Turkish Angora cat breed

When you bring your new Turkish Angora kitten home it’s recommended to follow the feeding routine set out by the breeder. 

If you want to change your Angora cat’s diet, you’ll need to do it gradually. Ask your vet to recommend a replacement cat food that best fits the needs of your Turkish Angora. They’ll be able to tell you how much to feed to keep them at a healthy weight.

Despite being semi-longhaired, Turkish Angoras are fairly low maintenance. They’re single-coated with long, silky fur, which makes their coats easier to care for. 

They will only need grooming with a comb or brush once or twice a week. They may need an occasional bath, especially if white or light-coloured. Fortunately, Turkish Angoras love playing in water, so this should take care of washing their coat. You should also brush their teeth with vet-approved toothpaste, checking for any gum disease at the same time.

Turkish Angoras are energetic and enjoy being up high, so they can be found on top of bookcases or open doors. You could provide them with a cat tree or perch to scratch their itch of climbing. 

Providing your Angora cat with interactive toys to play with can keep them from becoming bored and getting up to mischief. You should also devote time to play with them – at least 15 to 30 minutes a day. This not only maintains their kitten-like energy, but it’s also a great opportunity to bond.

An intelligent breed, Turkish Angoras enjoy human interaction which means they can be easily trained. They’ll quickly pick up toilet or litter training, especially if they’re rewarded with treats. Angora cats also enjoy being taught new tricks such as playing ‘fetch’ or walking on a lead.

Thanks to their endless energy and curiosity, they should be kept indoors. This can help to prevent straying or theft.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (or HCM) is a disease that thickens the heart muscle and reduces the amount of blood flowing through the heart. HCM is likely inherited in certain cat breeds, including the Turkish Angora. Fortunately, a genetic test is available, and screening of cats using echocardiography (a scan of the heart using ultrasound) is recommended. If the condition is recognised early enough, long-term medication and other measures can slow the disease down.

Deafness can affect pure white, blue-eyed or odd-eyed Angora cats. But, they are no more prone to becoming deaf than any other pure white cat. Deaf cats can lead normal lives, especially if they’re kept indoors. Contact your vet if your cat doesn’t respond to verbal cues.

Ataxia is an incoordination in the nervous system inherited in Turkish Angora cats. There are different types of ataxia which can stem from various conditions and causes. Signs of ataxia include stumbling, lack of coordination, head tilting and the inability to stand. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but antibiotics and surgery are available.

CKD is the common kidney disease in cats that causes the kidneys to lose function over time. It’s found in certain breeds, including Turkish Angoras. Cats with CKD can experience lethargy, weight loss and the lose the ability to urinate properly. While there is no cure, CKD can be managed with diet change, antibiotics and supplements.

Yes, although one of the world’s oldest natural cat breeds, the Turkish Angora is uncommon in the UK. The breed isn’t recognised in this country, although it is by most other international breed clubs. If you want to buy an Angora cat from a reputable breeder in the UK, there is likely to be a waiting list.

A typical Turkish Angora has a semi-long, silky coat and is fine boned yet muscular. It has a wedge-shaped head, tall, pointed ears, large, almond-shaped eyes and a long, fine and full tail. White is the most common colour, but many other colours can be seen, including black.

Not especially, Turkish Angora cats prefer to be on the go as they’re quite active. But, don’t let this put you off, they are still very affectionate.