Along with the Siamese and Persian cat breeds, the Javanese is a precursor to many of the cat breeds that followed years later. However, despite being the progenitor of so many other breeds, the Javanese is not as popular a breed as the others. With his graceful pose and sweet gesture, we can’t understand it! Anyone who has adopted a Javanese at home will know that he is one of the cutest felines you will ever meet. In this article we bring you everything you need to know about their characteristics, temperament, care and health, as well as shedding some light on their ancestral origins.

Origin of the Javanese cat

The Javanese shorthair cat originates from Thailand. Since medieval times they have enjoyed great popularity and today, they are a breed of cats recognized as a national of Thailand.

However, it wasn’t until the 20th century (the 1950s to be more precise) that international breeders outside of Asia began to show more interest in this breed. They expanded their presence in Europe and the United States, where it was finally officially recognized in the 1970s.

While the origins of the breed go back thousands of years, there have been changes since then. It is believed that the breed that we know today is the result of the crossing of the Siamese cat with breeds such as the British or the American shorthair. Some of them are considered one-color relatives of the Siamese cat.

Characteristics of the Javanese cat

The Javanese shorthair cat is a medium-sized breed of cat that usually weighs between 4 and 5 kg. They have a slender but muscular body with elongated limbs. This gives them an elegant appearance. Its tail is equally long and pointed, with small legs. As a whole, they have the appearance of being a very light and agile animal.

The head of the Javanese cat is also quite uniquely shaped. Its skull is triangular, with a wide upper part that tapers towards a pointed chin. Its muzzle is long with an elongated and straight slope. Their ears are very characteristic, they sit on their head and radiate like large satellite dishes. Their eyes are almond-shaped and do not stick out. The color of the eyes is usually bright green, but they can vary.

The coat of Javanese cats is fine, silky, and, unsurprisingly, short. It grows directly from the skin and does not have a shaggy undercoat like some other breeds. Hair color typically ranges between warm and light tones, although there are brindle, black and bicolor, these patterns include smoky, brindle, tortoiseshell and bicolor patterns.

Javanese cat character

With the Javanese we talk about a cat that stands out for its desire to communicate. They have a powerful meow and will easily use it to convey their mood or desire. These vocalizations vary by cat.

Oriental shorthaired people love spending time outdoors, but this does not mean that they cannot adapt well to living in apartments or houses. It will depend on the amount of time and attention you can give these kitties. They have a great deal of energy and need to be in activity to stay balanced. They are a very sociable breed of cat and do not tolerate loneliness well. This is something we will have to consider if we spend a lot of time away from home. They are animals that will form a close bond with their owners, but they will also be better if they have other cats to spend time with.

Their temperament is generally stable and playful, which makes them very suitable for children. They will be respectful playmates and don’t get upset easily. This does not mean that you do not have to respect their space. As long as the socialization period is well taken care of, the cat can enjoy a happy life sharing with others. All this makes them an ideal family cat, but it may not be the most appropriate to spend long time alone or if you will not be able to give them the attention and play they need.

Javanese cat care

Despite being short-coated, they will need periodic brushing to avoid tangles and remove dead hair (especially during shedding season). It will also help prevent the formation of hairballs and prevent your furniture from getting covered in dead fur that can be expensive to remove.
In terms of exercise for this breed, they are very active animals that need a lot of physical stimulation. That is why we need to have a lot of environmental enrichment in terms of toys and intelligence games. They especially like heights, so if you can have scratching trees or wall-mounted walkways, they’ll be very grateful to you.

They will need a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs and is of high quality. You can feed them dry food, wet food or even homemade food, but you will have to take into account their nutritional values. Don’t supercharge them and pay attention to their needs. Although with the high vocalization they have, they will probably let you know.

Lastly, we must pay special attention to your ears. Their large size makes them particularly vulnerable to mites and other parasites. You should also check their eyes, teeth, and fur for signs of disease.
Javanese cat health
The Javanese is generally a very healthy breed of cat. By paying basic attention to your health needs, it is unlikely that many problems will arise. Still, a notable pathology to which they are more predisposed than other breeds is strabismus. It is a genetic defect that affects the optic nerve and can cause misalignment (giving the cat a ‘cross-eyed’ appearance).

Strabismus, however, is more of an aesthetic flaw than anything else. It will not affect the cat’s vision. Even so, a veterinary follow-up will be necessary to see if there is any deterioration in sight.

Whatever the breed of your cat, it is important to follow the general guidelines for the health of the animal. This means vaccines and deworming as preventive medicine, and microchip implants to help recover them if they are lost. If we take care of all the basic care needs of the Javanese cat, it is possible that it can live more than 15 years.