Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest natural cat breeds — a long-haired cat that originated in central Turkey (then Anatolia) centuries ago and is considered a national treasure in Turkey, where the Ankara Zoo has maintained a breeding programme since the early 20th century to preserve the pure white odd-eyed variety.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Turkey
Lifespan
12–18 years
Weight
2.5–5 kg (5.5–11 lbs)
Height
23–30 cm (9–12 in)
Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Sleek, athletic build should be maintained — monitor weight.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest natural cat breeds — a long-haired cat that originated in central Turkey (then Anatolia) centuries ago and is considered a national treasure in Turkey, where the Ankara Zoo has maintained a breeding programme since the early 20th century to preserve the pure white odd-eyed variety. The Turkish Angora was the original long-haired cat brought to Europe in the 16th century, preceding the Persian — it was widely interbred with Persians in the 19th century and nearly disappeared before being re-established from Turkish breeding stock in the 1950s.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Turkish Angora is a slender, elegant, graceful cat — in marked contrast to the Persian it resembles only in coat length. The body is long and foreign-type, the head is a wedge shape, and the ears are large, erect, and set high. The coat is medium-long, silky, and single-layered (no dense undercoat) — it flows rather than being puffy, and is less prone to matting than the Persian. The most iconic variety is pure white — often with odd eyes (one blue, one amber) or blue eyes.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
semi-long
Coat Type
silky
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Turkish Angoras are playful, athletic, and assertive — they often become the dominant personality in a multi-pet household. They are affectionate and enjoy interaction but on their own terms. They are intelligent and can be trained. They enjoy climbing and playing in water. They are opinionated and will assert themselves.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 28°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour, spraying, over-grooming
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The silky single coat is easier to maintain than the Persian — brushing 2–3 times weekly is sufficient. White Angoras with blue eyes should be tested for deafness. Their athletic nature means they need climbing opportunities and active play.
Nutrition Notes
Ataxia (hereditary) in some lines. HCM. Generally healthy natural breed. White + blue eyes = deafness (W gene). Moderate calorie needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hereditary ataxia — DNA test. HCM. Deafness in white/blue-eyed cats. Turkish national treasure — Ankara Zoo breeding programme. All colours accepted but white is most iconic. 12-18 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Congenital deafness associated with white coat and blue eyes — the W gene that produces white coat can also disrupt cochlear development. Odd-eyed white Angoras are often deaf on the blue-eyed side. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is elevated. Ataxia occurs in some lines.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Turkish national treasure. White is iconic but all colours exist. Deafness test for white/blue-eyed.
Purchase Price
$600 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Ankara Zoo in Turkey has maintained a breeding programme for Turkish Angoras since the early 20th century to preserve the breed — they focus specifically on the odd-eyed white variety, which is considered the "true" Angora.
The Turkish Angora is considered a national treasure in Turkey — the Ankara cat (Ankara Kedisi) appears on Turkish lira and is associated with Turkish national identity.
White Turkish Angoras with one blue eye and one amber eye are considered the most prized variety — and frequently the blue-eyed side will be deaf, a neurological consequence of the same W gene that produces the white coat.
