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Caring for Himalayan cats is similar to the care for most feline breeds. However, there are a few unique factors to consider if you are planning to make a Himalayan cat part of your family.
Himalayan cats are actually a subcategory of the Persian breed. Persian cats were bred with Siamese cats to acquire their beautiful coloring. Himalayans have the characteristic flat faces and long fur of the Persian breed. Their bodies are well-muscled and lean, despite the puffy appearance.
Himalayans tend to have gentle and sweet temperaments and make good pets for many different kinds of families. They tend to have relaxed natures, but also to be playful and active. As a breed, they are affectionate and sweet, if a bit fickle.
As with all cat breeds, it is important to provide good basic care for your pet. Your Himalayan should always have fresh water available, be fed healthy food(we perfer Royal Canin dry and chicken soup for the cat or kitten lover's soul canned) and have access to a clean litter box. Of course, your kitty also needs love, affection and entertainment.
A Himalayan's long fur does require some extra care. First, remember that your cat may be sensitive to overly warm weather since he has a very warm coat; make sure you do not leave him in an extremely hot area of your home without a fan or air-conditioning.
Combing: Use a large tooth comb to comb the coat DAILY. This is also a good time to check for fleas. If there is a mat (and it will happen), don't pull directly on it. Hold the matted hair by the area closest to the cat's skin and carefully work the comb through the top of the mat removing a bit at a time. This way you avoid any pulling that would cause pain to the cat. If combing does not work, try a seam ripper always facing it away from the cat, use small gentle movements and the mat will loosen up quickly so you can then comb it out It may help to have another person hold the cat for you at this time. Then use a large tooth comb or brush to brush out the mat. If you comb for a few minutes each day you will never have a matted cat. Note: When a Himalayan's hair is ripped out or shaved, the hair follicle cools. The point color is temperature sensitive and only appears on the coolest parts of the cat. You cool a body hair follicle and the cat shades on it's body until the next time the hair falls out. Lots of people don't know this and end up with brown or grey cats all over. Some Himalayans, despite all efforts, shade due to genetics.
All himalayans and persians may need a bath occasionally or even regularly depending on the type of coat they end up with. This does not have to be a difficult experience if you just follow a few simple rules. Clip your cats claws prior to the bath and collect everything you'll need BEFORE you begin to bathe. You may need dawn dish soap(for removing the greasies) a good size water dipper (for pouring over the cat) a good moisturizing shampoo for cats as well as a deep conditioning conditioner to ensure kitty does not end up with dried out skin and fur.(DO NOT USE YOUR OWN SHAMPOO), really absorbent towels and an adjustable flow spayer makes things much easier. If your cat seems a bit greasy(hairs parting on the ruff under the chin or behind the ears, usually indicates a greasy tendency) Mix a few teaspoons of regular dawn dish soap with a liter of warm water. Wet your cat down with warm water then add a scoop at a time of the dawn and water mixture until you get a good lather worked up, do not wash kitty's face with this mixture and keep ears dry by putting a cotton ball in each ear. continue to wash kitty with your fingertips from neck to rump and don't forget the tummy, feet and the insides of the legs . Now the rinsing is the most important part. It must be done many times to ensure ther is absolutly NO soap left in the coat if there is your cat will become very itchy and greasy all over again. Start rinsing kitty with a soft spray until it seems no more suds are evident, then put the plug in the sink and continue to rinse and allow the sink to fill with water, this "Floats the coat" which helps tremendously in a thourough rinse. Do this at least 3 times even if you don't see anymore suds. Now is the time to use your cat shampoo as this will not degrease your kitty(that is what the dawn mixture was for) add shampoo and wash the cat all over again using the same rinsing technique as before. Last we condtion only when we have done a thorough rinse. Be generous with it as you want to recondition kitty's skin and coat, allow it to remain on the fur for at least 2 to 5 mins. Again rinse , rinse, rinse as before. Now all that's left is to towel dry kitty and blowdry. Try to gently squeeze out the excess water before using the towels, then wrap kitty in many towels and lightly press and squeeze as much as you can. You MUST dry your cat completely whether using a professional cat dryer or just a blow dryer, otherwise your kitty will become matted very quickly with wet or damp hair especially around the bum and insde legs and belly, ensure you use a VERY LOW HEAT setting as you could easily burn kitty's skin and frazzle the fur. If your cat is not the greasy type and you want to bath him/her do not use the dawn mixture, you can just use a good cat shampoo and conditioner and follow all the rest of the instructions above.
Even if you are vigilant about grooming, your Himalayan may be prone to hairballs. These are formed when too much fur accumulates in the cat's stomach and cannot be passed through the digestive system. You may want to give your cat a hairball remedey formula regularly to help prevent hairballs. Not all himalayans will have hairball problems.
While Himalayans are adventurers and enjoy exploring, they are best-suited for indoor life. DO NOT put your himalayan outside, instead, fulfill your Himalayan's jungle-cat dreams with plenty of playtime, and regular visits to the screened porch or open screened windows for fresh air and the scent of the wild.
