The Ceylon cat is a very rare breed. It’s also the only cat breed developed in Italy, although its origins are far more exotic. Its main hallmark is a unique coat: ticking plus tabby markings.
History of the Breed
As the name suggests, the breed’s homeland is Ceylon, today the island of Sri Lanka. In 1984, Italian doctor Paolo Pellegatta traveled there. He liked the local cats so much that he brought several back to Italy. There, together with other breeders, he started a breeding program to establish the new breed, eliminate undesirable traits and set a standard.
The breed’s exact genetic origin is unknown. Sri Lanka had other red and spotted cats that could have been ancestors of the cats we know today. It’s also possible that wild cats played a part in their natural selection.
The breed is somewhat similar to the Thai cat.
Ceylon Cat Breed Description
The Ceylon cat is small to medium-sized. An adult weighs about 5.5–9 lb.
The breed standard and a detailed description according to the World Cat Federation (WCF):
- Head: round, short and broad, with prominent cheekbones, a slightly flat forehead, a gently curved profile and a well-defined chin and lower jaw;
- Ears: large, wide at the base, with slightly rounded tips, set high and close together;
- Eyes: large and set wide apart; the upper edge is almond-shaped and the lower edge round. Color: bright yellow to green;
- Nose: short;
- Body: small to medium, compact, with a well-developed chest, broad shoulders and hips, and a rounded belly;
- Legs: medium length, slender, with rounded paws;
- Tail: relatively short, tapering to a rounded tip;
- Coat: very short, fine and silky, lying close to the body, with a small undercoat.
Personality
The Ceylon cat is very lively and active. It’s always curious about what’s going on around it, and it adapts quickly to new surroundings. The Ceylon loves big, open spaces but does fine in an apartment as long as it has room to roam.
Owners say these cats are obedient and not at all aggressive. They’re balanced and patient, love affection and bond with their owners. They’re also friendly and trusting toward strangers.
Care and Health
The Ceylon is still a very rare breed, so there isn’t complete information yet about its health and care. It’s been noted that because of its short nose, the Ceylon cat is more prone to colds. That’s why it’s important that your pet gets complete, vitamin-rich nutrition.
Overall, caring for a Ceylon cat is standard for shorthaired cats: occasional baths, brushing a couple of times a week, and cleaning the ears, teeth and eyes.
Feeding
The right diet also matters for keeping the coat beautiful. So in addition to a quality commercial food, Ceylon cats can be fed vegetables, greens, lean cooked meat and organ meats. Grains are poorly digested, so offer them only in small amounts, if at all.
Colors
The Ceylon cat usually has a solid ticked background color, which makes it look like the Abyssinian. But its legs have tabby markings, which Abyssinians once had too. That’s why the Ceylon is often compared to a “wild” Abyssinian.
The background color can range from sandy to golden. The ticking color varies too:
- black,
- red,
- tortie (tortoiseshell),
- blue,
- cream,
- blue-cream.
Black ticking on a sandy background is called the “Manila” color.
On the neck, the stripes may be broken. The back, legs and tail show a clear striped pattern, and the forehead has an “M” marking. There are two rows of spots on the belly. The tail tip matches the ticking color. The paw pads match the coat, and the nose is pink with an outline matching the coat.
Here’s what a Ceylon cat looks like:
How Much Does a Ceylon Cat Cost?
How much will a Ceylon kitten cost you? This is an extremely rare breed that’s hard to find at all. It’s made harder by the fact that Ceylon cats may not be crossed with other breeds. So kittens will be expensive, but we couldn’t find reliable price figures, and there’s no established US price.
Where to Buy a Ceylon Cat
Practically all Ceylon catteries and breeders are in Italy, the breed’s second homeland. The CFA and TICA don’t recognize the breed, and we couldn’t find a US cattery. To find a breeder, start with the World Cat Federation (WCF) and its Italian member clubs, and plan for import costs (shipping or a flight nanny, a vet health certificate and a rabies vaccination).
If you see Ceylon kittens advertised online, read reviews of the seller carefully and insist on papers for the kitten. Meanwhile, if you like the look, consider the Abyssinian, which the Ceylon is often compared to and which is easy to find from registered US breeders:
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
