The Turkish Van, also known as the “swimming cat”, originates from the area surrounding Lake Van in southeastern Turkey. For centuries, the breed lived in a harsh climate — enduring hot summers and freezing winters. These natural conditions allowed the Turkish Van to develop without human intervention, resulting in a hardy, curious, and adaptable breed that has retained its resilience to this day.
Formal breeding programs began in the 20th century, and the Turkish Van quickly gained popularity across Europe thanks to its striking appearance and… love of water.
What truly sets the Turkish Van apart from other breeds is its fascination with water. Unlike most cats, Vans happily jump into bathtubs, paddle through puddles, or play in water bowls. This breed has a delicate fold of skin between its toes, forming a kind of webbing that allows the paws to act like tiny flippers, making swimming easier.
Its water-resistant coat has hydrophobic properties, meaning it’s almost waterproof. This enables the cat to move through water with ease, even at lower temperatures.
The Turkish Van is a medium-sized, well-muscled cat with a broad chest and a wedge-shaped head.
Weight: Females typically weigh 4–6 kg, while males reach 6–8 kg.
Coat: Semi-long, silky, and seasonally variable — light and without undercoat in summer, becoming dense, plush, and warm in winter.
Tail: Bushy and richly coated, often tabby-patterned and coloured to match the head markings.
Legs: Medium-length, strong, with large paws and tufts of fur between the toes.
The most distinctive feature of the breed is its unique coat pattern, known as the “Van pattern.” The base is pure white, with one or two coloured patches on the head and a fully coloured tail matching those patches. The most common colour is red, but black, cream, blue, and tortie variations also occur. The tail should be clearly tabby-patterned, with colour starting at or just above the base.
The Turkish Van’s eyes are equally captivating — they can be amber, blue, or odd-eyed (one amber, one blue), adding to the breed’s striking appearance.
The Turkish Van is a cat full of energy, grace, and character. It is known for its:
- Intelligence and curiosity – quickly learns new rules, can open doors and cupboards,
- Sociability – enjoys spending time with its owner and often seeks attention,
- Activity – loves climbing, playing, and engaging in water games,
- Communication skills – Vans are famous for their “conversations” with humans. Their voices resemble melodious cooing, with modulated tones that sound as if they are genuinely trying to respond.
Their cheerful, gentle disposition makes them excellent companions for families with children and other pets.
Despite their semi-long coat, Turkish Vans are relatively easy to groom:
- In summer, light brushing once a week is sufficient,
- In winter, when the coat thickens, more frequent brushing helps remove dead hair,
- Because of their love of water, it’s important to check skin and ears regularly after baths.
The breed is generally healthy and long-lived, but like all cats, they require routine vaccinations, deworming, and regular veterinary check-ups.
The Turkish Van is an ideal choice for people who:
- are looking for an active and intelligent cat,
- appreciate a unique appearance and a rare breed,
- are willing to spend time playing, teaching tricks, or even enjoying water activities together.
Turkish Vans thrive in homes where they can explore their surroundings and interact with water — for example, with access to a safe garden, secure balcony, or a cat fountain.
In our cattery, Turkish Vans are raised in a loving home environment. From their very first days, they are exposed to people and everyday household sounds.
This ensures that our kittens are well socialized, confident, and fully prepared for their new families. Each kitten leaves our cattery with: a pedigree, a full vaccination and deworming schedule, and care and feeding guidelines to support a smooth transition to their new home.
Contact us to learn more about our available Turkish Van kittens and reserve your very own “swimming cat.”
