Turkish Van Vs. Turkish Angora: Which One Is For You?

Turkish Van vs. Turkish Angora Cats: Best Comparision

Introduction

The Turkish van is famously named after the place they originate from called “Van Lake”. Two British Photographers who were on holiday in the 1950s traveled to “Van Lake” and fell in love with these domesticated cats. They took home two kittens from Turkey to England and began to breed them.

Unlike other cat breeds, a Turkish Van cat is unique as it can swim, and they love being in the water. Their nickname is “The Swimming Cat”, and if there is water around, they will find a way to get in and play. The International cat Association recognized this breed in 1971.

The Turkish Angora is a domesticated cat. They are one of the most ancient cat breeds globally, and sources can date them as far back as the 17th Century. Turkish Angora cats originate from central Anatolia. The ancestors of this breed can be traced back to one of the first cats that became domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.

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Appearance

A Turkish Van cat has a large muscular body but is still very elegant. They have beautiful white bodies and colored patterns on their tail and face.

Turkish Van cats have a medium-long coat that is silky and soft, and it feels very similar to cashmere. These colored patterns can come in various colors such as red-tabby, cream-tabby, brown-tabby, and blue-tabby.

Turkish Angora cats are one of the very few domesticated cats kept and raised in a zoo. If a cat that has been bred and its DNA can loosely match a cat that has resided at the Ankara Zoo is genuinely considered a Turkish Angora. However, breeders in Turkey are trying to fight this way of thinking.

Turkish Angora Cats can suffer from deafness, but it doesn’t impact their quality of life. These cats are medium size with muscular bodies. They have tall ears with slightly slanted eyes, and their front legs are taller than their hind legs. These cats always stay alert and active and feel proud of themselves. These cats have medium-sized coats and thin layers, making maintaining a regular grooming schedule easy. The coats of Turkish Angora cats are soft and silky and blow in the air when they are moving.

Differences

Turkish Van	Turkish Angora
Height 10-14 inches	Height 9-14 inches
Weight 10-20 pounds	Weight 8-15 pounds
Life span 12-17 years	Life span 9-14 years
Coat length long	Coat length Medium

Temperament

Turkish Angora

Turkish Angora cats are highly sociable cats; they love to be socially active with the people around them, and then they choose one person with whom they have a special bond. The unique trait of their personality is that they can easily enjoy their own company if they are left alone for some time. Their vocals can be a little louder when they try to communicate; this may be due to not hearing their own sounds. They are the most intelligent breed of cats, and they love to play with various toys.

Turkish Van

Turkish van cats are the most aggressive cats among all other breeds. They are playful and try to spend most of their time with their human companions but are famous for their mischievous traits. It is not safe to leave children alone with this cat because they can become aggressive if they pull their tail or fur. Turkish Van cats are athletic, and they love to climb up trees, jump high and run fast. They can quickly adapt with other pets and cats around them. They love the water and will probably try to jump in the bath with you.

Maintenance:

Turkish Van cats

Turkish van cats will require a regular grooming schedule. Their silky and soft coat needs combing daily to keep it tangle-free. It is recommended to introduce a grooming schedule at a young age so the kitten will get used to it and enjoy the experience while building up a special bond.

This coat may be easier to comb in the summer, but it will become more difficult in the winter as it will become heavier and more challenging to handle. Ensure you trim their nails regularly and clean their ears and eyes.

Turkish Angora cats

Maintain their coat by brushing with a fine brush once or twice a week. In summer, they need more brushing to avoid hairballs as they begin to moult. Unlike other cats, the Turkish Angora needs a fine-tooth comb to brush their coat. Ensure you bathe them once a week to clean the dirt from their fur and ears. Don’t forget to trim their nails once monthly to keep them clean and hygienic.

Suitable for:

Turkish Angora cats love to be the Centre of attention all the time. They can cohabit with children and other pets, and they are playful and friendly.

A Turkish van may be more suitable for a family with no children or a family with older children as they can show aggression.

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Which cat is right for you?

If you are looking for a cat that will be safe with people, children, and other pets, then a Turkish Van will not be the best choice due to its aggression.

Turkish Van vs. Turkish Angora Cats: Best Comparison