Do you think that all cats hate water? Then think again! The Turkish Van is one unique kitty with some distinguishable features. It loves the water, which is why many call it the swimming cat. But, probably one of its more brilliant features is its colour pattern. This cat breed has coloured markings only on its tail and head. The rest of its body is covered in usually white fur.
Native to South and Central Asia, it was the returning Crusaders that brought the Van to Europe. Its coat feels like cashmere, making it very easy for any pet owner to fall in love with it. Many Vans have a tiny mark right between their shoulder blades. People call it the "thumbprint of God", and it's believed to bring good luck.
If you were expecting a cat that loves to cuddle and get carried from one place to the other, you might be disappointed. This big cat is very intelligent and highly active. When not at home, you can find it splashing in pools, ponds, and other areas, which is very unusual for a cat. What most people don’t know is that this cat breed can be quite mischievous. It will love to play, climb, and jump.
The Turkish Van can catch toys in mid-air, execute some amazing somersaults, and drain your energy. If there are no toys around, odds are, it will try to experiment with whatever it can get its tiny paws on. So, don’t get confused if your kitchen faucet is left on. When it comes to its personality, people like to confuse the Turkish Van with the Turkish Angora. Although they might sound similar, they are completely different.
The Angora is graceful, while the Van has a personality of their own. In most cats, you will immediately notice when something is wrong. They will wiggle their tail to let you know but, the Turkish Van seems to keep their emotions intact regardless of what mood they are in. When there are other pets in the room, like dogs, the Turkish Van can get along well as long as it shows who is the boss, of course.
The best owner for a Turkish Van is someone who is engaged and entertaining. A person who can keep the cat interested by giving them toys and teaching them tricks. As long as this cat breed is engaged, there is no limit to the amount of joy it will bring to your home.
If you are worried about the food, it is difficult to know exactly what your cat will love. Every companion has their own likes and dislikes about food. What you can do is provide it with a healthy balance of nutrients to maintain its ideal body shape. Even though the cat can get a little picky, it is not something that’s too much to handle.
This cat breed is relatively easy to take care of. You will be combing their coat once a week or do it more often in winter when their fur becomes heavier. The interesting thing about a Turkish Van is that although it likes to splash in the water, it may not be a fan of bath time. To get them to bathe frequently, you would need to teach them from a young age. Other than that, you will be trimming the nails, brushing the teeth, and taking them to the vet, which is to be expected.
Like all the cats out there, the Van can develop genetic health problems. It can inherit them, so it’s important that you get the cat from a reputable breeder. Generally, this cat breed is remarkably healthy. But, if you don’t give it enough space to exercise, or you feed it too much, it can get obese. So, that is something to have in mind when taking care of this animal. If your cat gets sick, Turkish Van Pet Insurance can help cover some of the costs.
Turkish Van Pet Insurance allows pet owners to select a treatment for their ailing animal without being restricted by their financial burdens.
