The Himalayan feline is a medium-sized cat that is not only heavily boned but massive as well, though a majority of her size is due to her mass of fur.
The Himalayan is a hybrid of the Persian, characterized by a facial mask, ears, feet, and tail with deep-blue eyes of the Siamese feline.
How Much Does The Himalayan Cast Cost in India?
On average, the price of a Himalayan kitten in India can range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000 and mainly depend upon the purity of the breed, breeders’ reputation, and availability of kittens.
The price might be lower in some Indian cities, but you will end up paying more in metropolitan cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.
Factors Affecting The Cost of The Himalayan Cat In India
Himalayans are quite pricy because of their distinct appearance, coloration, and personality.
No other feline breed beholds the unique size, coloring, and fur pattern of the Himalayan.
Because Himalayans are in great demand, their prices are on the rise. Let’s see why:
Breeder Reputability
It is important to purchase your Himalayan from a reputable breeder.
Responsible breeders take stellar care of their litters and adhere to a strict code of ethics, thus guaranteeing healthy kittens.
Age
A baby Himalayan costs more than an adult one.
Furthermore, more people prefer kittens to adult kitties, so they are in high demand and hence more expensive.
Mixed Breed
This is the most crucial factor that determines the price of the Himalayan. Because this feline is a mixed breed, it is quite demanding to breed a successful litter, and only expert breeders can successfully do so.
The best breeders also do extensive genetic testing to ensure health issues don’t arise with their kittens.
Coat
The lustrous full coat is the first thing you notice with the Himalayan cat. They are extremely beautiful and have soft fur.
The Himalayan is highly sought after for its striking blue eyes, an awesome blend of the Persian fluff, and wonderful Siamese colors, among other quality features.
Health
Kittens who have deformities, even slight ones, are cheaper than pristine ones.
This is because health concerns disqualify the felines from competitions, even if they are unnoticeable.
So, buying a kitten from a general breeder who has a deformity will cost less.
About and History
The first known attempt to breed a Himalayan cat traces back to 1924 when a Swedish geneticist crossed a Persian with a Siamese.
Thanks to the efforts of Dr Clyde Keeler, Marguerita Gorforth, and Virginia Cobb, the first successful Himalayans were developed in the 1930s in the United States.
In 1935, British cat fanciers went to the U.S. to see the Himalayan. They then established a breeding program in England to breed the cats.
Unfortunately, the breeding program was disrupted by World War II but was reinforced later on.
The Himalayan was acknowledged as a breed in the mid-1950s, with one called LaChiquita belonging to Goforth being the first United States champion with the American Cat Fanciers Association.
The Himalayan has been a popular breed and is steadily gaining a solid following throughout the years.
Appearance
The Himalayan inherited the Persian’s sweet expression coupled with soft round lines.
The eyes are large and round while the nose is short and next to it are full cheeks that open to small ears with rounded tips.
Its circular headstands on a short, full neck, leading to a cobby body type characterized by sturdy muscles.
Its legs are stout, thick, and robust, supported by large round paws. The tail is short but proportional to the body length.
The Himalayan’s iconic look isn’t complete without its long, full, shiny, and soft coat with an extra fluff around the neck and a thick tail.
Himalayan cats are of two different types: The Extreme Himalayan and Traditional Himalayan.
Extreme Himalayans are the show quality breeds that have a flatter face. They often have breathing difficulties because of their short muzzle.
Traditional Himalayans have a more conventional appearance, with a nose set lower in the face and a less flat face that permits easier breathing.
The breed comes in various colors, including shades of fawn to white and colors reserved for the facial mask and the ears, feet, and tail.
Its point colors include blue, blue-cream, cream tortie, chocolate, chocolate-tortie, chocolate lynx, blue lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx, lilac cream, lilac, cream lynx, lilac-cream lynx, seal, seal lynx, and red.
The Himalayan’s eyes only come in one shade of deep blue.
Temperament and Character
Often nicknamed ‘Himmies,’ this breed is a beautiful companion.
The Himalayan is calm, gentle, sweet, and has a playful, amusing side.
Like the Siamese, the Himalayan loves to play fetch, so a ball of string or mouse toy will keep him happy for hours until his nap time.
Himalayans love to receive attention through grooming and petting. Like the Persian, the Himalayan is a peace lover and won’t desperately try to get your attention like most other cat breeds.
But they’ll love to cuddle with their humans. Though active like the Persian, the Himalayan isn’t as vocal as the Siamese.
Himalayans make the best child playmates. Your kids can play tea party with her, wheel her around in a baby stroller or playhouse where they can comb her hair (but not dress her up).
Because they are docile, the Himalayans don’t take too well to a noisy environment. They thrive in serene homes where their ideal routine is regular feeding, a little playtime, catnaps and affection from their human family.
The Himalayan is not one to claw on your curtains, perch on your chandelier or leap from kitchen counters. She settles in well on the floor or accessible pieces.
Trainability
Whether it is performing tricks or using the toilet instead of a litter box, training should begin when your Himalayan is a kitten when he is likely to learn quickly.
Keep the training sessions to a maximum of 15 minutes and in a quiet location where the kitty is less likely to be distracted.
Cat treats come in handy to reward your Himalayan when he gets the tricks right.
For example, when teaching your kitten how to sit on your command, say the word ‘sit’ followed by his name and offer him a treat when he obeys.
Even brushing can be used as a daily training routine. Say the word ‘brush’, using the click training device before beginning, then reward the kitten afterwards.
Potty training should begin when the kitty is 6 months old. Begin by placing the litter box next to the toilet, then gradually raise the box until it gets to the same level as the toilet seat.
Eventually, place the litter box on top of the toilet, with the toilet seat down. After some time, replace the litter box with a cat seat.
It’s best to have a separate loo for yourself as you’ll need to attach the cat toilet seat with duct tape. Remove the cat toilet pan after some time when your Himalayan is fully comfortable using the toilet.
Grooming
Daily brushing of the Himalayan’s long coat is required to keep it clean and tangle-free. A bath once a month is also a good idea.
Himalayans have teary eyes so, wipe clean the corners of their eyes to prevent the formation of eye stains.
Train your kitty to stay calm during grooming. Simply say ‘calm’, click the clicker and give him a treat.
Wet, lather, and rinse his coat with cat shampoo and conditioner and keep saying ‘calm’ when he starts to get irritable.
Is the Himalayan cat a good pet?
Yes. Himalayans are sweet-natured, gentle, and playful pets. Unlike other cat breeds, they make the best indoor companions because they are not scrappers.
Furthermore, keeping your Himmie outdoors will expose it to the risk of being stolen by malicious individuals who want to have such a rare cat at no purchase cost.
Expect a lot of grooming with this breed. Done positively and consistently, your Himalayan will adore having his fur brushed.
What is the Himalayan cat’s personality?
Himalayans are undoubtedly pleasant. They are also loving, loyal and intelligent. Their caregivers’ laps are a piece of heaven to Himmies. While the Himalayan will gladly entertain himself when left home during the day, he’ll certainly communicate when he feels neglected.
Do Himalayans love to be held?
Himalayan cats often get attached to their human caregivers (sometimes one person in particular). While they love to snuggle and don’t resist when you pet them, they don’t demand affection.
Can a Himalayan be black?
While the Himalayan cat colors can come in black among others such as blue, chocolate, cream, lilac or red, you won’t find a completely black Himalayan. The bulk of fur comes in cream or white.
This beautiful rare breed feline is truly a sight to behold. The Himalayan is a gentle and sweet breed bursting with personality. You couldn’t ask for a better cat breed than the Himalayan.