Turkish Van vs Sokoke - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Turkish Van vs Sokoke - Breed ComparisonSokoke is originated from United States but Turkish Van is originated from Turkey. Both Sokoke and Turkish Van are having almost same weight. Both Sokoke and Turkish Van has almost same life span. Both Sokoke and Turkish Van has same litter size. Both Sokoke and 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 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Swimming Cat
Colors Available:
Tabby fur - looks like tree bark, brindle coloring
brown, White with other colors - red, black
Coat:
Short and coarse
Semi long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

sokokeCompared to other breeds of cat, the rare Sokoke Forest Cat is a fairly new natural breed. It comes from the Sokoke district of eastern Kenya but was developed in the USA.

It is in fact, named after the Arabuko Sokoke National Forest, from where the wild foundation stock came from. Wildlife artist Jeni Slater started breeding these cats in the 1970s. They eventually reached Denmark, where further breeding continued, with the cat becoming popular with local cat fanciers, and laid the foundation of the breed in Europe.

Today, there are just a few breeders registered in the UK and TICA, The International Cat Association lists the Sokoke cat as a New Preliminary Race and it was recognized by FIFe in 1993.

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

sokoke kitten - descriptionThe Sokoke is a medium-sized cat with a long, lean body and slender legs. The hind legs are somewhat longer than the front legs. The head is smallish and round and he has a constantly alert look to him.

A striking characteristic of the Sokoke cat is its tabby fur, which people say looks like the bark of a tree and it is brindle in coloring.

The tail is medium to long and the ears are also fairly large, The eyes are large and almond-shaped and can be greenish to brown. The coat is short and coarse.

Temperament:

Cat lovers enjoy these playful, curious, intelligent, and family-orientated cats. In spite of their wild side, they adapt easily into different homes.

They’re inquisitive and will follow you, much like a dog. They will even enjoy a leash being put on them and being taken for a walk. They’re very sociable and vocal too and get on with everyone, children and other pets included.

They’re playful cats, loving to jump and climb and then look down at you from their high perches. Easily bored, you will need to provide fun and games continuously.

They enjoy being involved with everything you’re doing and form a strong bond with their owners. Because the Sokoke is social and affectionate, they require quite a lot of attention, and if they don’t get the attention they crave, they meow in anxiety.

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

sokoke cat - characteristicsYour Sokoke is a very social cat and he will get on particularly well in a home with children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

They are able to adapt well to homes where there are other pets too. They just love exercise and lots of fun. They don’t like being in a home where the owner is out at work all day. The solution to this is to provide him with another cat as a companion.

Sokoke cats are great with people of all ages, and when you bring one of these lively cats into your home, make sure he also receives his share of love and companionship.

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

sokoke kittens - health problemsSokoke cats are generally healthy and have no inherited diseases. To ensure that your Sokoke stands a chance of having a healthy life, you need to have him vaccinated against the life-threatening cat diseases there are.

If your Sokoe cat isn’t his usual self day after day, make a point of getting him to the vet just as soon as possible.

Scratching and hair loss:

Parasites are a terrible scourge with cats, and in fact, the number one cause of hair loss in cats is fleas. The bite of a flea can cause an allergic reaction. Your cat can become miserable with continuous biting, itching, and scratching and this can all lead to hair loss.

It is a wise move to speak to your vet about a good product to treat your furry friend with.

Diarrhea:

There can actually be many causes of diarrhea in cats and one of them is parasites, but it can also be caused by a viral infection or food allergy or something else.

You want to get your cat to the vet who can help you bring it under control. You may also have to feed your cat a bland kind of diet to help the cat’s digestive tract recover from the diarrhea.

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

sokoke cats - caringBecause the Sokoke’s coat is short and close-lying, with little or no undercoat, brushing once a week will be sufficient.

Keep the cat’s eyes and ears clean, and his claws trimmed.

The Sokoke cat is very energetic, and he will need games, toys, and attention to keep him physically and mentally stimulated. They love climbing so a climbing tree and other kind of equipment will be a good idea.

Provide your cat with a litter box and ensure it is kept scrupulously clean by removing the cat’s feces every single day.

Diet is of critical importance to the health and happiness of a cat. Some people try to feed their cats human foods and wonder why their cat is continuously sick. A cat is a carnivore and he requires meat.

You can speak to your vet about the best kind of commercial cat food there is for your cat. Read the label and feed him portion-sizes as directed.

Make sure your cat has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

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