Introduction

The Persian’s elegant looks, and their sweet nature have made them one of the most popular cats for many years, especially since they were officially recognised by the Cat Fancy in the 19th century.

They have quite a distinctive long, slim and elegant look with a round head with a flat face and a snub nose and they also have chubby cheeks, big round eyes and small, rounded ears.

They are extroverts who love human contact and demand lots of attention, making them good companions and a lovely addition to any family.

They are an extremely old breed who have existed for centuries with their first documented ancestors dating back to the 17th century in Mesopotamia, which later became Persia and is now Iran.

White Persian cat with a bushy tail lying down inside by the window

15 Years

Lifespan

4 - 6.4kg

Weight

5/5

Affection

2/5

Child friendliness

5/5

Grooming

3/5

Intelligence

2/5

Dog friendly

4/5

Shedding

White person cat sitting down beside a flow pot in the garden

Behaviour and personality

The Persian breed are docile and calm cats who are happy to either sit on their human’s lap, or just sit and observe goings on from afar.

They are independent and selective of who they show affection to and if they don’t want to show affection to someone, it is unfair to try and force your love on them, so you must wait for them to show you that they are ready.

Persian’s thrive on having a routine, and they really struggle when that routine is interrupted, like changing feeding times, or rearranging furniture.

They simply adore being with their humans and will appreciate being petted whenever they can and they also appreciate any form of play. They’re also very intelligent, but they often appear slow to react because they like to contemplate everything before they act.

Ideal owner / home

Families

Older children

Calm household

A Persian is perfect for anyone looking for companionship from their cat as this calm, affectionate cat will love nothing more than to lay on or beside you for a belly rub.

They can live among a family with young children, so long as they are respectful and taught how to behave around the cat and when to leave them alone. This ability to know when to leave them alone is very important, especially for a Persian who likes to have their alone time sometimes, which will be most.

Unlike most pets, they are also not overly demanding so they’re quite happy to be left on their own, but not for very long periods of time. This means they work better than most breeds for someone who works out of the house but leaving them alone for many hours is still not recommended.

They need a clam and relaxing environment, not boisterous and loud, so, a house full of screaming children, or one that has regular parties, will not suit them.

Persians are best suited to a house with older children who know how to handle a cat and how to behave around them, but they will be okay with younger children so long as they’re fully aware of how to behave around them and when to leave them alone.

They will get on well with dogs, especially if they’ve grown up together as kittens and puppies, but you must take care when introducing them to dogs they don’t already know, in case that dog isn't cat friendly.

Light brown Persian cat lying down on a blue bench surrounded by leaves in the garden

Ginger Persian cat sitting down in a garden with its front paws up against a tree

Grooming

The fluffball that is a Persian requires a lot of regular grooming thanks to their long, thick coats that are high maintenance and need brushing daily. This will remove tangles, matting and loose hair which is a problem that will become even worse during Spring and Autumn when their shedding gets even heavier.

On top of brushing, these long-haired cats require monthly baths to keep them clean and their fur lush and you must regularly wipe their eyes to avoid a build-up of crust and remove tear staining.

Trim the nails as needed, which is usually weekly to prevent them painfully breaking if/when they get caught in carpet or furniture. Make this job easier for both you and your cat by getting them used to having their nails clipped when they're a kitten.

Check their ears weekly for infection which will show itself as unusual redness, bad odour and sometimes discharge, among other symptoms. To avoid infection, clean them with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle cleanser recommended by your vet.

Finally, to reduce the risk of trips to the veterinary clinic for costly dental treatment, brush their teeth frequently to avoid tartar build up and gum disease.

The good thing is, they love the one to one time they get with their owner when being groomed, so it helps strengthen the bond between Persian and owner.

Health

Persians are Generally healthy, but being a brachycephalic breed, they are prone to breathing issues and their facial structure can also predispose them to multiple health issues, including misaligned teeth, eye conditions like excessive watering and entropion, and heat sensitivity.

They can also have difficulty chewing, so you need to choose cat food that is easy to eat and supports hydration.

Tiny Ginger Persian kitten lying down on a plank of wood in the garden

Common health issues

Ringworm

Despite the name, Ringworm is not caused by a worm at all, it is a fungus that causes patchy areas of hair loss and red skin generally on the head, ears and forelimbs.

Also known as dermatophytosis, this disease is highly contagious. If you suspect your pet is infected, you must quarantine them and speak to your vet for advice. If one cat has ringworm, it’s very common for a whole household to become infected, so you’ll want to check all other pets and humans for symptoms.

Ringworm can be transmitted through direct contact or contact with items like bedding and food bowls that have been contaminated with skin cells and hair.

Treatment depends on the severity, and your vet will advise what’s best. Generally, a special shampoo used regularly for a month or two will do the trick. If the disease is more severe, you may need to administer oral medication.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited condition that causes multiple cysts to form in the kidneys. It has become quite common amongst certain cat breeds, like Persians, but is still rare in other breeds.

Persian cats have the highest risk of PKD, with roughly one-third of all Persians diagnosed with the condition.

The cysts are present at birth and are initially very small, but they will gradually grow through the cat’s life.

The number of cysts and the growth rate varies in every cat, but in most cats the cysts enlarge slowly, so signs of the disease don’t appear until later in life, often around 7 years old.

Extreme cases may disrupt kidney function, resulting in kidney failure.

Diagnosis can be made via blood, urine and genetic tests. If you’re looking at purchasing a Persian, make sure they have been tested for the defective gene first. If they have the gene, they should not be bred.

There is sadly no specific treatment for PKD, but special diets, fluid therapy and nausea reducing medication can help treat the symptoms.

Persian

Introduction

Behaviour and personality

Ideal owner / home

Grooming

Health

Common health issues

Other Breeds

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