Turkish Angora

Climbing routes and discoveries together

An Angora should have an interesting climbing place before she discovers the highest kitchen cupboards. A stable scratching tree and securely fixed resting shelves provide suitable alternatives. A route with several reachable intermediate platforms works well. Hiding places at floor level and raised resting spots also let her choose how close she wants to be to family activity.

Shared games can combine movement with dexterity. A small ball can be chased, while a sturdy food puzzle encourages the cat to investigate with her paws. New tasks should be easy enough for her to succeed initially. A few clearly visible pieces of food are a better introduction than a complicated toy with unfamiliar openings. Treats and food used for games should be included in the daily allowance.

A window observation spot can offer variety as well. The window should be secured against falls. A balcony should only be accessible when its protection is reliable all the way around and the cat cannot squeeze through or become tangled in it. If the Angora has hearing difficulties, a protected environment is especially important because she may not hear approaching vehicles or other dangers. Learning how to communicate clearly with her should also be part of your preparations.

For practical play, food searches and quiet retreats, read Indoor Cat Enrichment: Play, Food Puzzles and Safe Retreats ↗

Everyday cat training: carriers, grooming and confidence ↗

A silky coat through the seasons

The Turkish Angora has fine, silky fur without a woolly undercoat. Hair is shorter along the body and longer particularly around the neck and tail. The winter coat may be noticeably fuller than the summer coat. Regular gentle combing helps remove loose hairs and reveal small tangles early. A weekly check is a useful starting point. Shedding seasons and the individual coat length may call for more frequent care.

You should gently check for mats under the front legs and elsewhere where hairs rub together. Tight mats should be professionally removed. Cutting with scissors can injure a cat's thin skin. If grooming suddenly becomes difficult or the cat no longer accepts touch in a particular place, possible pain should be investigated.

An older Angora may begin to groom herself less thoroughly. Shorter, more frequent combing sessions often help more than one long session. Assistance should stay comfortable, with an examination when needed.

An old breed from Ankara

The breed is associated with Ankara in present day Turkey. The city's former name, Angora, survives in the breed name. Longhaired cats from this region reached Europe centuries ago and also influenced the development of other longhaired breeds. As the Persian became more popular, the distinct Angora temporarily faded into the background.

A preservation programme at Ankara Zoo later played an important role. Cats from the zoo reached American breeding programmes during the twentieth century. FIFe, the international cat federation, recognised the Turkish Angora in 1988. Today's standard describes a medium sized cat with a fine frame, good muscle, long legs and a long, well furnished tail.

White Angoras are particularly familiar, but black, red, tabby and other colour varieties also exist. Eyes may be different colours too. The full neck ruff develops as a young cat grows. When choosing a kitten, previous experience with people and health records should matter as well.

Kitten, adult, senior: care that changes with your cat ↗