Persian Cat Breed Information, Characteristics and Facts

Besides being a low maintenance pet, cats have proved to be highly beneficial for humans. They can calm your nerves and contribute to a rewarding relationship. As independent beings, they like exploring things on their own. There are different breeds of them too! One of them is the Persian Cat Breed. 

The Persian Cat Breed is known for its sweet temperament. It dates back to the 1600s and is considered to be one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Originated in Mesopotamia, (later named Persia) justifies the breed’s name. In the 17th century, the European explorers smuggled these cats out of Persia. However, it was not until the 19th century when the world came to know about this breed.

General Characteristics of the Persian Cat Breed:

The cute and smooshy face of a Persian Cat Breed is hard to resist. They are a gentle breed and enjoy affectionate petting. You cannot take them to be jumpered for they have a sturdy body with solid legs. Besides these, there are other physical attributes of this breed for you to learn. 

AppearanceThey have a short, muscular and heavy-boned body. They also have solid thick legs with big paws. The shoulders of this breed are large along with a long neck and a broad chest. The breed also has a large head with a short nose and wide-set eyes.
SizeThe size of a Persian Cat Breed is 10-17 inches. 
WeightThe weight of a male Persian cat is 12-14 lbs. The weight of a female Persian cat is 8-12 lbs.
Coat typePersian cats have long, smooth and silky coats. 
UndercoatYes
Coat colourCoat colours of this breed include:Red, white, cream, black, blue, cameo, lilac, silver, golden, chocolate, tortoiseshell, calico, blue-cream, brown and seal. 
Coat patternThe coat pattern of this breed include:Tortoiseshell, solid colour, bicolour, smoke, tricolour (calico), tabby, shaded and points. 
Eye colourThe eye colours of this breed include:Green, odd-eyed, Hazel, copper and blue.
Life expectancy9-12 years
PriceUnited States- $1300-$5000United Kingdom- £600-£1500India- ₹13000-₹20000

Temperament and Personality:

Persian cats are affectionate and social cats who love getting cuddled by their owners. Unlike other cats, they prefer lying on the couch or scaling heights of bookshelves. They greet people with a quieter ‘meow’ and let their eyes do the rest of the talking. These cats do not demand attention. Instead, they maintain a low profile and observe new people before getting friendly with them. 

Persian cats personality and temperament

One of the interesting facts about the Persian Cat Breed is that they are very stylish and elegant. Although individual cats have a different temperament, the Persian breeds prefer keeping to themselves most of the time. 

Despite being a curious breed, Persian cats won’t drive you crazy. Making noises and throwing things off the slab is not one of their characteristics. They would rather sleep on the comfiest cushion they find. These cats are happy almost all the time and do not require toys to keep them engaged, unlike dogs

Common Health Issues of Persian Cat:

The Persian Cat Breed is born with several genetic health problems. Breeders who claim their cat to be healthy might actually be lying to you. So it is recommended to know the proper history of breeders before buying Persian cats from someone. Many potential health problems are common for this cat breed.

There are other diseases common for their facial structure. These include:

  1. Brachycephalic Syndrome- breathing difficulty due to constricted nostrils.
  2. Dental malocclusion – An uncommon dental disease yet common in Persian cats where the lower jaw protrudes in front of the upper jaw and alters the tooth to tooth relationship.
  3. Excessive tearing
  4. Sensitive to heat
  5. Eye infections like cherry eye and entropion
  6. Seborrhea Oleosa- Skin disease which leads to hair loss, itchiness and redness.

Detection:

Identifying a Persian Cat Breed can sometimes be tricky due to its different variations. In total, there are six forms of this breed- the traditional Persian cat (considered to have replicated the original Persian cats), the “peke-face” Persian cat (named after its flat-face which is similar to the Pekingese dog breed), the Himalayan Persian cat (a colourpoint variation that resulted from the crossing of a Siamese and a Persian cat), the shorthair Persian cat, the Chinchilla and the teacup Persian cat. These may differ in their appearance but they all belong to the Persian Cat Breed.

Persian cats detection

Those buying a Persian cat should be well aware of its features. In General, the breed has fluffy cheeks and a round facial structure. It has large eyes that are coloured blue or brown or are a mix of two along with a snubby nose. You should also ensure that the ears of this breed are small and round. People who have already owned this breed will know that Persian cats have a small and silky coat texture. While detecting a Persian cat, one must check that all the above-given characteristics are present in it. 

Grooming and shedding:

The Persian Cat Breed has a very beautiful coat that requires a lot of maintenance. Owners can use a stainless steel brush for keeping the coat clean and tangle-free. They even require bathing at least once a month. Since they are prone to excessive tearing, it is essential to wipe the corner of their eyes to prevent eye stains.  

Persian cats cleaning and maintenance

As an owner, you must also consider the litter box issue. Persian cats can have litter stuck onto their paws. Therefore, make sure that both the litter box and the paws are kept clean to avoid such situations. 

This breed sheds moderately almost throughout the year and blows up its coat at least twice a year. To control its shedding, you need to brush your cat thoroughly. This, as a result, will reduce the shedding and make your cat look nice and clean. 

Persian Cat Feeding:

Persian cats are picky eaters. Yet, they still eat whatever they find. As owners, one must learn that the Persian Cat Breed requires food rich in protein and fibre in their diet. Since they are not very energetic, providing them greater quantity of fat rich food can lead to obesity. 

One must also ensure that food is provided to them only within the mealtimes. Always keeping food in front of them will only make them wanna eat more. Also, foods of different shapes and sizes can be difficult for them to chew and eat. Therefore, checking the food size is essential before you feed them.  

Training and Exercise:

Although people go by this conception that cats cannot be trained, it is a piece of false information. The Persian Cat Breed might be less responsive than dogs, but they can also be trained. Several receptive methods can be used by owners to train cats. But, this training requires patience and creativity. 

Persian cats training

                                                                                                                             

Owners can use treats as a means of training. Training them right before their meals can be considered as one of the most innovative ways. Here, the kitten will take food to be the reward for proper training. Also, keep the training period small (15 minutes) so that it does not get dull for the cat. 

Since they are not very energetic, making them work out is also one of the top priorities for an owner. Persian cats are cheerful. They like playing with toys, chase balls and catnip mice. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day will keep up the health of your cat. You must also keep in mind that a pet cannot be forced to do something. Therefore, make sure you can provoke your cat into exercising daily. 

Persian Cat Living with family:

Persian cats living with families

The personality traits of a Persian Cat Breed make it perfect for living with families. As gentle lap cats, they become a member of the family in no time. Some of the reasons why Persian cats are perfect family pets include:

  • They are not scared of loud noises
  • They do not have any kind of territorial behaviour
  • They are highly affectionate towards their family
  • They are calm and susceptible to change

Even with children, these cats share a wonderful bond. They are highly patient pets. Therefore, there are very few chances for children to get hurt while playing with them. However, they can be harmful to babies as cats sometimes bring in diseases or even scratch which can affect your baby.  Thus, you are recommended to clean your cat properly before letting it near the baby. As a high maintenance breed, families must also think properly before adopting a Persian cat.  

Persian Cat Breed information at a glance:

  1. The Persian Cat Breed is so old that people barely know about its origin.
  2. They have an easy-going temperament.
  3. They do not demand attention but need the minimum company of their owner or other pets.
  4. They can have behavioral problems if left isolated for long hours. 
  5. They are prone to several health problems out of which Polycystic kidney disease is the most dangerous.
  6. Managing the weight of this cat is of utmost importance for the owner. Provide an adequate amount of water and food rich in proteins and has a lower amount of fats.
  7. They are susceptible to infections like calicivirus and rhinotracheitis that can only be removed by vaccination.
  8. Grooming this breed is important for controlling their shedding problem.
  9. Trim the extra hairs of the cat to keep them clean and avoid collecting dirt.
  10. As long-haired breeds, they can have bugs or worms in their fur. Therefore, cleaning them at regular intervals is necessary.

Conclusion:

Several important personalities have owned this breed in the past. Starting with Queen Victoria, Florence Nightingale and Marilyn Monroe, all are prestigious owners of this cat breed. Even the World’s largest cat paintings feature Persian cats. They have also acted in numerous films like James Bond and Austin Powers Fame. Thus, with time, the Persian Cat Breed has turned out to be one of the most famous cat breeds in the world.

FAQ:

Q. What are Persian cats famous for?

Persian cats are famous for their silky luxurious fur and big, bold eyes. 

Q. Can Persian cats live in small spaces?

Persian cats are more compatible in apartments than in small homes. They are moderately active and love to play with interactive toys.

Q. Do cats have cat shows?

The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) organizes cat shows in the United States at the Madison Square Garden every year.

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