Persian cat
Persian cat ideal weight and nutrition
A female Persian cat weighs 8 - 12 lbs (3.5 - 5.5 kg) and a male Persian cat weighs more than 12 lbs (5.5 kg). A balanced and rich in vitamins, protein and fiber nutrition will prevent most of their health problems, such as obesity and will help them develop a rich and shiny fur. Specifically, Omega fat acids help maintain a shiny and beautiful long coat, and soluble and insoluble fibers increase digestive activity to eliminate hairballs naturally.
Moreover, dry food and particularly almond shaped kibbles are ideal because they make food easier to grasp. The "peke-faced" Persian cat with flat facial characteristics uses the lower side of its tongue to pick up kibbles which is why almond-shape kibbles are easier for eat.
If you want to control the amount of dry food your Persian cat eats on a daily basis, consult the table below:
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| Table 1.1 - Persian cat daily food intake |
Persian kittens care
When you introduce persian kittens to your home let them find their own way out of the basket and allow them to explore one room at a time. Make sure that all doors and windows are shut, to prevent the persian kittens from escaping.
Kittens are very often frightened by children or other pets. Children should therefore be recommended to be quiet and wait for the kittens to adopt to the new environment and other animals should be introduced later, gradually and one at a time. Remember that adult cats might attack to baby cats, because they confront them as competitors and therefore as enemies.
Talk to your kitty and encourage it to play with a cat toy but do not overwhelm it with extreme attention.
Persian kittens need warmth, because they miss their mother. If there is not some form of heating in the room at all times, you' d better buy a heated bed from a pet shop.
During the first month of their life, kittens should be breastfeeding. This is why you shouldn't separate them from their mother before they are one month old.
When they are one month old they can start eating kitten food. In the market you will find a wide range of persian kittens meals, however we recommend dry kitten food. This comes in small kibbles that encourage kittens to crunch and help them develop stronger gum and teeth.
For the suggested daily intake of persian kittens dry food, consult the table below:
Persian cat grooming
The average total length of the hair on a Persian cat is over 230 miles, no wonder why their fur needs to be brushed daily with the help of a metallic brush. The brushing movements need to be repetitive, however delicate as the Persian cats' skin is highly irritable. To get rid of tight knots, use a brush with wide-teeth first and dissolve them gradually. If you neglect daily cat grooming, your Persian cat will develop tight knots and become aggressive during the next cat grooming. Besides, regular cat grooming will improve the blood circulation and help avoid many unpleasant and long-lasting infections and allergies.
Persian cats care
A Persian cat has a rich and long-haired coat and therefore runs a high risk of developing hair balls. To find out more check out our hair ball treatment guide.
Another issue you should take care of on a monthly basis is fleas. Find out more in our flea treatment guide.
Always keep tapeworm pills at home and give them as prescribed to your cat every 3 months. To find out more check our tapeworm treatment guide.
To protect your Persian cat from infections, you should clean its ears once a week. Consult your vet on choosing the proper cat ear cleaning solution and use it to remove the excess of wax, debris and dead tissues.
Cat teeth should be checked periodically and brushed with a special wipe to prevent teeth and gum diseases. In the market there are also a lot of cat toys, specially designed to remove food wastes and prevent teeth irritation.
A litter tray must be available at all times and kept in the same place. Solid matter and wet lumps should be removed from the tray frequently and the litter renewed when necessary. The tray should be washed and disinfected frequently. Rinse thoroughly after disinfecting and allow drying before use. The Persian cat is very very fussy and will not use a dirty tray.
Never give cats any drugs that have not been prescribed for them; many human drugs are poisonous to cats. Seek veterinary advice immediately if you suspect any form of poisoning.
Make sure that cat toys or parts of them cannot be swallowed. Plastic bags and rubber bands can be extremely dangerous, since they do not show up on an X-ray.
Persian cat health and lifespan
A Persian cat usually lives 15 years or more. The modern brachycephalic Persian has a large rounded skull and a shortened face and nose that cause some health problems. This facial conformation makes the breed prone to breathing difficulties, skin and eye problems and birthing difficulties.
Stress sometimes affects the Persian cat, causing Feline Hyperesthesia. The symptom is extremely sensitive skin and treatment can be carried out by the use of antidepressants or by simply separating the cat from its stressful environment. Enriching the cat's environment with toys, climbing equipment and providing a room with a view, may also help.
Persian cat history
Persia is the ancient name of Iran, which of course implies the breed's origins and age. The Persian people considered them very valuable and treated them like true treasures.
The Persian cat was first brought to Europe by the Italian Pietro della Valle. Mr. Della Valle had spent many years in the Middle East witting about it and when it was about time to return to Italy, he realized that he had to take some gifts with him. And since jewels, spices and silk had become more than a common Middle East souvenir, he came up with a more unique idea. He took with him four pairs of gray longhair cats and that is how the first Blue Persian cats entered the Western civilization.
Persian cat personality
The Persian cat is very affectionate and loyal. It craves attention and likes to be played around with. Though not very demanding, it loves to be petted. It will sit on your lap, follow you around the house and sleep in your bed during cold nights.
Its playful and in the meantime calm nature, makes it ideal for families with children or other pets. The Persian cat does not mind new members in the household, on the contrary they are very adaptable and accommodating.
Although it gets attached to all family members, the Persian cat usually shows special affection for a particular individual in the house. It is sweet and gentle, but needs to feel secure in its environment. It prefers an atmosphere of serenity, love and reassurance.
Finally, the Persian cat is very dramatic. It loves to pose and will drape itself like Royalty on your furniture, enhancing the decor and covering it with their signature long hair.
Persian cat breed standards
According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, the Persian cat is heavily boned, well-balanced with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart on the large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance.
The head is round and massive, with great breadth of skull, well set on a short and thick neck The face is round with round underlying bone structure. The skull structure is smooth and round to the touch. When viewed in profile, the prominence of the eyes is apparent and the forehead, nose and chin appear to be in vertical alignment.
The nose is short, snub and broad, with a “break” centered between the eyes.
The cheeks are full and the muzzle not overly pronounced, smoothing nicely into the cheeks.
The jaws are broad and powerful and their chin is full, well-developed and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite.
The ears are small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at the base. They bear long tufts and are set far apart and low on the head, fitting into the rounded contour of the head.
The Persian cat has brilliant, large, round and full eyes. They are set far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face. Their color varies as per the coat color and pattern.
The body is large or medium sized, with a good muscle tone. It is of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well rounded mid-section and level back.
The legs are short, thick and strong. The paws are large, round and firm, with long tufts.
The tail is short, but in proportion to the body length and their coat is long and thick, standing off from the body. It has a fine texture, a glossy appearance and it is full of life. It is long all over the body, including the shoulders. The ruff is immense and continues in a deep frill between the front legs.
Regarding the officially recognized coat and eye colors, check the table bellow:
| coat color and pattern | eye color |
|---|---|
| solid white | deep blue or brilliant copper |
| solid blue | brilliant copper |
| solid black | brilliant copper |
| solid red | brilliant copper |
| solid cream | brilliant copper |
| solid chocolate | brilliant copper |
| solid chocolate | brilliant copper |
| shaded silver | green or blue-green |
| blue shaded silver | green or blue-green |
| shaded golden | green or blue-green |
| blue shaded golden | green or blue-green |
| shell cameo | brilliant copper |
| shaded cameo | brilliant copper |
| shell cream | brilliant copper |
| shaded cream | brilliant copper |
| blue cream smoke | brilliant copper |
| silver tabby | green, hazel or brilliant copper |
| silver patched tabby | green, hazel or brilliant copper |
| blue - silver tabby | green, hazel or brilliant copper |
| blue - silver patched tabby | green, hazel or brilliant copper |
| red tabby | brilliant copper |
| brown tabby | brilliant copper |
| brown patched tabby | brilliant copper |
| blue tabby | brilliant copper |
| blue patched tabby | brilliant copper |
| cream tabby | brilliant copper |
| cameo tabby | brilliant copper |
| cream silver tabby | brilliant copper |
| chocolate tabby | brilliant copper |
| chocolate patched tabby | brilliant copper |
| lilac tabby | brilliant copper |
| lilac patched tabby | brilliant copper |
| tortoiseshell | brilliant copper |
| blue cream | brilliant copper |
| chocolate tortoiseshell | brilliant copper |
| lilac cream | brilliant copper |
| calico | brilliant copper |
| dilute calico | brilliant copper |
| chocolate calico | brilliant copper |
| lilac calico | brilliant copper |
| bicolor | brilliant copper |
| smoke and white | brilliant copper |
| calico smoke | brilliant copper |
| patched tabby and white | brilliant copper |
| other tabby and white | brilliant copper |
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