Need info on Himalayans

I just got a himalayan from someone (rescue), but I don't know much about them. She said it was a flame point, but I'm not sure, I'll post a picture and maybe someone could tell me?
I know that they need to be brushed alot since they're long hair, but do they need to be bathed or not? He seems a little greasy.
Also, what common health problems are they prone to, and what should I watch out for.
He has very small eyes that weep alot. They have been checked by a vet and he said they're not blocked tear ducts. Are himmies known to have weepy eyes?

Thanks for any info.

What a sweet looking boy! I love that profile. He looks like a flame point to me as well.
In the CFA, Himalayans are the same breed as Persians. Basically, a Himalayan is a pointed Persian, so most everything that applies to a Persian will apply to a Himalayan.
If his coat feels greasy, I would reccomend a regular clarifying shampoo (people shampoo is fine for this) followed by a cat shampoo with conditioning agents. Not all cats need to be bathed all the time, it really is whatever you prefer. I have a Turkish Van that gets a little greasy, so he will see a bath at least once a month (more if he's at a cat show).

Ferris is right. Flame pointed definately. As for bathing, I bathe my Persian twice a month, and I comb daily.

Oh yeah hes a flame point and lovely. You have gotten good advice so far.

and yes it is normal for the weepy eyes. Persians and Himmis get it. I reccomend Eye envy works GREAT!

He is a very lovely flame point! For greasy coats:

Rub down with Goop handcleaner (or now they have a groomers goop you can buy online).
Rinse
lather up with dawn dishwashing liquid
Rinse
lather up with cat shampoo. I like to use one with a conditioner already in it.
Final rinse with 2-3 Gallons of warm water with 2-3 tablespoons of white vinegar in it.

It sounds like a lot but it doesn't take very long once you get used to it. Works wonders for a greasy coat (if he has one). My Jake (RIP) was terribly greasy on his belly and legs. He was a red tabby Persian. When I'd use this process on him I'd only have to bathe him every 6-8 weeks.

Eye Envy is a must for runny eyed, light colored Persians!

How do you people wash your persians? They just sit and let you do it? Seriously?
I tried to wash my persian and he scratched me badly while trying to get away from the water.
So now I use waterless shampoo for cats. It's being sold in a pet store. If you cat is scared of water use waterless shampoo. They also sell powders you can brush into the coat so the cat smells nice. These cats need to be brushed a lot.
It's a flame point, very pretty. I have a cream point.
The eyes need to be wiped out regularly. The facial structure is very flat and if the vet says the eyes are not infected then it's probably just because of flat facial structure. Pet stores sell eye wipes for cats and that is what I use.

To add to the grooming:

Don't use a brush - use a fine-toothed and medium-toothed comb and comb daily or every other day to keep out mats/tangles.

Also after you wash him, you need to blow dry. Longhairs should never be left to air dry. Their coat will tangle and mat.

Thank you all for the great info. I have been brushing him everyday. He didn't like it at first and had a few matts that I had to cut out, but now he seems pretty good with it. I did use a brush the first time, but realized that it didn't work that great, so I did go out and buy a fine toothed comb and it works great. I also bought a matt remover just incase.
The person I got him from said that if his eye's arn't cleaned everyday, he will get an eye infection. Is that just because of the weepy eyes, or is that not normal? I soak them using cotton balls for a few minutes and then wipe and brush the goop out once a day.
I'm not sure if he likes water or not. That'll be fun to find out. Someone also told me to brush him before he gets a bath, and then again after. IS this right?

Yes, before you wash him get EVERY tangle/mat out of his coat or you won't after he's wet!

And as you blow dry him you need to comb. Do a section at a time. They hate the belly part, so do that last

Beautiful Flame Point!! I currently have an 11wk old Flame Pt and keep debating on selling him or keeping him for my program. Flame Pts are soo beautiful, I am having a hard time parting.

As for bathing, I bath mine approx every 3-4 weeks. Depends on the cat. What others suggusted for bathing the greasy coats works great. Groomers goop or Dawn soap. Eve Envy is a wonderful product for persian/Himmy eyes.

Valerie

He is so beautiful! Yes, combing is very important for long haired cats and everyone has given you excellent advice. We have 3 persians. Duchess was a silver shaded chinchilla persian...and one of a kind. You will enjoy their laid back personalities and they are very loyal to their owners.

Before bathing, comb and then brush. This will get out any dead hair. IMO, if you're using Groomer's goop, you don't need to follow up with dishwashing liquid UNLESS the coat is seriously greasy. What I would do is Goop, clarifying shampoo and then condition. But that's just me.

As for drying, make sure the section of the cat you are working on is about 70% dry before you start combing. Combing while wet may cause hair shafts to break.

But you need to use a wider spaced comb when blow drying. You can't just blow dry without combing - it will get "tangled" looking and not be smooth.

I gave him a bath a few days ago, and he was an angel. I had to climb into the bath tub though, but other than that, he was great. Didn't like the blow dryer much though . He's nice and fluffy now though.

Originally Posted by gothicangel69

I gave him a bath a few days ago, and he was an angel. I had to climb into the bath tub though, but other than that, he was great. Didn't like the blow dryer much though

. He's nice and fluffy now though.

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My cats must be freaks. I can't give them a bath.

Do you have new updated photos after his bath?

Not yet. I left my camera at my mother's house. I'll take some as soon as I can though.

Originally Posted by gothicangel69

The person I got him from said that if his eye's arn't cleaned everyday, he will get an eye infection. Is that just because of the weepy eyes, or is that not normal?

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I don't think anyone else covered this. I don't know a lot about Persians, but instinct tells me that if a lot of goop builds up around the eye and tear duct it could trap bacteria and become a bit of a breeding ground, so I'd say it is possible, and just a gentle wipe daily like you're doing is a good idea.

My wife and I are in the process of looking for a himmi, is there much difference betwen the male and female as far as personality, behaviour goes, we both want a gentle loving animal ( we know this breed is) but is one better than the other (male/female) thanks in advance

Males tend to be a little more outgoing and friendly, but either will do fine. Males usually are bigger when full grown. I prefer males over the females.

Originally Posted by Epona

I don't think anyone else covered this. I don't know a lot about Persians, but instinct tells me that if a lot of goop builds up around the eye and tear duct it could trap bacteria and become a bit of a breeding ground, so I'd say it is possible, and just a gentle wipe daily like you're doing is a good idea.

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It's also advisable to clean the eye area daily to avoid staining as well.