Himalayan Persian Cat Colors
Himalayan Persian cats are known for their diverse and striking color variations, which are a result of the colorpoint pattern inherited from their Siamese ancestry. These cats come in a range of colors, including chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, flame (red), cream, and tortie points, each with its own unique characteristics.
What are the Recognized Colors of the Himalayan Persian Cat?
- Chocolate Point Himalayan:
- Body: Ivory
- Points: Chocolate brown
- Eyes: Deep blue
-
Noses and paws: Dark or cinnamon pink.
-
Seal Point Himalayan:
- Body: Warm, pale shade from cream to fawn
- Points: Dark seal brown
- Eyes: Deep blue
-
Noses and paws: Dark seal brown.
-
Lilac Point Himalayan:
- Body: Icy white
- Points: Pale but warm gray
- Eyes: Intensely blue
-
Noses and paws: Delicate lavender pink.
-
Blue Point Himalayan:
- Body: Icy, bluish-white
- Points: Cold, dark blue
- Eyes: Sapphire blue
-
Noses and paws: Slate blue.
-
Flame (Red) Point Himalayan:
- Body: Creamy white
- Points: Deep orange or red
- Eyes: Ultramarine blue
-
Noses and paws: Lively coral pink.
-
Cream Point Himalayan:
- Body: White
- Points: Buff or custard shade
- Eyes: Vibrant blue
-
Noses and paws: Coral or flesh pink.
-
Tortie Point Himalayan:
- Body: Pale fawn to creamy white
- Points: Seal brown with patches of cream or red
- Eyes: Deep blue
- Noses and paws: Coral pink or seal brown.
How do Himalayan Kittens Develop Their Colors?
Himalayan kittens are born with a white coat and develop their point colors over time. Here is a general outline of the stages of color development:
- Birth: Himalayan kittens are born white with pink paw pads, noses, and ears.
- First Few Weeks: The point colors start to appear. For seal and blue points, a blob of color may appear on the nose after about 10 days. However, for chocolate and lilac points, it may take up to 3 months for the colors to become apparent.
- Several Months: The colors continue to develop and become more pronounced. It may take up to 1 year for the colors to be fully developed.
Can Himalayan Persian Cats Have Lynx Points?
Yes, Himalayan Persian cats can indeed have lynx points, which are a result of the agouti gene that introduces tabby patterns into the colorpoint coat.
- Genetics: The lynx point pattern is produced by mating a Himalayan with a tabby Persian. This introduces the agouti gene, which causes the characteristic “M” pattern on the forehead, subtle stripes on the face, tail, and legs, and a white border around the ears.
- Color Combinations: Lynx points can come in all the colors that regular Himalayan kittens come in, including seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, and flame points. The specific color combination will depend on the underlying point color and the presence of the agouti gene.
