Persian cat, care, characteristics, and behavior

Persian cats are one of the main cat breeds most known and desired by cat lovers. They are elegant, distinguished, but above all very loving.

They are one of the oldest domestic felines, and their physique is one of the qualities that makes them one of the most requested cats, in addition to their calm and so homely character that they can even look like a dog.

Here we will tell you all about Persian cats, their origin, personality, care, and more.

Origin of the Persian cats

Although the adjective "Persian" leads one to believe that Persian cats date back to the beginning of the 17th century and originated in the area of Persia (nowadays Iran). However, the Persians we see today bear little resemblance to their origin.

Although the exact date of their appearance is not clear, specimens arrived in England in the 19th century, which were repeatedly crossed with Angora cats, intending to obtain a longer and silkier coat.

With the crossing of these two felines, the silky coat that today characterizes this breed was achieved, and also a variety of coats were obtained: gray, white, black, smoked, etc.

The name "Persian" was only established with the foundation of the first breeders' association at the beginning of the 20th century. Until then, long-haired cats were known as "Angora cats".

Persian cats were once considered "an aristocratic cat" because it became part of the royalty during the XVII century as a companion animal of Queen Victoria.

Physical characteristics

Size: it measures 40 to 50 cm in length and about 30 cm in height.

Weight: males weigh up to 7 kg and females up to 6 kg.

Eyes: large, round and separate, usually copper, deep blue, or a combination of both, as they can also present heterochromia.

Coat: abundant, long, and soft to the touch. It comes in various colors, as Persian cats are grouped into seven groups according to the coloration of their coat:

There are the solid-colored Persians and the white, gray, cream, black, bluish, chocolate, brown, or tabby Persians, among others.

Life expectancy: with proper care, they can live between 10 to 15 years.

Persian cats are characterized by a round head and broad skull; flat nose, protruding cheeks, and rounded ears.

Their body is solid and robust, their legs are thick and their tail is short, not exceeding half of their body.

Types of Persian cats

Doll face: they have a more rounded profile and are the most similar to the first representatives of the breed.

Poker face: they have an appearance reminiscent of the Pekingese dog. their face are flatter, with the chin, nose, and forehead aligned in the same vertical plane.

Persian Chinchilla: they have a beautiful white coat and a very calm temperament.

Himalayan (colorpoint): they have darker legs, ears, and tail. In the United States, they are considered a separate breed, but in Europe, they are treated as a variety of the Persian.

Exotic: it is a mix between a shorthair and a Persian, the Exotic is a short-haired kitten.

The character of the Persian cat

Persian cats stand out for their calm, affectionate and more affable character than other feline breeds, they are extremely domestic cats that do not show the typical attitudes of their wild relatives. In fact, they are very quiet and very attached to their owners, and they love cuddling and snuggling with them.

They are quite lazy, so don't be surprised if they spend most of their time lying in the warmth of the sun or a radiator.

They are also showy and ostentatious, they know they are flashy and love to be the center of attention.

Persian cat care

The fact that the felines of this breed are so affable also means that they require special care.

• As they have long hair, they will need frequent brushing and a diet rich in Omega 3 and 6 to strengthen their coat and skin.
• Their eyes require special attention due to their sunken tear ducts. It is necessary to clean them carefully daily to prevent them from accumulating eye gunk and developing eye diseases.
• They may need supplements and malts to help control hairball formation.
• A bath every so often (every 2 to 3 months) may be useful to help clean certain areas that they cannot reach.
• Kittens should have their nails trimmed every week while adult cats should have their nails trimmed every two to three weeks.

Feeding

The Persian is a cat with a great tendency to put on weight because it does little exercise, so it is necessary to offer it a balanced and rationed diet throughout the day to avoid overeating.

Generally, Persian cats do not need a varied diet but the typical balanced cat food. The best is a balance between dry and wet food.

Dry food, besides having the necessary nutritional requirements, helps to clean the teeth preventing the accumulation of tartar.

While wet food will keep it hydrated, in general, cats consume less water than a dog, and in the case of Persian cats, due to their predisposition to stone formation and polycystic kidney disease, the inclusion of wet food is important.

Persian cat health

The genetic selection that makes these cats so beautiful has also taken its toll on their health. In fact, due to their genetics, up to 50% of Persian cats have kidney disease.

Some hereditary diseases are common in these cats, such as hypertrophic heart disease, a pathology of the heart that thickens the heart muscle.

They are also prone to polycystic kidney disease or the symptom of retained testicles and due to the morphology of their face (flattened face), they can suffer from respiratory problems, like some dog breeds.

In conclusion

Persian cats are sociable and very affectionate felines, who love their owners and love to be the center of attention.

However, if you want to adopt a Persian cat you should know that they require some more care than other breeds, and a decent quality of life for them to live many years by your side.