COLOUR GUIDE

Himalayan Cat Colours: Seal, Blue, Flame, Chocolate and Lilac Point

What seal, blue, flame, chocolate and lilac point mean, why Himalayan kittens are born pale, and how Persian colours differ.

By Sean Donovan, Himalayan and Persian breeder in Waterford, VA since 1995

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Himalayans are colourpoint: a lighter body with darker face, ears, paws and tail, and always blue eyes.
We raise seal, blue, flame, chocolate and lilac point Himalayans.
Kittens are born pale; their points fill in over the first months.
Persians come in solid and bicolour coats instead of points.

A silver point Himalayan kitten with blue eyes

The “point” in a Himalayan’s colour name describes the darker colour on its face, ears, paws and tail. The body stays lighter, and the eyes are always blue. Here are the colours we raise in Waterford, Virginia.

Seal point

Deep, dark brown points on a warm cream to fawn body. The classic Himalayan look, and one of the most recognisable.

Blue point

Soft slate-grey points on a cool, bluish-white body. A gentle, elegant colour that pairs beautifully with the blue eyes.

Flame point

Warm orange-red points on a creamy white body. Flame points are often a favourite with families for their bright, cheerful colouring.

Chocolate point

Lighter, milk-chocolate brown points on an ivory body. Warmer and softer than seal.

Lilac point

Pale, pinkish-grey points on a near-white body. The softest of the point colours.

Why Himalayan kittens are born pale

The colourpoint pattern is temperature-sensitive: colour develops on the cooler parts of the body. Kittens are born almost white, and their points gradually fill in over the first months. A young kitten will look noticeably lighter than the adult cat it becomes, and the body coat can deepen slightly with age.

How Persian colours differ

Persians share the same coat and build but come in solid colours and bicolours rather than points, and their eye colour varies with the coat. Read Himalayan vs Persian for the full comparison.

Which colours are available now?

It changes with every litter. Call Sean on 571-479-3216 and we will tell you the colours in the current litter, or see available kittens.

Common questions

What is the rarest Himalayan colour?

Availability varies by breeder and litter. Chocolate and lilac points are often considered less common than seal and blue. Ask what is in the current litter.

Do Himalayan kittens get darker?

Yes. Kittens are born pale and their points darken over the first months, and the body coat can deepen slightly with age.

Do all Himalayans have blue eyes?

Yes. Blue eyes are part of the colourpoint pattern.