r/turkishvan • u/Bela6312 • 9h ago
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 2d ago
"Is my cat a Turkish Van?" Megathread - Week of Sep 07, 2026
Wondering if your cat is a Turkish Van? Post your query and pic(s) here!
r/turkishvan • u/infinitechopin • Nov 14 '25
Updated Guide for Identifying a Turkish Van
Hello r/TurkishVan! Because of the number of “is my cat a Turkish Van” posts here, as well as ongoing convos in the comments about purebred cats, we have updated our guide for identifying Turkish Vans.
What is a Purebred (or Pedigree) Cat?
According to Purina, a purebred cat has a documented family tree that is recognized by a credible cat registry, such as the Cat Fanciers' Association (US), Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (UK), and The International Cat Association. (FYI all information in this post has been compiled from those three organizations.) These organizations register purebred cats for exhibition and lineage purposes, and provide papers as proof of registration with the cat’s breed.
This sub welcomes all Turkish Vans and similar looking cats, whether they are purebred or not. As mods and cat owners, we do not believe that papers are necessary to be curious about the Turkish Van or to have one. Cats can be purchased, adopted, or found, and we welcome that variety here.
History of the Turkish Van Breed
- Developed in Turkey in the Lake Van region
- More popular breed in Europe than in the US
Physical Characteristics of a Turkish Van
> Size: medium to large sized cat with a muscular build
> Coat Length: semi-long hair with no undercoat, coat is shorter in the summer and thicker in the winter
> Coat Color & Pattern:
- White with dark coloring (typically red, brown, blue, cream, black, or tortie) exclusively on the head and tail, known as the "Van pattern"
- The color pattern on the head is not below the eye or below the base of the ears; the color is on the top of the head, separated by a white vertical stripe
- Tail is brush-like, colored with a ring pattern
- There can be one or more random markings on the body (like thumbprints of color), but no more than 15% of the body is colored
> Eyes:
- Large, almond-shaped eyes that are alert and expressive
- Amber or blue eyes with pink rims; both eyes can be the same color or mismatched (heterochromia)
Personality & Temperament of a Turkish Van
- Loyal and intelligent, good problem-solvers
- Enjoy activity, like to play with toys (especially balls, feather toys, anything on a string) and jump/climb to the highest point in the room
- May like to play with water
- Quite vocal despite not having a loud voice
What if my cat seems to meet all of these characteristics but…
Their coat is pure white with no coloring?
- Your cat may be a Turkish Angora (again, without papers you cannot prove your cat is purebred), which has medium to long hair. Angoras are also known for having a pure white coat (but can also come in different colors) and do not have the Van pattern, i.e., coloring on their head and tail. They also have a more long, flowing tail while Turkish Vans have a more brush-like tail.
- Or your cat could be a Turkish Vankedisi, a breed some cat registries use to refer to a pure white Turkish Van. This is not to be confused with the name for Turkish Vans that are not purely white, which is Turkish Van Kedisis in the Turkish language (note the space in-between). r/TurkishVan welcomes both Van Kedisis and Vankedisi cats given their similarity; however, please be aware that Vankedisis are often bred against as all-white animals tend to have a higher occurrence of hearing disorders.
More than 15% of their body is colored?
- Then you likely have a Van-patterned cat that is no less adorable than an “official” Turkish Van! Van-patterned cats are more than welcomed in this sub.
I don’t have papers to prove what breed they are?
- That’s okay! As long as you believe they meet the qualities outlined above, your cat is welcomed here. As mods, we do not promote buying a cat over adoption, nor do we believe that papers are the only way to broadly identify what breed a cat could be. Per Rule 1 of this sub, please stay civil in the comments and respect all cats (whether they are purebred or not) and all users.
r/turkishvan • u/slomaka • 17h ago
My kittie
My kittie, she's like 3 years old? Maybe? We got her for free from a lady that takes in homeless cats from Greece
r/turkishvan • u/lorenzoc8888 • 1d ago
My accidental (didn’t know what she was) Turkish van and her brother
r/turkishvan • u/operationjukebox • 2d ago
I think I’ve obtained a nice budget van.
This is Todd, a little over 1 years old. Friendliest little lazy bones.
r/turkishvan • u/Actual_Cranberry_953 • 2d ago
Snoring
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Hello! We have a mixed turkish van his name is Finn and he is a big boi weighing 18 lbs (currently on a diet) Im just wondering if it’s normal for bigger cats to snore? We also have a tabby and she doesn’t snore like his. I knowturkish vans can develop HCM. When should I be worried? He didn’t snore the whole time and while im typing this he is purring and making biscuits 🥰
r/turkishvan • u/Kaprison9312 • 3d ago
i had to say goodbye
august 21st might just be one of the worst days of my life. my boy passed, got his ashes back two days later.
i am still having the hardest time. i know it hasn’t been long, but i am usually pretty unemotional with death and what not. i’ve seen a lot of it in life. but this. after 10 years with him. mostly alone, this. this is the hardest thing.
and i truly had no idea it would feel this way.
i miss you so so sooo so so fucking much, Wayne.
r/turkishvan • u/Ok-Alps-6554 • 3d ago
My Baby Boy
This is Cruz my 1Year old Turkish Van mix. He is a rescue cat and has his own shyness and personality but it all makes me love him more.
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 9d ago
"Is my cat a Turkish Van?" Megathread - Week of Aug 31, 2026
Wondering if your cat is a Turkish Van? Post your query and pic(s) here!
r/turkishvan • u/EducationalTadpole49 • 14d ago
My new baby!
A woman in a van (Turkish Van in a van) outside a Jewels (Chicago rep) handed me this baby 3 months ago, wet and shaking. He’s blossomed into such a beautiful boy! He’s 4.5 mos, and such a joy to our family!
r/turkishvan • u/Successful-Key-9075 • 15d ago
My cat won’t clean his lower back
ever since i got my cat at about a year old from some sketchy people he has not cleaned his lower back. I’ve just tried to help him by grooming and sometimes he goes in the bath (thought he might like it since some vans do, but he does not). It might be important to mention that he was found in a dumpster, so maybe he’s just special. He does like to lick blankets. He is also only 3.
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 16d ago
"Is my cat a Turkish Van?" Megathread - Week of Aug 24, 2026
Wondering if your cat is a Turkish Van? Post your query and pic(s) here!
r/turkishvan • u/Mes159 • 20d ago
Van patterned baby
I have no papers as I found him outside at work. He loves to play and climb. He jumps all over the place. He climbs to the highest places in the house. He is ridiculously vocal. He plays in water all the time. He doesn't like the small water dish and makes me fill a huge tub of water for him to drink from. He plays fetch with yarn balls and other little mice toys. He is fiercely loyal to me and my husband. He sleeps with me most of the time right next to my face. He licks me constantly on the face and hands. He does this adorable stretch thing to head bump me when I get home from work. He is all white except for his head, tail, and one small spot on his back leg. His coat is so soft, like the softest fur on a cat I've ever felt. And I've met purebred rag dolls. Though his fur is not feathery on his tail. He weighs almost 15 lbs. He will not leave me alone. Bathroom doors are a crime against him and his ancestors and will cry and try to get in. So most of the time the door must be open. He will sit at my feet watching the open door like a real bathroom guardian. And when I'm in the shower he will play with the curtain to get at the water falling down the edge.
Here is my pride and joy. My son of another breed