Turkish Van vs Somali - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Turkish Van vs Somali - Breed ComparisonSomali is originated from United States but Turkish Van is originated from Turkey. Both Somali and Turkish Van are having almost same weight. Both Somali and Turkish Van has same life span. Both Somali and Turkish Van has same litter size. Somali requires Moderate Maintenance. But Turkish Van requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

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United States
Turkey
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Swimming Cat
Colors Available:
Coat of many colors - mostly brownish color with black ticking.
brown, White with other colors - red, black
Coat:
Medoum length, soft and silky
Semi long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

somaliThe Somali is a medium- to longhaired Abyssinian. It was in Britain that the original introduction of the longhaired gene took place.

The first Somali cats came about in 1940 and it was British breeder Janet Robertson who exported some of her Abyssinian kittens to New Zealand, Australia and North America, Australia. Most of the kittens had long hair and breeders started showing an interest.

An American Abyssinian breeder Evelyn Mague decided to call her cats Somalis and the breed was recognized internationally by 1991.

turkish vanHailing from Turkey, the Turkish Van was brought to the UK in 1955 by 2 British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday.

These cats were used as the foundation stock of the breed. They were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship with the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1994.

They are a very rare breed and no other breed is allowed to be mixed into the cat's breeding schedule. All registered Turkish Van cats can have their ancestry traced back to the imported cats of Laura Lushington.

Description

somali kitten - descriptionThe beautiful Somali is a medium-sized cat which means he weighs in the region of 3 to 6kg. He is muscular and lean with the ears being set wide apart.

The ears are also tufted. The eyes of the Somali are almond-shaped and are usually a brown shade or green in color. The legs are long and the paws are also somewhat tufted. The tail is well plumed.

The Somali's coat is lovely and soft, while being thick and lustrous. The adult cats have a ruff. The Somali's coat comes in a range of colors but the most regular color is a beautiful brownish color with black ticking.

Temperament:

The Somali is an intelligent cat that relies heavily on its human owners for company as well as love and care.

They’re fun-loving cats that get on well with children in the home and from other pets. They are active cats and will need exercise. They should have some high perches and cat trees available so they can jump and climb.

turkish van kitten - descriptionThis is a medium to large-sized cat weighing roughly 3 to 8kg. It’s a semi-long-haired domestic cat breed that was actually developed in the United Kingdom with a selection of cats from Turkey.

The breed is distinguished by the Van pattern where the color is restricted to the head and tail. So the cat is white with color on the head and the tail. The Turkish Van has no undercoat and the cat has a sleek appearance.

The cat is quite long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs. The paws are large and they are strong jumpers.

Temperament:

These cats are playful, active, and independent and they are also excellent hunters. They are affectionate and form strong bonds with their human families.

They get on well with kids as well as with other pets. Energetic and agile, they love to leap up onto high places. For a cat, they also have this fascination with water and may well follow their human into a swimming pool or lake.

Characteristics

somali cat - characteristicsThe Somali is such a loving and affectionate cat, just loving to spend time with her human family.

Thanks to the cat’s good looks and lovely personality, this low-maintenance cat is a firm favourite when looking for a splendid pet and companion.

turkish van cat - characteristicsLively, social, and intelligent, the Turkish Van is going to make you a wonderful pet and companion.

He is an active cat and will require you to play with him and provide some form of exercise for him.

He likes to leap up onto perches so getting him a climbing tree will serve him well as he is a cat that loves perching on high up places.

These cats are also low maintenance which simply adds to them being such perfect pets for single people, couples, families and seniors, just so long as he is provided with lots of love and care.

Health Problems

somali kittens - health problemsAlthough the Somali cat breed is healthy, as with many other cat breeds, there are a few hereditary diseases found in the Abyssinian that may be linked to this breed too. Look out for eye problems with the cat as well as anaemia.

Progressive retinal atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative disorder of the retina. This eye disease can either be inherited or acquired.

When a cat gets sick there are some antibiotics that have been associated with progressive retinal atrophy in cats. Cats can also develop vision loss if their diet is deficient.

You have to be very aware of your cat’s diet and ensure that he is getting all the right ingredients, one of which is amino acid taurine. If you can see that your cat is battling to see, you should get him immediately to the vet.even though there is no treatment for PRA. . The vet will explain to you how to make life more comfortable for your pet.

Anemia

Anemia isn’t a specific disease with your cat but rather the result of some other disease or condition. The most common sign that your cat has anemia is that you won’t find that normal pink color of the gums. Your cat will be listless and there may also be signs of blood loss such as blood in the feces or urine. Your vet will do several tests to diagnose the anemia.

Always get vet help for your Turkish Van if you notice these signs -

Discharge or redness of the eyes

Scratching or shaking the head

Battling to urinate

Extreme and ongoing lethargy

Heavy breathing

Have your cat vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases there are.

Have your cat spayed or neutered.

turkish van kittens - health problemsYour Turkish Van counts on you to ensure his health and wellbeing. This will ensure he lives a long and healthy life.

Obesity is a major disease that contributes to many illnesses in cats. Excess weight is one of the factors for the development of arthritis and diabetes as well as some life-threatening diseases.

All kinds of parasites can invade your Turkish Van’s body. . Many types of parasites can be detected with a fecal exam, so a trip to your vet may be necessary.

Caring The Pet

somali cats - caringCats can sometimes be finicky eaters and even the most delectable morsels might be ignored.

Every cat is unique but every cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and requires a host of nutrients in their food to be healthy. Commercial cat foods aren’t all one and the same. You get different food for kittens, different foods for young adults, for pregnant cats, for energetic cats, and so on.

There is cat food for every season of a cat’s life. Other important considerations are feeding the right quantity of food to your cat.

Brush your Somali cat each week to keep the coat soft and silky.

Provide your cat with a litter box and empty out the feces every day.

Provide your cat with bowls, bed, scratching post, climbing tree, and toys.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent kittens.

turkish van cats - caringOne of the most important things with a cat is diet. The cat is a carnivore. Watch his diet, and make sure he gets plenty of meaty food.

Check with your vet if you aren’t sure how to feed your cat. There must always be a constant supply of fresh, cool water available and both food and water bowls must be washed regularly.

Regularly brush your cat’s coat gently and at the same time check the body over for any unusual lumps. If you discover a new lump, get your cat to the vet.

Be sure to schedule in your cat’s vaccinations as without these your cat can die from some of the more dangerous ones.

Another wise move, if at all possible, is to sign up for pet health insurance as then you won’t dread it financially when your vet requests medical tests be done on your cat.

There are simple things you can do to ensure the longevity of your beloved cat. Good food, exercise, fresh water, and plenty of love and attention.

Turkish Vans can have problems with their teeth. Teeth brushing can be massively traumatic and uncomfortable for your pet, but the best diet and vet care will ensure healthy teeth.

Have the nails trimmed.

Cats are meticulous about hygiene so ensure the litter box is kept clean. Remove the cat’s feces every single day.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Somali vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Somali vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Somali vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Somali vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Somali vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Somali vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Somali vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Somali vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Somali vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Somali vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Somali vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Somali vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Somali vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Somali vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Somali vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Somali vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Somali vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Somali vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Somali vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Somali vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Somali vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Somali vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Somali vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Somali vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Somali vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Turkish Van vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Turkish Van vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Turkish Van vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Turkish Van vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Turkish Van vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Turkish Van vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Turkish Van vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Turkish Van vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Turkish Van vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Turkish Van vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Turkish Van vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Turkish Van vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Turkish Van vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Turkish Van vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Turkish Van vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Turkish Van vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Turkish Van vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Turkish Van vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Turkish Van vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Turkish Van vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Turkish Van vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Turkish Van vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Turkish Van vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Turkish Van vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Turkish Van vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison