The Persian Cat: Profile of the Most Popular Cat Breed

Brought to the UK by caravans from Turkey and Persia, Persian cats were introduced to Europe in the 1600s, and to North America in the 19th century. Selective breeding in North America gave rise to the modern Persian facial type, as well as longer fur.

Appearance

Persians come in all patterns and colours, with fur that is very dense and up to 8 inches long. The Persian tends to be broad-chested, with short legs and a short, thick neck.

While all Persians have small rounded ears that are far apart on their heads, well-developed chins, and large round eyes, there are two unique facial types. In the first, the Persian has a nose shaped like that of other breeds of cat. The other type is flat-faced and snub-nosed, with the nose set higher in the face, almost at the level of the eyes.

Personality

With a reputation for being a couch potato, the Persian tends to be docile and gentle, though there are certainly exceptions to this rule. Most Persians would rather sit around with their owners than tear around the house. While they like to play from time to time, they are not usually climbers or jumpers. Persians are not inclined to be very talkative, and when they do speak, most have relatively quiet voices.

Persians tend to be cuddly cats, but not particularly demanding. Creatures of habit, most are very predictable in their behaviour. Persian cats often have a calming influence on other members of the household.

Grooming

Persians can suffer from hairballs and matted fur if they’re not groomed regularly. It’s recommended that Persians be groomed for 10-15 minutes each day and for a full hour each week to do a more thorough job.

Persian cats should be given baths occasionally to remove the build-up of oil on fur, and Persian kittens should be bathed once in a while so that they get used to it at a young age. Unless the Persian is a show cat, clipping the hair around the anus is recommended to prevent feces from sticking to the long fur.

Health and Safety

Health problems that can afflict this breed include malocclusion (misalignment of teeth), birthing difficulties, breathing problems, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can cause the kidneys to fail. If adopting a purebred Persian kitten, it’s a good idea to ask the breeder whether or not the cats have been screened for these disorders.

Many Persians are prone to excessive tear production due to constricted nasal passages and tear ducts, which can leave crusts around the eye area. These can be eliminated by daily face washing. Other than tearing, well-bred Persians tend to be healthy, and barring accidents or serious health problems, indoor Persians can be expected to live for at least 15 years, and in some cases more than 20.

Persians cats should be kept indoors because their long fur snags on bushes and fences and acts as a magnet for debris. Additionally, this breed is very popular and trusting, and thus more likely to be targeted by pet thieves. Those who don’t want to keep their cats entirely indoors but are concerned about common outdoor hazards may wish to attempt leash training.

The copyright of the article The Persian Cat in Cat Breeds is owned by Jennifer Copley. Permission to republish The Persian Cat in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nov 23, 2008 6:37 AM

Guest :

we have jsut bought a persian female brown cat- two and a half months old - very nervous about it - we don't know much about cats - doc will be checking her in a couple of days and will give her, her shots. took her to the grooming centre today and got her shampooed, nails clipped and ears cleaned. can anyone tell me about the temperament of a persian cat? are there moody persians? can they be trained in any way? how do they show their affection for humans?

Nov 23, 2008 9:56 AM

Jennifer Copley :

There is a lot of variation in cat personalities, even among purebreds, so it's difficult to predict the behaviour of a particular persian. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many persians are laid back and cuddly, though there will certainly be exceptions. There is an online persian breed club forum at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/persiancatclub/ where you could ask questions of experienced persian cat owners.

Dec 13, 2008 4:54 PM

Guest :

I think that Persian cats are the most beautiful type of cats yet. besides the calico cat! i love calicoes and Persians because they are the most sweet and gentle cats on the earth....i think they are at least =]

Jan 4, 2009 5:50 PM

Guest :

I was wondering, I have a 1 year old Persian Cat and is pregnant. Is it okay to give her a bath? I'd appreciate it much if you be kind enough to email me your answer thank you very much!
Knavasero03@yahoo.com.ph

Mar 29, 2009 7:34 PM

Guest :

I just bought a black smoke persian male 8 wks old. The breeder stated that he needed extra attention to become more perky like the other kittens and he went back to nursing a little. When I got him hom I bathed him and introduced him to the litter and food. He ate a little and used the box. His stool is yogurt texture which she said was from nursing. However, his temperment and weight seem a little off. He walks with a very slow way about him. Doesn't say much and when you pet his overly fluffy fur you can feel nothing but bones. It's uncomfortable to pet him. Should I be concerned or give him some time to perk up and eat right?
Thank you so much for your help!!

Mar 30, 2009 11:26 AM

Jennifer Copley :

I would recommend a veterinary checkup for any kitten that is not eating heartily and is very skinny. Persians aren't known for being talkative so that doesn't necessarily represent problems unless the kitten seems weak or lethargic, but the failure to put on weight is worrying. Better safe than sorry - I would get him checked to make sure.

Jun 30, 2009 7:07 PM

Guest :

I adopted a short hair persian in October. I was worried about her breathing because she sometimes breaths with her mouth open and snorts and sneezes a lot. I took her to the vet and the vet thought maybe she had a respiratory infection. She was on an antibiotic for 10 days but it didn't really change anything. I try running the shower and use the steam every once in a while and I do not see it helping. She eats fine and seems happy but I know because of their noses it can be difficult to breath. I just don't know whether this is typical or if I should take her in for more tests.