Van Kedisi vs British Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison

The British semi-Longhair cat is exactly like the British Shorthair except when it comes to the coat length - the hair is longer.

During the 20th century, a short-haired version of the modern Persian was developed and it was then proposed that a long-haired cat of the British type make it into the cat fancy.

The British Shorthair cat was bred with different Persian cat breeds which then resulted in a cat that looked like the British Shorthair cat, just with longer hair. It is recognized separately in the United States of America but considered one and the same as the short hair in the United Kingdom.

The Van Kedisi cat or Cat of Van as it is also known is a domestic cat that hails from the Lake Van region of Turkey.

There are historians who agree that the domestic cat originated in Egypt. The actual cat was developed in the United Kingdom from a host of cat types from Turkey. During the late 1990s the Van Cat became an informal municipal symbol of the city.

The British Semi-longhair can become quite a large cat really and is described as a medium to large cat. In fact, a full-grown British Semi-Longhair can grow to be about 7.5kg in weight.

They’re compact and robust with short, strong legs. The longish coat can be in all colors and patterns and he sheds moderately. Color can be white, cream, chocolate, blue and colors can be solid, ticked or bi-colored.

The ears are wide-spaced and medium-sized and they eyes are almond-shaped and match the color of its coat.

Temperament:

The British Semi-Longhair cat is such an easy-going pussycat while being reserved, independent and undemanding. He will get on with children and other pets in the home. Perhaps he suits someone who loves the idea of having a gorgeous pet around, but who is working and doesn’t have that amount of time to devote to a cat.

The British semi-longhair is one of those cats that doesn’t mind too much if you disappear to work each day. He can amuse himself without you during that time, as long as he has some nice toys and a nice environment to chill.

It’s not the kind of cat to follow you around, making it perfect for anyone who doesn’t have the time to give the cat too much attention. It’s simply not a lap-cat.

The cat isn’t very active at all and is more than happy to sit in his favorite spot in the sun and to watch activities from there. This is a quiet, content cat, not wanting to meow unnecessarily and his round face shows off a happy disposition.

The Van Kedisi cat is a large feline with a soft, silky white coat, which he often sheds in the Summer. There is usually color on the head and tail – a yellow apricot color. The coat is descibed as seni-long.

He can reach up to 10kg in weight. The cats are lean and long-legged and they also like to swim. The eyes are almond-shaped eyes and are often odd-colored. One eye might be green and the other blue.

Temperament:

Van Kedisi cats have a strong wild side to them, but in spite of this they love getting attention from their human owners. In fact, they demand it or else they can become disgruntled. It's the kind of cat that can adapt to new environments and he is intelligent enough to be able to be trained.

This moderately shedding cat is such a balanced cat – it is good with everyone, is quiet and unassuming. It just quietly gets on with life, being content and satisfied with its lot.

If you’re looking for a more ‘involved’, vocal, active cat, the British semi-longhair isn’t for you. If you however, want a quiet, steady presence in your home, this lovely cat is for you.

Van Kedisi cats are intelligent and friendly and they make excellent companions.

They are lively cats and love playing games with their humans. They will need stimulation from interactive toys. He also loves to leap up onto high perches and watch things from his elevated position.

If you have decided to have a Van Kedisi in your home, expect things to joyful and entertaining as this cat likes to build a strong bone with his human owners.

Your British semi-longhair is quite healthy, but it does come with a few issues, and this is suffering with renal and kidney diseases – more so than with other cat breeds.

It can also battle with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease often found in cats.

A healthy meat diet for your cat is like a ticket to good health. Cats are carnivores and they rely on you to supply them with food high in protein.

Cats battle to absorb protein derived from plants. Learn to check your food labels to ensure the food contains animal meat. Meat from chicken and tuna is good.

Regular visits to the vet when you suspect that your cat is ill will give you the chance to catch any diseases in their early stages.

Grooming:

Because of the semi-longhair, the British Semi-Longhair will require more effort than short hair cats with keeping the coat free of tangling. It’s a good idea to get this cat used to a brush-session to free the coat of dust and loose hairs at least once or twice a week.

Other basic grooming requirements for your kitty kat would be to keep the claws short, to check inside the mouth for dental problems, to check inside the ears for dirt and redness and to check the eyes to make sure they’re bright and clear. If there is a discharge, wipe the eyes gently with warm water and some apple cider vinegar. Be very gentle with all your grooming processes for your cat.

Diet:

The British semi-Longhair enjoys his food and if you don’t feed him in a responsible manner he can become obese. He is such a beautiful cat this that you want to ensure he gets the best premium quality food there is – food that is high in proteins.

It’s not worth feeding your beautiful semi-longhair on inferior foods as this can impair his health.

Cats are carnivores – related to lions – they’re meat-eaters. As far as their diet is concerned, they need fats and proteins and not carbs.

When you’re choosing food for your British semi-Longhair, check out the label to make sure you know precisely what your cat is taking in. When you are 100% sure that the food is the best it can be and your cat loves it, give it to him.

Don’t change foods haphazardly, as this cat likes a lifestyle devoid of sudden changes. If in any doubt, get advice from your vet on weight and calorie intake for your pet.

Brush your Van Kedisi each week because the semi longhair can become matted and tangled if not brushed each week.

The Van Kedisi will need to be vaccinated. As a kitten he will need to be vaccinated against deadly cat diseases. While at the vet he will also be dewormed.

As your cat matures, you will need to make sure that he is free from parasites. Ticks, fleas, and heartworm can cause havoc with your pet and the vet can advise you on a treatment plan.

Have your cat neutered or spayed as not only will it prevent unwanted kittens, but the procedure can have health benefits for your cat too. It can eliminate the possibility of your cat getting some of the many cancers there are. Spaying and neutering also has a positive impact on your cat’s personality.

These are big, strong cats and the temptation will be to overfeed him. They enjoy their food and can easily put on weight. Obesity can bring about many different diseases in your cat.

It is up to you as a responsible cat owner to ensure your ca doesn’t put on a lot of weight but rather maintains a healthy weight.  You should also make sure that your feline friend gets regular exercise through playing, walking, and even swimming. These cats enjoy a swim, particularly when it is with their human owners.

Provide your cat with attention and play with him every day. They are playful, intelligent cats and it boosts his morale to have his favorite human playing with him.

Allow opportunities for scratching and climbing. The Van Kedisi loves to climb and scratch – two natural behaviors of cats. Supply him with a scratching post and a climbing tree to get the exercise he needs.

Provide your cat with a litter box, water and food bowls and a nice, soft bed.