The persian is undoubtedly one of the most common breeds. Thousands of families around the globe have a persian cat as a loyal companion in their homes. It comes as no surprise since their pleasant temperament and furry appearance makes them a very attractive option.
Continue reading to know the most important characteristics of the persian cat.
Weight and size
The Persian is considered a middle to large sized cat. It is 10 to 15 inches tall and can weigh between 7 and 12 pounds.
Looks
Their impressive coat is what makes them stand out, it is long, soft and abundant. Their legs are realñy short and at the same time robust and muscular in order to carry their considerable weight.
When it comes to the head, it is round and wide. The ears are also round and the nose is really short. The bridge of the nose has to end right between their eyes, this characteristic gives their face a very particular look.
The Persian can be found in practically every known color in cats, such a black, white, clue, chocolate, lilac and cream.
Origin
It is very hard to pinpoint the exact origin of long haired breeds such as the persian. Domestic cats do not have a close relative that has long hair, which makes it very difficult to trace their history. This also is strong evidence that these cats are the result of many years of mixing and breeding.
Judging by its name, this cat’s origins very likely trace back to Persia, now Iran. According to official records, in 1620 a breeder named Pietro della Valle brought several exotic long hair cats to Italy. A few years later, Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc imported from Angora (now Ankara) cats with an abundant coat to France.
This resulted in the popularization of long hair cats in Europe. It wasn’t until the XIX century when different long haired cats were being mixed which resulted in what we now know as the Persian.
Temperament
Persians are very loving and affectionate cats who are always near their owners. They are ideal for those people who are looking for a cat but don’t want it to be wandering around outside of the house. For the persian there is nothing better than staying home relaxing with their family.
It is true that their personality tends to be quieter, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t adapt your home to keep them in shape and entertained. It is important that you have toys made specially for cats and a scratcher to avoid claw marks in your furniture or wood floors.
Care
The charm of the persian cat precisely comes from their beautiful furr, but there is a lot you have to do to keep it tidy and clean. A Persian cat must have its hair brushed at least daily, and if they are shedding, this can rise up to 2 to 3 times a day.
Remember that the litter box has to be kept clean at all times, especially for this breed whose hair is so long it could get dirty. Other care you must have is cleaning their lacrimal and brushing their teeth.
Health and eating habits
This breed does not have any specific feeding requirements, but the shape of their jaw makes it difficult for them to grab kibbles with their teeth, so they use their mouth. Try to pick small kibbles to make this process easier.
Unfortunately, cats that are the result of many years of breeding often present health problems due to genetic mutations. Persians are known for polycystic kidney disease and progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness.
Prevention is key to avoid these diseases, this is why you should regularly take your cat to the veterinarian for general revisions.
We invite you to explore our blog to know more about cat breeds.