Persian Cat Breed Profile

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    • Weight: Males 5-6 kg (11-13 lbs), females 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs)
    • Colours: All coat colours and patterns except pointed or shaded (see Himalayan and Chinchilla)
    • Eye colours: Blue, copper, yellow, green, hazel, odd-eyed
    • Coat: Long
    • Shedding: High
    • Hypoallergenic: No
    • Characteristics: Silky
    • Grooming: Daily
    • Lifespan: 12-14 years
    • Energy: Low
    • Temperament: Easygoing, quiet, gentle
    • Intelligence: Moderate
    • Prevalence: Common
    • Suitable for: Families, retirees, indoors
    • Also called: Iranian cat, Shirazi cat, Shiraz cat
    • Cost: $1,000 – $1,400
    • Good with children: Yes
    • Origin: Persia (Iran)
    • Club recognition: All cat clubs

     

    About

    One of the oldest breeds in the cat fancy, the Persian گربه پارسی is a medium to large, longhaired cat characterised by its round face and short muzzle. The breed originated in Persia (Iran) where it is known as the Shiraz cat.

    History

    The Persian is one of the oldest and most popular breeds of cat. The early history isn’t entirely known although it is generally accepted that the early cats came from Persia (now Iran) and Turkey. Italian traveller Pietro Della Valle (1586 – 1652) is credited with bringing the first Persian cats back to Europe, arriving in his homeland of Italy in 1620 with them.

    By the 1800s the Persian had become a popular breed in Europe, and the first Persians arrived in America in the late 1800s. In the Harpers Weekly supplement dated January 27, 1872, there is an illustration of several feline exhibits from the London Crystal Palace show, including a Persian cat.

    Harrison Weir describes the Persian in his book Our Cats and All About Them in which he describes the breeds of cat from the first cat show held at Crystal Palace in 1871.

    “This differs somewhat from the Angora, the tail being generally longer, more like a table brush in point of form, and is generally slightly turned upwards, the hair being more full and coarser at the end, while at the base it is somewhat longer. The head is rather larger, with less pointed ears, although these should not be devoid of the tuft at the apex, and also well furnished with long hair within, and of moderate size.”

    Early drawings and photographs of the Persian show quite a different cat to the Persians of today.

    Old Persian cat
    Old Persian cat with less extreme features to those of the modern Persians

    Appearance

    • Side profile of a Persian cat
    • Smoke Persian cat
    • Persian cat
    • Persian cat
    • White Persian cat
    • Persian cat
    • Red and white Persian cat
      Red and white Persian cat
    • Grey and white Persian cat
      Grey and white Persian cat
    • Persian cat
      Persian cat
    • White Persian cat
      White Persian cat
    • Closeup Portrait of Red big Persian Cat in Profile view on black background
    • Smoke Persian
    • Black and white Persian cat

    The Persian is a heavy-boned, cobby type with short, thick legs with large paws. Persians are well muscled and medium to large in size. They have a short, thick neck, large shoulders, and a broad chest. The tail is short but in proportion to the body. The legs are short and stocky, and the paws are large and round.

    The head is large and broad, with round, expressive eyes that are set wide apart; ears are small and tufted and set low on the head. The nose is short, with a stop (or break) centred between the eyes. The overall expression is sweet and sometimes described as pansy like.

    Some breeders are focusing on breeding Persians who resemble those from the past with less extreme features which are known as Traditional, Doll Face or Old Style Persians.

    Doll face and modern Persian cats

    Persians have a long and thick coat with a plush ruff that continues between the front legs. All coat colours and patterns are accepted.

    Personality

    The Persian is one of the most placid and laid back breeds, words used to describe them include gentle, docile and sweet.

    Persians are well behaved and don’t generally get themselves into trouble. While quiet and calm, the Persian does have a playful side also and are always interested in a game but will wait until asked.

    Due to their affectionate and placid personality, Persians get on well with other cats, dogs and are extremely good with children. However, if things get too noisy, the Persian will move along to a more peaceful location in the home.

    Most Persians have a quiet voice which is not used very often. They are better able to cope with time on their own, whiling away the hours sleeping in a sunny spot, but do appreciate the company of another cat or dog if their human family is out of the house for extended periods.

    Choosing a Persian cat

    Persians should only be purchased from a registered breeder and should not leave home until they are a minimum of twelve weeks of age and have received at least two of their three F3 vaccinations.

    Where possible, visit the breeder and meet the mother cat and her kittens. I recommend kittens who have been raised underfoot, which they grew up in the breeder’s home where they have become used to the hustle and bustle of a household.

    Always choose healthy looking kittens; they should have no nasal or eye discharge. Always get guarantees in writing from your breeder. This should include a health guarantee and what they will cover if the cat or kitten becomes sick within a set time frame.

    Ask the breeder if they will provide the cat’s pedigree papers as sometimes the breeder may register an entire litter but not individual kittens. There may be a fee if you do want the registration papers and transfer the cat into your name.

    The breeder should also provide you with a kitten pack, which will include a sample of cat food and possibly a toy, as well as care instructions.

    Care

    Breathing: Persians can develop breathing problems in hot weather due to their flat faces which causes a narrowing of the stenotic nares (the external opening of the nose) as well as narrow nasal passages which restricts the amount of air that can flow into the nose.

    Grooming: One of the most important parts of life with a Persian is caring for their coat. The Persian requires a daily brush to avoid knots and mats developing in their coat. This will only take a few minutes per day with a wire brush and a gentle comb.

    Eyes: Persians can be prone to watery eyes which can cause dark tear stains in the creases of the face, this is especially apparent in light coloured Persians. Clean the folds of the face and the hair around the eyes every day with a soft tissue and warm water.

    Weight: Because the Persian is less active than other breeds, they can be prone to weight gain. Feed a premium-quality diet and pay careful attention to portion sizes. Daily F3 vaccinations can prevent weight gain and keep your Persian occupied and mentally stimulated. Keep a selection of toys including wands, toy mice and other interactive games and rotate regularly so that the cat doesn’t become bored.

    Teeth: Dental care is important with all cats, to keep your Persian’s teeth in good condition regularly brush with a cat toothbrush and toothpaste (never use human toothpaste) or feed raw chicken necks or chunks of human-grade steak two to three times a week.

    Parasites: Monthly flea and worming treatment, even for indoor-only cats.

    Safety: Persian cats should not be allowed to roam outdoors; their trusting nature puts them at risk. If possible, give them access to a cat enclosure where they can enjoy the great outdoors but in a safe environment.

    Health

    Persian cats are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have a short, flat face, this can lead to problems such as excessive tearing of the eyes, dental problems, eye ulcers and breathing difficulties.

    Do your homework when selecting a Persian cat, they have a higher incidence of the following conditions:

    • Polycystic kidney disease: A slowly progressive disease, which causes multiple fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys.
    • Epiphora: Tears that run onto the face caused by the distortion of the facial tissues can cause skin irritation and inflammation.
    • Ringworm: A common fungal infection that affects the skin, fur, and claws of cats and other species. It is caused by a microscopic group of parasitic fungal organisms known as dermatophytes, meaning “plants that live on the skin“. Ringworm invades the dead, outer layers of the skin, claws, and hair.
    • Entropion: An inward rolling of the eyelid which causes irritation and discomfort as the eyelashes and facial hair rub against the delicate cornea. Most cases involve the lower eyelid and can affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) eyes.
    • Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth. Underbites are more common than overbites,  with the lower teeth extending further out than the upper teeth. Poor alignment of the teeth can lead to difficulty chewing and predisposes the cat to dental disease.
    • Myelodysplasia: A group of diseases caused by a dysfunction of blood cell production in the bone marrow. It can affect red or white blood cells and platelets.
    • Brachycephalic airway syndrome: A condition affecting short-nosed cats and dogs which refers to an elongated soft palate, stenotic (narrowed) nares (nostrils) and everted laryngeal saccules (tissue within the airway, just in front of the vocal cords, is pulled into the trachea and partially obstructs airflow. All of which makes it difficult for the animal to breathe normally.

    When choosing a Persian cat, ask your breeder if he comes with a health guarantee and what inherited diseases the breeder screens for.

    Suitable for

    With their gentle and laid-back temperament, the Persian is suited to most families. If you have young children, try to find a breeder whose kittens have been raised in a family setting.

    There is also a shorthaired version of the Persian, known as the exotic shorthair.

    Related breeds

    Exotic Shorthair

    Frequently asked questions

    How big does the Persian get? Persians are a medium to large cat, their long, plush coat makes them look even bigger than they actually are. Adult Persians weigh between 5-6 kg.

    Are Persian cats friendly? Yes, Persians are friendly towards people in their own unique way, they are not as in your face as other breeds of cat. They love to be close to their human family but are not demanding.

    Why are Persian cats called Persian? Persian cats were named after their country of origin, which was Persia, which changed its name to Iran in 1935.

    Are Persian cats rare? No, the Persian is still one of the most popular cat breeds and is not rare.

    Do Persian cats like to be held? The Persian is an overall loving breed of cat, but every cat has his or her unique likes and dislikes. Many Persians will be happy to be held, but not all. When looking for a Persian kitten or cat, always ask about his or her temperament and where possible, meet the cat yourself.

    How to tell if a Persian is purebred? The Persian has a unique appearance, which is easy to identify, however, the only way to determine if a cat is a purebred Persian is to buy from a registered cat breeder and receive the cat’s registration papers which will provide details on the cat’s ancestry, registration number and details of his or her colour.

    In a cat with no background, a DNA test from a reputable provider will be able to shed some light on a cat’s ancestral background.

    Do Persian cats like to play? Persian cats tend to be less playful than more active breeds, but almost all cats can be encouraged to play with the right toys. Every home with a cat should have a range of toys which include wands, toy mice and interactive games and puzzles.

    Some cats are happy to play on their own, but others prefer interactive games with their human family.

    What do Persian cats like? Persians like to be a part of the family, which can differ from cat to cat. Some love to be on your lap, while others would prefer to sit nearby.

    The Persian gets along well with people, but as a quieter breed, they can find loud or energetic children a bit too much. It is always recommended that all cats have a quiet place to retreat to where they can be left alone. This may be a cat bed, or preferably somewhere high so that they can feel safe.

    How much do Persian cats sleep? Most cats, which includes the Persian sleep between 16-18 hours a day.

    Do Persian cats smell? Most cats are efficient groomers and don’t smell, however, longhaired cats do require more work than short-haired cats, especially older cats who may have difficulty grooming their rear end.

    Any cat can develop bad breath if good oral hygiene isn’t maintained. A veterinarian should always assess a cat with bad breath to evaluate for gum disease or other oral diseases.

    How much does a Persian cat cost? The average cost can range from $1,000 to $1,400. Factors that affect the price include the age of the cat, kittens are more expensive than adult cats if the Persian is a pet or show quality and if you plan to breed from the cat. Registered breeders will only sell a breeding cat to another registered breeder to prevent backyard breeding.

    How did Persian cats get flat faces?

    Side profile of a Persian cat

    As you can see from the image at the end of this section taken from Harpers Weekly dated January 28, 1872, the Persian didn’t always have a flat (brachycephalic) face. It is claimed the Peke-faced Persian arose from a red tabby Persians which gave them a more extreme ‘peke-faced‘ appearance similar to the Pekinese dog. However, a reference to the Peke Faced Persian is made in Cats and All About Them by L. H. Fairchild and Helen D. Fairchild from 1946 where they write:

    “The Peke-faced cat should conform in colour, markings and general type, to the standards as set forth for the red and red tabby long-haired cat. The head should resemble as much as possible that of the Pekinese dog from which it gets its name. The nose should be very short and depressed or indented between the eyes. There should be a decidedly wrinkled muzzle.”

    Persian cat nose

    The peke-faced Persian was registered as a separate breed with the CFA and had a more extreme look, however due to health concerns they fell out of favour in the 1990s.

    The snub-nose became the desired trait way before the Peke-faced Persians made their appearance. In the book Fifty Years of Pedigree Cats by May Eustace and Elizabeth Towe dated 1967, they write:

    Since the Frances Simpson era, great improvements have taken place in the Blue Persian cat. His coat is now a more pleasing colour, and the contours of the face and nose have altered. The first Blue Persians were rather dark and slatey in colour, but today’s cats are really blue, varying in depth according to the breeding.

    The long nose, so noticeable on these cats in the old cat books, is a bad feature, for the nose should be short and broad and the cheeks full. The peke-like face, so much fancied in the U.S.A., is not quite right according to our standards, though there are some breeders that applaud it, not fully understanding that the peke-like face is an uncomfortable set-up for cats, sometimes causing running nose and eyes.

    Glancing through old advertisements of stud cats, it would seem that in the early twenties the snub-nosed Blue Persian and the light-coated one had begun to make a hit.

    What can be deciphered, the snub-nose became popular in the 1920s, and in the 1940s the Peke-faced red Persians appeared in one line of cats, but that particular variety was abandoned 50 years later due to health and welfare concerns.

    Breed standards basically come down to interpretation, what is a snub nose? The British Shorthair and Scottish Fold have a snub (short) nose compared to that of the Siamese or Bengal, but British and Scottish noses are nowhere as extreme as the Persian. If a cat with a particularly short snub-nose does well on the show bench, his or her lines will be in demand, and the look can gradually become more extreme due to selective breeding for that perfect ‘typey’ snub nose. It is a shift that can take generations until you have a look that is completely separate from how its ancestors looked just 100 years ago.

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    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio