Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat

When it comes to a Persian cat vs. Himalayan cat, who’s smarter?

As long as they’re provided with a stimulating environment, Himalayan cats can outsmart a Persian any day. They carry a lot of the DNA from Siamese cats, who have a famous inquisitive nature. What other key differences should you know about?

Keep reading as we compare Persian and Himalayan cats.

Comparing Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat

(Image here: Persian cat vs Himalayan cat)

Key Differences between a Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat

The key differences between a Persian cat vs. a Himalayan cat are their personality, appearance, compatibility, and history.

Both cats are affectionate, but Himalayans are smarter and more easy going. While a Persian thrives on routine, a Himalayan is happy switching things up. Of course, both cats have gorgeous coats. But they sport entirely different color markings.

When it comes to choosing house mates, Himalayans and Persians get along great with each other, and other animals. However, you’ll want to avoid introducing any hyperactive pets to the mix. Finally, Persians have a mysterious origins story, while the Himalayan’s history is straightforward.

What else should you know? Keep reading to dive deeper into the differences between a Persian cat vs. a Himalayan cat.

Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat: Characteristics and Personality

Loyal and royal, Persian cats are one of the most glamorous breeds. Persians are exceptionally sweet. They prefer quiet atmospheres and peaceful homes. They tend to be quiet cats themselves with soft-spoken voices. They enjoy frequent attention and don’t like being alone for long periods.

Persians have the nickname “fancy furniture with fur” in the cat world. They’ve earned this nickname thanks to their peaceful nature and art-like appearance. Your Persian will love laying around and being on display like the beautiful cat breed they are.

Even though Persians are sweet and loyal, that doesn’t mean they’re indiscriminate with their affection. They only dole out love to the people they trust. They also thrive on consistency. Scheduled playtime and regular meals are enough to keep them happy.

Himalayans are also a calm, peaceful cat breed. They’re the epitome of chill. Unlike other breeds that might wake you up in the middle of the night with zoomies, Himalayans are happy lazing about.

They’re also an intelligent breed with their gentle temperament and loving nature. They enjoy playing with different interactive cat toys, and watching your Himalayan figure things out can be fun.

Cat trivia pop quiz! What’s a Himalayan cat’s nickname? Himmies. They have the cute nickname “Himmies” in the cat world because it’s fun to say, and they’re a fun breed.

While they do enjoy human attention, Himalayans tend to be okay when left alone for a few hours at a time. They make for a great family pet since they’re so even-keeled and affectionate.

Devoted is another good word to describe Himalayan temperament. Once they bond with you, your lap will become their favorite place.

Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat: Appearance

Once you know what a Persian looks like, you’ll always be able to identify them. They’re iconic felines who have famous fur coats and endearing eyes. Persians are also popular for their adorable smushy faces.

Female Persians usually weigh between 7 to 10 pounds as a medium-sized breed. Males weigh in slightly larger at 9 to 13 pounds.

The Persian’s long lustrous coat comes in a variety of colors. Cream, gray, and orange are some of the most popular choices. Regarding eye color, they tend to have hazel, green, blue, or vibrant copper-colored eyes.

Himalayans are a medium-sized cat breed, a sub-breed of long haired cats. While they look like Persians, they have different color point markings and eyes. Himalayans have the color point markings of a Siamese and brilliant blue eyes. They have creamy bodies and dark faces. Their tail, feet, and ears are also dark. They range between 7 and 12 pounds and can live between 9 and 15 years.

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Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat: Compatibility

Do Persians get along with other cats or dogs? Yes and no. It depends on the situation.

Things might not go well if the dog or cat is hyperactive or immature. In comparison, a calm, friendly housemate is the perfect pair for a sweet demeanor Persian.

Persians tend to be a calm breed, which stays the same around other cats. They aren’t likely to initiate fights with other cats, but they might compete for attention.

It can take a while for a Persian to adjust to the presence of a new cat. However, as long as the other cat appreciates the Persian’s boundaries, they should get along fine.

Himalayan cats tend to get along with everyone, including other pets. They’re one of the more social cat breeds and are more likely to interact with other animals gently. However, if a Himalayan hasn’t been around other animals before, they might find a new housemate intimidating. Thankfully, with the right positive reinforcement, they can become fast friends.

Rubbing a towel over the new cat and placing it in the Himalayan’s space can help ease the transition. Other cat breeds that usually get along with other cats include Russian Blue cats and Bengal cats.

Persian Cat vs. Himalayan Cat: History

A lot of the Persian’s ancestry is still a mystery. Unfortunately, something about Persians’ history makes them prone to polycystic kidney disease. But the link is unclear.

What we do know is that these cats have been around for centuries. They’re believed to have originated from Persia, which is how they earned their name. Then they made their way to Europe.

The first Persians to come to Europe came in the early 16th century. They had long coats as shiny as silk. Fast forward 200 years, and Persians became the favorite of Queen Victoria. They were finally imported to the United States during the late 19th century, where they gained equal popularity.

Selective breeding has changed its appearance dramatically over the decades. However, they’re just as popular as ever.

There are two forms of Persian cats: show and traditional. Show Persians resemble Pekingese dogs with flatter faces, more enormous eyes, and thicker coats.

Traditional Persians, also known as doll faces, have less prominent Pekingese-like features. Instead, they closely resemble the first recorded features of the breed.

Where did Himalayans originate? There was a rumor about Himalayan cats descending from a wild cat in Asia. However, recent studies suggest that the breed began in the 1930s at Harvard.

The Himalayan’s story began when a researcher tried combining Persian and Siamese traits. Fast forwarding to the 1950s, successful cross breeds were met with long-haired color points. It wasn’t until 1957 when Margaret Goforth, an American breeder, successfully bred the first Himalayan.

It was right around the 1950s that Siamese cats were exploding in popularity. The adorable descendants were welcomed to the cat scene with open arms.

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• Siamese
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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/slowmotiongli