The Indian climate is comparatively hotter. A major portion of the year has summer and monsoon, while winters come for just a few months. If you are planning to buy a cat in India, you need to know the best cat breed that can survive easily in the Indian Climate. Generally, cats with short fur and strong immunity are considered best for India because they require less grooming and external support for survival. Some cats that can survive in the Indian climate are Desi cats or street cats, Bengal cats, and Siamese cats.
Moreover, while buying a cat, you must always choose a truncated breeder and get complete information about their vaccination, grooming, health conditions, etc. Here, we will discuss the best cat breeds for the Indian climate.
Types of cat breeds in India
Here is the list of cats life span that can survive in the Indian climate without any major efforts:
S.no | Cat breed Name | Life Span | Coat length | Breed size | Color |
1. | Siamese cats | Male- 12- 20 years Female- 12- 20 years. | Siamese cats have short coat lengths. | Length-Medium Male- 9-14 inchesFemale – 6-10inch Weight Male- 4.5 – 6.8kg Female- 3.6-5.4 kg | Cream with dark brown (sealBlueChocolateLilac points. |
2. | Bengal cats | Male- 9-15 years Female- 9-15 years | Bengal cats have short coat lengths. | Length- MediumMale- 8-10 inchFemale-8-10 inch WeightMale-10-15 pound Female-6-12 pound | BrownSilverSnow color. |
3. | Indian cats | Male-12-16 years Female – 3-6 years | Indian cats have short coat length | Length– MediumMale – 18-22 inchesFemale -16-20 inches WeightMale-7-12 pound Female-4-8 pound | TabbyWhiteBlack GingerGrey |
4. | Burmese | Male-10-16 years Female-10-16 years | Burmese cats have short coat length | Length- MediumMale- 17-22 inchesFemale- 17-22 inches WeightMale- 3.6-5.4kg Female- 2.7- 4.5kg | SableChampagneBluePlatinum. |
5. | Oriental Short-hair cat | Male-12-15 years Female-12-15 years | Oriental short-haired cats have short coat lengths. | Length- MediumMale-11-14 inchFemale- 11-14 inches WeightMale- 3.6-5.5 kg Female- 3.6-4.5kg | Over 300 colour combinations. |
6. | Bombay cats | Male-12-18 years Female-12-18 years | Bombay cats have short coat lengths. | Length- MediumMale-13-20 inchesFemale-18-22 inches WeightMale- 8-15 poundsFemale- 6-9 pounds | Jet black |
7. | Exotic short-hair cats. | Male-12-15 years Female-12-15 years. | Exotic short-hair cats have short coat lengths. | Length- MediumMale- 16-19 inches Female- 16-19 inches WeightMale- 10-15 poundsFemale- 8-12 pounds. | Distinct colors and patterns. |
Details of cat breeds suitable for the Indian climate
Here we will discuss the cat breeds for the Indian climate in detail:
- Siamese cats
Siamese cats are popular pets in India because of their royal and classy look. They were originally bred in Thailand and people called them Siam. Siamese cats are playful, affectionate, and form strong bonds with their owners. They have short fur coats that feature a light color body with darker points on the face, ears, tail, and paws. Generally, male cats are slightly larger and heavier than female cats. The weight of the male cats lies between 4kg to 6 kg, while female cats are around 2.5kg to 4.5 kg.
Color | Size | Behavior | Grooming needs |
Cream with dark brown, blue, seal, lilac, etc. | Medium | Affectionate and social, vocal and chatty, playful, etc. | Low maintenance requires regular brushing only once a week. |
- Bengal cat
The Bengal cats resemble small leopards as they have spotted or marbled coats. Some also have a shimmery effect on their coat. They are very intelligent and learn tricks and games very quickly. Bengal cats need lots of physical and mental stimulation. These cats are loyal to their owner. They need minimal grooming due to the short coat and weekly brushing is enough for regular grooming.
Color | Size | Behavior | Grooming needs |
Brown, silver, seal, lynx, seal mink, charcoal, blue. | Medium to large | Curious, Intelligent, climbing and jumping vocal, active | Bengal cats don’t need much care for their coat. They only need bruising in spring when their coat sheds. |
- Indian cat
Indian cats are often referred to as Desi Billi. These cats are hard, smart, independent, and well-adapted to Indian weather. They usually have short coats which are easy to maintain. These cats are good hunters and climbers.
Color | Size | Behavior | Grooming needs |
Tabby, white, black, ginger, grey. | Medium-sized | They are smart, intelligent, resilient, etc. | They need minimal grooming. |
- Burmese cat
Burmese cats have sleek, short, shiny, and beautiful coats with a social nature and strong bond with humans. They have muscular, well-balanced bodies, rounded heads with large and expressive eyes, and soft, sweet voices. Generally, they are healthy but sometimes prone to low potassium. They needed regular exercise because of their high activity level.
Color | Size | Behavior | Grooming needs |
Sable, blue, lilac, chocolate, red | Medium-sized | These cats have a dog-like nature, loving, vocal | They need grooming once a week. |
- Oriental short-hair cat
The oriental short-hair cats originated from the United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. They are domestic cats, known for their sleek body and appearance. These cats are very intelligent and possess strong personalities and affectionate, social, and curious behavior. With proper care, Oriental shorthair cats can live from 12 to 15 years.
Color | Size | Behavior | Grooming needs |
Cinnamon, Fawn, white, lavender, ebony. | Medium-sized cat | Sociable, and attention-seeking behavior | Minimal grooming. With regular brushing and dental care. |
Read More: Why Cats Scratch and What You Can Do |
Diseases occur in cats due to extreme summers in India
Various diseases occur in cats due to heat:
- Heatstroke
In summer, cats suffer from heatstroke because of poor ventilation, dehydration, etc. Cats with thick fur usually face the issue of heatstroke. Short-fur cats find it comfortable even in summer because they get proper ventilation.
Tips for prevention
- Keep your cats indoors during extreme summer.
- Keep them in fans, and shades, and provide them with air conditioning.
- Provide them with cool water.
- Skin rashes/ infection
In hot and humid climates, cats suffer from fungal infections. They feel itching on their skin and also have circular-shaped patches.
Tips for prevention
- Clean the place where your cats live.
- Prevent the use of fragrances.
- Fleas & Ticks
Flea and ticks infection in cats are very common in the summer. They feel itchy on their skin and you can also notice rashes.
Tips for prevention
- Bath them but never use human shampoo.
- Provide them with proper vaccination after consulting the veterinarian.
Take Care Of Cat : Cat Grooming in Mumbai | Cat Grooming in Bangalore | Cat Grooming in Delhi NCR
Conclusion
India has hot and humid weather, so it is important for you to choose wisely before buying cats. Buy cats that can stay healthy and comfortable, such as Siamese, Bengal, Bombay, British short-hair, Oriental short-hair, Indian cats, Burmese, etc. They can adapt well to Indian weather.
FAQs
1) Which cat breed is best for the Indian climate?
Cats with short hair and low maintenance needs are the best for Indian weather. Burmese, oriental short-hair, British short-hair, Siamese, American short-hair, Indian cat, etc. can survive well.
2) Can we keep long-haired cats like Persian and Turkish in India?
In India, because of the hot and humid climate, long-haired cats like Turkish, Persian, Maine coon, etc. can not live healthier and more comfortable lives. If you want to buy these cats, you have to offer them proper air conditioning and regular grooming to stay comfortable and healthier in the Indian climate.
3) What remedies can we use at home to keep our cats cool?
To keep your cats cool, you can provide cool shaded areas, fans, or air conditioners, give them plenty of fresh and cold water, and give them wet food rather than dry food. Brush your cats every 2 days to remove excess fur. Don’t let them go outside on hot summer days.
4) Can we give baths to cats due to the hot summer and dust?
Yes, It is necessary to give a bath to your cat twice a month in summer and dusty weather. It helps your cat to stay healthy and fresh but always use cat-safe shampoo.
5) What does it cost to buy a cat in India?
You can easily buy a cat in India from Rs. 5000 – Rs. 15000 but there are additional cats also associated such as Rs. 1,000 – Rs. 2,000 for food, Rs. 500 – Rs. 1,000 for litter, Rs. 2,000 – Rs. 4,000 for vaccination and regular checkups, grooming, etc.
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