The Van is a distinct cat breed found mainly in the Van lake area of Turkey.
What sets these cats apart from the rest is their ability to swim, and you can observe them swim in the Lake Van if you ever get a chance to visit it.
Vans usually come with a chalky white coat, blue eyes (or odd-colored), and a ruddy coloration on the head and back legs.
Van History
The Van is believed to be living in the Turkish city of Van near the Van lake for centuries.
Their ancestors (The African Wild cat) were identified through genetic testing.
These wild cats were believed to be domesticated around 9000 years ago to control the rodent population.
This was around the time when the agricultural revolution was taking place, and the hunter-gatherers started farming instead of relying on their hunting for food.
The white spots on this cat are a testament to early selective breeding and can be traced back to when they were being domesticated.
But keep in mind that there is no evidence of this cat’s presence in the Van Area the entire time after domestication.
Van Key Facts
The Van is an interesting breed because most cats don’t even go near the water forget about swimming.
But the Van is fearless and likes to swim.
As to why they do this, we have no idea of that.
These cats usually have a small imprint between their shoulder blades that is known as “the imprint of God” and is believed to be a sign of good luck.
This marking may be linked to the piebald gene, the same gene that gives the white-colored cats a tuxedo pattern.
The Van’s eyes have just 3 colors, blue, gold, and odd-colored.
Their peach-pit-shaped eyes look amazing with these distinct colors.
This, along with their other features, makes this breed one of the most beautiful in the cat world.
How Big Do Vans Get?
The Van is a medium-sized cat.
They can weigh between 4.5 kg and 8 kg, and their average height is between 9 – 11 inches.
This makes the Van perfect for families with small children, as large cats can harm children unintentionally.
But this calm, relaxed, and medium-sized cat is ideal for houses with children.
Van Lifespan
The Van is a healthy breed known to live between 12 and 17 years.
You can ensure that your cat lives towards the upper end of this scale by taking proper care of them.
This includes taking care of their diet, activity, and health.
Keep reading to find all the right ways to care for your furry fellow.
How Much Does A Van Cost?
The Van is a rare cat, as you can’t find them everywhere.
So, it might be a little hard to find them, and when you do, you might have to pay around $800 – $1,500 for this beautiful cat.
Some breeders may charge even more and may also provide accessories like food, litter, and beds.
Van Personality
The Van is not a cute and cuddly cat; instead, it’s a naughty little devil that likes to form deep bonds with its owners.
Vans are very affectionate and loving but do not like being carried around and cuddling.
They are also quite playful and intelligent; this makes it easy to teach them new ways of playing and doing tricks.
Their intelligence can be challenging because they can get bored easily.
The Van is usually good with other pets and children.
But keep in mind that you have to socialize them from an early age to prevent them from becoming aggressive.
Caring For A Van
The Van is easy to care for as they don’t have extensive caring needs.
Remember a few things to remember if you want your cat to live a happy, thriving, and happy life.
These include an adequate diet, proper exercise, and good grooming.
In the next section, we will talk about these things in detail.
Van Nutrition
The Van is a fairly active breed, requiring more food and calories to maintain their normal body weight.
Your cat’s exact amount of energy depends on the resting metabolic rate, and there is no direct way of measuring that.
But you can rely on their current weight to estimate their food requirements.
When selecting cat food for your cat, remember to select food with high proteins and adequate micronutrients.
Your cat needs the protein to maintain and grow its muscles, tendons, and cartilages.
The micronutrients are important in various functions of the cat’s body.
Without these micronutrients, your cat’s immune system can grow weak, which can lead to all kinds of diseases.
How To Groom A Van?
The Van has an easy-to-groom single coat.
At first look, it might seem that they require a lot of grooming to maintain, but that’s not the case.
Brushing them with a metallic or hard-bristled comb twice weekly is enough to remove any mats and loose hair from the coat.
Brushing will also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which provides all the necessary nutrients that the hair needs to be healthy, shiny, and strong.
Bathing the Van might sound like a good idea.
After all, they are one of the few cats not bothered with water.
But that’s not the case, and you want to avoid bathing them frequently and bathe them only when you feel they have become too dirty.
Brushing their teeth and clipping their nails should be a part of their weekly grooming routine.
Van Activity Levels
The Van is an active, energetic, and curious breed.
They love swimming, playing with toys, and performing new tricks.
They are also highly intelligent, which makes it easy to teach them.
But their high curiosity and activity levels can be problematic if you don’t engage with them regularly.
Van Health Concerns
The Van is generally a healthy breed.
But they may have some health concerns, especially if you buy from a low-quality breeder.
Dental carries and skin infections are most commonly seen is this breed.
However, proper grooming and cleanliness helps avoid such issues.
Sources
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