About the Turkish Angora Cat
Also known as the Ankara cat, the Turkish Angora has a marvelous personality to match its stunning appearance. Highly intelligent, just a little bit talkative, and beloved for their tendency to develop complete devotion for their favorite person, these kitties like to be in the middle of everything, often watching the action without actually joining in.
Of course Angora cats do have a playful streak, curiously investigating cupboards, drawers, empty boxes, and everything else they can find their way into. They love games of chase, and can even learn to play fetch. The more you praise them and applaud their antics, the happier they'll be and the stronger your bond will become.
Turkish Angora cats are one of a few breeds that enjoy water. These cats have a fondness for faucets, and given the opportunity, will happily accompany their people into the shower or sit on the side of the bathtub, perhaps dipping a paw to create mesmerizing ripples. Some individuals have even been known to swim!
Although the Turkish Angora cat enjoys attention, members of this breed are a bit less demanding than their Siamese and Oriental cousins. So long as these kitties have plenty of toys to keep them entertained throughout the day, they're fine with spending time on their own and will greet you with great enthusiasm when you return from a long day at work.
Care
Turkish Angora cats don't have any special nutritional needs, however it's best to offer a high-quality food that incorporates real meat or real fish as the number one ingredient. You may want to look for a brand that incorporates additional Omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
Despite having a long coat, the Turkish Angora does a fairly good job of keeping itself groomed. Of course, you're welcome to offer a daily brushing, which your cat will appreciate. Not only is this a great opportunity to bond with your kitty, you'll catch any tangles.
Since Turkish Angora cats have single coats with no heavy undercoat, they are not prone to developing mats.
Turkish Angora cats love to play, particularly when others get involved. These kitties love to chase balls and catnip mice, and they're fond of teaser wands, too. You'll want to treat your kitty to a cat tree that satisfies its instinctual need to climb, and they'll certainly appreciate other cat furniture such as scratching posts and window seats. A well-stocked basket of toys will keep your Turkish Angora entertained.
As a natural cat breed, the Turkish Angora is generally healthy. There are a few rare conditions that can affect Turkish Angoras including ataxia, which is an inherited condition that is autosomal recessive. Affected kittens display tremors and typically do not survive to adulthood.
Some Turkish Angora cats – usually male – develop a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at middle age. In addition, some of these cats – particularly those with white coats and blue eyes or odd eyes are born deaf, or with deafness in the ear on the same side as the blue eye.
History
The first written record of the Turkish Angora cat as we know the breed today is credited to French naturalist De Buffon. In the late 1700s, he mentioned a breed of cats with long hair that originated in Turkey. Feline geneticists believe that the breed may have evolved from Manul cats, which were first domesticated by the Tartars.
Of course, this is an ancient cat breed with a history that certainly predates the 16th century, and it's entirely possible that the prophet Mohammed had at least one of them. As the story goes, his cat Muezza was sleeping so peacefully in his arms that he decided to cut a sleeve off his tunic instead of interrupting his pet's nap.
Long-haired cats made their way to Britain and France as early as the late 1500s, coming from Russia, Persia, and Turkey. It's likely that some of these were Turkish Angoras.
By the late 1700s, Turkish Angora cats made their way to America. Early cat fanciers and breeders blended Angora cats with other long-haired breeds including Russian Longhairs and Persians. Before long, so much interbreeding had taken place that purebred angora cats became impossible to find outside of Turkey, where the breed is considered to be a national treasure.
In 1917, Turkey's government and the Ankara Zoo decided to develop a breeding program aimed at preserving the Angora cat breed. Angora cats with odd eyes – meaning one blue eye and one amber eye – were a main focus of the breeding program, partly because legend states that they are descendents of Mohammed's Angora cat, Muezza, and as such, are believed to carry the touch of Allah.
In 1962, a U.S. Army colonel named Walter Grant was stationed in Turkey. His wife, Liesa Grant, exported a pair of Turkish Angora cats to the United States. These cats came with pedigrees and interest in the breed grew rapidly. Even though it was difficult to import Angora cats, more breeders joined the effort and these beautiful cats once again proliferated in the West.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) accepted Turkish Angora cats for registration in 1968, and in 1970, allowed provisional competition. In 1972, CFA granted the Turkish Angora championship status; however, this only applied to white Angoras. In 1978, CFA accepted all Turkish Angora cat colors for championship. All CFA Angora cats must have lineage that can be traced back to Turkey.
Today, the Turkish Angora is recognized by major cat registries worldwide.
Did You Know?
Many Turkish Angoras are white, but the Turkish Angora cat is believed to be the first breed to originate long hair and cats, as well as the color white in a cat's coat.
Even though we often think of the Turkish Angora as a pure white cat, these kitties occur in all different colors and patterns and many of these are accepted for CFA registration.
Turkish Angora cats get along very well with other pets, however they have a dominant streak.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Turkish Angora cat cost?
Turkish Angora cats cost between $1000 - $2000.
How big do Turkish Angora cats get?
Turkish Angora cats tend to be small in size. A fully grown Turkish Angora cat might weigh between 5-10 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 8"- 10" inches tall.
How long do Turkish Angora cats live?
The Average lifespan for Turkish Angora is 15-18 years.
