Guide to Persian Cats

Key Stats

Life expectancy: 10-15 years old

Height: 25- 40 cm

Weight: 3-6 kg.

About Persians

As the name suggests Persian cats originated in Persia, which is modern-day Iran. They’ve got a great legacy, dating back to the 17th century when an Italian trader brought them from Persia to Europe. They were originally shiny grey haired cats but since then, they’ve been bred to have a number of different colour furs and characteristics.

Persians have become increasing popular in Britain since the 1800s, when they were exhibited at the cat show at Crystal Palace. They were a firm favourite of Queen Victoria.

Factors to consider

If you’re thinking about bringing a Persian cat into your family, it’s worth considering the environment. They tend not to take too kindly to busy, loud environment, so if you live in a noisy area or have young children who may be making sudden loud noises, this could also upset your 4-legged friend.

They are serene a relaxed cat who tend to prefer a consistent home life where not much changes on a day to day basis.

Temperament

Persians tend to be relatively quiet and loving cats who enjoy little more than lounging around the house. You might think that this is common for all cats – but it’s even more the case for Persians. They don’t need to be too needy, and whilst they are affectionate and love attention, they aren’t likely to be too demanding of their owners. When it comes to strangers they can be quite shy, but once they get more familiar with others they’ll be just fine.

Persians aren’t demanding cats, but they’ll let you know about their needs through their expressive eyes and voice. Their needs tend to be regular meals, mental stimulation an exercise and lots of love. If you can manage their needs, then they’re highly unlikely to be disruptive like climbing the curtains and jumping on kitchen worktops. Instead, they’ll reward you by snuggling down for most of the day and wait for the attention you can give them.

Persians tend not to be outdoor cats, and don’t tend to fare well against other cats and dogs. Allowing a Persian to go outdoors tends to mean you’ll be spending more time grooming them.

Price to Own a Persian

The price of a Persian ranges drastically based on the colour and the popularity of it. You can expect to  pay anywhere from £350 to over £1,000 for a Persian kitten. Then of course you’ll need to factor in other costs throughout the year, such as:

Microchipping
Vaccinations
Neutering
Flea treatments
Leash and collar
Food, treats and bowls
Toys
Beds
Grooming
Pet insurance
Ease of training

Persians are pretty easy going cats. Provide them with a quiet, relaxed setting and that should be most of what they need.

Care

Daily grooming is key to looking after your Persian. Their long, beautiful coat needs to be cleaned and untangled regularly by gently combing through and brushing it daily. Regular bathing is also recommended, try to do that monthly.

Generally speaking, Persians tend to be indoor cats, so it’s more than likely they will be using a litter box, it’s worth being aware that litter can get caught in their paws or coat. So make sure to keep the litter box very clean to ensure that they keep using it.

Finally, it’s important to keep an eye on excessive tearing. Wiping the corner of the the eyes clean daily helps prevent eye stains.

Health conditions

Persians are generally a healthy breed, but they are more susceptible to a number of conditions which are worth being aware of if you’re thinking about adding one to your home.

1. Progressive Retinal Atrophy – a progressive decline in vision which can lead to blindness. Owners may first notice signs of this condition when the cat starts to bump into things or becomes disorientated. There is no cure so DNA testing before breeding is the best chance of reducing the numbers of kittens born with this.
2. Polycystic Kidney disease – usually caused by cysts in the kidneys. It is an inherited disease. This can be diagnosed with an ultrasound of the kidneys or, more commonly, a blood test or cheek swab. There is a register available of Persian cats that have tested negatively for AD-KPD
3. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – thickening of the heart walls. It is the most common cause of heart disease in cats and can cause heart failure, blood clots and even sudden death. The cat may become lethargic or they may have fainting spells. Diagnosis is usually by ultrasound. The gene can be tested for by using a cheek swab and any cats testing positive should not be bred from.
4. Hip dysplasia – the hip joint doesn’t form properly and can cause pain and lameness and leads to early onset arthritis. This is usually diagnosed by a persistent limp and then xrays. Some cats may be candidates for surgery to repair or replace the joint but in most cases joint supplements and pain relief is the way forward.