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Turkish Angora

Updated on June 17th, 2025
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The Turkish Angora is a graceful, athletic cat with a silky coat and a bright, people-loving personality. Known for being playful and highly interactive, this breed thrives in homes where they can explore, climb, and stay close to their favorite humans.

Temperament

Affectionate, intelligent, energetic

Color

White, black, blue, red, cream, silver, smoke

Characteristic card iconWEIGHT

5 - 9 Pounds

Characteristic card iconHEIGHT

8 - 10 Inches

Characteristic card iconLIFE EXPECTANCY

12 - 18 Years

Maintenance Level

Low Maintenance

High Maintenance

Friendliness

Reserved

Extroverted

About Turkish Angoras

Fun, affectionate and smart, the Turkish Angora is the perfect feline package. They generally do well in households with kids and other pets, and can be great companions for elderly pet owners.

Other Names: Turks

Turkish Angora Appearance

According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the Turkish Angora is accepted in all colors and patterns, including white, black, blue, red, cream, silver, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell, bi-color, and more. While solid white is historically the most well-known, CFA standards do not restrict color or pattern in competition, allowing for wide natural variation within the breed.

Overall, the Turkish Angora is a graceful, muscular cat with a single, silky long coat and an elegant plume-like tail. Despite their refined appearance, they are athletic and agile, combining beauty with strength and balance.

White coat example

Size & Weight

The average Turkish Angora weighs between five and nine pounds. They may stand 8-10 inches tall at the shoulder.
Full Grown
Female
8 in. / 5 lbs.
Male
10 in. / 9 lbs.
Height is measured up to the shoulders.

Characteristics

Size
TinyJumbo
Weight
LightHeavy
Shedding
MinimalAbundant
Coat Length
ShortLong
Grooming Frequency
OccasionalFrequent
Living Space
City apartmentRanch
Exercise
Couch potatoBring it on!
Climate
WarmCold
Personality
AntisocialOutgoing
Behavior with Kids
Always monitorBabysitter

How to Care for a Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora is no wallflower, that’s for sure. Described as energetic, adaptable and loving, Turkish Angoras are often considered dog-like in nature since they love to play and generally do well with other animals. Turks are friendly to loved ones and strangers alike and are likely to be front and center in the home, even when company arrives. The Turkish Angora also adapts readily to different environments, says Beaudry, making themselves right at home in busy households with lots of activity or fitting right in to quieter households.

Cost of Owning

The average cost of owning a Turkish Angora is $950 per year.
$300Vet Care
$200Grooming & Boarding
$250Food & Treats
$200Other

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Fun Facts

The Turkish Angora is considered a national treasure in Turkey, with origins tracing back to the mountainous regions of the country. Historical records suggest the breed has existed since at least the 16th century, making it one of the oldest natural cat breeds in the world.

By the early 1900s, Turkish Angora breed was close to disappearing. A dedicated preservation program at the Ankara Zoo in the 1950s helped revive the breed, carefully protecting its distinctive traits and ensuring its survival.

Turkish angora cats love their pet parents and usually prefer companionships, rarely choosing to spend a majority of their time alone. This breed makes a great addition to a pet-loving home.

Despite being described as delicate, the Turkish Angora is a strong, agile cat with a surprising athletic streak. Their silky coat and plumed tail add to their refined appearance, while their playful, energetic nature keeps them constantly on the move.

History

Origin: Turkey

Turkish Angoras have a fabled history. Believed to have originated in the mountains of Turkey, they are considered a national treasure there. The breed can be traced back to the 16th century, but by the early 1900s, they were nearly extinct. In the 1950s, a breeding program was developed at the Ankara Zoo in Turkey in an effort to revive the cats, and it was there that American servicemen discovered the breed and became enthralled. The first Turkish Angora made an appearance in the U.S. in 1954, but it wasn’t until the mid-1960s that they became more well-known stateside.

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