Quick Facts:

Group classification: Long Hair

Country of origin: Iran

Date of origin: 1620

Weight (M): 8-10 pounds Height (M): Medium 10-15 inches

Weight (F): 7-9 pounds Height (F): Medium 10-14 inches

Life expectancy: 10-15years

Breed History

The origin of the Persian cat is believed to have been Persia, which is currently known as Iran. However, there are pyramid walls that comprise certain hieroglyphics that bear a resemblance to the Persian cats. The cats were customarily traded for commodities in respect to the value they were accorded for their temperament and beauty, which aided in their popularity all over the world. In 1620, Pietro Della Valle imported these breed’s earliest documented ancestors into Italy from Persia before their introduction into Turkey, France and Britain in this order. In these ancient days, the appearance of the Persian cats differed considerably in comparison to today’s standard.

General Description

Persian cats come in an assortment of colors and numerous patterns. They can have any markings and color including tortoiseshell, pointed or tabby and golden or blue respectively. They comprise short legs, an extremely long and thick coat in addition to a broad head with ears that are set considerably far apart. The cat’s muzzle is extremely foreshortened and in relation to their generally squashed faces, moderate discharge is common on their tear ducts.

Temperament

One of the most significant things about the nature of Persian cats is their gentle disposition and their ease of adjusting to new surroundings, which makes them perfect show cats. They are relatively quiet, although not necessarily shy and have a tendency of being undemonstrative. Persian cats are affectionate, quiet, loving and make favorable companions, but are not inclined to demand the undivided attention of their owner, and neither do they become pushy. Due to their style of cobby body, they usually do not have a tendency of jumping high. They enjoy playing and running, but usually spend a considerable portion of their time sleeping. This attributes to their suitability for apartment living since they hardly require much space for exercise. In respect to the loyalty they have with their families, their likelihood of straying is minimal.

Health and Care

The Persian cat is healthy and hardy; although the ones with extremely squashed faces commonly have respiratory problems in addition to being prone to tearing. To maintain their health, they are preferably kept indoors for optimal health and their coats groomed everyday. Keeping them indoors protects them from parasites and diseases not to mention the everyday dangers including dogs and cars. The medical problems that Persian cats are commonly prone to include nostril constriction, overflow of the tear duct, cherry flow, dental malocclusions, seborrhea oleosa and entropion. The eyes of Persian cats are quite large and should be regularly checked for problems because the cats may be incapable of keeping them clean. At least once in every year, they should be taken to a veterinary.

Other Important Information

Persian cats are prone to hair shedding and have grooming problems in addition to a high likelihood of runny eyes. Persian cats should be assisted in removing knots from their hair and since this is a time consuming job, a special pet brush should be obtained and used regularly. Although only older cats tend to be incapable of grooming themselves in most cases, some owners insist on their cats being shaved occasionally, especially if the grooming develops into a problem.

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