Turkish Van
Loyal companions who always appreciate a game of fetch, these cats are very intelligent and adept at solving problems (how do I open the cupboard where the cat The Turkish Van is a natural breed from the rugged, remote and climatically varied region of the Middle East. Published data on this breed is thin, so some details below are missing rather than guessed.
Last updated: October 2026 · 5 sources · see sources
| Coat | Longhair [1] |
|---|---|
| Look | The Turkish Van is a natural breed from the rugged, remote and climatically varied region of the Middle East. [1] |
| Personality | Loyal companions who always appreciate a game of fetch, these cats are very intelligent and adept at solving problems (how do I open the cupboard where the cat [1] |
| Recognized by | CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) [1] |
Activity and exercise
Loyal companions who always appreciate a game of fetch, these cats are very intelligent and adept at solving problems (how do I open the cupboard where the cat food lives?). They are not fond of being held or carried, but still crave physical closeness to their owners. [1]
Grooming
One of the easiest longhair breeds to groom, Turkish Vans have no undercoat to tangle up or cause mats. Owners need only run a steel comb through the coat occasionally to remove dead hair. [1]
Health issues to budget for
PetMD's vet-reviewed breed guide lists these conditions to know about: Dental Disease, Obesity. [2]
Estimated costs
| Item | Estimate | Src |
|---|---|---|
| Routine vet visit, any cat (owner bills) | $190–$525 | [3] |
| Yearly cost of a cat, any breed (ASPCA 2021) | $1,149 | [4] |
| Average accident & illness insurance, cat (US 2025) | $435/year | [5] |
Breed-specific price data is rare. These figures are for cats in general or for the conditions above, not a quote for your pet.
Did you know?
- Often confused with the better-known Turkish Angora, the Turkish Van is a distinctly different breed that developed in a geographically distant part of Turkey, the Lake Van area. [1]
- Turkish Vans are thought to have been brought back to Europe by returning Crusaders, but the breed’s modern history began in 1955 when two British photographers traveling through Turkey on behalf of the Turkish Tourist Board brought a pair of unrelated Turkish Vans back to England with them. [1]
- Loyal companions who always appreciate a game of fetch, these cats are very intelligent and adept at solving problems (how do I open the cupboard where the cat food lives?). [1]
Good fit for
- Our sources don't publish fit ratings for this breed. Meet the breed, talk to breeders or rescues, and read the profile above.