As one of the most recognize and adored cat-o'-nine-tails breeds on the planet , Persian cats have been blithely snuggling up with their owners since the 1600s . With their long flowing coating , thick bodies , and flat faces , it ’s surd to resist the magic spell of a Persian .

Persian cats are a medium - sized breed and take their role as loving familiar badly . They ’re always ready to be stroke and fussed over at a present moment ’s notification . This beautiful kitty comes in a all-embracing variety of coloring and colour jazz band , and they get along with all family members ( let in fellow furry one ) when present as kittens . If you ’re willing to put in the work with grooming - and it ’s a lot of work — you wo n’t incur a more loving familiar .

Appearance

There ’s no misunderstanding a Persian cat when you see one . These iconic felines are well - have intercourse for their thick pelt coats , large eye , and stocky body . But there ’s one feature that straight off comes to mind when you think about a Persian ’s appearance : their cute , smooshy faces .

These cat are a intermediate - sized breed , with distaff Persians weighing between 7–10 pounds and male person at a somewhat larger 9–13 pound . That long , lustrous Iranian coat come in a host of color , including orange , grey , and emollient , and their eyes are typically a brilliant copper , green , hazel , or blue .

Over the yr , two anatomy of Persian cat have emerged : the show and the traditional , also bonk as the doll - look . Show Persians ( also called " Peke - face , " because they resemblePekingese domestic dog ) generally have flatter cheek , smaller ears , thicker coat , and big eyes than the traditional . Doll - face Persian cats have less marked features and more close resemble the first recorded image of the breed . But whether your kitty is a Peke - expression or doll - case , both share the same fresh conduct andrequire daily brushingto keep their long coats from matting .

Persian kitten plays with dangling toy on wood floor

Benjamin Torode / Getty

Temperament

Persians are as sweet as they are stylish ! These quiet , graceful sweetheart are walking love sponge whose main function in life is to adore you and be adored in homecoming .

" Every cat is an individual , which means that the individual cat might not demo the temperament attributed to Persians , " say Marilyn Krieger , acertified true cat behavior consultantin San Francisco . " Generally speaking , Iranian CT are know to be low - key , social , and affectionate cats [ who ] love to be next to their mortal , petted , and cuddled . "

Persian are happy and curious cat , but they wo n’t drive you crazy wind around your home looking for loving cup of pee to rap over . Plus , Persian cat are solidly built , so they ’re improbable to attempt climbing the curtains . You ’re most likely to find them catch a wink on the comfiest shock they can find .

White and grey persian cat lays on white couch

Edgar Del / 500px / Getty

They also get along with everyone , including dogs , as long as they are socialized when young . Persians are energetic enough to enjoycat toys and gamesbut do n’t need constant entertainment to keep them well-chosen .

Living Needs

Although Persian cats may reckon like fashion example , their caution does n’t affect any fancy accommodations . In fact , this medium - energy breed will be equally happy in a flyspeck flat or large home . Like other cats , Persians willenjoy a cat treeto climb on , but depending on your case-by-case pet , it might not be necessary . Not all of these feline are all that athletic , and some Persians might want to keep all four paw firmly on the ground ( or on the couch ) . They do , however , enjoy lying in a sunny windowpane , so lend a cozy perch or two will let your kitty-cat tochatter at birdsin solace .

Because they have such seraphic personality , Persian kat make with child pets for all members of the family , especially seniors andolder children . If there ’s a comfortable lap around , your Persian will find it . As a world-wide rule , Persians alsoget along well with dogsand fellow felid .

And while your Persian will be fine leave to her own machine while you ’re at work ( as long as she has toys and things to rub for enrichment ) , sheshouldn’t be leave behind alonefor protracted menstruation of sentence , Krieger says .

Painting of many persian cats of white, black and tabby variety

Carl Kahler /Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

" If possible , whenadopting khat , assume a brace that is bonded to each other , " she says . " Never lead cats alone overnight - they need to be feed , [ to have ] litter box seat best , and to be interacted with . "

Care

In edict for their gilded coats to stay in top frame , Persian qat take casual brushing to preclude tangles and mats . Brushing and combing will also remove excess dirt , dead haircloth , and even cat litter that might stick to their fur . Bathingis essential to keep your Persian ’s coat and skin in good shape . Pro tip : If you start bathing your cat when she ’s a kitten , she wo n’t think double about being localize in a tub of lovesome water when she ’s an adult . If you ’ve take on an adult Persian , she might not be so willing to take a bath , so you might necessitate to resort to spot cleaning with a warm , moist textile .

Krieger say some cat breeds require more flurry than others , and a Persian is definitely a more high - maintenance felid . Before decide to embrace a specific breed , you need to understand the specific care that your preferred cat may necessitate . She says the ideal Persian computed axial tomography possessor is someone who has the necessary clock time to expend maintaining their coat . " You have to sweep them every sidereal day , " she says . If you do n’t , " their pelt gets tangled up . And if the pelt gets tangle , it ’s painful for the cat . "

Excessive tears can also be an progeny , particularly for those cats with flatter faces , so wipe your cat ’s cock-a-hoop eyes day by day to forestall staining . And , like other cat breed , Persiansrequire regular dental attention , nail passementerie , andvisits to your veterinarianforvaccinationsand health test . And do n’t bury tokeep your cat ’s litter box clean . Persians can be picky andmay refuse to use itif it does n’t meet their expectations .

Krieger tension doing research on any strain before bringing it into your place . Before you adopt , " new cat owners should realize everything that go along with having a true cat , " she says .

But as high - maintenance as Persian cats are when it come in to groom , Krieger state they can be an easygoing pet toclicker train . " The trick is obtain a treat that they adore and reinforcing them with the treat when they do the conduct you want , " she says . " In accession toparlor tricks , they can be easily trained to fray the good furniture , not door flit , [ and to ] stay off counter . "

Health

The distinctive Persian lifespan is 10–15 years . As with any strain , Persian cats are susceptible to certain health trouble , and they do have a number of potential transmissible health issues that potential owners call for to be aware of .

Two rough-cut ailments in Persian cat includeprogressive retinal atrophy(PRA ) and polycystickidney disease(PKD ) . PKD is an inherited disorderliness that induce small , liquidity - filled sacs in the kidney tissue paper that turn and multiply over time , finally leading to kidney loser . PRA is a geneticeye disease in catswhere the electric cell of the retina deteriorate over time and finally lead to blindness .

optic anddental problemsare also an issue for Persian cats , peculiarly those with flavorless faces and short jaw . even attention to these areas will keep your quat in good health .

And like other cat breeds , Iranian computed tomography should be spayed and alter , and should never free roam outdoors without close supervision .

History

No one lie with exactly when or where the very first Iranian cat turned up , but in the 1600s , these foresightful - haired beauties were being brought to Europe from advanced - sidereal day Iran , which was then Persia . By the 1800s , they were introduced into Britain , where other versions were exhibited at the Crystal Palace cat show . Queen Victoria took special interest in the strain and owned several during her life-time , include one she named White Heather , who remained in Buckingham Palace after the Queen herself had died . The Queen ’s adhesion to these have it off animals helped make them popular with the British world .

The first Iranian CAT came to the U.S. in the previous 1800s . In 1906 , they became the first breed register in the newly formed Cat Fanciers ' Association . By the fifties , selective breeding start to produce Iranian cats with flatter human face and rounder pass .

Because of their purple bearing and ancient lineage , Iranian cats have played starring roles in art , ad , and photography through the decades . In fact , the turgid house painting of cats ever sell , style " My Wife ’s lover , " depicted both Iranian andTurkish Angoracats . Today , Persians are one of themost popular computerized axial tomography breed in the U.S.

Fun Facts

Persian History . Persian Breed Council .