Turkish Angora – Breed#41

Introduction

This is the Turkish Angora cat, extremely pretty; she is all fluffy and silky, her tail has a plume, and her manner of bearing herself is oh so pretty. It is an antique breed born in Turkey, and it was very popular due to its beauty, intelligence, and affectionate nature. Though the look of the Turkish Angora is so royal, and you get the impression that this cat is indifferent when you first look at the representatives of this breed, that is not true; they are not cold-blooded, as these are cheerful and friendly animals, which are incredibly entertaining.

This can be understood, however, in terms of its origins, the physical appearance of the Turkish Angora, the personality of the breed more generally, how to take care of the Turkish Angora and what we have to think about in terms of its health and so on, and all this will be discussed in this article.

Origins and History of the Turkish Angora

Ancient Roots in Turkey

Turkish Angora is amongst the most ancient natural breeds of cats. It has a several centuries old history and is closely connected with the cultural and geographic terrain of Turkey. Its breed is called by the name of the capital city of Turkey, Ankara (formerly Angora).

The past has recorded that these cats had long silky coats and alluring eyes; thus, they were loved. Royalty and aristocracy tended to maintain them, and they were depicted in the Middle East and European literature and art since at least the 1600s.

Preservation and International Recognition

The need to save the breed had become real by the beginning of the 20th century, even in the native country. To prevent the extinction of the Turkish Angora cat, breeding was done at the Ankara Zoo, and also strong guidelines were issued to ensure the purity was maintained in this breed. The Turkish government guarded the breed, particularly the white Angoras, whose eyes are of blue or off color.

Turkish Angoras were imported into the US in the 1950s, and the breed was recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 70s. So, nowadays, being thought of rather as a rare breed, the Turkish Angora is adored all over the world among cat lovers as it is a beautiful and charming cat.

Physical Characteristics of the Turkish Angora

Elegant and Ethereal

The Turkish Angora is ethereal-looking. All the elements of this cat are characterized by ratings and perfection.

Key Features:

• Size: Medium and average weight, about 5-10 pounds.
• Body: slender and long, muscular body with a fine bone frame.
• Silky: Medium-long hairs and medium them: Single-layered or no undercoat. Most often white, and known in a wide variety of other colors.
• Tail: Long, full, with a plume look, it is frequently erect.
• Head: small to medium, slightly wedge-shaped.
• Ears: Large, pointed, and raised on the head.
• Eyes: Wide, almond-shaped; may be blue, green, and amber or odd-eyed (one eye coloured differently from the other).

Turkish Angoras may appear fragile, yet they are incredibly strong and nimble and can perform amazing physical feats.

Personality and Temperament

Intelligent, Playful, and Social

However, it appears to the contrary, looking at their elegant bodies, the Turkish Angora is as playful as it is pretty. These are very interactive, intelligent, and adventurous cats capable of interacting with their surrounding environment. They are also fond of being pampered, and they do not hesitate when it comes to demanding the attention of their human beings.

Behavioral Traits:

• Loving: They get close relationships with their family members and tend to be partial to one individual.
• Social: Are also friendly with children, other cats, and even dogs that are friendly.
• Smart: They are fast learners and have the ability to know how to open the doors, adapt to getting puzzles, and play fetch.
• Playful: They like to play actively and may often keep their kitten qualities well over into adulthood.
• Vocal: They are famous for their sweet, musical voices- they will “speak” to you a lot.

The Turkish Angoras are a breed of cat, and they cannot stay alone without human contact. They would like to be involved in what is going on, and as such, they might be trailing you around the house so as to know what you are up to.

Grooming and Maintenance

Surprisingly Low Maintenance for a Long-Haired Breed

The best surprises about the Turkish Angora are that, as much as it may be a long-haired cat, it does not need as much grooming as the other long-haired cats. Their one-layer coat does not mat so easily and remains clean at that level.

Grooming Tips:

• Brushing: Loose hair can be easily brushed away once or twice a week, which will keep a shiny coat.
• Bathing: only once in a long time is needed unless the cat gets into something dirty.
• Ear Cleaning: Examine and clean the ears when necessary.
• Nail Trimming: Clipping is performed once every week or two weeks.
• Dental Care: Use dental toys and treats or regular brushing to help with oral care.

Some additional grooming might occasionally be required during seasonal shedding (the spring and fall are particularly times when additional grooming might be required to keep the coat in the best possible condition).

Diet and Nutrition

Balanced Diet for a Healthy Body

Turkish Angoras are energetic and slim; hence, they need a premium quality diet to maintain their energy and the tone of their muscles.

Feeding Guidelines:

• High Quality Protein Diet: The best option is to find high-quality protein as a first ingredient in dry or wet food.
• Portion Control: Control feeding schedule and overfeeding which leads to obesity.
• Fluid intake: There must be fresh water at all times.
• Treats: Treats can be given in quantities as much as only 10 per cent of total calorie consumption.

A loss of appetite, weight gain, or tiredness should not be ignored, and regular visits to a veterinarian are necessary to exclude health complications.

Check Out: Sphynx Cat – Breed#40.

Health and Lifespan

Generally Healthy With Some Genetic Concerns

Healthy and generally strong, Turkish Angoras, as with all breeds of purebred cat, are prone to certain hereditary disorders.

Potential Health Issues:

• Deafness: Numerous in white Turkish Angoras, particularly people with blue or odd-colored eyes.
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): A disease of the heart that may be found in some families.
• Ataxia: There is a rare neuromuscular condition that is observed in certain kittens.

An annual checkup with a regular veterinary practice is important to promote a long and healthy life.

Lifespan

Turkish Angoras have a lifespan of 13 to 18 years, and even more with the right care.

Environment and Living Conditions

Best Home Settings for a Turkish Angora

They are quite adaptive to most types of homes: apartments or big houses. They, however, perform better in areas where they are highly interacted with and enriched.

Ideal Living Conditions:

• Indoor Cats: The safest thing to do is to keep cats indoors, especially the ones that are white and prone to sunburn or deafness.
• Climbing the Scratching Options: Offer cats trees, shelves, and scratchers.
• Interactive Toys: Puzzle toys, laser pointers, and feather wands will help to burn off energy.
• These cats like company; therefore, you may consider acquiring two or more of them in case you suffer a lot of absenteeism.

Turkish Angoras are active and exploratory, hence cat-proof your house, particularly windows, balconies, and high ledges.

Training and Intelligence

A Smart Cat That’s Easy to Teach

Not only is she beautiful, but also very smart. Turkish Angora is pretty worthwhile. They can be trained and enjoy mental exercise.

Training Tips:

• Positive Reinforcement: Treats and praise the behaviors that are desired.
• Clicker Training: They are also easy to train with the clicker method to learn tricks or commands.
• Routine: Introduce routines of feeding, grooming, and play to instill a sense of security.

They are able to be taught tricks, given puzzle toys, and even leash-trained when introduced early.

Finding and Choosing a Turkish Angora

Breeders, Shelters, and Rescue Organizations

In case you are thinking of welcoming a Turkish Angora into your household, it is crucial to carry out some research and adopt a conscientious breeder.

Buying from a Breeder:

• Seek breeders who are doing genetic testing, such as for deafness and HCM.
• It will cost about 800 to 2,000 dollars, according to the pedigree and place.
• Request the health records and visit with the parents, when possible.

Adoption and Rescue:

• Visit some shelters and rescue organizations, occasionally, there are Turkish Angoras or Angora mixes there.
• It is wonderful to seek an organization that rescues purebred cats.

It does not matter where your new pet is acquired, but make sure it is well socialized and was born in a healthy environment.

Conclusion

The Turkish angora is an amazing form of beauty, smartness, and adoration. They are far more than a pretty face with their silky coat and cheerful personality, and strong bond with other humans. These cats need some interaction and soon will become an endearing member of any family.

When you consider having a cat that is elegant as well as dynamic, one that will entertain your visitors and curl up by you at the end of the day, the Turkish Angora may be the right choice. All you have to do is expect a cat that feels it wants to be a part of everything you do and expects your full attention as well.

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