The Turkish Angora cat, with its graceful body and soft fur, is highly valued in Turkey. While these cats look dainty and are fairly small, they’re loving and fun pets that get along well with their families, kids, and other animals – though they like to be in charge.
Learn more about the history, temperament, care, and health of the Turkish Angora.
Breed Overview
Other Names: Ankara cat
Personality: Playful, social, intelligent, mischievous, and occasionally bossy with other pets
Weight: Up to 9 pounds
Length: Up to 18 inches
Coat Length: Long hair
Coat Colors: White with lavender, chocolate
Coat Patterns: Tabby, solid, bicolor, Himalayan, calico, tortoiseshell, and colorpoint
Eye Color: Light blue, sapphire, emerald, green-gold, gold, amber, copper, or two different colors
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Origin: Turkey
Turkish Angora Characteristics
Turkish Angoras are loving cats that need lots of attention and companionship. They don’t do well when left alone and prefer to be with their owners or other pets.
These cats are very active and playful and can be naughty when they’re bored. If they want attention, they might open doors, turn on water taps, or push things off tables.
| Affection Level | Medium to High |
| Friendliness | Medium to High |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Vocalize | Low |
| Amount of Shedding | Low |
History of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is a cat breed that naturally developed in Turkey around the 15th century, unlike many other breeds created by humans. It is thought to be related to the African wildcat, and its long, silky fur may have come about due to a random genetic change or as an adaptation to the cold weather in Ankara (formerly known as Angora).
There are stories linking Turkish Angoras to Mohammad, the founder of Islam, who loved cats so much that he once cut his sleeve to avoid waking a sleeping tabby-patterned Turkish Angora on his robe.
The first written mention of Turkish Angora cats is from 16th-century France, suggesting they started arriving in Britain and France in the late 15th century. By the 1700s, they were brought to the Americas.
Turkish Angoras were featured in some of the earliest cat shows in the late 19th century, and Persian breeders began using them for breeding. Unfortunately, this led to a decline in their numbers across Europe. To protect them, Turkish Angoras became national treasures of Turkey, and a breeding program was set up at the Ankara Zoo.
In the 1950s, American soldiers in Turkey were charmed by the Turkish Angoras at the zoo. Although the zoo was reluctant to part with any cats, two were given to Colonel and Mrs. Walter Grant. These cats started the American Turkish Angora breeding program. Over time, more Americans brought Turkish Angoras back home and helped grow the breed across the United States.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) accepted white Turkish Angoras in 1968, but colored ones weren’t registered until 1978. Today, Turkish Angoras are also recognized by the International Cat Fanciers Association.
Turkish Angora Care
Turkish Angoras make great family pets, but they need regular brushing and playtime to stay healthy and content.
Grooming
Turkish Angoras are easy to groom despite their fancy looks. They have a single coat that rarely gets tangled or matted. Just brush them once a week to remove dirt, and give them baths when needed. Many of these cats enjoy water and swimming, making bath time easier.
Like other cats, Turkish Angoras need good dental care to prevent gum disease. Try to brush their teeth daily, but doing it weekly is better than not at all.
Check their ears every week for dirt or signs of infection. Clean dirty ears with a soft cloth, but don’t use cotton swabs as they can hurt the ear.
Exercise
Turkish Angoras are active cats that need 15-30 minutes of daily exercise. Playing with toys is a simple way to help them burn energy.
These cats love high places, so provide tall cat trees and wall shelves. This gives them safe spots to climb and watch their surroundings.
For their safety, keep your Angora inside. If you want them to enjoy the outdoors, use a leash and harness, a secure outdoor enclosure, or a cat stroller.
Common Health Problems
Turkish Angoras are typically healthy cats, but they can have some common cat health problems.
- Deafness: White Angoras with one or two blue eyes are prone to deafness in one or both ears.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This is a type of heart disease characterized by the enlargement of the heart muscle.
- Ataxia: This is a fatal neuromuscular disorder that affects kittens aged 2 to 4 weeks.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): This is the most common kidney disease in cats, and it causes the kidneys to lose their ability to function properly.
Whether you have a purebred cat or not, they can develop health problems. If you’re worried about your Turkish Angora’s health, ask your vet about ways to keep your cat healthy and happy for many years.
Appearance
Turkish Angoras are graceful, slim cats that move like dancers. The ones from Turkey’s Ankara Zoo look a bit different from others. Their long, silky fur has just one layer, making it easy to care for. Their hair is fine and sparkles in the sun.
While these cats were once only white with blue or green eyes, they now come in many colors like Himalayan, calico, tortoiseshell, and tabby patterns. Their eyes can be any color too.
Diet and Nutrition
Feed your Turkish Angora based on their age, gender, and how active they are. For the right amount of food, look at the feeding instructions on your cat food package or ask your vet.
Don’t give your cat too much food. Extra weight can cause health problems, so keep their meals balanced and healthy.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Turkish Angora
A Turkish Angora from a good breeder usually costs between $650 and $2,000.
When buying from a breeder, make sure they’re trustworthy. Watch out for warning signs like too many kittens being born or online-only payments. If you visit the breeder, be concerned if you see lots of cats or ones that look sick.
Since Turkish Angoras are rare in the US, they’re hard to find in shelters. Try searching on PetFinder.com for this breed, or ask local shelters, vets, or trusted breeders if they know of any Turkish Angoras looking for homes.
Turkish Angora Overview
Cat lovers who like smart, playful cats will love the Turkish Angora. This soft, loving cat enjoys attention from people and other pets and isn’t shy about asking for it. Their silky coat needs little grooming and doesn’t shed much, making them easy to care for. They’re also generally healthier than many other purebred cats.
Pros of Turkish Angoras
- Beautiful and low-maintenance
- Sociable and animated
- Enjoys the company of people and other pets
Cons of Turkish Angoras
- Gets bored easily and doesn’t like being alone
- Can make mischief if ignored
- Difficult to find
More Cat Breeds and Further Research
If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:
- Persian
- Siberian
- Oriental Longhair
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Are Turkish Angora cats good pets?
Turkish Angoras are friendly cats that get along well with people and other pets.
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Are Turkish Angoras high-maintenance?
Their long, silky fur is easy to care for and doesn’t need much brushing because it has only one layer, unlike other long-haired cats. While grooming isn’t a big task, they need lots of attention and playtime.
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How much does a Turkish Angora cat cost?
If you want to buy a Turkish Angora, expect to pay between $650 and $2,000. Show-quality cats are more expensive than pet-quality ones.
