A Himalayan is a Persian with Siamese coloring, which means it inherits the Persian's flattened face and everything that comes with it — chronic breathing difficulty, constant eye tearing and staining, and, per veterinary surveys, roughly a one-in-three-to-one-in-two chance historically of carrying the dominant gene for polycystic kidney disease that will eventually cause kidney failure.
Health tests to ask the breeder for
There is no CHIC program for cats. These are the DNA and screening tests that the testing laboratories and cat health bodies name for the Himalayan. A breeder who tests will show the certificates; a DNA result of "clear" for one variant is not a guarantee against the disease.
- PKD1 DNA test (UC Davis VGL / Langford Vets) screens for autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease
- PRA-pd (AIPL1) DNA test (UC Davis VGL / Langford 'Persian PRA') screens for early-onset progressive retinal atrophy
When to spay or neuter: by five months, whatever the breed. That is the one answer the AVMA, the feline practitioners and AAHA all give, and the spay and neuter page has why, and the two weeks after.
Eye ulcers: in cats they usually come from the herpes virus, and Himalayans are among the breeds most prone to a sequestrum, a patch of cornea that dies and turns dark. Steroid eye drops can set the virus off again. The eye ulcer page has the signs and what to ask the vet.
Sources: vgl.ucdavis.edu · vgl.ucdavis.edu · langfordvets.co.uk. Checked September 2026. Check a breeder has the questions.
Adopt a Himalayan near you
Shelters and rescues list Himalayans and Himalayan mixes on Petfinder. Enter a ZIP code to see who is waiting within 100 miles.
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Living with a Himalayan
The long coat mats within days without daily combing, and the flat face means near-constant tear staining that needs cleaning around the eyes. This is a calm, quiet lap cat that's content indoors, but the same face that makes it look 'cute' is also why it breathes, cools itself, and sees less easily than a normal-nosed cat.
Health you should know about
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — a dominant gene; historically found in roughly 36-49% of Persians and Himalayans tested, making it the most common inherited disease in cats, though positive-test rates have fallen substantially since DNA screening became widely available.
- Brachycephalic airway and eye problems — the flattened face causes chronic tear overflow (epiphora) and staining, plus elevated rates of corneal ulcers, corneal sequestration, and respiratory infection or feline asthma.
- Idiopathic facial dermatitis ('dirty face disease') — a chronic skin condition seen almost exclusively in Persians and Himalayans.
Read the full Cat Care Guide first — costs, daily time, and everything a cat needs before you choose a breed.
Naming a Himalayan? Persian cat names, 80 of them, with what they mean.
Sources — 3 references
Last reviewed October 2026. 3 sources listed below. Written and maintained by Petdeals.io. General care information, not veterinary advice — for a sick animal, call a vet.