How common are Turkish Van cats?
According to the CFA(Cat Fanciers’ Association), around 100 Turkish Vans are born in The United States a year, which is why the Van is one of the rarest cat breeds in the world to this day.
How big does a Turkish Van cat get?
Frequent Vocalization: It is known to be vocal. Owners might be concerned for excessive and undesirable crying or meowing, especially at night. The Turkish Van is one of the larger, more heavily-built domestic cat breeds. Males average between 10 and 20 pounds, and females weigh substantially less.
Where did the Turkish Van cat come from?
The Turkish van (pronounced “von”) is a naturally occurring cat breed that originated in the mountains of Turkey.
Can a Turkish Van cat be a lap cat?
While Turkish vans are affectionate to their family members, these are not normally lap cats. They may lay next to you and will happily allow themselves to be petted, but this is not a breed that tolerates being picked up and often wants to be near you, not on you.
What makes a Turkish Van cat a bicolor cat?
It’s believed that the Turkish Van is one of the first originators of the piebald gene (the gene which creates a bicolor cat). Cats with the piebald gene are also more likely to have odd eye colors (i.e. one blue and one amber). Van cats have semi-long hair lacking an undercoat.
What kind of cat is a Turkish Van?
The Turkish Van cat is a rugged, large-bodied cat that originated in the Middle East. The Turkish Van is all-white with colored markings on the face and tail only. This type of color pattern is so distinctive that when it appears in other cat breeds it’s often called a “van” pattern.
How old is the mother cat in Turkey?
Female kitten available for adoption. She’s 8 weeks old, litter trained, and eats dry kitten food. The mother is a white Turkish Angora (see last image). She hasn’t been to the vet. Very affectionate and friendly. Serious inquiries only.
When did the Turkish Van cat come to America?
At least a few probably made their way to Europe as “souvenirs” in the past millennium. It wasn’t until the 1970s, though, that a Turkish Van was first brought to the United States. The International Cat Association recognized the breed in 1985, and the Cat Fanciers Association began registering it in 1988.
Is there a Research Center for Turkish Van cats?
So much so that there’s a Turkish Van Cat Research Center located in the Van province run by Yüzüncü Yıl University. The center is dedicated to raising awareness and interest in the special cats. Its goal is to preserve the breed and prevent it from going extinct.
Is it possible to get a Turkish Van cat?
The first cats made their way to the United States in the 1970s. Today, the breed has pockets of breeders around the world but does remain relatively rare even in his native Turkey. Although it is possible to get a Turkish Van from Turkey, the Turks are, understandably, protective and don’t let them go easily. Turkish Van Listings!
The first Van kittens arrived in America in the 1970s, but it was not until breeders Barbara and Jack Reark started working with the breed in 1983 that the Vans began to flourish in North America. In 1985, TICA granted the Turkish Van championship status.
How did the Turkish Van cat get pedigree?
Obtaining Van cats meant numerous trips to Turkey, and the cats had to pass through lengthy quarantine periods to enter England. Nevertheless, Vans were found to breed true, and in 1969 the hard work paid off when the Turkish Van was given full pedigree status by The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
Why does the Turkish Van cat hate water?
Or perhaps the breed was hunting herring, the only fish that can survive in the briny water of Lake Van. Whatever the reason for the Van’s tolerance of water, it probably explains the development of the cashmere-like, water-repellant coat. Most domestic cats hate getting wet, possibly because they must spend hours putting their fur back in order.
The first Van kittens arrived in America in the 1970s, but it was not until breeders Barbara and Jack Reark started working with the breed in 1983 that the Vans began to flourish in North America. In 1985, TICA granted the Turkish Van championship status.
Is the Turkish Van cat accepted by the CAA?
In addition to GCCF, the Turkish Van is accepted by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), Cat Aficionado Association (CAA) of China, and the Australia Cat Federation (ACF).
How often should I Feed my Turkish Van cat?
Because the Turkish Van is already a large cat, it’s especially important not to overfeed. Staying lean is key to preventing weight-related health issues like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Feed measured meals at regular times two to three times a day.