Breed Overview
Personality: Affectionate, gentle, relaxed, friendly, social
2.3-4.5 kg (5-10 lbs)
Coat Colors: White, cream, blue, black, red
Medium to long
Coat Patterns: Solid, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico
Eye Color: Blue, green, amber, gold, heterochromia
12 to 18 years
No
History of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora has its origins rooted in Ankara (previously known as Angora), Turkey, during the 16th century. They were thought to have come from the African wildcat.
They started to gain popularity in Europe, where they were featured in several cat shows and revered by nobility, including Marie Antoinette. In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the breed was bred so closely with the Persian cat.
This almost caused the Turkish Angora to completely disappear until the Ankara Zoo in Turkey stepped in and established a breeding program with the goal of preserving the classic breed. In the early 1960s, two Angoras were brought over to the US: a male named Yildiz and a female named Yildizcek.
Today, the Ankara cat continues to become a favorite of cat lovers around the world.
Physical Characteristics of Turkish Angora
Head
The head is small to medium in size, wedge-shaped, and smooth-muzzled. The nose is straight and medium in length, while the chin is rounded and firm.
Eyes
Turkish Angoras have large, almond-shaped eyes that can be blue, green, hazel, amber, gold, or heterochromic.
Ears
Their ears are large, wide at the base, and pointed. These are tufted and are set high on the head.
Body
They have a body that is long, slender, and fine-boned but muscular. The neck is long and elegant, helping the overall build look athletic.
Limbs
The legs are long, with the hind legs slightly longer than the forelegs. Their feet are small and oval.
Tail
The tail is long, plumed, and tapers gently from the base to the tip. It is heavily furnished with silky fur.
Coat
Angoras have a silky, single-layer coat that feels soft and light. This comes in colors like white, cream, blue, black, and red. They can have solid, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico patterns.
Size
Male and female Turkish Angoras both stand at around 20.3-35.6 cm (8-14 inches) tall.
Weight
Male: 3.2-4.5 kg (7-10 lbs); Female: 2.3-3.6 kg (5-8 lbs).
Just welcomed a Turkish Angora
What to Expect With a Turkish Angora
Are Turkish Angoras Vocal?
They love communicating with owners, showing their highly vocal natures. Angoras use chirps, meows, trills, and yowls. They often try to have conversations with their owners and express their needs. Sometimes, these vocalizations can be loud.
Do Angora Cats Have a Lot of Energy?
These cats have tons of energy, which means they also need lots of chances for playing, running, and chasing. They are born athletes. Turkish Angoras are also highly intelligent and can get bored when their energies are not utilized.
Are Turkish Angoras Independent?
They can entertain themselves during their own time, but they always love interacting with humans. These cats can sometimes have a stubborn streak wherein they won’t like being held. It will all depend on their mood.
How Affectionate Are Angora Cats?
Turkish Angoras are very affectionate cats and love interacting with their owners all the time. They are friendly and enjoy hanging out with families. While they’re not the extremely cuddly type, they often express their love through companionship and asking for pets.
Are Turkish Angoras Good First Pets?
Yes, these cats are generally great first pets, especially for active families. They are affectionate, loving, and playful, but they do require owners who provide them with their exercise and social needs.
Can Angora Cats Do Well With Kids?
They are very good cats for kids, especially because they love playing and interacting with humans. Like with any other cat, Turkish Angoras prefer children who know how to handle them with care and respect.
How Are Turkish Angoras With Other Pets?
Angoras are also good with other types of pets, as they are able to easily create relationships with them. However, they need to be socialized early and often prefer to be the “alpha” in these scenarios. Be sure to supervise early interactions.
What Is It Like Owning an Angora Cat?
Turkish Angoras adjust well to new homes, routines, and environments, especially if their owners are nearby to support them. They only have moderate grooming needs with moderately high exercise needs. These make them easy to take care of.
Can Turkish Angoras Be Trained?
These cats are highly intelligent and love spending time with their owners, making them great for teaching new tricks and commands. The best option is to provide consistency and positive reinforcement.
How Much Exercise Do Angora Cats Need?
Because of their high energy levels, these cats need regular playtime and physical activity. This can be through interactive toys, scratching posts, climbing platforms, and more. Exercise them for around 15 to 30 minutes, split into short sessions.
What to Feed an Angora Cat?
Their diets should focus on high-quality protein sources from commercial cat food. Both dry and wet variants work great, and it’s good to mix them up to provide variety. Give around ¼ to ½ cups of food daily. When giving treats, be sure these do not exceed 10% of their daily intake.
When to Groom Turkish Angoras?
These cats need regular brushing at least twice or thrice a week. They don’t need frequent baths, just once every couple of months. You can give them a bath if they get too dirty or stinky.
Health Concerns of Turkish Angora
When thinking about owning an Angora, it’s helpful to take note of the potential issues that may come their way.
How to Groom a Turkish Angora
They should be brushed once or twice a week to maintain their coat and skin quality. A slicker brush should be helpful.
Angoras generally have healthy skin, but it’s still important to brush their coat and bathe them with gentle shampoos.
While they do not require frequent baths, a bath a few times a year can be good, especially if they get dirty. Use vet-approved shampoos and dry them thoroughly. Focus on keeping their ears dry after bathing.
Their nails should be trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks, or if they get too long. You might hear a clicking sound when they walk. This means that their nails are too long. Use sharp nail clippers that are specific for cats.
The Turkish Angora’s ears don’t need frequent cleaning, just be sure to check their ears weekly. Clean as needed and use a vet-approved ear cleaning solution. Wipe their ears after.
Their eyes only need cleaning as needed. Be sure to watch out for any signs of debris, dirt, or discharge. If you notice any of these, then use a soft, damp cloth and wipe away from the eyes.
Brushing their teeth thrice a week is recommended. Use toothpaste and a toothbrush safe for cats. You should also schedule dental exams with their checkups.
FAQs About Turkish Angora
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