The Javanese is a member of the Siamese family of cats, including the Oriental Shorthair and Longhair, the Colorpoint Shorthair, and the Balinese. All of these breeds share very similar personalities and physical characteristics, with most of the differences found in the coat and coloring. The Javanese originated in the 1950s to the 1970s through breeders crossing the Colorpoint Shorthair with the Balinese in order to create a cat that had the distinguishing features of the Siamese but with the longer coat length of the Balinese and with its own unique colorpoints.

The Javanese is a medium-sized cat that has a long, sleek, muscular body and a similar Siamese-like triangular face, large ears, and a long fluffy tail. They have almond-shaped eyes that are usually blue or green but can also be odd-eyed (one blue, one green) or other colors. They have a single coat of medium-length silky fur that comes in solid colorpoint, lynx point, and parti-colorpoint (or Torti-colorpoint).

Javanese Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…

The Javanese is a highly energetic breed that is one of a few cats that will actually be easy to train. They are healthy overall but are prone to some of the Siamese-related health issues, but if they are well taken care of, they will live a very long life (they could live into their 20s). They become very attached to their entire family and are usually friendly with people they don’t know.

What’s the Price of Javanese kittens?

The Javanese is a rare cat, and it might be difficult to find a kitten, but the price might range from $1,500 to $2,500 from a good breeder. Be sure to check any potential breeder’s credentials to ensure you’ll be bringing home a kitten in excellent health and has been socialized well. Be sure to ask the breeder a lot of questions.

Your kitten should be checked by a vet and shouldn’t go home with you until she has spent a suitable amount of time with her mother. Kittens are usually weaned when they reach 8 to 10 weeks of age and are typically ready to leave their mothers by 12 or 13 weeks. If a kitten leaves her mother at too young an age, health problems and behavioral issues might emerge.

There is also the possibility of adopting a Javanese from a rescue group, but this might be a challenge due to their rarity. However, if you do manage to find an adult cat, adoption fees might range from $100 to $300, and you’ll give a cat a second chance at a happier life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Javanese Cat

1. The Javanese does not come from Java.

They were named after the island of Java, which is near Bali, but actually originated in the United States. It is believed that the Javanese was named after an Asian country in the tradition of the Siamese, and because the Javanese is so similar to the Balinese, it made sense to name it after a neighboring island.

2. The Javanese is not always considered a separate breed.

They were initially recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association but were merged in with the Balinese in 2008. In most scenarios, the Javanese is considered to be Balinese as they are identical in almost every way except for color.

3. The Javanese might work for allergy sufferers.

They have a single coat, which also means they shed less than other cat breeds. This makes for less fur flying around, which might make them a great cat for allergy sufferers. This does not mean they are completely hypoallergenic, but they might be a good fit for some.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Javanese Cat

The Javanese is a loving and chatty cat that will follow you around all day and will talk to you about everything of interest. They will spend time on your lap and sleeping with you in bed and will expect lots of your attention to be devoted to them. If you prefer a quiet, independent cat, then the Javanese will not be a good fit.

The Javanese are highly intelligent, and it is thought that their color determines their temperament. The red and cream points (also called the solid colorpoint) tend to be fairly easygoing and laidback cats, the torti point (also called parti-colorpoint) can be more on the crazy or wild side, and lynx points (has tabby striping mixed in with the Siamese point coloring) can range from noble to clownish personalities.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Javanese is an excellent cat for a family. They are affectionate, devoted, and active cats that will enjoy playing with the kids and will get along with children of any age. Of course, the children should be taught how to treat cats with respect.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

If the family dog is cat-friendly and your Javanese is introduced slowly, she will get along very well with other pets. Be sure to provide your Javanese with a high place she can escape to if she gets overwhelmed by rambunctious animals. If you are not able to spend as much at home as your Javanese would prefer, you could consider introducing another cat into the household to keep her company.

Things to Know When Owning a Javanese Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements

They have a strong interest in food, so you need to be aware of this, particularly for the Javanese that aren’t as active. Be sure to introduce new food to your kitten slowly when you first bring her home as digestion issues may arise. Find a high-quality dry cat food and follow the guidelines on the bag to help you determine the amount you should feed your cat daily. Consult your vet if you’re ever concerned about your cat’s diet or weight.

You should also think about providing your Javanese with a good source of water. Many cats have issues with their kidneys in their senior years, so ensuring she has both canned food for the extra moisture as well as a clean source of water is essential. You can think about investing in a cat fountain as cats prefer drinking from running water, and they usually will drink more from a fountain than a bowl.

Exercise

The Javanese is a very active cat that will love to have lots of opportunities to play with you with a variety of toys and activities. They are also known to be very athletic jumpers, so you should ensure that they have high places they can access, such as cat shelves. Some owners have even successfully taken their Javanese out for walks on a harness. If your Javanese does not feel like she’s receiving enough attention or is given enough opportunities for play, she will exhibit destructive behavior and will probably inform you loudly of her unhappiness.

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Training

The Javanese is one cat that can most definitely be trained thanks to her intelligence and curiosity. They have been known to learn how to play fetch and how to find treats in your pockets.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming your Javanese is easy as her coat is a single coat, so there isn’t a lot of excess hair to worry about. They take care of most of the grooming themselves, so you only need to give her an occasional brushing, about once a week, to help prevent mats.

You’ll also need to stay on top of trimming her claws and be sure to provide her with a cat scratcher, so she doesn’t attack your furniture. You should also brush her teeth about once a week or provide her with dental treats if she is unhappy with the toothbrush.

Health and Conditions

The Javanese is generally a healthy breed, but she is prone to some of the health conditions that plague the Siamese.

Your vet will check your cat’s eyes and will run blood and urinalysis tests to help rule out any issues she may have. Of course, if you found your Javanese through a breeder, they should inform you of any health issues that they are aware of.

Male vs. Female Javanese Cats

The male Javanese might weigh 8 – 12 pounds, and the female might also fall within that range but is usually smaller than the male and is more likely to be 8 pounds or under.

The next obvious difference is spaying or neutering your Javanese. Neutering the male will prevent him from spraying and wandering away, and spaying the female will stop her heat cycles. Spaying the female Javanese will be a more complicated surgery, making it more expensive, and she’ll need a little longer to recuperate. Spaying or neutering your cat will, overall, prevent behavioral problems and should make your cat happier in general.

It is also thought that the male Javanese is a little more affectionate and laidback as compared to the female, who might be a little more proper and serious. However, how much time she spent with her mother and siblings as well as how she’s been treated her entire adult life will be the largest contributors to your Javanese’s overall personality.

Final Thoughts

Finding a Javanese will definitely be a challenge, so you could start by speaking to breeders of the Balinese or the Oriental Shorthair. You can also post your interest in the Javanese on social media to get your message out to a broader audience.

These beautiful cats will love spending time with you and will get along with everyone in the family. If you’re looking for a chatty companion that might teach you a thing or two, look no further than the Javanese.

Featured Image Credit: Kamée, Wikimedia Commons