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Turkish Angora Cat Breed Introduction
Turkish Angora or Ankara is a medium-sized domesticated cat from Turkey. They originated in the 15th century and were documented as a cat breed in the early 17th century. They have small round heads, wide ears, slender bodies, and green, blue, or heterochromatic eyes. Moreover, they are the only domestic cats kept and raised in a zoo as they are feared of being extinct.
They are known to be gorgeous and intelligent cats. Ankara is mostly available in White, black, blue, cream, and red, plus various patterns and shadings. Also, they portray long, shimmery, fine fur coats and long fluffy tails. Ankaras are known to be social and develop strong bonds with their family units but can choose one person in particular to bond closest with.
Origin
The Ankara cat breed first originated in the 15th century and was documented as a breed in the early 17th century. They earned their name Angora which was the former capital city of Turkey now Ankara. They are white colored with either green or blue eyes as they were attained from breeding more often than other variations.
In the 19th century, the Ankaras were exhibited in the cat shows and zoos. They have been crossbreed to form the Persian cats. Over the years, the Ankaras have been brought to homes and propagated the breed throughout the United States. The CFA accepted the white Ankaras in 1968 but colored varieties weren’t registered until 1978.
Turkish Angora Lifespan
They have a longer lifespan of 12 to 18 years.
Care
Ankaras have a semi-long coat that does not mat or tangle easily, thus, they require brushing two times a week. Brush their coat with a fine-toothed comb or slicker brush to remove excess hair allowing new hair growth. The Ankaras do not require bathing often and can bathe once after two months. Bathing is done using mild vet-approved shampoo and conditioner with lukewarm water.
Moreover, after bathing dry their coat with a towel and brush again to keep the coat neat. Clean their ears with a cotton ball or soft cloth dampened with appropriate veterinary ear cleanser to keep them free of debris or wax. Brush the Ankara teeth using a toothbrush and formulated toothpaste twice a week.
Brushing helps them avoid dental issues and have healthy teeth. Ankara’s nails are trimmed by a vet, a groomer, or the owner. It is best if the cat is used to this process when they are kittens.
Shedding
Ankaras shed their coat moderately throughout the season.
Hair
These cats have single-layered silky long coats.
Short Hair
They are popular for their single-layered silky long coat. Thus, there are no Ankaras with short hair.
Turkish Angora Hypoallergenic
They are not regarded as hypoallergenic cats despite shedding less hair. As they shed, they leave hair and dander around that contains the Fel d1 protein. The protein causes inflammation in people who are allergic to cat hair and dander. Also, the cat’s urine and saliva contain the Fel d1 protein. Thus, the Ankaras are not regarded as good cats for allergic people.
Training
Ankara cats are intelligent cats that can learn through training. However, the owners should understand their distinctive nature and use appropriate techniques. Training is easy when the owner or trainer uses positive reinforcement on the cat. Socializing the Ankara is an important key to training achieved by taking them to parks, new places, new people, and new animals.
Socializing helps boost their confidence. Keep the training sessions short sessions to keep them engaged. Let the Ankaras learn command words “high five”, “sit”, “come” or “no”. Once they learn command words, the owner can introduce new tricks mostly after one year.
Always praise or cuddle and reward the cat after a correct behavior and do not punish the cat for bad behavior. In addition, provide effective housebreaking rules, such as early crate training, litter training, and feeding schedules.
Turkish Angora Personality
- Curious.
- Devoted.
- Intelligent.
- Communicative.
- Active.
- Adorable.
- Gorgeous.
- Friendly.
- Loyal
Aggressive
They are not known to be aggressive as they wholeheartedly connect with their owners. They will also play with children and cuddle with adults.
Exercise
They are active cats that require enough exercise to keep their mental and physical health. These cats have strong hunting instincts and will happily chase toys throughout the house. Provide the cats with a tall cat tree, mounted cat shelves, or a high-up cat hammock. Owners can also play with the cat for 15 to 30 minutes a day this helps them bond.
Meow
Ankaras like to meow and can also make cute high-pitched chirping sounds. They can also engage in conversations with their owners.
Turkish Angora Size
They stand at a height of 9 to 14 inches ( approx. 23 to 36 cm ). Male Ankaras weigh between 7 to 10 pounds ( approx. 3.2 to 4.5 kg ) while female Ankaras weigh between 5 to 8 pounds ( approx. 2.3 to 3.6 kg ).
Height
They stand at a height of 9 to 14 inches ( approx. 23 to 36 cm ).
Weight
The Male Ankaras weigh between 7 to 10 pounds ( approx. 3.2 to 4.5 kg ) while the female counterparts weigh 5 to 8 pounds ( approx. 2.3 to 3.6 kg ).
Health Issues
They can be affected by Hereditary ataxia which mostly affects kittens. These kittens have shaking movements and do not survive to adulthood. Some Ankaras can suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy a cardiac condition between the age of two to six years. Moreover, the white Ankaras have a higher chance of being deaf. This also extends to the heterochromatic eyes with the blue-eyed side being deaf.
Hair Loss
Ankaras may have hair loss if they are suffering from food allergies or parasites. This causes itching or pain. The Ankaras can heal from hair loss through diagnostic tests and treatment trials. If it is a food allergy consider changing the food type and add supplements.
Allergies
They may suffer from atopic dermatitis due to exposure to house dust, pollen, molds, insects, and environmental allergens. The cat breed may show various symptoms such as watery and itchy eyes or developing an ear infection. Digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhea are also possible. Other symptoms may involve snoring, swollen and sensitive paws, and excessive licking.
Once the owner observes any of these symptoms in a cat, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. To deal with food allergies, make sure to feed your cat an appropriate diet, and avoid smoking around them. However, to manage atopic dermatitis symptoms, keep your home dust-free by cleaning frequently to reduce dust and dirt.
Other Cat breeds include:
Names
Owners of Ankaras generally name their feline companions either before or after adopting them. The names commonly derive from several sources, including the cat’s place of origin, its physical attributes, famous songs, books, movies, or the cat’s distinct coat pattern. It is also crucial to ensure that the name selected is dissimilar to any commands that the cat may learn during training. Some of the names Ankaras can have include:
- Arzu.
- Elmas
- Masal.
- Adana.
- Konya.
- Nugget.
- Loren.
- Hero.
- Jayden.
- Dash.
Turkish Angora Food
Ankaras are required to feed on a high-quality feline diet depending on their age, size, metabolism, and health state. The young ones should eat kitten food for a year to aid in their growth and development. Their food should be made of a protein diet that is low in carbohydrates, with 20-30% of good fats such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Adult and senior cats should eat twice a day of the required diet to avoid being obese. Always provide the Ankaras with fresh and clean water.
Turkish Angora Colors
Ankaras are available in White, black, blue, cream, and red, plus various patterns and shadings.
Blue
Blue Ankara can have a solid color which is either light or dark colored. However, most people love the light blue Ankaras. Their nose leather and pads are blue.
Fluffy Black
Their are black Ankaras with a solid black coat. These cats have their nose leather in black and the paw pads are either black or brown.
Grey
They may possess a solid grey color or bi-color of grey and white. The grey cats have a black nose and gray paw pads.
Orange
Orange, red, or ginger Ankaras possess the ginger gene that shows on the coat. These cats tend to have a reddish nose and paw pads.
White
A white Ankara is famous and most desirable. These cats are prone to getting sunburn and are predisposed to skin cancer. They are also likely to develop the illness around the ears, nose, and eyelids due to their thinner hair. They have a pinkish nose and paw pads with green, blue, or heterochromatic eyes.
Orange And White
They may have a bi-color of Orange and white patches or markings on the body. The head and back of the cat will have an orange color while the paws, legs, chest, muzzle, and underside will have white markings.
Tuxedo
Ankaras can have a tuxedo coat which is usually a black cat with white trimming that makes it look like it’s wearing a traditional tuxedo. These cats look so formal. Black and white are the most common but also other colors are available.
Grey And White
They can have a bi-color of grey and white patches or markings on the body. The head and back of the cat will have a grey color while the paws, legs, chest, muzzle, and underside will have white markings.
Tabby
Tabby is a color pattern that is available in several cats including the Ankaras. The cat markings of a classic cat have a clear contrast between the light and dark areas. Tabby is made up of Classic, Mackerel ( dense narrow markings), Spotted, Ticked, and Patched. This coat pattern is usually found in many official cat breeds among the general population of mixed-breed cats around the world.
Tortoiseshell
It is a color pattern in the Ankara cat breed. Its a combination of two colors other than white, either closely mixed or in larger patches. The particolored coats feature patches of varying shades of red, grey, black, and sometimes white.
Types
They have various colors and variations including Himalayan, calico, tortoiseshell, and tabby.
Eyes
They have large and almond-shaped eyes that can be blue, green, amber, and yellow, as well as heterochromatic. The eye profile forms two straight planes. Moreover, the gene responsible for the breed’s blue eyes and white coats can cause deafness.
Ears
They have large pointed and wide-set ears whereas some breeds have more round-shaped ears.
Tail
Ankaras have a feathery tail that is perpendicular to the back and most of the times it is carried upright.
Teeth
A cat is supposed to have 30 permanent teeth for an adult and 26 deciduous teeth for a kitten. Dental diseases are more common and severe in older cats. They can suffer from dental diseases like plaque, tartar, tooth alignment, and infectious disease.
Turkish Angora Maine Coon Mix
There are only a few cases of mixing the Ankaras with the Maine Coon.
Turkish Angora Kitten
Ankaras welcome 3 to 5 kittens per litter. If two white cats with blue or heterochromatic eyes are bred, there are chances of having deaf kittens. The kittens can suffer from ataxia which causes involuntary muscle movement. At the age of three or four weeks old, they begin to have their deciduous teeth. These teeth help the kittens in weaning as they irritate the mother cat when she is feeding.
Black Turkish Angora Price
The cost of a black Ankara ranges from $1000 to $1500 as they are rare and only available from reputed breeders.
Turkish Angora Cost
Ankaras have a price range of $900 to $1500 depending on their age, size, and location of the breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Identify A Turkish Angora Cat
Ankara cat boasts slender and graceful bodies, which are adorned with medium-long silky coats. One of their most striking features is their shimmery white coat and posh tail, which exudes an air of regality. Their eyes are large and almond-shaped in appearance. They come in a range of captivating colors such as blue, green, amber, and yellow, with some even having heterochromatic eyes.
Are Turkish Angora Cats Rare
Yes. Ankaras are rare cats. They are the only cat breed feared of going extinct hence it is kept and raised in a zoo.
How Much Do Turkish Angoras Cost
Ankaras have a price range of $900 to $1500.
How Big Do Turkish Angora Cats Get
The Male Ankaras weigh between 7 to 10 pounds ( approx. 3.2 to 4.5 kg ) while the female Ankaras weigh between 5 to 8 pounds ( approx. 2.3 to 3.6 kg ). They both have a height of 9 to 14 inches.
How Long Do Turkish Angora Cats Live
The Ankaras have a life expectancy of 12 to 18 years.
Do Turkish Angora Cats Shed
Yes. The Ankaras shed their coat moderately.
What Does An Angora Cat Look Like
Ankara cats are characterized by their fine-boned structure, which includes long legs that are slightly longer in the back than in the front. These cats have large, almond-shaped eyes that can be blue, green, amber, yellow, or heterochromatic. Additionally, they possess large, pointed ears that are wide-set, and their tails are often plumed and carried upright, perpendicular to the back.
Are Turkish Angora Cats Hypoallergenic
No. Ankaras are not hypoallergenic cats. This is because they contain the Fel D1 protein in their hair, dander, saliva, and urine which causes inflammation in allergic people.
Turkish Angora Quick Facts
- Ankara cats, characterized by white coats and blue eyes, exhibit a high incidence of deafness.
- Ankara cats often choose one family member as their constant companion and are highly protective of them.
- The Ankaras are the only domestic cats kept and raised in a zoo due to their endangered status in the 19th century.
