Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, a suitable diet and good medical follow-up, the Himalayan can live from 12 to 17 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Build
A robust breed?
Not very hardy. Care and monitoring make the difference between a comfortable cat and a cat in difficulty. An exclusively indoor life, well managed, suits him.
Watch points
What to watch for
Breathing, tearing, teeth, thirst, appetite, knots, constipation linked to hair. A respiratory change in hot weather is an alert.
Polycystic kidney disease : As with the Persian, PKD screening is strongly recommended.
Breathing : Very flat faces breathe less well, especially in hot weather or when overweight.
Tearing : The eyes must be cleaned regularly.
Teeth : The small mouth promotes tartar and crowding.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Uncomfortable in high heat, especially if the nose is very short. Temperate indoors, never in a closed car in the sun.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The Himalayan must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match the actual activity, age and neutering. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Brush very regularly to avoid knots.
- Clean the eyes as soon as they start to run.
- Monitor breathing in hot weather.
- Ask for the parents' PKD status.
Vaccination
Himalayan vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Himalayan? Like all dogs, the Himalayan receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Himalayan is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Himalayan vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Himalayan?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Himalayan
PKD, kidneys, eyes, teeth, breathing. Ask for the breeders' tests. Prefer a less flat type.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
