Persian Cat Breed
Breed: Persian
Size: Medium-Large
The Persian cat breed was first brought to Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the XVI century. Although originally it was short-haired, the long hair version of today’s Persian was thought to have been developed from the Pallas cat strain.
Today’s Persian cat breed has an extremely long, thick coat and short legs. Its head is wide and the ears are rounded and typically set far apart. It has large eyes and an extremely fore-shortened, flat-faced muzzle.
This breed of cat can have any color or markings, including, tortoiseshell, blue, tabby or pointed. There are tipped varieties also which are known as Chinchilla. Point types are known as Himalayan in the U.S. and Colorpoint Persian in Europe.
Persian cats require a little extra in the way of pet care. Their fur is so long and dense that it is difficult for them to groom themselves properly. Therefore, it is up to the pet owner to provide regular grooming. They should be bathed regularly and brushed every day. They also may be prone to ‘tearing’ causing stains around the eye area—a daily face-wash is recommended.
Also, Persians should have their eyes checked on a regular basis for possible eye problems. Although it is often noted that Persian cats may be more prone to respiratory diseases, this has not been proven to date. They are generally a hardy, healthy cat. This breed generally has a life span of 10-18 years.
This cat breed is one of the most popular in the United States today and is known for its docile temperament. They are loving, calm animals that are not pushy in demanding your attention. They are also not a really vocal cat, and they are tolerant of other animals in the home. They make excellent family pets as they adapt well to their environment. They are, however, more suited as an indoor pet due to their high maintenance coats.
If you would like more information on grooming your Persian cat, read the article in
Pet Care
entitled
"Grooming Your Persian Cat".
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