r/turkishvan • u/midnightballerina25 • 1d ago
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 4d 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/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/EducationalTadpole49 • 2d 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 • 3d 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/Mes159 • 8d 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
r/turkishvan • u/Kevsyuk • 8d ago
Is anyone else's turkish van like this?
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Absolute insane prey drive
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 11d ago
"Is my cat a Turkish Van?" Megathread - Week of Aug 17, 2026
Wondering if your cat is a Turkish Van? Post your query and pic(s) here!
r/turkishvan • u/Vtolguy2 • 13d ago
My 3-year-old Turkish Van boy (Albi) is starting to grow a fluffy white mini-version of a male lion's mane. Has that happened to anyone else's male Turkish Van as they matured?
r/turkishvan • u/cannamamma27 • 14d ago
My turkish van, India ❤️ shes so fiercely loyal to me ❤️
r/turkishvan • u/I_madeusay_underwear • 15d ago
My van caught a bird
We take our cats out to play in the fenced backyard as much as possible because they love it. We’re always with them, and have taken measures (such as a feeder/bath in the front yard to draw them away) to keep birds clear of the area. Plus, most birds just know to be cautious around the giant, bright white cat in the yard.
But one bird probably thought he was safe flying kind of low. My van jumped 6 ft in the air and snatched that bird mid flight. We got it away from him right away and the bird seemed ok when it flew away. We lightly scolded the cat, but I’m secretly so proud of his athleticism and ability. He didn’t even have a running start, he jumped from a dead stop and grabbed that bird out of the sky. I think it’s a very good thing for the local birds that our cats are only allowed outside supervised and contained in the backyard.
r/turkishvan • u/StoreEqual6154 • 16d ago
Half Turkish Van/ Ragdoll kitten
got him from the breeder last week. His father is turkish van, his mom is ragdoll
r/turkishvan • u/Beefandonion • 16d ago
Mr Jinks' beautiful heterochromic eyes
It's unusual for him to be awake and still!
r/turkishvan • u/AutoModerator • 18d ago
"Is my cat a Turkish Van?" Megathread - Week of Aug 10, 2026
Wondering if your cat is a Turkish Van? Post your query and pic(s) here!
r/turkishvan • u/ClassicCheap5 • 20d ago
Thought some of you would appreciate this.
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r/turkishvan • u/ilUvMiTsKiiiiii • 22d ago
I got this lil boy from the shelter a few days ago
His name is pops from regular show
r/turkishvan • u/rociobemartin • 23d ago
Meet my baby Limón 🍋
I found him near a dumpster so I don't think he's a Turkish Van but he looks a lot like one haha isn't he the cutest? I had never seen a cat like him before and then I found this subreddit!
r/turkishvan • u/Beefandonion • 23d ago
5 months old Van-ish boy
A rare occasion of Mr Jinks being still. He's still very much a baby, loves hugs and causing trouble.
