"Header photo" by Estin Giç Giç, Modifications: Added text and brand logo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 / A derivative from the original work

The Van cat is one of the most distinctive-looking cats, with its white coat and multi-coloured eyes. Learn more about this adorable breed, where it comes from, and how it differs from other feline friends.

History of the breed

The Van cat takes its name from the Turkish city of Van. White cats have been spotted around Lake Van for centuries, sometimes even swimming in the body of water! However, some believe the cat originated in neighbouring Armenia's highlands, while others still refer to it as Armenian White.

By the turn of the 20th century, visitors to Turkey had observed the cat and taken it to other parts of the world. The cat is depicted in the painting ‘A Young Girl with a White Cat’ by the artist Antoine Jean Bail. The Van breed drew attention in Europe as many cats in the region before were short-haired, while this new breed was a long-haired cat that was slightly different in the eye. The cat was initially known as the ‘Turkish Cat’ in English-speaking countries until its moniker changed to incorporate the area's ancestry, Van.

Physical attributes of the Van cat breed

Of course, this cat's first and most striking feature is its fine, long, white hair. Vans are commonly exclusively white, although some have been known to have amber notes around the head or tail. Their hair is thicker in winter to protect against the lack of heat, while in summer, vans shed their hair to cool down.

It is also very common for the breed to have different-coloured eyes, blue and green, which is known in the vet world as heterochromia. Another standard feature is that the van is relatively large compared to other cats; however, they tend to grow over a more extended period, usually fully grown at around three years old. 

They are typically muscular cats (developed from years of swimming in Lake Van!) with broad shoulders, a large head, and a long tail - accompanied by a short neck.

Mentality of the Van Cat

The Van Cat is best described as energetic, playful, and fun-loving. It wants a lot of attention from its humans, making it perfect for pet owners with lots of free time to dedicate to their feline friends. Van cats love running and jumping, especially with interactive toys that soar. They love to combine exercise with play.

As stated above, these cats are relatively substantial. Coupled with their playful demeanour, they commonly ascend to high locations like your bookcase, mantlepiece, or stairs to get the best view of the home. This can bring out some rascal behaviour, as they aren’t precious over ornaments. Be sure to monitor them to avoid unwanted breakages!

This breed isn’t the loudest cat but isn’t the quietest either, with a medium tendency to vocalise their thoughts. However, that’s not due to a lack of intelligence; some have been known to learn how to play fetch. In addition, they tend to behave well with other pets and even children due to their social awareness, which stems from their intelligence.

Nutritional needs of the Van cat

"Cat photo" by Bertilvidet, Modifications: Added text and brand logo is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

There are no specific dietary requirements for the Van cat breed. However, feeding them high-quality protein cat food would be wise given their active lifestyle. The Innocent Cat has plenty of that… whether as a one-time purchase or a cat food subscription!

With two distinct flavours of air-dried cat food and three different cat treat options, your Van cat never needs to go hungry again! Our food is handcrafted right here in Yorkshire within our grain-free facility, making us different from other cat food brands!

If you have a kitten, Van cat, or another cat completely, this cat food will do the trick if they are eight weeks old or older. You can add it to your cat food dispenser or cat food bowl!

Popularity of the breed

The Van Cat has been named one of the world's five most popular cat breeds. Because of its historical ties to Turkey, the breed is popular there and widely appreciated in the Caucasus region (i.e., Azerbaijan, Armenia, and surrounding nations). It is also becoming very popular in the United Kingdom.