Persian Cats: Cat Breed Profile

Characteristics, History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners

Persian cats are recognized by their long coats and endearing personalities, despite the fact that they prefer to reserve their feelings for just the closest humans. Among purebred cats, Persian cats are appreciated for their beautiful good looks and tranquil demeanor.

The exact origins of the Asiatic breed are unknown, but despite this, the breed has been a favorite among North American purists due to its usage in displaying and ability to make calm and loving companions. The reputation of Persians as lap cats and excellent cuddlers is well-known. These characteristics, together with their typically laid-back demeanor, have added to their attractiveness and helped them become common pets and show cats.

Breed Overview

WEIGHT: 7 to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 14 to 18 inches
COAT: Long
COAT COLOR: Solid (white, black, cream, etc.), tabby, calico, bi-color, silver and gold, shaded and smoke, and Himalayan
EYE COLOR: Blue, green, blue-green, hazel, copper
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 17 years

Characteristics of the Persian Cats

Affection Level	Medium-High
Friendliness	Medium-Low
Kid-Friendly	Low
Pet-Friendly	Low
Exercise Needs	Low
Playfulness	Low
Energy Level	Low
Intelligence	Low
Tendency to Vocalize	Medium-Low
Amount of Shedding	High

The Iranian Cat’s History

It is astonishing how little is known about Persian cats’ past given that they have been coexisting with humans since the 1600s. The Persians are thought to have come from Persia, or what is now Iran, together with Turks. With the Crusades, the breed migrated to Europe from the west.

The elite took a liking to them, especially Queen Victoria of England. The breed was distinguished by its beautifully long hair, which it shared with other long-haired cats at the time, known as Asiatic cats, who lived in the region. Angoras, named for the Turkish capital of Ankara, were the previous name for Persians.

The popularity of Persian cats increased when the cat show circuit took off in the late 19th century. Instead than putting food out all the time to encourage overeating, offer predetermined servings twice daily.

Persian cats that are suitable for exhibition have round heads, small bodies, rounded ears, and stubby noses. Traditional Persians, sometimes known as “doll faces,” have more of a prominent nose than their pedigreed counterparts, but otherwise look and act similarly.

There are the most cat breeds recognized with the Cat Fanciers Association, and Persians usually win Best in Show. The iconic snub noses and chubby cheeks of the breed have been selectively bred and strengthened because of the widespread human appreciation they have earned over the years, but you can still find indications of the Persian’s historic traits in traditional, non-show focused members of the breed.

Maintaining Persian cats

Given their long fur, Persian cats shouldn’t be surprised to require frequent, intensive care. Without it, Persians’ coats are prone to become tangled and matted, which can be painful. Persians need to be brushed once a day and bathed once a month to maintain their shine and suppleness.

Additionally, it’s suggested to wipe your eyes every day to prevent stains from excessive watering. Cats should receive routine dental care, such as daily or weekly teeth brushing. Regular nail trims are also essential.

Persians are frequently thought of as high maintenance pets because of their extensive grooming needs. Because their coats don’t naturally shed dirt and other detritus, it is up to their human caregivers to keep them soft and clean and to keep them inside. Additionally, as Persian cats prefer living in tidy environments, it’s important to clean their litter box every day.

The most lively or active cat breeds are not Persians. It could be better to find a pleasant, relaxing spot rather than a Persian. It periodically goes through an unusual energy burst, although this is usually followed by a protracted period of inactivity.

This breed is slow to learn new things and isn’t seen to be a particularly trainable cat. It would prefer to watch than participate in activities.

Common Health Problems

All purebred cats, including Persian cats, have a number of health issues that are exacerbated by selective breeding methods. Numerous of these problems are directly related to the ideal facial form of pedigreed Persians, despite the fact that they may also display inherited health disorders unrelated to their physical characteristics. It’s essential to keep a close eye on Persians to catch any potentially dangerous health issues early and treat them effectively.

No breeder can promise that their cats are completely free of illness or the threat of illness, even while ethical breeders try their utmost to prevent the emergence of common health disorders in their litters. The following conditions should be kept an eye out for in Persian cats:

Cats often start showing signs of polycystic kidney disease between the ages of 7 and 10 years old. This inherited illness can damage one or both kidneys.
They had breathing problems and respiratory distress because of their snub noses.
Several eye conditions, including entropion (inward folding of the eyelids), cherry eyes, progressive retinal atrophy, and excessive tear production can lead to bladder infections and stones.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes thickening of the heart muscular walls Anemia, bladder stones, a runty appearance, and a sensitivity to heat can all be symptoms of the disorder known as hepatic shunts, which disrupts blood flow to the liver.

Food intake and diet

Although Persian cats tend to be fussy eaters, they will eat well once they find a meal they like. Their food could be moist, dry, raw, packed with protein and fiber, low in fat, any mix of two or more, or any of these things.

Given that Persian cats aren’t the most active, it’s important to avoid overfeeding them to avoid obesity and weight increase. Around this period, they were imported to the country, where they quickly replaced the Maine Coon cat as the preferred long-haired cat breed. Because some Persians may find it challenging to eat food of certain shapes or sizes due to their flat faces, the meal may need to be altered in structure if a Persian isn’t eating.

Pros

Deep bonds to its human family, with a distinctive, regal appearance, and silky, downy fur that simply Needs a wonderful lap or a warm spot to unwind.

Cons

More vulnerable to respiratory issues, eye conditions, and bladder and kidney illnesses
Slow learners and difficult to train cats necessitate frequent hair combing and weekly bathing.

Adoption and retail places for Persian cats

You might be able to obtain a purebred Persian cat from a local breeder, but if you’d prefer to adopt through a rescue organization, look into:

Pet adoption on CatFoodSite

Breeds of Cats Not Listed Here and More Research

There are many beautiful cat breeds to choose from. Before deciding whether a Persian cat is ideal for you and your family, do further research on other breeds to make sure they are not a better fit.

If you’re interested in related breeds, check out these websites: