Have you ever heard of the Turkish Van cat? Also called the Turkish Van or the other way around, the Turkish Van, the animal of this breed is very coveted and special in the eyes of feline lovers. Extremely docile and captivating, it is not very difficult to understand why people fall in love with this cat with a white, fluffy and soft coat. But after all, what other characteristics are typical of this breed of cat? How is theWhat care is needed in the kitten's daily life? To unravel all these questions, we have prepared an article with everything you need to know about the Turkish Van. Just take a look!

Turkish Van originates from Turkey

As its name suggests, the Turkish Van cat is said to have appeared on the shores of Lake Van, which is considered one of the largest lakes in Turkey, where the Angora cat was also born. However, the exact origin of this breed is still uncertain, as there are no traces that scientifically prove when the breed was born and the only thing we know is that it is one of the oldest in the world. Some legends, even,try to associate the appearance of the Turkish Van with Noah's ark, claiming that these cats would have arrived in Turkey after the flood of the biblical tale.

This cat breed, however, only became popular after an English breeder named Laura Lushington took a pair of cats - a male and a female - and brought them to Britain in the 1960s. With a great desire to make these cats better known, Laura and her friend Sonia Halliday dedicated themselves to breeding this breed for a few years, until, in 1969, they succeededthe official recognition of the Turkish Van by the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy), the body responsible for the registration of the cat lineage in the United Kingdom. Years later, in 1983, the breed arrived in the United States through two breeders, Barbara and Jack Reack, and it did not take long for these felines to achieve recognition also from other institutions, such as TICA (The Cat Fancy Association).International Cat Association).

Get to know some physical characteristics of the Turkish Van

Considered a medium-sized breed, the Turkish cat has a robust and muscular body, with a weight that can vary between 5 and 7 kg and a height between 25 and 30 cm. With slightly rounded features that are characteristic of the breed, such as the ear and muzzle, the Turkish Van also draws a lot of attention because of the color of its eyes, which can be blue, amber or each of a color. That's right, the Turkish Van is one of thefelines that may have a condition called heterochromia, which allows the animal to have eyes with different colors.

In addition, another factor that does not go unnoticed is the coat of the Turkish cat. With silky and soft hair, these animals are very fluffy and do not give much work. In addition, a characteristic feature of this breed is that the coat is always very white, but may be accompanied by some spots, especially on the head and tail. The colors of these spots can vary between red (fawn),cream, black or even bluish tones.

Know what Turkish Van's temperament and personality are like

Think of a docile, playful and super intelligent kitten - that's the Turkish Van! The cats of this breed are very affectionate companions who always seek to be close to their family - especially when it comes to playing. In addition, if they are socialized from kittens, they also tend to get along very well with anyone, unlike other breeds that are more shy and do not like muchof visits.

One particularity of this breed is that they love water! That's right: they are not afraid or uncomfortable if they get wet. On the contrary, they like it a lot and, therefore, whenever they can, they will give a way to play with water and even swim, if there is a bathtub nearby. This is possibly related to their origin, in the vicinity of Lake Van, which has accustomed them to water.felines to water.

The Turkish Van adapts very well to any place: both apartments and houses with a garden and ponds nearby. However, it is important to know how to respect its space. This is because, as much as the Turkish cat is extremely loyal to its family, it also likes to stay in its own corner sometimes. Therefore, it is important not to force the bar with your little friend and, instead of running after itto give affection, it is much easier to let him come to you when he is wanting that kind of attention.

Care routine for your Turkish Van kitten

- Brushing:

Taking care of the Turkish Van's hair is essential to keep it shiny and silky. Although they don't soak easily, it is ideal to brush them at least twice a week to remove the accumulation of dead fur from the animal. Baths are not so necessary, but they should happen whenever the kittens are very dirty. Don't forget to look for specific products so you don't get dirty.harm your pet's skin.

- Hygiene:

Among the hygiene care of the Turkish Van, we cannot forget two details: the cat's nails must be cut every 15 days and the teeth brushed at least twice a week. That's right: just like humans, felines also need to brush their teeth in order to avoid oral problems such as tartar. In addition, another fundamental care is about your friend's litter boxSince cats are very hygienic animals, if the litter box is dirty, they may refuse to do their business in it and start peeing and pooping around the house.

- Food:

Cat food is also essential to maintain the good health of the kitten. In general, Premium or Super Premium kibble is recommended, which, from a nutritional point of view, are the most balanced. In addition, it is also important to look for a cat food that corresponds to the animal's life stage, since Turkish Van kittens need a more specific diet. In this way, the transitionThe change from kitten to adult food should happen after the kitten is 12 months old. The amount also varies, so it is worth asking all these questions with your friend's veterinarian.

- Hydration:

Although cats are less accustomed to drinking water, the Turkish Van doesn't have much of a problem with this, as water is practically their natural habitat. However, it's worth remembering that, like any other feline, the Turkish cat also prefers running water to standing water, and so a good way to encourage hydration for these animals is by placing water fountains around the house.

- Jokes:

As already mentioned, the Turkish Van cat loves to play in the water and, if they have an appropriate place for it, they can even swim. But that's not the only way to entertain the kittens of this breed: just like every good kitten, felines love hunting games. Whether it's chasing a stuffed toy or the famous laser light, the Turkish Van will have fun with anything that stimulates itsIn addition, scratching posts are also very welcome to distract them and prevent your home furniture from being destroyed.

What you need to know about the health of the Turkish cat

One of the great advantages of owning a Turkish Van is that cats of this breed are quite healthy and have very few tendencies to health problems. What can happen, in fact, is that blue-eyed cats are more predisposed to deafness than others. In addition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is also a condition that can develop in this breed. But in general, the care of the Turkish Van can be very important.The health of the Turkish Van cat does not require much more than regular visits to a veterinarian. Oh, and don't forget: the kitty's vaccination schedule and deworming should always be up to date too, see? This helps prevent various diseases!

Turkish Van cat price can reach 5 thousand

If you have surrendered to the charms of the Turkish Van and are thinking of having one of these at home, you must be wondering how much such a kitten costs. First of all, you need to keep in mind that catteries usually take into account several factors when stipulating the price of the animal, such as its lineage. Therefore, the price of the Turkish Van usually varies between R $ 2 thousand and R $ 5 thousand. But don't worryforget: always look for places with good references to make sure that all animals are well treated and to avoid falling into possible traps.