Meet the Persian Cat: Fall in Love

Meet the Persian cat up close and purrsonal. Have you been looking for a purebred cat with a sweet, affectionate and captivating personality? The magnificent Persian might just be what the doctor ordered.

But be forewarned! It’s easy to be immediately smitten! A Persian cat is capable of casting a spell and it’s love at first sight. These cats have an amazing capability of weaving their way into your heart. These cats are demonstratively affectionate toward their guardians, and frequently speak to them in soft, dulcet tones. Since they don’t hide their feelings, you will always know what is on their minds.

Persians are not only extremely intelligent; they are highly social animals and live to please their humans. They thrive on interaction with people and get along famously with children and other pets. There is nothing “obnoxious” about this extraordinary breed. Although they do enjoy interactive play, they are not at all hyperactive. In fact, Persians are often affectionately referred to as “furry speed bumps”.

To keep this breed stimulated and happy, moderate exercise is all that’s required. Since Persians have heavily boned legs to support their broad short bodies, they prefer to have their feet planted firmly on the ground. Climbing onto high places is not their forte. But, like all cats, Persians are predatory in nature, so giving them “prey” toys to chase, such as interactive feathers on a poll, feather teasers and laser lights will stimulate and bring out their inner “wild” kitty. With laser light toys great care must be used to ensure the beam doesn’t make direct contact with their eyes.

Persians are highly adaptable; when their guardian is not home they can easily sleep throughout the day. Since they are highly social, it’s preferable to have another cat or a dog to keep them company.

For ages, the Persian cat has won the hearts of feline lovers around the world. With its magnificent long, flowing coat, these kitties top the charts in popularity. Loving and intelligent, this cat makes an ideal family pet. Depending on which of the three coat textures your prospective Persian is wearing will determine the amount of time needed to keep them in top condition.

Appearance and Grooming Needs

The Persian is a solidly built, short, cobby cat with a sturdy bone structure. Their muzzles are foreshortened and their faces are divided into two categories, “Doll Face” and “Pekey“. In profile, the Doll Face has a little short nose, while the Pekey face’s profile is flat. In spite of their large appearance, it’s their long flowing coats that give them the appearance of a much larger cat than they actually are. See breed standard.

Persian Coat Types:

Requiring only weekly combing to remove excess hair, the” Silky coated” Persian is considered a rather “low maintenance” cat. They do not shed excessively and do not require frequent bathing. The “Cotton Candy” coat tangles easily requiring regular combing to prevent it from matting. Although only occasional bathing is necessary, they do require frequent combing. As its name suggests, the “Greasy coat” is one which needs frequent bathing and careful combing to keep their coat radiant and healthy. Some people prefer to have these cats cared for by professional groomers but know your groomer.

Coat Colors:

Persians grace us with a wide assortment of coat colors from which to choose. They range from solid to tabby, shaded, silver, smokes and bi-color. The pointed Persian (or Himalayan) with their sparkling blue eyes, dark face, ears, paws and tail contrasted with their body color is another color included in the Persian division. When fully mature, the average male weighs between 8-10 pounds, while the female weighs in between 5-7 pounds.

Health Concerns:

While the Cat Fancier’s Association describes Persians as cats who are robust in health, there are several genetic issues inherent in the breed. These include poly-cystic kidney disease, (PKD) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart disease), progressive retinal atrophy, cystitis and bladder stones.

However, with prudent DNA testing and selective breeding, Persian breeders have worked hard to eliminate many of these genetic issues that at one time were common.

Jo

Photo credit: Flickr User: Magnus Brath