Turkish Van

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

The 'swimming cat': a big white cat with color only on its head and tail.

A Turkish Van cat sitting, full body
Size
Large
Weight
10 to 20 lb (4.5 to 9 kg)
Lifespan
12 to 17 years
Coat
Semi-long, soft, water-resistant
Colors
White with color on the head and tail (van pattern)
Origin
The Lake Van region of eastern Turkey
97% of the time, our scanner puts a Turkish Van in its top three. It names it first 53% of the time. How we tested

What does a Turkish Van look like?

Turkish Vans show the van pattern: a chalk-white body with color only on the head, usually between the ears, and a fully colored, ringed tail. Auburn red is the classic color. The coat is semi-long, soft like cashmere and water-resistant. The body is large and muscular, and males can be very big.

Turkish Van personality

Vans are energetic, bold and playful, and many are famous for liking water.

How to care for a Turkish Van

Brush weekly. They mature slowly and need lots of activity.

How do I know if my cat is a Turkish Van?

The van pattern itself is common in house cats, so a white cat with a colored tail and head spots is often just a van-patterned house cat. A true Turkish Van has a semi-long, cashmere-like coat and a big, powerful body.

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.

Identify my cat

Breeds that look like the Turkish Van

House cat House catA mixed-breed cat, called a domestic shorthair or longhair. Most pet cats in the world are house cats, not purebreds. Turkish Angora Turkish AngoraA fine-boned, graceful cat with a silky coat, a plumed tail and often odd eyes. Maine Coon Maine CoonThe gentle giant of cats: big, shaggy, with tufted ears and a long, bushy tail.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Do Turkish Vans really swim?
Many like water and some swim. Their water-resistant coat helps.
Is every white cat with a colored tail a Turkish Van?
No. The van pattern shows up in many house cats. The breed also has a large body and a soft, semi-long coat.

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