How to Buy a Himalayan Kitten in the United States
To buy a Himalayan kitten in the United States, choose a breeder you can visit, ask to see negative PKD DNA results for both parents, and pick a kitten with open nostrils, quiet breathing and clear eyes rather than the flattest face in the litter. PetMD puts Himalayan kittens from breeders at about $500 to $2,500, and the long coat needs combing every day for life.
The Himalayan is a Persian with the pointed pattern of a Siamese: a pale body, darker ears, face, legs and tail, and blue eyes. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) shows it as a color division of the Persian, while The International Cat Association (TICA) registers it as a separate breed within its Persian Breed Group.
Key points
- CFA treats the Himalayan as the pointed division of the Persian; TICA lists it as its own breed in the Persian Breed Group, so papers may say either.
- PKD is dominant: kittens of two parents with negative PKD1 DNA results cannot inherit that mutation.
- Choose a kitten with open nostrils, quiet breathing and only mild tearing; flatter faces bring more breathing problems and tear staining.
- Kittens typically cost about $500 to $2,500 (PetMD); a professional groom typically costs about $75 to $150 a visit (ThePricer, 2026).
What should you know about the Himalayan cat before you buy?
TICA credits Marguerita Goforth with developing a Persian-type cat with Siamese markings, recognized by American associations as the Himalayan in 1957. CFA describes the Persian group as sweet, affectionate and quiet, with a calm, even-tempered personality and an enduring devotion to its people.
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Size | 7 to 12 pounds, about 11 inches tall (PetMD) |
| Temperament | Calm, docile, affectionate; often a lap cat that needs encouragement to play |
| Coat | Long, with a thick undercoat; comb daily (PetMD) |
| Eyes | Deep vivid blue (CFA standard); wipe away tears daily |
| Lifespan | 9 to 15 years (PetMD) |
| Health points | Flat-face breathing, tear staining, dental crowding, PKD, HCM, luxating patella |
Who it suits: calm households, apartments, families with gentle children and first-time owners who will groom every day. PetMD says Himalayans can get along with children and dogs if introduced gradually, and warns they gain weight easily, so feed small meals and play daily.
How does the Himalayan's colorpoint coat work?
The pointed pattern is temperature-sensitive: pigment forms mainly at the cooler extremities, giving the mask, ears, legs and tail their color. A 2005 study in Animal Genetics traced it to a mutation in the tyrosinase (TYR) gene, followed it through a pedigree of Himalayan Persians and found every pointed cat carried two copies.
- Recessive: a kitten is pointed only if both parents pass on the gene, so a Persian with no copy bred to a Himalayan gives non-pointed carrier kittens, not Himalayans.
- Point colors: CFA's Himalayan division includes seal, chocolate, blue, lilac, flame, cream, tortie and blue-cream points, with lynx (striped) versions.
- Contrast: TICA's standard calls for a definite contrast between body and point color.
Color is the least important choice you make. Face shape, breathing and the parents' PKD results matter far more.
What health problems do Himalayan cats have?
- Breathing: PetMD lists brachycephalic airway syndrome: narrow nostrils, a long soft palate and a small windpipe. Severe cases may need nostril surgery, and open-mouth breathing needs a vet at once.
- Eyes: Himalayans make more tears than most breeds, which stains the fur and keeps the skin moist and prone to infection.
- Teeth: overcrowding in the short jaw raises the risk of dental disease.
- PKD and HCM: inherited kidney cysts and heart-muscle thickening; ask about both.
- Knees: PetMD also lists luxating patella, a slipping kneecap.
Face shape matters. In a 2016 PLOS ONE survey of 1,000 cats, flatter faces were linked to more breathing problems and more tear staining. CFA notes that breeding for extreme features once produced smaller-than-average nostrils and that breeders have removed affected cats from their programs; Science for Animal Welfare reports researchers advise against breeding cats whose nose tip sits higher than the lower eyelids.
Why does PKD testing matter for a Himalayan kitten?
Polycystic kidney disease grows fluid-filled cysts that slowly destroy the kidneys. A 2004 study that identified the PKD1 mutation estimated it affected about 38 percent of Persians worldwide, and CFA says it shortened the lives of many Persians in the early 2000s; breeders now manage it through genetic testing and by spaying or neutering affected cats. PetMD notes signs can appear from 6 months but usually after age 7.
One copy of the mutation from either parent is enough, so testing is decisive. Ask to see both parents' DNA result sheets, not a verbal assurance. Testing works: a 2026 study of Japanese pedigree cats found carrier frequency fell by 42.6 percent between 2019 and 2022 as kitten testing spread.
Where can you find Himalayan kittens for sale?
- CFA or TICA breeders. Ask which registry the breeder uses and check the litter registration.
- Retired breeding cats, whose breathing, eyes and temperament are already known.
- Persian and Himalayan rescues. Seattle Persian and Himalayan Rescue in Washington, for example, was founded in 2004 to take purebred Persians and Himalayans out of shelters, and PetMD notes rescues may cost less than breeders.
You can browse Himalayan kittens for sale on PetzLover, filter by location, save the search for alerts about new litters and message the breeder before you visit. If an adult would suit you, read how to take in a rehomed Himalayan, or let breeders find you with a Himalayan wanted ad.
What should you ask a Himalayan breeder?
- May I see both parents' PKD DNA results?
- May I meet the mother and see the father or his photos from the front and side? Does either snore, breathe through the mouth or have eye ulcers?
- Has a vet checked this kitten's nostrils, eyes and teeth?
- When does the kitten go home? Never before 8 weeks; International Cat Care notes pedigree kittens often leave at about 13 weeks.
- What does the price include: vaccines, deworming, microchip, FeLV and FIV tests, spay or neuter?
- Is there a written health guarantee covering PKD, and will you take the cat back if I cannot keep it?
Check the kitten yourself
- Open nostrils, not narrow slits, and no breathing noise while it rests with its mouth closed.
- A visible nose below the line of the lower eyelids.
- Bright eyes with only mild tearing and no squinting or cloudiness.
- A coat with no mats, which shows the breeder already combs the kittens.
How much does a Himalayan kitten cost in the US?
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten from a breeder | About $500 to $2,500 | PetMD, 2023 |
| Full-service salon groom | About $75 to $150 | ThePricer, 2026 |
| Lion cut | Roughly $100 to $250 | ThePricer, 2026 |
| First year of care for any cat | About $1,904 | ASPCA |
| Each year after | About $1,149 | ASPCA |
The Federal Trade Commission warns that fake sellers advertise pets below normal prices, rush you and ask for money up front. Insist on a live video call or a visit, never pay by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency or payment app, and use the Report Scam button on any listing that looks wrong. Sellers can read how to sell Himalayan kittens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Himalayan kitten in the United States?
PetMD puts Himalayan kittens from breeders at about $500 to $2,500. Rescues may charge less. A kitten offered far below that by a seller you cannot meet is a common scam pattern.
Is a Himalayan the same as a Persian?
Structurally, yes. CFA shows Himalayans as the pointed color division of the Persian, while TICA registers them as a separate breed in its Persian Breed Group with the same head and body type.
Do Himalayan cats have breathing problems?
Many do, because of narrow nostrils and a crowded airway. The flatter the face, the higher the risk, so choose a kitten with open nostrils and quiet breathing. Open-mouth breathing in a cat is an emergency.
Should a Himalayan kitten come with a PKD test?
Both parents should have negative PKD DNA results, and the breeder should show you the sheets. Kittens of two negative parents cannot inherit that mutation. If results are missing, have the kitten tested before you commit.
How much grooming does a Himalayan need?
Daily combing down to the undercoat, plus daily eye wiping. PetMD notes mats can become large and painful, and some owners book regular professional grooming or a short clip instead.
Are Himalayans good for first-time cat owners?
Often, yes. PetMD calls them suitable for new cat parents and families, provided someone will groom, wipe the eyes and play every day.
Helpful guides
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Himalayan Kittens in the United StatesSell Himalayan kittens responsibly: show both parents' negative PKD DNA results, breed only cats with open nostrils and healthy eyes, get kittens used to daily grooming, price within the market and hand over in person with a contract.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Himalayan Cat in the United StatesBefore you take in a rehomed Himalayan, ask about its grooming routine, eyes, breathing and PKD status, book a vet check within days, budget for combing or professional grooming and introduce handling gently while it settles.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Himalayan Cat Responsibly in the United StatesRehome your Himalayan responsibly: rule out a grooming or health fix first, contact your breeder or a Persian and Himalayan rescue, disclose coat, eye, breathing and kidney history honestly, and screen for someone who will groom daily.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Himalayan Cat Wanted" Ad in the United StatesTo answer a Himalayan cat wanted ad, describe your cat honestly, including grooming, eyes, breathing and PKD status, check the poster can groom daily, verify who they are in person and hand over only with a written agreement.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Himalayan Cat Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesA good Himalayan wanted ad says what age and type of cat you want, asks for PKD results and a moderate face, shows you are ready for daily grooming, gives a realistic budget and promises to meet in person before paying.