Few can deny just how cute the Persian cat breed is; heck, it’s probably why it is the most “recognizable” cat breed in the world. While some may say they would never actually want to own a Persian, we would challenge them to try and pick up a Persian kitten and immediately adopt it on the spot! And here lies the problem.
You see…
Because the guys are so cute, it often causes folks to “overlook” some personality “traits” and grooming requirements that the Persian cat breed has, which later on down the road becomes a real issue for the ill-prepared Persian cat owner. This is why…
In this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss exactly what it’s like to own a Persian cat so that if you ever have a chance to own one of these incredible animals, you won’t be disappointed six months later! So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Persian Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Persia, or modern-day Iran
Size: Medium to large
Weight: 9 to 12 pounds
Eyes: Round
Head Shape: Round
Lifespan: 12 to 17 years
Origin of the Persian cat breed
The Persian cat is believed to have originated in ancient times in Mesopotamia, which then became Persia and now is Iran. These cats slowly became what we now know and love: relatively “attention.” That is until they caught the eye of the Italian world traveler Pietro Della Valle, who brought the Persian cat into Europe around 1626.
Back then…
The first Persians had a beautiful shine to their coats and were gray, but now, with years of selective breeding, they are found in many different colors worldwide. Over the years, the popularity of these cats has continued to grow, which is why they are now considered one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States if not the entire world.
Physical Characteristics
Over the years, the Persian cat breed has been slowly “selectively” to accentuate specific characteristics that are now the “hallmark” of the species. Features such as their:
- Stubby nose,
- Round head,
- Fat cheeks,
- Big eyes
- And rounded ears.
Then, breeders began to create different “types” of Persian cats and “categorize” them based on their color and coat patterns. Common “types” you may encounter can include:
- Silver/ gold:
These cats are pretty small and have black and white tips with small amounts of silver and gold-green eyes. - Solid colors:
These range from blue, black, cream, lilac, chocolate, and white.
Funny enough, the white ones will often have odd-coloured eyes. - Shaded/smoke:
These cats are often shaded with a cameo, tortoiseshell, cream/blue, and lilac/cream smoke. These mostly have beautiful copper-colored eyes. - Tabby: These cats are the classic patched type often seen in blue/silver, red, brown, and cameo with cream. Eyes usually are copper, but the silver types can have green eyes.
- Patched:
Colors found are blue/cream, tortoiseshell, and chocolate tortoiseshell. Eyes, again, will most likely be copper. - Three colored:
These cats have three colors of solid combinations. - Himalayan:
As you will tell from their coloring, these cats are distinctive in appearance from being bred with the Siamese cat. They’re most commonly fawn or white, but their face can be of any color, yet their eyes will always be found to be blue.
Personality and Temperament
We at IndulgeYourPet firmly believe that a Persian cat will help make any house “calmer.” After all, it’s challenging to get excited or cause a stir when looking at a Persian because they seem to make you want to sit down and relax. This feeling is even more vital when combined with the Persian’s laid-back and gentle attitude towards life.
Now we don’t want to…
This implies that these cats are boring because they also have some behaviors that are the same as the other cats, such as play fighting, furniture scratching, and jumping on the counter, which can frustrate the owner. But these guys aren’t overly active, and once you’ve told them not to do something 5 or 10 times, they seem to understand finally. The best thing about these cats is that they are friendly and loving. They love it when you pick up and hold them; you can find them even close to strangers and sneak on the stranger’s lap. Mostly, you will find them purring, and they rarely meow, making it a quiet and soft-voiced cat.
You’ll rarely find…
Persian cats make demands on their owners. Unlike other cats, they will not demand food; most of the time, you’ll find them sitting quietly or sleeping. Mostly, these cats are known to be extremely laid back; they have no problem living indoors for the rest of their life, but some also enjoy being outside.
They are said to be not extremely intelligent. But we here at IndulgeYourPet prefer to think of them as too relaxed to learn and too simple to pay attention to. Either way, if you’re looking for a cat that will perform tricks for you or learn how to fetch, it’s fair to say that a Persian is unsuitable. And while we’re on why a Persian cat might not be ideal for someone, we should point out a few additional points you will want to consider.
First…
Persian cats have a lot of fur. Fur that will need to be maintained and combed by you daily if you want to prevent them from developing knots or to prevent your home from being covered in fur.
About their coat and how to groom them
The coat is long, with thick fur. The type of color depends on its breed and needs to be groomed to maintain its natural beauty. Here are a few guidelines on how to groom Persian cats.
- Their fur needs to be brushed regularly and begin as early as possible. Use a comb every day to remove excess hair dirt and knots. Check if the cat has fleas, unusual lamps, and wounds. Do this slowly to avoid pulling the hair mats, which causes pain.
- Groom the coat depending on the length of the hair. Use a toothed glove for short-haired cats and a large toothed metal comb for long-haired cats. Ensure that you comb gently to avoid scratching the skin.
- If you want to bathe the cat, use formulated soap after consulting the vet. You can use cotton balls to prevent water from getting into the ears.
Second…
Persian cats have special feeding requirements that differ from your typical cat breed.
What to feed your Persian
Be aware that Persian cats are pretty picky eaters. Persians have trouble picking up small food and those with an X shape. The fact that Persians are in indoor cars puts them at risk of calcium oxalate urolithiasis, an excruciating bladder stone. Feeding your cat one type of food all the time can increase their risk of getting the rocks, so it can be a good idea to mix up their food a little bit and swap them around occasionally. They are also at an increased risk for bladder stones when n given just one food. Some foods are specially made for those prone to hairballs, offering extra nutrients or food for that kitty that needs an easy-to-chew type of food.
It can help to monitor your cat’s eating when feeding dry food to ensure there are no difficulties eating the type of food you have supplied.
Third…
Because Persian cats have been highly bred over the years, they are susceptible to several inheritable diseases that you should be aware of.
Potential Health Concerns
There are common diseases that affect the Persian cat, and they include.
- Polycystic kidney disease. Persian cats are prone to this disease, where a cyst develops in the kidney and keeps multiplying if the cat is not treated.
- The problem of the respiratory system. The face of a Persian cat is flat and huge with round eyes, which are features that make the cat experience respiratory issues. The cats have small noses, which makes the nasal passage short; thus, their efficiency in breathing is affected.
- Trichobezoars and hairballs. They have a dense coat on their bodies, which causes the growth of hairballs in the stomach and digestive tract. If the veterinarian does not intervene quickly, the cat can suffer from serious health issues.
- Heart problems. Due to not breathing correctly and being less active, the cat can suffer from obesity, which may lead to heart problems.
And while it’s true that these diseases are not necessarily life-threatening, most,t if not all,l can become quite expensive to treat, particularly if they recur.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for their new loved one. If they ever become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the cost of treatment.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies on the market, check out our article on Best Pet Insurance Companies.
