The Persian cat breed gets its name from the ancient kingdom of Persia (now modern Iran). It is believed that the first Persian cats imported into Europe came from Persia around 1620 AD. Persian cats were presented at the world’s first organized cat show in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London, and the first breed standard was issued in 1889. Persians soon received royal endorsement when Queen Victoria expressed a fondness for the breed, owning two blue Persian cats.
The Persian is a longhaired cat with a round face and short snout. A medium-sized domestic cat, the Persian is solidly built with a muscular body, heavy bones and a broad chest. A long-time favourite of the cat fancier, the Persian is the world’s fourth-most popular of the recognised breeds.
Besides the common black Persian cat and the sought-after white Persian cat, the Persian breed comes in a wide range of colours and patterns. These include silver, golden, seal point (with brown points against a creamy body), lilac, chocolate, calico (a tri-colour coat with large patches), cream and blue.
Within the breed are different-faced Persian cats, which are classified mainly by the length of their snouts. The more traditional or doll-faced Persian has a longer snout. The peke-faced Persian with a flat face (named after the flat-faced Pekingese dog) was once popular among breeders in the United States but is now less favoured due to health issues.Understanding the breed-specific needs and proper care of your Persian cat will help increase the longevity and enjoyment of your furry family member.
Lifespan | The average Persian cat lifespan is about 13.5 years. The lifespan range of a healthy Persian that stays indoors tends to vary between 10 and 17 years. This variation can be due to factors such as exercise, diet (and this includes feeding the right-shaped kibble to make it easier for your flat-faced Persian to pick up and chew), environment and genetics. |
Temperament | Many owners refer to their Persian cat as “furniture with hair” because they don’t like to expend a lot of energy! This fits right in with their placid, easy-going nature. They are sweet, super-friendly, and love to be picked up. This breed makes a great companion for all ages, although due to its heavy bone structure, it tends to tire easily. So, a Persian is not the sort of cat you’d select if you specifically wanted it to play with the children. |
Suitable | Persian cats are most suited to indoor environments. They love to lounge around! They’re a good companion for any household and are quite serene and affectionate. Persians are not boisterous, though. They get on well with children and other pets when treated gently. They don’t respond well to roughhouse or aggression. |
Health | Well-bred Persian cats can enjoy robust good health when properly cared for and in the right environment. However, Persians can be liable to health problems such as kidney disease, eye trouble, dental problems and bladder stones. When these conditions happen, proper veterinary care is essential and, pet insurance for Persians can help with eligible vet bills. |
*Pet Insurance Australia Data 2022/2023
Training your Persian cat can be challenging due to its low energy levels, but it can also be very rewarding! The most important thing is to take the right approach. Here are some tips and tricks for training your Persian:
Don’t be harsh: To successfully train a Persian cat, you must be gentle and patient. And it’s important not to train them with too much too soon. Rather than train them on various things at once, it’s best to pick one thing and then stick to it. When that’s mastered, move on to the next one.
If you’ve wondered, “Are Persian cats hypoallergenic?” the answer is no. But it’s still vital to keep them well-groomed to prevent excess shedding and eliminate dirt and “grease” from that long, luxurious coat. It is recommended to brush and comb your Persian cat’s coat daily and bathe it every two to four weeks. Its nails should be clipped about every two weeks, especially the front claws, which grow back faster. Here are some tips:
Your pet’s health is priceless. Don’t leave it up to chance.
The modern Persian cat can encounter specific health issues. Some of these are:
At Pet Insurance Australia, our cat insurance is designed to take the stress out of these situations and provide the best healthcare when they happen.
Are Persian cats lazy? The answer is yes, but it’s not entirely their fault! Because their facial structure often leads to breathing difficulties, they can tire quite easily. Nevertheless, it’s important for their health to get some form of regular exercise. So, you should engage them in playtime at least once a day for about half an hour.
A Persian cat is extremely intelligent and is easy to train with a friendly approach. You have to bear in mind that these cats are not natural hunters, but don’t let that fool you! A Persian is quick to pick up on the emotions of people around them and will offer some gentle support and comfort when you need it.
Persians are a very popular breed and make great family pets. Affectionate and calm, they are much more tolerant of their humans’ behaviour than many other breeds. Although, if things get too boisterous, your Persian might move to a more secluded spot. If you are looking for a lap cat that likes a nice cuddle, consider a Persian cat.
Persian cats prefer a calm and orderly environment. They can be easily startled and have low energy levels, so they are better suited to living indoors. Set up your indoor area with a litter tray, scratching posts, toys and comfortable resting areas, and your Persian will be quite content.
There are two areas where the responsible breeding of Persian cats is most critical:
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Persian Cats. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
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