These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cats. Well-known for their sweet, gentle personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. As independent creatures (at least more so than their Siamese and Ragdoll counterparts!), they do not crave human attention as much, making them great companions for just about anyone.
Persian Cat Personalities
The Persian breed is sweet-natured and gets along great with everyone — including kids! They are quiet cats that very rarely meow, and when they do, it is gentle and soft. Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners.
Even though they are known for being very quiet, they can also be quite playful. If you could get a Persian cat to pick between playing and finding a nice warm spot in the house to curl up and relax, they would most certainly always choose the latter. With much lower energy levels than other breeds of cats, the Persian cat does not enjoy climbing and jumping as much. They do, however, enjoy the occasional interactive play. If you are thinking of becoming a pet parent to a Persian kitty, you’ll also be happy to know that they are not destructive either!
Persian Cats and their Coats
Although white is the colour normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in various other colours. In fact, during cat shows, they are typically divided into seven colour divisions — solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolour, bicolour, and Himalayan. No matter what colour a Persian cat’s coat may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long, flowing coats.
Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house to prevent parasites and fleas from burrowing into their coats which could be difficult to spot and hard to remove. As with any other breed of cats, Persians will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which could lead to hairballs.
With how fluffy they are, Persians often face some difficulty in completely grooming themselves, especially in hard-to-reach areas like their behinds. To help keep their coats clean, healthy and free of any debris, dirt or fleas, it is important that they be bathed regularly, at least once a month. Start bathing your Persians from when it is still a wee kitten, and they will get used to the process as they grow up, making bath sessions tolerable (maybe even enjoyable) for both you and your kitty.
Grooming and Cleaning Persian Cats
Besides their dense and beautiful coats, Persian cats are also renowned for another distinctive feature — their smooshed-in faces. Their flat faces often result in runny eyes that can stain the fur around their eyes and, if not cleaned regularly, can even lead to eye infections. To avoid staining and infection, pet owners would need to wipe their Persian cat’s eyes daily with a clean cotton pad and some warm water. Persian cats also have short noses that can become blocked easily, making it difficult for your cat to breathe. To prevent this, be sure to wipe their nose at least once a day too!
Health Concerns in Persian Cats
To ensure that your Persian cat stays healthy, you should always take it to the vet on a yearly basis. If cared for properly, Persian cats can live for as long as 20 years! This means grooming it regularly (whether home-grooming or taking it to a grooming salon), keeping up with the necessary vaccines and going for routine checkups at the vet. One thing to note is that most of a Persian cat’s health issues are related to their flat facial features such as eye problems (ie. progressive retinal atrophy and cherry eye) and respiratory issues.
When you compare Persian cats to other breeds, you will notice that Persians are among the easiest to care for. You don’t have to worry about them knocking over your favourite glassware from jumping or climbing, and they don’t require too much attention either. All you’ll need to do is love and care for them!
