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The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest cat breeds with a long coat and is therefore considered the ancestor of all long-haired cats. Here in the profile you get information about the origin, the nature and the keeping of the popular long-haired cat.
History and Origin of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is a very old cat breed that has been known in Turkey since the 15th century. Ottoman sultans presented the pretty, long-haired cats to the courts of England and France. The Angora cats were the first long-haired cats to come to Western Europe. Among the admirers of the noble cat breed was King Louis XV, who gave the animals as gifts to princes. As early as the 18th century, the white cats had developed into a status symbol and it was impossible to imagine European courts without them.
After this heyday, the fame of the Angora cat slowly began to fade, especially with the advent of the Persian cat. In the 1960s, the breed was almost extinct and there were only a few specimens left in Turkish zoos. However, thanks to a few dedicated breeders, the breed survived and the CFA recognized the white specimens as a separate breed as early as 1970. Eight years later, the colored representatives of the breed were also recognized. Only in the 1980s did the Turkish government allow the export and thus the worldwide breeding of the noble pedigree cat.
Essence and Character
The Turkish Angora has an easy-going and friendly personality. She is very open and social with people. Even when dealing with small children, Angora is patient and never aggressive. The breed is open-minded towards other pets and likes to “talk” to their people. If she doesn’t get enough attention, she loudly demands petting or games. Your joy in playing knows no bounds. Their trust in everyone around them is unshakable and the cat is not fazed by anything. It is therefore ideal as a beginner cat for families.
The Appearance of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is a graceful and delicate cat with slender legs, which gives it a graceful demeanor. The head is wedge-shaped, with almond-shaped eyes and large ears with delicate tufts. The fur is semi-long with a little undercoat and a smooth top coat. The bushy, long tail does not lose its fullness even in summer. The most common coat color is white, with black and red coloring also being common. Eye color is independent of coat color and can be any color. Some white cats have what is known as odd-eyed, where one eye is blue and the other yellow.
Attitude and Care
Outdoor cat or indoor cat?
The Turkish Angora is a very calm and therefore ideal indoor cat. She is not particularly demanding in terms of keeping conditions and is also satisfied with less space. Especially as an indoor cat, she develops an intimate relationship with her two-legged friend and enjoys being with the family. For this reason, you should not leave the clingy cat alone for too long. If you have the option to let the cat out with supervision, give it that option. The velvet paws enjoy observing the surroundings from an elevated position and sniffing the fresh air.
How much exercise does the Turkish Angora need?
The lively and active cat loves creative and challenging toys. She also enjoys learning little tricks, such as retrieving toys. A stable scratching post for playing and sleeping also offers great employment opportunities and also helps the cat with claw care. Extensive stroking should not be missing from the affectionate and people-related cat.
Grooming and feeding
The Angora cat grooms its silky coat itself, so brushing it every once in a while is all you need to do. This helps her to remove loose hair and also strengthens the bond between you and your four-legged friend. Since long-haired cats generally swallow more hair, hairballs can form in the digestive tract. There is special cat food to naturally reduce the formation of such balls of fur in the stomach. Otherwise, the frugal cat eats any conventional cat food and does not need any special nutrition.
Purchase of a Turkish Angora
While the Turkish Angora cat is an excellent beginner cat, they still need a lot of affection and care. Before purchasing, you should be sure that you can offer the cat a fulfilling life. Once you have decided on the breed, you should seek out a reputable breeder who is a member of a registered club. Pay attention to the behavior and health of the kittens and the parents. For a purebred kitten with papers, you pay around 800€. With a bit of luck, you can sometimes find a cat in the shelter that looks and behaves like the Angora cat.
Interesting and worth knowing
The Turkish Angora in Islam
The Turkish Angora is an integral part of the Muslim faith, especially in Turkey. The Prophet Mohammed described paradise as a beautiful garden in which not only white-veiled women but also white, magnificent cats are at home. Cats are of particular importance because the color white stands for purity and chastity. According to legend, Mohammed himself owned a white cat named Muezza, which he greatly admired. One day when the cat was sleeping on his coat and he actually had to leave, he drew his sword and cut off the corner on which the cat was sleeping peacefully so as not to disturb it.