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Himalayan vs Persian
The Himalayan is the pointed, blue-eyed Persian, and many registries treat it as one. Same calm temper, grooming and flat-face health risks.
Verdict
The Himalayan is a long-haired, flat-faced cat bred from Persians and Siamese, and many registries treat it as a Persian, so the profiles read almost alike. Both need daily combing, shed heavily and bring breathing, eye and kidney risks. The Himalayan has blue eyes and Siamese-style points, and scores a little higher for energy. The Persian is a CFA breed since 1906 and is Common. The Himalayan is Uncommon. Choose by colouring and by what you can find.
Choose the Himalayan if
- You want blue eyes and pointed colouring on a Persian-type cat.
- You want a slightly more active cat.
- You will comb a long coat every day.
- You will ask your vet about kidney disease, breathing, eye problems and asthma.
Choose the Persian if
- You want the classic Persian, a CFA breed since 1906.
- You want a breed that is Common and easier to find.
- You want the most placid cat of the two.
- You will plan for kidney, breathing, eye and heart checks.
Where they are alike
Both have long, dense coats that shed heavily and need daily grooming. Both score the lowest for voice, rate top marks for small homes and do best in a quiet indoor home.
Side by side
| Himalayan | Persian | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Longhair and semi-longhair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States and United Kingdom | Named for Persia (Iran); developed in Europe |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg); males are larger | About 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Studies put the median near 11 to 12.5 years |
| Coat length | Long | Long |
| Coat | Long, thick, fine-textured coat with a full ruff and ear and toe tufts | Long, dense, fine coat standing off the body, with a full ruff and brush tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Uncommon | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 2 | 1 |
| Playfulness | 2 | 2 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 5 | 5 |
| Shedding | 5 | 5 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. A long, heavy coat sheds a great deal, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Persian's long coat sheds heavily and holds dander, and people who react to cats often react to this breed. |
| Suits | A calm, quiet indoor home with time for daily grooming and regular vet checks. | A quiet indoor home where someone has the time to comb a long coat every day and wants a gentle, undemanding companion. |
| Less suited to | A hot home, a household with little time for grooming, or anyone concerned about flat-faced cat welfare. | A busy or noisy house, a home that cannot afford regular grooming and vet care, or anyone who wants an athletic, climbing cat. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026