Turkish Van

The Turkish Van cat is a large, muscular yet elegant breed with a white body and distinctively coloured head and tail. These cats are well balanced and strong in appearance. The large ears are set high on the head and the eyes are large, oval, and expressive. The Turkish Van cat's coat is long, soft, and silky with no woolly undercoat. The paws are tufted, and the tail has a full brush.The Turkish Van cat’s body is chalk white with coloured markings on top of the head. The colouring on the head is separated by a vertical white blaze. Occasionally small thumbprints of colour appear on the body. The eyes may be amber or blue or one of each.

The need-to-know

Playful and curious cat
Friendly but independent cat

Average build cat breed
Requires grooming every day

May require familiarisation before living with children

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Personality

Turkish Van cats are extremely intelligent and friendly, and they make excellent companions. They are lively cats and will enjoy playing games with humans or other cats and so they need stimulation and a chance to play. Turkish Van cats have soft voices.

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Turkish Van cat is sitting in the garden

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History and Origins

Country of Origin: Turkey

Other Names: Turkish Swimming Cat

The most amazing characteristic of the Turkish Van cat is its affinity with water. It not only likes water but also seems to enjoy a swim. The breed originates from the area surrounding Lake Van in Turkey and has been domesticated there for hundreds of years.

Health and Common Issues

At present there are no diseases specifically linked to this breed. As with all cats, the Turkish Van breed needs vaccinations, parasite control and annual veterinary health checks.

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health. So it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Grooming Turkish Van

Turkish Van cats do require regular grooming to keep their beautiful, silky coat tangle-free; it is best to do this regularly as this avoids major tangles and mats. If grooming with a comb and brush is introduced at an early age, the cat will soon become used to it and many potential problems will be avoided.

Best Cat Breeds for Children

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.

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