Van Cat Traits
Van Cat Height
25-35 cm
Van Cat Weight
3-5
Van Cat Life Expectancy
12-17 years
Van Cat Appearance
- White fluffy
- Durable
- Strong
- Active
- Noble
- Medium size
Van Cat General Character
Compassion towards the family
X
Communication with children
X
Communication with other cats
X
Van Cat; a purebred breed famous as a Turkish cat, with soft and regionally long-short pure white fur, shining amber and/or blue eyes, and a patch of color like a spot on the head, tail, or neck. It is the descendant of the ancestors living around Lake Van, and they love playing with and swimming in water. So much so that in some parts of the world, Van cats are known as swimming cats. The thickness of their tail is also among the breed's distinctive features. Van cats are very cute, adaptable, and intelligent breed.
Van Cat History
The Van cat is a purebred breed that is known as the Turkish cat worldwide, with soft and regionally long and short pure white fur that shines through a tuft of amber and/or blue eyes. A patch of color like a spot can be found on its head, tail, or neck area. Van cats, descendants of ancestors living around Lake Van, love to play and swim in the water. In fact, in some parts of the world, Van cats are known as swimming cats. The thickness of its tail is also among the breed's distinctive features. The Van cat is a very cute, adaptable, and intelligent breed.
The Van cat breed emerged in central and southwestern Asia (today's Iran, Iraq, some parts of Russia, and Turkey). The name of the breed comes from the city of Van and Lake Van in Turkey. There is no definite information about when this breed came to the Van Lake region. However, because figures that resemble Van cats were found in some ancient souvenirs and decorations in the region, it is thought to date back to around 5000 BC. Considering this possibility, Van cats may be one of the oldest and most ancient purebred cat breeds in history.
The Van cats first left Turkey in 1955 with two Van cats taken to England. At first, this breed, known as the Turkish cat worldwide, was separated by the name Van cat because it was often confused with the Ankara cat. The Van cat was taken to the United States in 1982 and quickly gained popularity with its different appearance, white silky fur, one blue and one amber eye, and intelligence. The Van cat is recognized as a purebred breed by both the Cat Fanciers' Association and The International Cat Association.
Van Cat Personality and Character Traits
Van cats are highly active and energetic, known for their adventurous and exploratory characters. They are also very social cats and enjoy spending time with humans. These friendly, outgoing, and affectionate cats get along well with other cats, dogs, and calm children.
They may constantly follow their owners, seek excessive attention, try to communicate and express their desires, or try to get attention by jumping around. Despite their efforts, a Van cat that does not receive attention or cannot establish a bond of love may withdraw and sulk.
Van cats are a very intelligent breed, and with their curious nature, they can quickly explore any environment and learn to open doors and cupboards. Therefore, a Van cat that discovers how to open doors to the outside world through observation or trial and error can become vulnerable to dangers. For this reason, the safety of these loyal pets should be carefully ensured.
Unlike most cat breeds that do not like water, Van cats love playing, swimming, and even diving in water. Their single silky coat dries quickly when they come out of the water. Therefore, they may learn to turn on faucets and enjoy some fun when left alone at home.
Van Cat General Care
Van Cat Feather Care
Van cats are generally easy to care for and do not cause too many problems for their owners. However, they shed their long hair that keeps them warm in winter to a large extent in the hot summer months. Therefore, they need to be brushed frequently because they spend a quarter of the year actively shedding their fur, but Van cat's fur is resistant to matting. Normally, brushing once a week is sufficient, but during shedding season, it is important to collect the shedding fur daily for both the cat's coat health and household hygiene.
Van Cat Exercise
Van cats love to play games, climb, and explore. Spending time together, playing chase games, and the best of all, allowing them to play with toys in a bathtub is happiness for this breed.
Van Cat Health
Van cats, which are a healthy breed and have a long lifespan, are prone to general health problems seen in other cats. These diseases can be listed as follows:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Eye diseases
- Obesity
- Ear diseases (Chronic ear infections and mites that can cause itching and discomfort)
Van Cat Nutrition
As with all cats, maintaining an ideal weight is key to staying healthy for Van cats. Feeding them a balanced diet and closely monitoring their weight can be beneficial for their health.
Did you know?
- They are known for their love of water and are often seen swimming.
- Van cats have a distinctive "Van Pattern" mark on their heads and tails. This pattern distinguishes them from other breeds and makes them instantly recognizable.
- They are recognized as a national treasure in Turkey and their export processes are strictly monitored.
- It is known that Van cats have been present in their own region for a very long time. There are even folk tales about the breed coming to Mount Ararat in Noah's Ark.
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