Turkish Van Cat: Breed Profile
The "swimming cat": energetic, strong and famously fond of water.
- Origin
- Turkey (Lake Van region)
- Size
- Large
- Typical weight
- 4.5–8 kg (10–18 lb)
- Life expectancy
- 12–17 years
- Coat
- Semi-long coat
- Best for
- Experienced, active owners
Temperament and personality
Turkish Vans are energetic, intelligent and strong-willed. Many enjoy playing in water. They are affectionate with their families but often dislike being held and can be territorial with other pets.
They need lots of stimulation and space.
Size and appearance
Large and muscular with a mostly white, cashmere-like semi-long coat and color only on the head and tail (the "van" pattern).
Activity and enrichment
Very active. Plenty of climbing, play and puzzle toys.
Coat care and grooming
The water-resistant coat lacks an undercoat and rarely mats. Brush weekly.
Typical health concerns
Every cat is an individual, and most cats of any breed live long, healthy lives with good preventive care. These are the conditions most often discussed for this breed — ask a breeder for health-testing results and discuss screening with your vet.
- Generally robust.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is reported.
Who is the Turkish Van right for?
A good match if you…
- want an athletic, confident cat
- have space and time for play
Think twice if you…
- want a lap cat
- have young children who like to pick up the cat
