Persian Cat Breed

History

The history of the Persian cat remains unclear because earlier records were not kept until recent times. What is recognized is that in 1871, at Crystal Palace in the UK, the Persian cats were exhibited at the first cat show ever. It was the same time that early cat enthusiasts came up with the breed standard for Persian cats we see today.

One of the popular theories of the history of Persian cats is that they were introduced to Italy by Pierto della Valle in 1620 as he sold imported jewels, silks, and spices from Persia. At the same time, it is believed Nicholas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc brought longhaired cats to France that he had found in Turkey. These cats were called Angoras initially, after the capital of Turkey, which is now Ankara. Some believe that these two cats were the same breed.

These ancient cats were recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1906 as one of the foundation breeds. They made their way to the United States some time between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the Persian is one of the most popular cat breeds worldwide, including in the United Kingdom, because of their kind, sweet natures and delightful appearance.

Appearance

Persians are medium to large size cats with a well-developed, muscular, cobby-type body. They possess deep, full chests, broad shoulders, and a well-muscled backside. They also have relatively short legs, but this does not diminish their robust appearance.

They have nicely rounded, huge heads and large eyes that always have a friendly and gentle expression. In between their large eyes are snubbed noses with a beautiful central beak. Generally, this cat breed's rounded head should be high above their noses. Their rounded ears are small and are set wide apart on their head. They have strong chins, muzzles and powerful, broad jaws. Their necks are thick and short.

Their legs are short but powerful and thick, with round-shaped tufted paws and firm pads. Their front paws have five toes while their paws at the back have four. Persian cats' short tails are incredibly bushy, which they like to flick from side to side, to show their emotions.

This cat breed comes in a wide array of colours such as white, cream, red, blue, black, lilac, chocolate, golden, silver, blue-cream, tortoiseshell, sable, and tricolour. They also come from a variety of patterns such as, bi-colour, tortoiseshell, tabby, tricolour, shaded, smoke, and Himalayan – which is a light-coloured body with darker points, and blue eyes.

When it comes to their beautiful coat, Persian cats boast lush, long, and thick fur that is fine when touched. This cat breed has full frills covering their shoulders and then continuing down between their front legs.

Personality

Persian cats are gentle, dignified, and they prefer a calm and peaceful environment and people who treat them kindheartedly. This cat breed is like an ornament to a house, because they enjoy sitting on someone's lap and having all the pets they can get. Unlike athletic cats, they favour lounging on a sofa to climbing the heights of a bookcase or fireplace mantel.

Children are acceptable to the Persian cats if they are happy to simply stroke them and not drag them around or dress them up. They can play house and tea parties with kind children who gently pet them. Make sure that children will treat this cat breed with the gentle respect they deserve. Persian cats are very affectionate; however, they can also be discriminating as they reserve their attention for family members whom they fully trust.

Persian cats may greet you with a quiet and gentle meow. But in most cases, they let their eyes do the talking. They do not mind spending time alone, but your company will always make them happy and relaxed. When you go out for long periods, it may be best to have a pet sitter to accompany and care for them in their natural surroundings as they do not do well in unfamiliar environments.

Persian cats do not like loud places with lots of activity. They prefer quiet homes with minimal changes. They let their simple needs be known through their large, expressive eyes and soft, musical, and pleasant voice. Persian cats are unlikely to climb up curtains, perch on top of refrigerators or jump on kitchen counters because they are happy to stay on the floor or a more accessible location.

Lastly, this cat breed is perfect for those who work in the day or are busy around the house as they will sit contented on a chair, sofa, or bed until you arrive or have time to give attention. They are the type of cat breed that loves attention but never demands.

Trainability

Persians are not the most intelligent cat so it's unlikely you’ll be able to train them to do tricks. However, for most Persian cats, there are two types of training: the first is litter training, and second, is training good behaviour.

Like most cat breeds, Persian cats can be trained to have a good pleasant demeanour though it may take some time and patience on your part. Still, it's totally worth the effort as when a Persian is properly socialised and trained during their kittenhood, they will become a well-rounded and well-mannered feline companion.

Because they are not very active, it's also important to engage your Persian cat with a few play sessions each day to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

Coat & Care

Persian cats are known to be high maintenance. Their luscious coat must be groomed daily using a stainless-steel comb to reduce loose hair, tangles, and mats. Keep in mind that mats and tangles can be painful and uncomfortable for any cat breed. It is crucial to practice a good grooming routine when you have a Persian cat.

In addition to daily combing, it is advisable to bathe your Persian cat every few months. If possible, start this routine as soon as you get your Persian kitten so they get used to it from an early age. Also note that the Persian's eyes tend to tear because of their pushed-in face. To avoid unpleasant staining, wash or wipe their face daily, focusing on the area below their eyes.

Trim their nails more frequently when they are kittens and less often when they are adults. Clean their ears once a week, or as advised by your vet, to avoid the risk of ear mites. If left untreated, it may be challenging to treat. For their teeth, regular brushing is recommended using a vet-approved toothpaste to avoid gingivitis.

As for their nutrition, Persian cats need proper nutrients and protein. This comes with a high-quality diet recommended and advised by your vet. If you alter your Persian cat’s diet, make sure to watch their weight as they tend to become overweight quickly. Moreover, fresh and clean water should always be provided to encourage them to drink more. A lot of Persian cats can drink better using water fountains as it keeps the hair on their chin and chest dry.

Lastly, make sure to keep their litter boxes clean at all times. Not only are they particular about their bathroom hygiene, but it will help their coat and paws clean as well. Litter can get lodged in their fur or paws, and if not managed, they may just stop using the box.

Health

Persian cats' lifespan ranges from 10 to 15 years but they are prone to several potential health issues. Most are related to their facial structure, such as excessive tearing, Cherry eye, breathing difficulties or noisy breathing caused by constricted nostrils or dental malocclusions, which means the teeth don't mesh well together.

Other things to be away of are:

Heat sensitivity
Seborrhea oleosa – is a skin condition that causes itchiness, redness and hair loss.
Polycystic kidney disease – is a disease that forms small fluid pockets called cysts in their kidneys. It is commonly present from birth and may grow slowly or rapidly.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – is a genetic eye disease in cats where the retinal cells deteriorate over time and lead to blindness.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - thickening of the walls of the heart.
Hip dysplasia

Because of these health concerns, it's vital to only buy a Persian cat from a breeder who runs DNA health checks on the breeding cats and the kittens. This is important as DNA health checks can highlight some potential genetic diseases. Also note that The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Persian Registration Policy made testing for Polycystic kidney disease for breeding Persian cats mandatory from 2016.

Children & Other Pets

Persian cats are laid-back, affectionate, and gentle. This makes them a perfect choice for families with children. They are very lenient around children. This is just one of the reasons why they have remained one of the most popular family pets in the United Kingdom.

However, Persians do not like being dragged around, carried, or dressed up. So children in the same house as a Persian should be taught to interact with them in a very gentle way. Because of this, it is advisable to oversee any interaction between a Persian cat and a child to avoid any accidents.

Persian cats get on well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs if socialisation was done at an early age and they have grown up together. They are very friendly and calm by nature and have been known to get on with smaller animals like rabbits and birds. Still, just to be sure that everything goes well, it is always best to supervise them when they are around small pets.