What are some facts about Persian Cats?

Question

I want to get a Persian REALLY bad! I think they are absolutly adorable...What are some good and bad things about them that i should know? Please help!

Answer 1

A show-quality Persian has an extremely long thick coat, short legs, a wide head with the ears set far apart, large eyes, and an extremely foreshortened muzzle. The breed was originally established with a short (but not non-existent) muzzle, but over time this feature has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America, and Persians with the more extreme brachycelphalic head type are prone to a number of health problems (specifically affecting their sinuses and breathing) caused by it. However, conscientious breeders eliminate this by careful choice of breeding stock with more moderate head type, as the goal is first and always healthy cats.

Persian cats can have any color or markings including pointed, tortoiseshell, blue, and tabby. Persian cats with point are referred to as Colourpoint Persian in Europe and Himalayan (cat) in United States.

In the USA, there was an attempt to establish the Silver Persian as a separate breed called the Sterling, but it was not accepted and Silver and Golden longhaired cats, recognized by CFA more specially as Chinchilla Silvers, Shaded Silvers, Chinchilla Goldens or Shaded Goldens are judged in the Persian category of cat shows. In South Africa, the attempt to separate the breed was more successful: the SA Cat Council (SACC) registers cats with 5 generations of pure bred Chinchilla as a Chinchilla Longhair. The Chinchilla Longhair has a slightly longer nose than the Persian, resulting in healthy breathing and no tearing of the eyes. Its hair is translucent with only the tips carrying black pigment: a feature that gets lost when out-crossed to other colored Persians. Out-crossing also may result in losing nose and lip liner, which is a fault in the Chinchilla Longhair breed standard.

Because their fur is too long and dense for them to maintain themselves, Persian cats need regular grooming. To keep their fur in its best condition, they must be bathed regularly, dried carefully afterwards, and brushed thoroughly every day. Their eyes need to be checked for problems on a regular basis because some animals have trouble keeping them clean.

A Persian cat without an established and registered pedigree is classed as a domestic longhair cat.

Answer 2

Facts About Persian Cats

Answer 3

Persian cats are very high maintenance. The grooming alone is a daily chore, although many people shave their cats down to a shorter coat for the warm weather.

There is also the issues caused by the foreshortened nose/face including tearing of the eyes, restricted breathing, and inability to eat off anything off flat dishes.

Eye staining can be coped with by cleaning daily and using groomer's products for keeping the fur white. These cats also have a tendency to get food and drool on their faces and chest,which will also discolor the fur.

One of the most important considerations, is that you buy your cat from a breeder who can provide proof that their breeding stock (the parents) have tested negative by DNA swabs, for PKD, polycystic kidney disease. This is very prevalent in the breed, and can kill kittens as young as a few weeks, although generally, the cysts may be in the kidneys at birth, but do not appear to grow or cause problems until they are two years of age or more. Some cats are even older before the disorder is discovered. Most case are eventually fatal. Although they can live years with the condition, it is usually fatal at some point.

Breeders used to check for the cysts with ultrasounds of the kidneys, but these weren't usually valid until the cat was two years old, at which time it was already breeding. Now, they can DNA test for the gene in kittens that are only ten weeks old. That means you should seek out a breeder whose cats are PKD negative by DNA testing, and not just someone who advertises themselves as a "PKD aware" cattery. Make sure you get copies of the pedigree, and the parents health clearances as well.

Answer 4

i have a cat that is semi persian and he has the chunky bone structure characteristic of that breed

persians are generally sociable but gentle and people loving cats

the thing to think about is their beautiful fur coat - it is long and gets knotted very easily and so the cat will need a lot of help throughout its life. a special cat comb can help as well as starting a grooming routine when the cat is very young so that it is used to being handled and combed. Another thing you will need is a pair of round tipped scissors in order to be able to trim out any knots that may occur as soon as you notice them. if left then the knots get bigger and become an ideal hiding ground for a 'flea base' where the cats best efforts at grooming cant touch them

Answer 5

Hi there...I had 2 persians...they both were very loving and love people! But on the down side they can get really sick...with there flat face they sometimes have trouble breathing! They are a very beautiful cat...mine died 3 years ago from lukemia! He was white with cooper colored eyes...he never was mean...most cats are at times but my persian wasn't he was really easy going and sweet! Good luck and if you do decide to get one just make sure you get it checked out often at the vet! Hope I helped!

Answer 6

Persian cats have the most wonderful personalities. However, if you get a Persian you need to be prepared to do a LOT of grooming. To find out all about Persians, go to the Cat Fanciers' Association website. They have links to all kinds of cat breeds.

I raised a Shaded Silver Persian Kitten and she was such a dear, but I had to comb her twice a day. I made it a pleasant experience for her, so when it was time to go to bed she stood on the comb that was on the nightstand. I'd comb her and then she expected me to "fluff her up".

Answer 7

I had a Chinchilla Silver Persian for years, and they have wonderful personalities. Very few drawbacks, except that they MUST, without exception, be thoroughly brushed every single day (or their fur will mat up so badly they have to be shaved and start over)! Also, my cat, Rosa, wasn't big on being held. She'd sit next to you, but I think all that hair made it too hot for her to sit on your lap or be held. So just remember that you probably won't have a lap cat.

Other than that, they're very gentle and have quirky, cute personalties. Rosa wasn't vocal at all, and she was independent. She was also in very good health for 12+ years. I've heard however, that Persians tend to have kidney problems at a greater rate than other breeds. Also, choose one whose face isn't too "flat" or he/she may be a loud breather (I've seen this in other Persians).

Use a registered breeder to find your cat (one that guarantees health up to a certain time period) and you should have no problems. Good luck to you and your new best friend!

Answer 8

I had a Persian. He was very laid back. He enjoyed baths. He did not clean himself much. He liked sitting up in a chair at the table and eating pizza. He would lay down on his back, something like Garfield. He would do this anywhere including in a doorway, sideways so that people passing by would have to step over him.
He was compatible with almost anyone who came to visit.
He was lovable.