Turkish Van cats are the national pride of Turkey, and rightfully so. This cat breed is not only beautiful but also affectionate, sociable, and intelligent. Can they really swim? We’ll tell you that and more here!
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you want to know about Turkish Van cats, such as:
- What is the character of a Turkish Van cat?
- What does a Turkish Van look like?
- How to care for a Turkish Van?
- How long does a Turkish Van live?
- Health issues in Turkish Van cats?
- The origin of the Turkish Van
- Buying a Turkish Van (kitten)
And we’ll also tell you:
- How much does a Turkish Van cat cost?
- What’s the price of a Turkish Van kitten?
- Which cat is fond of water?
What is the character of a Turkish Van?
With a Turkish Van cat, you are guaranteed to have a cheerful and joyful housemate. This cat breed is known for its cheerful character and always wanting to have fun. Turkish Vans enjoy playing games with their humans. They love games like hide-and-seek, fetch, indoor scavenger hunts, solving cat puzzles, and participating in their owner’s daily activities – this cat finds everything enjoyable and sociable.
This breed is also quite active, as Turkish Vans love climbing and jumping. If you have a Turkish Van as a pet, make sure to have a tall scratching post for active cats in your home; it will make this breed very happy.
Turkish Vans are playful and active, but they are also great loungers – they love snuggling on their owners’ laps. And they enjoy being cuddled and petted. If it takes too long or if a child is too rambunctious, this breed will make it clear.
Fun fact: Turkish Van cats adore water! Some of them will even join you in the shower, and they can swim really well!
What does a Turkish Van look like?
A Turkish Van looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. This cat breed has a silky, mostly white coat. Colors and spots are allowed by the breed club, but they must be red or cream in combination with white. The coat is semi-long to long and becomes extra thick in winter.
The head of a Turkish Van is round, perfectly proportioned, and as wide as it is long. The cheekbones are beautifully high, and the snout is round and full. The ears are quite large, set high on the head, and a bit farther apart than those of regular cats. The eyes are remarkable; they are large and shaped like walnuts. The eyes come in blue, amber, or green and are always surrounded by soft pink skin.
In terms of build, the Turkish Van is also stunning. These cats are large, stand tall on their long, graceful legs, and have a robust and muscular build. Turkish Vans have round feet, and cute tufts grow between their toes. The tail completes the enchanting appearance of this breed – it is long and velvety!
Turkish Van cats are excellent jumpers, so a tall and stable scratching post in the house is essential!
Everything about the care of a Turkish Van
Turkish Vans, unlike many other breeds, do not have an undercoat. This makes them easy to maintain. Brushing or combing them well once a week is sufficient. However, this cat truly needs love, attention, and mental stimulation. This breed is super intelligent, playful, and active and craves the undivided attention of their owners.
Turkish Vans stay healthy and happy with varied cat toys, a scratching post that suits the breed, and several play sessions with their cat owner throughout the day. Additionally, a Turkish Van requires the same care as any other cat:
- A safe home
- Love and attention
- Healthy food and fresh water
- Protection against parasites
- Clean litter boxes with clumping cat litter
- A good-quality scratching post
- Regular visits to the veterinarian for check-ups
How old does a Turkish Van cat get?
Turkish Van cats are very healthy and can – if well cared for – live to be 12 to 17 years old.
The Turkish Van cat loves water!
Health issues of the Turkish Van
Turkish Vans generally do not have any specific deviations or suffer from hereditary diseases and conditions. It is therefore a healthy cat breed. A disease that is common in many cats – and thus also in Turkish Vans – is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM. It is a heart disease in which the heart muscle is severely thickened and can lead to heart arrhythmias and sometimes even death. Want to be sure you’re buying a healthy Turkish Van? Always ask the breeder for a health guarantee or statement.
So, now you know everything about the appearance, character, and care of Turkish Vans. But you’ll probably also like to know where this cat breed comes from and how it originated! We’ll tell you below.
The origin of the Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is one of the few cat breeds that originated naturally, without human intervention. This breed has existed for centuries and originated in the Van Lake area in Turkey. We mentioned earlier that Turkish Vans love water and swimming, which experts believe is related to the fact that these cats used to swim in Lake Van. In 1960, this cat breed was recognized by the FIF, and in 1979, it received its official name.
Fun fact: Turkey is very proud of its beautiful Turkish Van!
How much does a Turkish Van or kitten cost?
Have you fallen in love with this breed and want to buy a Turkish Van cat or kitten? Then you’ll need to save up because a healthy purebred cat is expensive. In the Netherlands, a Turkish Van typically costs between 500 and 650 euros, and you should buy one from a reputable breeder or a good cattery affiliated with a breed association. Always ask for papers, whether you can see the parents of the kittens, and if the kittens are raised in a clean and social environment. Never buy a Turkish Van from a backyard breeder, from Marktplaats, or from eBay!
If you like a purebred cat but don’t mind how your cat looks, consider checking your local animal shelter or a pet adoption website. There are many sweet cats waiting for a loving owner and a safe home.
The Turkish Van in a nutshell:
- Turkish Van cats are affectionate, playful, and always cheerful.
- The coat of a Turkish Van is mainly white and velvety soft.
- Turkish Vans can swim and love water.
- A Turkish Van requires a lot of attention and playtime with the owner.
- A Turkish Van can live to be 12 to 17 years old.
- Turkish Van cats originated naturally in Turkey.
- A Turkish Van kitten from a reputable breeder costs 500 to 650 euros.
Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or behavior expert: all content, information, and tips on this blog are meant to inspire you and are for informational purposes. If your cat has issues or problems and you’re unsure about your cat’s health, always consult a veterinarian or a behavior expert.