Van Kedisi vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison

Similar to the Asian Shorthair, the Asian Semi-Longhair with its semi-long fur was developed in the UK in the 1980s and isn’t recognized by any U.S. registries.

It is believed that the cat breed goes back to matings between the Chinchilla and Burmilla cats. This cat may not be recognized by any of the U.S. registries but it has recognition in the GCCF.

The Van Kedisi cat or Cat of Van as it is also known is a domestic cat that hails from the Lake Van region of Turkey.

There are historians who agree that the domestic cat originated in Egypt. The actual cat was developed in the United Kingdom from a host of cat types from Turkey. During the late 1990s the Van Cat became an informal municipal symbol of the city.

This beautiful cat is medium to large in size and can weigh up to 6 or 7kg. The body is compact, the face and eyes round with a slightly blunt snout. The ears are fairly small and pointed.

The luxurious silky coat comes in different colors and patterns such as black, brown, chocolate, blue and lilac, which happen to be the five main colors of this beautiful cat with his shiny green eyes.

Temperament:

The Asia Semi-Longhair is a gentle cat but curious and active. These are cats that become attached to their human owers and don’t like to share their humans with other cats.

They’re very talkative and they are therefore not the best breed to keep in an apartment. It’s also a cat that doesn’t like to be left on its own for long periods of time and will make a friend of children and other pets such as dogs if it means some companionship.

The Van Kedisi cat is a large feline with a soft, silky white coat, which he often sheds in the Summer. There is usually color on the head and tail – a yellow apricot color. The coat is descibed as seni-long.

He can reach up to 10kg in weight. The cats are lean and long-legged and they also like to swim. The eyes are almond-shaped eyes and are often odd-colored. One eye might be green and the other blue.

Temperament:

Van Kedisi cats have a strong wild side to them, but in spite of this they love getting attention from their human owners. In fact, they demand it or else they can become disgruntled. It's the kind of cat that can adapt to new environments and he is intelligent enough to be able to be trained.

The Asian Semi-longhair is such a sociable, friendly cat and he loves his human family so much that he can’t bear to be separated from them. It is often referred to as being a dependent cat, as it absolutely hates being alone and does not want to be separated from the people he loves.

It’s not the type of cat to get if you work long hours and there is nobody else at home. It's the kind of cat that also gets on well with kids and dogs.

He is such a playful cat that even a yarn of wool will keep him amused for ages and he loves toys. For so much friendship coming from your feline friend, he deserves plenty of love and attention - after all, he is prepared to give you that.

Van Kedisi cats are intelligent and friendly and they make excellent companions.

They are lively cats and love playing games with their humans. They will need stimulation from interactive toys. He also loves to leap up onto high perches and watch things from his elevated position.

If you have decided to have a Van Kedisi in your home, expect things to joyful and entertaining as this cat likes to build a strong bone with his human owners.

The Asian Semi-longhair is a robust cat, not prone to lots of health issues and he can reach up to 15 years of age.

It doesn’t have any particular breed-specific diseases, but as with any cat, you want to be looking out for heart and periodontal diseases.

Also, hypokalaemic polymyopathy is a condition that results in muscle weakness and pain in your cat. The cause is low potassium and your pet's entire body can have muscle weakness.

Some other symptoms include being stiff, slow walking and an actual reluctance to walk. Some of the common causes of this illness include chronic kidney disease and poor diet.

A healthy meat diet for your cat is like a ticket to good health. Cats are carnivores and they rely on you to supply them with food high in protein.

Cats battle to absorb protein derived from plants. Learn to check your food labels to ensure the food contains animal meat. Meat from chicken and tuna is good.

Regular visits to the vet when you suspect that your cat is ill will give you the chance to catch any diseases in their early stages.

Your Asian Semi-Longhair will require regular deworming.

Keep your cat’s vaccines up to date.

The Asian Semi-longhair has moderate to long hair, and it’s a cat that sheds quite a bit so use a soft brush to brush the coat gently twice a week.

Have your cat spayed or neutered as this can prevent unwanted kittens. Not only this, doing this for your cat can be beneficial for your cat and bring out better characteristics in them. They no longer want to roam and mark territory. In the female cat it's the removal of the cat’s ovaries and uterus, and with the male cat, neutering is the removal of the cat’s testicles.

After this op, your vet will explain to you how to look after your recovering pet.

Brush your Van Kedisi each week because the semi longhair can become matted and tangled if not brushed each week.

The Van Kedisi will need to be vaccinated. As a kitten he will need to be vaccinated against deadly cat diseases. While at the vet he will also be dewormed.

As your cat matures, you will need to make sure that he is free from parasites. Ticks, fleas, and heartworm can cause havoc with your pet and the vet can advise you on a treatment plan.

Have your cat neutered or spayed as not only will it prevent unwanted kittens, but the procedure can have health benefits for your cat too. It can eliminate the possibility of your cat getting some of the many cancers there are. Spaying and neutering also has a positive impact on your cat’s personality.

These are big, strong cats and the temptation will be to overfeed him. They enjoy their food and can easily put on weight. Obesity can bring about many different diseases in your cat.

It is up to you as a responsible cat owner to ensure your ca doesn’t put on a lot of weight but rather maintains a healthy weight.  You should also make sure that your feline friend gets regular exercise through playing, walking, and even swimming. These cats enjoy a swim, particularly when it is with their human owners.

Provide your cat with attention and play with him every day. They are playful, intelligent cats and it boosts his morale to have his favorite human playing with him.

Allow opportunities for scratching and climbing. The Van Kedisi loves to climb and scratch – two natural behaviors of cats. Supply him with a scratching post and a climbing tree to get the exercise he needs.

Provide your cat with a litter box, water and food bowls and a nice, soft bed.