Himalayan

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

A long-haired Persian with Siamese points and blue eyes.

A Himalayan cat sitting, full body
Size
Medium
Weight
7 to 12 lb (3 to 5.4 kg)
Lifespan
9 to 15 years
Coat
Long, thick, with a full ruff
Colors
Pointed: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, flame and more
Origin
United States and Britain, from Persian and Siamese crosses
97% of the time, our scanner puts a Himalayan in its top three. It names it first 60% of the time. How we tested

What does a Himalayan look like?

The Himalayan has the Persian's long coat, flat face, small ears and stocky body, combined with the Siamese colorpoint pattern: a pale body with darker face, ears, legs and tail, and blue eyes. Some cat registries treat it as a color variety of the Persian rather than a separate breed.

Himalayan personality

Himalayans are gentle and sweet, a little more playful than the average Persian. They enjoy calm homes and routine.

How to care for a Himalayan

Daily combing is a must, or the long coat mats. Clean the eyes daily, and keep the litter area tidy for the long fur.

How do I know if my cat is a Himalayan?

A flat face, a long coat and colorpoints add up to a Himalayan. A Ragdoll or Birman also has points and blue eyes, but its face has a normal muzzle, not a flat one.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

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Breeds that look like the Himalayan

Persian PersianThe classic long-haired cat with a flat face, a round head and a quiet nature. Ragdoll RagdollA big, gentle colorpoint cat with blue eyes that often goes limp when picked up. Birman BirmanA gentle colorpoint cat with deep blue eyes and four pure white 'gloves'.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Himalayan a Persian?
Many registries count it as a Persian in the colorpoint pattern. Others list it as its own breed. Either way, it is a Persian with Siamese-style points.
How do I tell a Himalayan from a Ragdoll?
Look at the face. A Himalayan has a flat Persian face. A Ragdoll has a normal muzzle and a larger, longer body.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat