How to Care for Himalayan Cats

The Himalayan cat is one of the most popular pedigree cats in the world. With their lustrous long hair and piercing blue eyes, these felines are especially renowned for their beauty. Himalayans are generally easy to take care of due to their relaxed, playful temperament and relatively few health issues. These cats do, however, require frequent grooming and maintenance, something that all potential Himalyan owners need to be aware of.

Things You'll Need

• Litter box
• Cat food
• Grooming comb
• Cat shampoo
• Cotton swab

Instructions

1. Prepare your home before introducing a new Himalayan. A new home can be stressful on any cat so make sure to allocate a safe place in the house, free from hazards like other pets and small children, for your Himalayan. Check the area for other harms like dangerous chemicals and poisonous plants, especially if your Himalayan is a kitten.

2. Place a litter box in your Himalayan's allocated living space. Your cat will learn to use it automatically as long as it feels safe and comfortable in its new surroundings.

3. Set up an appointment with your Himalyan's vet as soon as possible. Your cat's breeder will usually provide the name of a good vet and recommend a time frame in which to have your pet examined. Hold on to any information regarding your cat's health (vaccinations, allergies, etc.) and provide your vet with this information. The vet will advise you on the right time to administer future vaccinations and have your pet spayed or neutered.

4. Feed your Himalayan high quality professional cat food designed for Himalayans and similar breeds. Stay away from cheap, low quality commercial cat food that often contains artificial coloring that can react poorly with the animal's digestive system. Don't overfeed your cat or change its diet abruptly unless recommended by a licensed vet.

5. Comb your Himalayan's fur once a day to avoid matting, a common problem in Himalayans that usually occurs under the arm pits, behind the ears, on the belly, and under the tail. Use a metal long tooth comb and gentle wire slicker brush. Be as gentle as possible when performing this daily maintenance.

6. Wash your Himalayan approximately once every other week. Use a mild shampoo recommended by your vet. This will help prevent matting and keep your cat's hair healthy and fluffy.

7. Clean inside your Himalayan's ears with a cotton swab every so often. Check for reddish brown crust and observe your cat to see if it's scratching more than usual. This is a sign of ear mites and should be treated with professional ear mite medication prescribed by the vet.

8. Clean your Himalayan's nose and eyes at least once a day. Because of their short noses, Himalyans' eyes tend to get teary and goopy, becoming breeding grounds for bacteria. Use a soft, damp cloth to wash away excess gunk.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your vet right away if you notice redness, swelling, squinting, rubbing or white discharge in your Himalayan's eyes and nose.

References

• Basic Himalayan & Persian Cat Care
• Himalayan Cats