Persian Cat

Persian
Overview
Characteristics
Persian
Temperament
? The breed’s dominant personality traits. While each individual has a unique personality, breed-specific genetics affect qualities like sociability, playfulness, and intelligence.
Sweet, sensitive, playful, charming
Origin
? Where this breed was first established.
Iran
Other Names
? In addition to their official names, most breeds earn a few nicknames.
Persian longhair
Group
? Breeds are grouped by their size and coat type.
Medium to large long-haired
Height
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"- 10"
Body Length
? The typical adult body length among individuals of this breed. A cat’s length is measured from the base of the tail to the tip of the nose.
14"-17"
Weight
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
8-15 pounds
Life Expectancy
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
14-15 years
Price
? The average price.
$1300 - $3000
Affection Level
? Breeds with a high affection level want to give and receive a lot of attention, while less-affectionate breeds are not as interested in petting and snuggles.
0 100%
80%
Activity Level
? Breeds with high activity levels will engage more in active play and demand more space and attention.
0 100%
20%
Pet-Friendly
? How well the breed tends to get along with cats, dogs, and other pets.
0 100%
80%
Kid-Friendly
? Breeds with a higher rating in this area tend to be gentle and patient, while lower-rated breeds may feel uncomfortable with children.
0 100%
80%
Sociability
? Breeds with a higher sociability rating will want to spend time with you all day, while less-sociable breeds seldom seek out human interaction.
0 100%
80%
Intelligence
? Breeds with higher intelligence ratings are more curious, investigative, and easy to train. Less-intelligent breeds are less trainable but often laid-back and easygoing.
0 100%
40%
Playfulness
? Breeds that score higher in this area have strong hunting instincts that make them great playtime companions.
0 100%
60%
Independence
? Breeds that score higher in this area are able to spend hours alone, while less-independent breeds require plenty of attention.
0 100%
40%
Vocality
? A higher rating in this area indicates a breed prone to plenty of meowing and other vocalizations, while less-vocal breeds are happy to stay quiet.
0 100%
20%
Grooming
? Breeds with higher grooming scores require more maintenance like brushing and bathing, while lower-scored breeds are virtually maintenance-free.
0 100%
100%

Persian Personality and Temperament

A thick, luxurious coat is only the beginning! Persian cats bring joy to their families via loving personalities and gentle yet playful antics.

If you're looking for a cat that isn't into impressive displays of athleticism, the Persian might be the perfect breed for you. These cats love to lounge, particularly after they reach adulthood; perhaps that's why some people call them furniture with fur. Don't be fooled by this reputation, though; these cats do exhibit a playful streak, particularly when their people are interested in joining the fun.

Persians are not prone to excessive mischief; for example, they aren't into opening drawers and cupboards like their Oriental cousins are, and they are not normally into things like walking on leashes and playing fetch like some other breeds such as Siamese and Savannahs. They are however intelligent cats, capable of learning your routine, greeting you, and of course, curling up for snuggles as part of a daily routine.

Even though Persians are expert-level cuddlers, they are not terribly demanding. If you're looking for a cat who is happy to nap while you're gone and will cheerfully accompany you through your evening routine, you'll definitely want to give thePersian a second look.

Last but not least, despite having something of a froufrou reputation, Persians make excellent family pets. They have the ability to get along well with children, other felines, and even dogs.

About the Persian Cat

Care

Persian Cat Care

Nutrition

Nutrition

Grooming

Grooming

Exercise

Exercise

Health

Health

Because Persian cats have a tendency to suffer from obesity, it's vital to offer them a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet that relies on real meat or fish as the main ingredient. Consider choosing a food that contains added Omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health.

The Persian cat requires daily grooming sessions to prevent tangles that could eventually form painful mats in its ultra-fine undercoat.

These kitties often have facial folds that require cleaning once or twice per day, depending on whether the cat is prone to eye discharge. In addition, routine dental care and nail trimming are rituals worth adopting.

Persian cats need exercise, but care must be taken not to overdo it. You can feel free to have fun playing with feather wands and lasers, but at a slower pace that doesn't cause your kitty to pant or suffer from shortness of breath.

Persians appreciate cat towers and window shelves that offer them a good view of everything that's happening in the household and neighborhood, and they like to sink their claws into scratchers, too. Just like other cats, Persians love to play with toys including catnip mice, interesting balls, and little stuffed animals.

With the Persian's flattened face come some known health issues including shortness of breath with exertion. They are also prone to allergies, which is a common issue for all brachycephalic cat breeds. Other known Persian health issues include frequent eye injuries, dental disease and malocclusion, kidney disease, and cancer.

History

The Persian is an ancient breed, with a history that spans thousands of years. These cats – or cats with a similar appearance – can be seen on hieroglyphics that date back to approximately 1684 BC. During the 1500s, Europeans were introduced to cats that probably served as the foundation to modern Persians and Angoras, when they accompanied Phoenician and Roman caravans.

Sometime during the 1600s, an Italian composer and adventurer named Pietro della Valle described Persian cats from the Khorazan region of Persia, noting that most had long, silky, gray coats. His manuscript, known as Voyages de Pietro della Valle, mentions that the cats made their way to Persia from India with Portuguese travelers.

With frequent travel came additional imports: both Persian and Angora cats made their way to France and England. In England, they were called French cats and they quickly gained popularity for their unique appearance and friendly personalities.

By the 1900s, Persian cats – then known as Persian Longhairs or simply as Longhairs – outpaced Angoras in terms of popularity, perhaps because Queen Victoria had two blue Persians and people of the day were heavily influenced by the Queen's personal tastes.

Today's American Persians are renowned as North America's most popular cat breed. They are recognized by breed registries worldwide.

Persian Cat History

Did You Know?

A Persian cat with a longer nose is called a doll face Persian, and more closely resembles the traditional or old-fashioned Persian cat breed.

Flat faced Persian cats have a couple of different nicknames including ultra-type and peke-face.

The Persian was once Britain's most popular cat, however it has been outpaced by the British Shorthair.

The Breed Standard

About the Persian Cat

Eyes

The eyes should be large, round, and full, with brilliant coloring. Persian cat eye color should complement coat color.

Legs & Paws

The legs should be short and thick, with an appearance of strength. The paws should be round, with prominent tufts between the toes.

Tail

The tail should be short, yet well-proportioned, creating balance with the cat’s body. Hair should create a full, brush effect.

Body

The Persian should be well-rounded, yet well-balanced, with a cobby body type and good muscle tone. Most Persians are of medium to large size, with males typically weighing more than females.

Head

The head should be large and round, and should sit on a short neck. Viewed in profile, the Persian cat’s forehead, nose, and chin should appear to be vertically aligned, with the eyes taking on a prominent appearance.

Ears

The ears should be small, with a slightly forward tilt. The tips should be round, and furnishings should be ample.

Coat

The coat should be long and thick, with a fine texture. A prominent ruff that extends to form a frill between the front legs is desirable.

Color

Persian cats may be of nearly any color or pattern imaginable. Some registries separate Himalayans / color point Persians from other colors and patterns. Nose leather and paw pad color should complement the coat color.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Persian cat cost?

Persian cats cost between $1300 - $3000.

How big do Persian cats get?

Persian cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown Persian cat might weigh between 8-15 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 8"- 10" inches tall.

How long do Persian cats live?

The Average lifespan for Persian is 14-15 years.

Do Persian cats shed?

Persian are long-haired cats, so you do have to expect a certain amount of shedding from this breed, but they don't shed as much as other cat breeds.

14 thoughts on “Persian

  1. Katharine Henkel

    Is a 20” long litter box going to be large enough for an adult male Persian? He’s a kitten now, but I’m thinking of making a substantial investment in a litter box.

    Reply
  2. Muhammad

    Is it possible to get a baby Persian cat? I would like to get one for my little sister.
    Thank you, and I anticipate your kind response.

    Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta

      Hi Muhammad, thanks for the message. Of course, it’s possible to get a baby Persian cat—you’ll most likely need to find a breeder in your local area. I’m not sure where you live, but if you’re in the United States, Canada, or Australia, this tool may help. Try searching “persian kittens near me” on Google to find better location-specific results.

      Reply
    1. small mallory photoMallory Crusta

      That’s very common! As long as you’re brushing your kitty’s teeth and taking them in for regular dental cleanings, a little cat food smell after meals isn’t a problem.

      Reply

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