Turkish Angora Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

This naturally occurring breed existed in Turkey as long ago as the 15th century, and they’re still considered a national treasure there today. One look at this graceful feline, and it’s easy to see why. Turkish Angoras are elegant and energetic and are as beautiful as they are intelligent. They’re also very outgoing, always wanting to interact with guests and play with their people. It’s not uncommon for them to play host when guests are around.

Since they’re excellent with children and seniors alike, these cats are great for aging adults who desire constant companionship or families with kids to provide plenty of attention and playtime. If you have other pets already, Turkish Angoras will get along with them, but your new cat will very likely assume the role of the leader. They’re not a good fit for singles who don’t have the time to give them the attention they desire.

The Turkish Angoras is a smaller-sized cat with a long and silky coat. In winter, they have britches on the back legs, a mane, and a fully plumed tail. White is the most common coat color, but you can find Angoras in several colors.

Turkish Angora Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…

Turkish Angoras are attention-hungry cats. They want you to interact with them, and they need to be mentally and physically stimulated. These cats will get bored easily if they don’t feel they’re getting enough attention.

Although they’re intelligent animals that can easily learn tricks and complete puzzles, they’re also stubborn. This is a dangerous combination when it comes to bad habits, so don’t let them pick any up, or you may not break the habit once it’s formed.

3 Little-Known Facts About Turkish Angoras

1. They Almost Disappeared Because They’re Too Popular

In the late 1800s, cat shows first started to emerge, and Turkish Angoras were among the first breeds to be included. Their popularity exploded, and they were bred with other cats in Persia and England until they lost their identity in those lands.

For a time, it was feared that the Turkish Angora had become extinct. Luckily, some pure-blooded cats still existed in their land of origin, Angora, now called Ankara. A new breeding program was established at the Ankara zoo that allowed these cats to multiply and flourish, resulting in the healthy numbers we have today.

2. Blue Eyes on a White Cat Usually Means Deafness

White Turkish Angoras with blue eyes may look stunning, but they have a common defect; they’re deaf. Many of the blue-eyed white-coated Turkish Angoras end up deaf, but it doesn’t seem to spread to other eye colors. However, odd-eyed Turkish Angoras with one blue eye are likely to go deaf in just one ear.

3. They Love a Birds-Eye View

No shelf, ledge, or piece of furniture is too tall for a Turkish Angora to climb. They’re commonly found on the tallest items in the room or even riding on people’s shoulders. It seems that they enjoy an aerial view that lets them look down on their surroundings. Don’t be surprised to find your Turkish Angora on top of the fridge or kitchen cabinets!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Turkish Angora

Since they’re highly intelligent, these cats love a good challenge. You’ll need to keep your cat from getting bored by giving them puzzles and toys with treats inside for them to unlock. They also love to learn little tricks, so feel free to try to teach them anything; they’re quick learners.

More than just intelligent, these are very inquisitive cats. They like to open doors and cabinets and explore the area and look for some entertainment. They’ll also turn on faucets and get into trouble to get your attention.

As they’re outgoing and extroverted, Turkish Angoras love to be the center of attention. They’ll host all of your guests, interacting with each one. Of course, they have the most special bond with their owner, who they’ll often lay with as they sleep or curl up on your lap while you sit.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Since they’re so energetic and need a lot of attention, Turkish Angoras are great for families who have multiple people to provide the needed interaction. These cats are also great with kids, as long as the kids don’t pull their tails, ears, or fur! Children are great matches for the high-energy levels of these cats since they can keep up and keep the cat entertained.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Not all cats get along with other animals, but the Turkish Angora is a natural leader where other pets are concerned. They can get along with just about everyone, even dogs. Almost always, they assume the role of pack leader right away. Still, it’s a good idea to let pets meet each other slowly and in a controlled environment for their own safety.

Things to Know When Owning a Turkish Angora:

Food & Diet Requirements 

To keep their coats healthy, shiny, and soft, you’ll need to feed your Turkish Angora high-quality commercial food. This can also help reduce shedding. Always be sure to avoid overfeeding and reduce the chances of your cat becoming obese.

Exercise🐈

These energetic cats need a lot of physical stimulation, or they become bored and can start getting into trouble. While they will do a lot of exercise on their own, climbing up furniture and running around, it’s a good idea to provide some constructive playtime to ensure that they’re always getting enough activity and stimulation. These cats love toys, so a few good toys can be all you need.

Training 🧶

Since they’re such intelligent felines, Turkish Angoras are quick to learn. You’ll have no problem teaching them some simple tricks that they can perform and even getting them to follow some easy commands.

Grooming ✂️

Maintaining a Turkish Angora’s coat is quite simple; they need to be brushed once a week. Slicker brushes work great with their coats, but a fine-toothed comb will also work.

These cats don’t shed much, but you’ll want to groom them a bit more in the summer months to reduce hairballs. Also, be sure to bathe them every couple of months, possibly more frequently, for cats with lighter-colored coats. Turkish Angoras usually love water, so this shouldn’t be too hard to do.

Health and Conditions 🏥

All cats are susceptible to health problems. Turkish Angoras are a healthy breed overall, but there are a few health issues that occur commonly enough with this breed to mention.

Male vs Female

Although similar in looks and temperament, male and female Turkish Angoras differ in size. Males tend to be a bit taller and heavier than females, but they’re both smaller-sized cats, so the difference isn’t great.

Final Thoughts

The Turkish Angora is a cat that always wants to be the life of the party. They’ll meet every guest, interact, and make their presence known. When it’s just you and your cat, they’ll probably find a nice spot on your lap or beside your head as you sleep. Since they’re playful and energetic, Turkish Angoras need a lot of attention and a way to expend their extra energy. You’ll need to find time to play with your cat often to avoid them getting bored. Either way, they’ll be inquisitive creatures, always exploring, opening doors, turning on faucets, and occasionally getting into trouble.

They’re great with kids and pets alike and are a great choice for families. Because they love attention from their owner, these cats aren’t a great fit for anyone who won’t often be home to provide the needed attention. But seniors who need a companion will find a great partner in this cat.

Turkish Angoras are highly sought after for cat competitions, and they are unique and hard-to-find cats that will require a substantial investment. Also, be aware of possible health conditions such as deafness in white cats with blue eyes and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Featured image credit: Jeanie de Klerk, Unsplash / Fish Icon