How to Identify A Javanese Cat

Javanese Cats are the close cousins of the more famous Siamese. They are a cat originating from the orient and are popular in cat shows throughout the country for their grace and poise. They take their name from the Indonesian island of Java, exactly why is unknown though. They are not nearly as temperamental as the Siamese, though they are still primarily an indoor cat. This guide is meant to explain how to appropriately identify a Javanese cat should you come across one.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat
  • Your Eyes
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Instructions

  1. Identifying A Javanese Cat

    • 1

      Start by looking at the cat's general shape. You should see a medium sized cat with long, lithe limbs and a tubular body. The paws should be small in relation to the rest of the body. Despite their thin appearance, they should have well defined muscles under their fur and be surprisingly heavy if picked up.

    • 2

      Look at the cat's head. It should be wedge shaped with large ears at the end of a long neck. If looked at from above it should appear to be an even sided triangle. The eyes should be a deep blue and slightly slanted in the Oriental fashion.

    • 3

      Examine the fur. One point that distinguishes the Javanese from the Siamese is the slightly long and silky soft fur. This fur will serve to soften the otherwise sharp angles limbs of the cat. The coloration of the Javanese is similar to the Balinese. But where the Balinese only have a few point color variations, the Javanese can be any color found on a cat provided it is in a point pattern. This means that the main portion of the body will be a light version of the color, which will darken along the edges of the ears, the face, hindquarters, and tail.

    • 4

      Examine the tail. This is the best way to tell if a cat is Javanese. Despite having a coat of short, soft fur; the tail will have silky fur about two or three inches long. It should form a thick plume. If the cat you're examining fits these criteria then you're most definitely looking at a Javanese. These cats are common enough among good pet stores and breeders, though finding one with enough pedigree to have the plume tail on the street or at your shelter is rare.