Persian cats, with long hair and a pleasant demeanor, are no wonder popular as gentle companions. Their calm soul and soft meowing can take anyone's heart away. These quiet, calm Persian cats are perfectly suited for seniors and families looking for a not-so-noisy feline companion. However, regular grooming, health screenings, and proper diet are essential for keeping these royalty cats in top form.
Breed Overview
Persians are medium to large-sized felines, with males weighing around 9-13 pounds and females weighing 7-10 pounds. With a life span of 15-20 years, these cats can live happily snuggling with their humans or sitting in the window looking at passersby.
Their long, lustrous, and thick coat comes in various colors and patterns. The colors include white, black, gray, silver, and golden. Patterns typically include tortoiseshell, tabby, bicolor, and solid, perfectly complementing their eye colors, including copper, hazel, green, or blue. Though Persian cats are known for their flat, smooshy faces, they need specific grooming and medical care.
History of Persian Cats
Considered one of the oldest cat breeds, Persian cats are believed to have originated from Mesopotamia (then known as Persia and now modern-day Iran) and date back to the 1600s. They may have appeared in Persian historical records as 'the long-haired beauties.'
But how did they turn up in the West?
A nobleman, Pietro Della Valle, first brought these beautiful, long-haired cats to Europe in the late 1600s. Breeders began to breed Persian cats with other long haired cats, such as Turkish Angoras. They arrived in Britain, where their early versions were exhibited in 1871 at the Crystal Palace cat show.
Not only that, these majestic, smooth-faced felines had also attracted Queen Victoria, who owned several Persians. This made long-haired cats popular among royals and the British public. By the late 1800s, this breed was introduced in the U.S. Persians with flatter faces and rounder heads resulted from selective breeding.
Physical Characteristics
Persian cats have flat faces with full cheeks, a short muzzle, a snub nose, a firm chin, large, round eyes, and small, rounded ears. With short, muscular legs and a short back, these cats have a sturdy body and a deep chest.
Their coat is typically very long with a dense undercoat, giving it a lot of volume. The original Persians had shiny, gray coats; however, selective breeding resulted in several colors, such as silver, gold, white, smoky, and solid. Here is an interesting part: Persians’ eye color corresponds to their coat color:
white Persians usually have copper or deep blue eyes,
silver or golden Persian cats possess green eyes, and
solid-colored coats have copper eyes.
Personality and Temperament
Persian cat personality is sweet, tranquil, and affectionate. However, these felines may also have an aloof disposition, which means they are selective about who they show affection to and are usually wary of new people. These long-haired cats love sitting on laps and cuddling. With their tender and docile nature, Persians make perfect pets for families with seniors and gentle children, as they are not huge fans of chaos and enjoy being in a quiet environment.
While Persian cats love attention from their human families, you can leave them alone for short periods as long as they are in their homes where they feel safe and comfortable. They love lounging and relaxing in their calm spots in the house with a good view of everything happening around them.
Grooming Needs
Daily grooming is the key to preventing tangles or mats, which keeps your Persian cat’s lustrous, long coat clean and shiny. It also helps clear excess dirt, dead hair, and even cat litter particles that are still on their fur.
Steps for Grooming
Start grooming with a wide-toothed metal comb and then daily brush their coat with a soft slicker brush. Remember to part the hair when combing to make sure you’re combing down to the skin. This prevents mats from forming under the long hair.
You also need to bathe your flat-face cat regularly to keep their coat clean. Also, ensure to dry the coat thoroughly with a pet-safe dryer that is cooler than a human hair dryer. This way, you won’t burn their skin or cause them to overheat.
Wash their faces daily as they may have stains from tearing. Trim their nails weekly and clean their ears when they become dirty.
You can seek a professional groomer’s help and get your Persian cat’s coat in the perfect condition.
Health Concerns
Like any other cat, Persian is also predisposed to some health issues, including:
Brachycephalic syndrome: According to an article by PetMD, brachycephalic breeds often experience difficulty breathing because of rounded heads, narrowed nostrils, or elongated soft palate.
Polycystic kidney disease: It is a genetic condition that causes cysts forming in the kidneys, leading to permanent damage. This can impair waste filtration, proper production of hormones, and fluid balance. The good thing is you can ask your Persian breeder to get genetic testing of the couple to prevent this disease in kittens. You can even check the DNA results of your cats using at-home DNA kits.
Progressive retinal atrophy: This is another genetic disease where cells in the eye break down, causing poor vision or blindness in Persian cats.
Dental issues: Though any cat can have dental problems, Persians are more prone due to their flat face, as it can cause your cat's teeth to cram.
Excessive tearing: These cats also experience excessive tearing. According to an article by the VCA Animal Hospitals, it can happen because the flat face does not allow tears to drain properly or the long hair around the eyes may obstruct the entrance to the nasolacrimal ducts or tear ducts - located in the corner of the eye next to the nose.
It is essential to watch out for signs of health issues in your cat, such as rapid breathing, lethargy, and a poor appetite. This helps with the early detection of diseases.
Preventive Measures
To keep your Persian cat safe and healthy, take them to the vet check-ups regularly, stay updated on their vaccinations, maintain a proper and healthy diet, and monitor any signs of illness.
Diet and Nutrition
A Persian cat’s diet should typically include high-quality, meat-based food with a low carbohydrate and high protein content, as they are obligate carnivores. It should include limited grains and fillers to help manage hairball formation. This is also important to prevent obesity as these cats are prone to weight gain.
Give your adult Persian feline measured meals twice a day and avoid free feeding them. However, Persian kittens require meals three times a day for proper growth. It is a good idea to consult with a veterinarian about the kitten’s food if you have no clue.
Persian cats often have misaligned jaws that create trouble grabbing food and gnawing it. You can ask your vet for specific kibble and a water fountain, as it is easier for flat-faced cats to drink water. You can offer wet food formulated for Persian cats. Also, when you select a feeding bowl, pick a wide, shallow dish or saucer with low sides.
Exercise and Enrichment
Persian cats usually have low energy levels but enjoy playing with feather wands or other teaser toys. It is vital to keep your Persian cat engaged in play sessions because it helps provide physical and mental stimulation.
Scratching is another physically enriching activity that cats love to engage in. Scratching posts like cat trees or cardboard and sisal scratchers are a great way to vent. This also ensures your cat scratches the right places.
Living Environment
Keeping your Persian cat indoors in a safe environment is essential as they enjoy a calm living space. It is also important because their coat can get matted, and they may experience breathing difficulty due to dirt if left outdoors for long periods. Ensure to set up soft bedding and litter boxes in quiet areas.
Fun Facts and Unique Traits
Persian cats participated in the first cat show in 1871, held at London's Crystal Palace, where roughly 20,000 visitors were present, and some of the world’s exotic cats, including Siamese Angora cats and Scottish Wild cats. The fascinating part is this royal breed took the gold home and was called “Best in Show.”
Queen Victoria kept several Persian cats as pets, and one of them, she called White Heather, remained in Buckingham Palace even after the Queen died.
The Persian cat breed is not only popular with British royals, it has many famous fans, including English statistician Florence Nightingale, who owned over 60 cats during her lifetime, comprising Persians.
Other popular Persian fans include Giorgio Armani, Martha Stewart, Freddie Mercury, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Persian cats also graced the silver screen with a famous character, Mr. Tinkles, in the 2001 movie “Cats & Dogs.”
Long-furred Persians are also known for their art of turning into bread loaves when they sit with their paws and tails tucked in. Let’s not forget their soft and regal meow, as these cats are not very vocal.
Choosing and Caring for a Persian Cat
If you are considering adopting or buying a Persian cat, get them from a reputable breeder, shelter, or rescue. Remember to ask your breeders about the cat’s DNA test results and proper health screenings to rule out genetic disease or other health issues. Also, you must know about their grooming and veterinary needs and costs. While these cats are usually independent, they still require attention and care from their humans.
Conclusion
Persian cats make wonderful pets and get along with children and other pets. While their long fur, thick coats, and brachycephalic disposition require specific care and attention, these cats are great if you are looking for a quiet and calm feline companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do Persian cats need grooming?
Persian cats require daily grooming to maintain their coat's health and appearance. This includes brushing to prevent mats and tangles and occasional baths.
Are Persian cats good with children and other pets?
Yes, Persian cats can be good with children and other pets if they are introduced properly and respectfully. They prefer calm and gentle environments.
Do Persian cats have any specific health issues?
Persian cats are prone to certain health issues like polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and respiratory problems due to their brachycephalic nature. Regular veterinary check-ups are important.
Are Persian cats hypoallergenic?
No, Persian cats are not hypoallergenic as they have long fur that sheds and can carry allergens.
