Turkish Van vs Domestic Longhaired Cat - Breed Comparison

Turkish Van vs Domestic Longhaired Cat - Breed ComparisonDomestic Longhaired Cat is originated from United States but Turkish Van is originated from Turkey. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Turkish Van are having almost same weight. Domestic Longhaired Cat may live 5 years more than Turkish Van. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Turkish Van has same litter size. Domestic Longhaired Cat requires Moderate Maintenance. But Turkish Van requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

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United States
Turkey
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
15 - 20 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
House cat, Longhair
The Swimming Cat
Colors Available:
All colors and patterns
brown, White with other colors - red, black
Coat:
Thick and fairly long
Semi long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

domestic longhaired catThe Domestic Longhaired cat came about because of various attempts by breeders to bring in certain Persian cat varieties in the American Shorthairs.

The cat comes from champion bloodlines but one of the most remarkable traits of the Domestic Longhair cat is that they are just typical cats with long hair. In other words, Domestic Longhairs are a product of various cat breedings and it is thought they arrived in the USA with the early settlers.

They shouldn’t be confused with the purebred American Longhair cat. The ancestry of the Domestic Longhair cat is unknown but for people who own them, they are a longhaired cat that becomes special to their owners. The cat isn’t recognized by the larger cat organizations.

turkish vanHailing from Turkey, the Turkish Van was brought to the UK in 1955 by 2 British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday.

These cats were used as the foundation stock of the breed. They were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship with the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1994.

They are a very rare breed and no other breed is allowed to be mixed into the cat's breeding schedule. All registered Turkish Van cats can have their ancestry traced back to the imported cats of Laura Lushington.

Description

domestic longhaired cat kitten - descriptionThese Domestic long-haired cats are hugely popular in the United States. They can be of any color and the coat can have different patterns too, including bi-color, tortoiseshell and tabby.

With his muscled, athletic body he can weigh between 3 and 6kg. He can have a variety of eye colors, ear sizes, and shapes Essentially, their size and shape is influenced by the breed that dominates.

Temperament:

These are just your regular, balanced cats and they make splendid pets for first-time cat owners, single pet owners, those with kids in the home and seniors. You can’t really tell how their personality will be and some will be more quiet than others and some more loving than others too. A lot depends on how you raise- and socialize your cat.

turkish van kitten - descriptionThis is a medium to large-sized cat weighing roughly 3 to 8kg. It’s a semi-long-haired domestic cat breed that was actually developed in the United Kingdom with a selection of cats from Turkey.

The breed is distinguished by the Van pattern where the color is restricted to the head and tail. So the cat is white with color on the head and the tail. The Turkish Van has no undercoat and the cat has a sleek appearance.

The cat is quite long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs. The paws are large and they are strong jumpers.

Temperament:

These cats are playful, active, and independent and they are also excellent hunters. They are affectionate and form strong bonds with their human families.

They get on well with kids as well as with other pets. Energetic and agile, they love to leap up onto high places. For a cat, they also have this fascination with water and may well follow their human into a swimming pool or lake.

Characteristics

domestic longhaired cat cat - characteristicsDomestic Longhairs are such wonderful cats and slot into a host of different lifestyles.

They are generally content cats with the different lifestyles they find themselves in. Some are smart, some playful, some quiet and some naughty, some are very vocal and some are content to be lap cats.

They're all different but they all have needs and concerns – to be part of a loving human family and to be treated with love, care and respect for the companionship they offer.

turkish van cat - characteristicsLively, social, and intelligent, the Turkish Van is going to make you a wonderful pet and companion.

He is an active cat and will require you to play with him and provide some form of exercise for him.

He likes to leap up onto perches so getting him a climbing tree will serve him well as he is a cat that loves perching on high up places.

These cats are also low maintenance which simply adds to them being such perfect pets for single people, couples, families and seniors, just so long as he is provided with lots of love and care.

Health Problems

domestic longhaired cat kittens - health problemsIt is their mixed breeding that ensures that the Domestic Longhaired cat doesn’t have any health issues. Like any cat, things such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease can plague your cat.

A good diet, exercise, lots of love and care can all help to ensure your kitty kat doesn’t succumb to anything that your vet can’t handle.

As soon as your cat shows any sign of illness, get him to the vet. If you look after your cat well, he can avoid a lot of vet visits and can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

Always get vet help for your Turkish Van if you notice these signs -

Discharge or redness of the eyes

Scratching or shaking the head

Battling to urinate

Extreme and ongoing lethargy

Heavy breathing

Have your cat vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases there are.

Have your cat spayed or neutered.

turkish van kittens - health problemsYour Turkish Van counts on you to ensure his health and wellbeing. This will ensure he lives a long and healthy life.

Obesity is a major disease that contributes to many illnesses in cats. Excess weight is one of the factors for the development of arthritis and diabetes as well as some life-threatening diseases.

All kinds of parasites can invade your Turkish Van’s body. . Many types of parasites can be detected with a fecal exam, so a trip to your vet may be necessary.

Caring The Pet

domestic longhaired cat cats - caringThe hair of the Domestic Longhair will need to be tackled and you will need a firm brush to gently brush your cat once a week. This ensures the hair remains silky and tangle-free.

Remember, there are always professional cat groomers who specialize in grooming cats and ensuring their teeth, inside of ears, their nails and their fur is in tip-top condition.

Keeping your cat healthy is always going to require a trip to the vet. Your Domestic Longhair is going to require certain vaccines and deworming to ensure he remains free of deadly cat diseases. Also, if your cat is acting in a lethargic, ‘sick’ way, it could well be a sign that he is ill and a trip to the vet will be imperative as the condition could become worse.

To ensure your cat has the best chance at health, make sure you feed him well. Gut health is absolutely imperative and feeding your cat too many carbs will give him plenty of digestive problems.

A cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and therefore his food needs to be meat. A kitten will require 4 small meals a day and an adult cat – over the age of 1 year – will require 2 meals a day. Any questions you have about feeding your cat can be answered by your local veterinarian.

Speak to your vet about spaying or neutering your Domestic Longhaired Cat as this will prevent unwanted kittens, particularly if your cat is allowed outdoors and wanders off.

Also, neutering and spaying have a host of health benefits for your cat and it also improves their personality.

turkish van cats - caringOne of the most important things with a cat is diet. The cat is a carnivore. Watch his diet, and make sure he gets plenty of meaty food.

Check with your vet if you aren’t sure how to feed your cat. There must always be a constant supply of fresh, cool water available and both food and water bowls must be washed regularly.

Regularly brush your cat’s coat gently and at the same time check the body over for any unusual lumps. If you discover a new lump, get your cat to the vet.

Be sure to schedule in your cat’s vaccinations as without these your cat can die from some of the more dangerous ones.

Another wise move, if at all possible, is to sign up for pet health insurance as then you won’t dread it financially when your vet requests medical tests be done on your cat.

There are simple things you can do to ensure the longevity of your beloved cat. Good food, exercise, fresh water, and plenty of love and attention.

Turkish Vans can have problems with their teeth. Teeth brushing can be massively traumatic and uncomfortable for your pet, but the best diet and vet care will ensure healthy teeth.

Have the nails trimmed.

Cats are meticulous about hygiene so ensure the litter box is kept clean. Remove the cat’s feces every single day.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
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  20. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Birman - Breed Comparison
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  22. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Turkish Van vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Turkish Van vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Turkish Van vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Turkish Van vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Turkish Van vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Turkish Van vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Turkish Van vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Turkish Van vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Turkish Van vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Turkish Van vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Turkish Van vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Turkish Van vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Turkish Van vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Turkish Van vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Turkish Van vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Turkish Van vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Turkish Van vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Turkish Van vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Turkish Van vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Turkish Van vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Turkish Van vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Turkish Van vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Turkish Van vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Turkish Van vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Turkish Van vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison