Anatolian Shorthair

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs vigorous daily play — wand toys and climbing space are gold.

• GroomingWash & go

  Their own tongue does most of the work — an occasional brush helps.

• Living spaceFlexible

  Adapts to most homes; cat trees and window perches help.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment13–17 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Dental issues · Obesity · Urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

The Anatolian Shorthair, also called the Anatoli or Turkish Shorthair, is the naturally occurring short-coated cat of the Lake Van region of eastern Turkey, standardised and recognised by WCF in 2000. It shares its homeland and much of its ancestry with the Turkish Van, including the famous affinity for water: many Anatolians will paddle in a shallow bath, play with a running tap and try to join you in the shower. This is a landrace cat, and it behaves like one. Anatolians are strong, agile, extremely active hunters with loud voices and definite opinions. They bond closely with their family and are usually good with children and other pets, but they will not tolerate being confined to a small space with nothing to do. Give them height, secure outdoor access or a catio, and daily hunting play, and they are cheerful and easy; give them boredom and they get vocal and destructive. Grooming could hardly be simpler: the single short coat needs a weekly brush and no more. Centuries of natural selection left the breed without an inherited disease cluster, and Anatolians are typically long-lived and hardy. The one genuine watchpoint is shared with other white cats: white cats with one or two blue eyes have a substantially raised rate of congenital deafness, so have hearing checked in white blue-eyed kittens and keep a deaf cat safely indoors.

• How much play does a Anatolian Shorthair need?

  High. Needs vigorous daily play — wand toys and climbing space are gold.

• How much grooming does a Anatolian Shorthair need?

  Wash & go. Their own tongue does most of the work — an occasional brush helps.

• Is a Anatolian Shorthair suited to apartment living?

  Flexible. Adapts to most homes; cat trees and window perches help.

• Is a Anatolian Shorthair a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Anatolian Shorthair live?

  13–17 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Anatolian Shorthair?

  Keep an eye out for Dental issues, Obesity, Urinary tract disease (FLUTD). These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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