat has depends on its gender. In general, female cats will weigh between 8 – 12 pounds, and male cats will weigh larger than 12 pounds in some cases.
Both cats are known for their mild-mannered personalities. They get along well with dogs, other cats, and family members as long as they are properly introduced.
Are Persian and Himalayan cats the same
Persian and Himalayan cats are very similar, but they are not precisely the same type of cat. Himalayan cats are a type of Persian cats, and Himalayan cats are essentially a subgroup of cats underneath the wider Persian cat umbrella. The main difference is that Himalayan cats are a cross between Persian and Siamese cats.
The cats are physically similar, but Himalayan cats are known for having a longer fur coat. Something to note is that Himalayan cats are the most popular variety of the Persian cat family.
Himalayan cats have big blue eyes, and while Persian cats also have large almond-shaped eyes, the color of a Persian cat’s eyes can range in color. The coloring of Himalayan cats is also different than Persian cats. Himalayan cats can have the following unique coloring options: cream, blue, seal, and red lynx.
Persian cats lack that variety in color and usually are white or gray. All of these are minor differences, and you would likely have difficulty telling a Persian cat apart from a Himalayan cat if you encountered one out in the world.
What’s the difference in Himalayan versus Persian cat personalities
The personality of Himalayan and Persian cats is usually quite similar because they are from the same genetic line in the cat family. Whether you adopt a Himalayan or Persian cat, you can usually anticipate that you are going to get a smart and loving kitty.
Below is a helpful chart detailing what you can expect from a Himalayan cats personality:
| Himalayan Cat Personality |
|---|
| Loving and affectionate cats |
| Mild-mannered; low to mid energy levels |
| Not too demanding in behavior |
| Easily get along with other pets including cats and dogs |
These cats love to sit in your lap and snuggle and are pretty affectionate overall. They have a good amount of energy but are ok to be left at home for some time throughout the day and will keep themselves entertained without getting into mischief.
Now, let’s take a look at a Persian cats personality traits:
| Persian Cat Personality |
|---|
| Highly affectionate |
| Highly intelligent; problem solvers |
| Friendly and playful; even with lesser-known individuals |
| Good with toddlers and infants |
Both of these types of cats tend to have calm and loyal personalities that make them very easy to love! Overall, it would be difficult to decide to get a Himalayan instead of a Persian cat based on personality alone because their personalities are too similar to even differentiate.
Health Concerns Of Persian And Himalayan Cats
Like most cat breeds, Persian and Himalayan cats can be prone to certain diseases. Both cat breeds are known to deal with the following issues:
- Eye conditions
- Weight loss
- Respiratory issues
- Cancerous growths
In addition to these, there are certain diseases that affect Persian cats more directly than Himalayan cats. For example, Persian cats are more prone to polycystic kidney disease where cysts form in the kidneys. This condition is typically inherited in cats and requires regular checkups for detection.
That is one of the most severe issues, however, it is usually treatable.
Likewise, Himalayan cats are more prone to progressive retinal atrophy which causes excessive tear production. This is an upper respiratory problem that also causes issues with nasal passages being restricted.
Other health problems a Himalayan cat may experience include:
- Jaw issues
- Cherry eye
- BAS breathing issues
For the most part, when looking at both Persian and Himalayan cats, they are relatively healthy, and most of the more severe health concerns are rare occurrences.
Do all Himalayan cats have a flat face
Yes, all Himalayan and Persian cats that are purebreds will have a flat face. This is one of the most distinguishing physical characteristics of a Himalayan cat. If you believe your cat is a Himalayan but does not have a flat face, there is a good chance your cat is a mix of something else.
The flat faces are quite cute, but they often cause health problems for Himalayan cats. Cats with flat faces can have issues with their tear ducts, which causes them to have runny eyes and eye infections. For both Himalayan and Persian cats, you will want to clean up their eye areas frequently to help prevent frequent eye infections.
Having a flat face can also cause a cat to have respiratory problems, even as a kitten. Some flat-faced cats have a lot of trouble breathing through their nose, which can then lead to your Himalayan cat leading a more sedentary life because they have trouble catching their breath.
This can cause other problems like your cat becoming overweight. While the flat face is a signature element of both the Persian and Himalayan breeds, it can also lead to significant health problems for your cat throughout their life.
How do I know if my Himalayan cat is Persian
The answer is quite simple: if you have a Himalayan cat, they are also a Persian cat by default! The logic does not work the other way around, but if you know for sure that your cat is a pureblood Himalayan, you can also confidently say that they fall under the Persian cat family as well.
Are Himalayan cats rare
Himalayan cats are a highly desirable sub-breed of Persian cats, but you can easily find breeders in your area that have Himalayan kittens for purchase. You may find that certain colorings of Himalayan cats are rarer than others, especially when it comes to their fur and eye color.
Certain coat colors like the red flame or chocolate point combination require specific genes from the cat’s parent’s in order to occur, so it may be rarer to have a Himalayan cat with those colorings.
Caring For Persian And Himalayan Cats
When caring for a Persian or Himalayan cat, there are some subtle differences. However, for the most part, you can apply some of the general care tips to both cat breeds. Below are a few things to make sure you have in place when taking care of these breeds:
Consistent Feeding Schedule
Although these breeds are not the most active, they require ample nutrition to live to their fullest. With health being a concern, you should feed Persian and Himalayan cats on a consistent schedule. Ideally, they should get 2 – 3 meals per day that matches up with their body weight. It’s important not to overfeed them as that can lead to weight issues.
Generally speaking, Persian and Himalayan cats should eat a high protein diet if they are outdoor cats, or more a calorie balanced meal if they are indoor. Wet food is preferred over dry. Also, due to both of these breeds having exceptionally long fur, hairball-based food is preferable to prevent future issues.
Plenty Of Exercise
Exercise is important for any cat. Because these cats are so mild-mannered, it’s easy for them to become somewhat lazy as they age. Persian cats are especially prone to this.
An exercise routine can be something as simple as tossing a toy or using a laser pointer. Persian cats being as intelligent as they are will need constant changes in the form of entertainment. Once they figure out how a game is played, the routine can become boring to them; so keep this in mind.
Short play sessions are ideal for both breeds.
Regular Grooming Routine
Longhaired cats require consistent grooming; period. Grooming your cat regularly will help reduce matting which can be a big problem to fix later on. Some brushes work better than others; however, we recommend using a steel brush. This gets deep into the fur without hurting your cat and allows for easy removal.
Most cats don’t require baths however, it’s entirely okay to give your Himalayan or Persian cat a wash every now and then. Be careful not to use any dish soaps and instead use a vet-approved shampoo.
Vet Appointments
A major part of cat care is vet appointments. To keep and short and simple, don’t miss their yearly shots! Regular checkups are also important for identifying health problems early and being proactive rather than reactive.
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Persian Cat
Below is a list of pros and cons when it comes to owning a Persian cat:
| Pros Of Owning A Persian Cat | Cons Of Owning A Persian Cat |
|---|---|
| Mild-mannered and quiet | Grooming |
| Intelligent Behavior | Prone to health issues including progressive retinal atrophy |
| Good with companions | Don’t respond well to loud noises |
| Clean pets | Difficult to train in the kitten stage |
| Expensive To Maintain |
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Himalayan Cat
Below is a list of pros and cons when it comes to owning a Himalayan cat:
| Pros Of Owning A Himalayan Cat | Cons Of Owning A Himalayan Cat |
|---|---|
| Mild-mannered and quiet | Grooming |
| Bond easily with others | Prone to health issues including vision problems |
| Highly adaptable breed | Don’t respond well to loud noises |
| Long lifespan | Expensive to maintain |
| |
Things to Consider
With both Himalayan and Persian cats, the pros outweigh the cons of the breed. These are wonderful family animals that are great companions. The main reason some people prefer a Persian cat over a Himalayan cat because Himalayan cats have longer fur. While this may not seem like a big difference, Himalayan cats shed a lot more because of their longer fur coats.
Due to Himalayan cats shedding more frequently, they can be less desirable pets for people with cat allergies. For those concerned about allergies or excessive shedding, the Persian cat is going to be the better choice for you. If you have a severe cat allergy, you would be better off considering a variety of cats with short hair fur and looking outside of the Persian cat family.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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