Facts & advice

Persian

Noble and calm cats, who prefer peace and quiet

Persian cats are one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Their snub noses and round faces mean they’re instantly recognisable as belonging to an established purebred cat breed.

As Persian cat owners know, this breed is typically caring and gentle. They’ve got a reputation for being a little aloof or reserved sometimes, simply because they aren’t quick to react, are not often vocal, and are very peaceful in nature. Persian cats can seem standoffish with strangers, but they’re loving, affectionate and loyal once they bond with one person, like their owner.

Persian cats prefer quiet homes, which means they aren’t a fan of loud noises, unpredictable children or boisterous pets. They’re the ideal lap cat, if well socialised as a young kitten, and they love a fuss from someone they know and trust.

Vital stats

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Size:	Medium
Coat:	Long-haired
Life span:	12 – 15 years
Temperament:	Dignified, aloof, peaceful, calm

Persian personality & temperament

While Persian cats’ personality and temperament tends to be passive and relaxed, their grooming, diet, environment and health needs mean that from an early stage in their life, they’ll need a lot of care.

Before bringing a new cat home, it’s important to get expert advice. Speak to the cat’s breeder, experienced owners, and your vet in advance. This is even more important if you’ve never owned a cat before.
Persian cats can be perfect lap cats, but they might not be the breed for you if you have a young family or noisy pets. If you regularly have visitors ensure your Persian cat has a safe place they can escape to, like a spare bedroom.
This particular breed is not often demanding. As long as they get some affection, and their food, litter and grooming needs are met, your Persian cat is likely to be a quiet companion.
Persian cats are usually docile and calm, rarely getting irritated, even in play. If they find themselves in a situation they find unpleasant, they are more likely to leave a room than hiss or scratch.

Persian food & diet

a white persian cat eating from a green plastoc pet food bowl

Like all cats, Persian cats are obligate carnivores. This means the best diet for Persian cats is a meat- based diet. As indoor cats, Persians are entirely reliant on you for getting all the nutrients they need.

You should feed your Persian cat a complete, balanced diet which is suitable for the current life stage of your cat.
Persian cats have a reputation for being picky eaters. While each cat will have favourite flavours, if fussiness persists after trying different foods, it’s worth a dental check-up with your veterinary surgeon, as this breed is prone to dental issues and good at hiding pain.
Persian cats can be a little messy when eating. Their flat faces and the structure of their noses and jaws mean that eating can sometimes be tricky and this can be exasperated by certain food textures and even the food bowls themselves. We recommend feeding cats in a shallow, wide dish.

Persian grooming & coat care

a grey persian cat sitting on grey floorboards

One of the many reasons owners fall in love with the Persian breed is because of their characteristic long, fine coats, and their beautifully coloured eyes.

Due to commercial breeding, Persian cats have an unlimited number of coat colours and patterns – including red, blue, lilac, chocolate, cream, black and white. Patterned coats can cover anything from smoke to tortoiseshell.
Persian cats have soft, shiny fur. Each hair is fine, but the sheer amount of hair means Persian fur is thick and dense. As a result, Persian cats shed a lot, and you’ll need to groom them every day – making sure kittens get used to grooming during the socialisation period.
Depending on their genetics, your Persian cat may have a double or triple coat, meaning they have smoother hair on the outside of their coat, and frizzier hair underneath.
It’s recommended to buy specific Persian cat grooming tools, combs, brushes to help manage their long fur. Longer-toothed grooming combs help with their undercoat, and brushes smooth their outer coat. Regular professional grooming sessions may need arranging, in addition to daily brushing.
This particular feline can be prone to hairballs and they can’t keep their coat mat free by themselves due to jaw abnormalities.
As a cat breed, the Persian are fastidiously clean, so ensure their litter tray is kept fresh – and they may need the fur around their paws and bottom to be clipped to help them keep themselves spick and span.
Persian cats are prone to dental problems. Using dental treats and brushing their teeth daily is helpful.
Persian cats can have excessive eye watering, known as ‘tearing’ due to the abnormal shape of their face affecting the tear ducts, so they can’t drain properly. This may cause the fur around the eye area to become darker and stained. You’ll need to regularly wipe each eye with a different clean, fresh cloth to prevent infections and long-term staining.

Persian training & behaviour

a grey oriental shorthair cat looking curious

Persian cats are naturally sweet and docile. They like a quiet environment with predictable routines.

All cats can benefit from training in order to provide mental enrichment. Tips for training Persian cats include beginning the training while they are young and having lots patience. They tend to quickly pick up litter tray training using positive reinforcement.
As well as trying to train your Persian cat, it’s important to have a few short sessions of play each day to keep your cat stimulated. Ensure that you rotate the toys regularly so that your cat does not get bored. Play sessions will help them maintain a healthy weight.

Common Persian health conditions

As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Persians are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Persians.

1. Mouth and gum disease

Like most breeds, the Persian may suffer from gum and dental disease during their lifetime. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. Persians may also suffer from mouth inflammation and ulcers, which can be triggered by viruses such as feline calicivirus (FCV). Dental treatment under general anaesthetic is usually required to assess and resolve the full extent of the problem.

2. Eye conditions

Due to their flat faces, Persians can suffer from eye problems. For example, when a cat’s cornea (the transparent front window of the eye) becomes grazed, it can develop a corneal ulcer. Causes of grazing include feline herpes virus infection (FHV); damage by a scratch or foreign body like a thorn; irritation from abnormalities such as folded-in eyelids (caused by a condition called entropion); exposed bulging eyeballs; and poor tear production (known as ‘dry eye’). Treatment suitable for the cause and severity of the condition can be given, meaning the cat can continue to live happily.

3. Heart disease

Heart disease in cats refers to when the heart’s structures aren’t working as they should be. There are two categories of heart disease: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops later in life). Congenital heart diseases include defects in the wall of the heart, abnormal valves and blood vessels. Persians are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.

4. Liver disease

There are several causes of liver disease in cats, and it is something the Persian can be prone to. Liver disease can be caused by direct infection of the organ, inflammation of the gall bladder, the pancreas, the kidney tissue, or inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment involves various medicines depending on the cause and is likely to include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, fluids and liver protectants. With these treatments, a cat may be able to lead a relatively normal life.

5. Cystitis

Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Persians can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.

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What to know before you buy or rehome a Persian cat

Before buying or adopting a Persian cat you need to be aware of a few important things.

Persian cats like quiet, peaceful homes, with consistent routines. Persians naturally bond with gentle people and could get along with other laid- back pets, as long as they are well socialised, introduced slowly and their needs are respected.
There are some common conditions which can affect all kittens, but sadly, Persian cats are prone to several potential health problems. These are most often related to their facial structure and breeding, causing significant welfare issues such as breathing difficulties, eye and skin conditions, dental conditions and sometimes kidney disease, heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy and hip dysplasia.

Not only are Persian cats usually a large financial investment, and at risk of being stolen, but they are naturally non-confrontational, meaning they’re at risk of being hurt by territorial neighbourhood cats. For these reasons many owners prefer to keep Persians as indoor cats, although it’s important that their welfare needs are met. Of course, cats benefit from the stimulation of an outdoor environment and if you can create a secure outside space, such as a ‘catio’ or enclosed garden, then a Persian cat will be happy in the fresh air.
Sourcing reliable pet insurance for your Persian cat when you adopt them is important. You’ll have peace of mind that any health conditions are covered as they age.

Persian frequently asked questions

Where does the Persian cat breed come from?

Domesticated Persian cats can be traced back to the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia. This area was later named Persia, hence the name ‘Persian’. The Persian region has been split into Kuwait, Turkey, Syria and Iran.

Is the Persian an old breed of cat?

The Mesopotamian age spanned from 8000–2000 BC. As a result of the centuries of domesticity and breeding there are a huge number of variations of colour and patterns in Persian cats.

Can Persian cats be trained?

It is not common to train Persian cats for things such as tricks, however all cats will benefit from reward-based training. They do, however, respond well to litter tray training, using positive reinforcement techniques, and regular routines.

Do Persian cats have a friendly temperament?

Persian cats are typical lap cats when well socialised as young kittens. They like to be still, comfy and in peace and quiet. They can seem a little standoffish and unfriendly to strangers, but they bond closely with their owners. Once they are comfortable in their environment, they are affectionate, warm and calm.

Do Persian cats have another name?

Persian cats are also known by the name Persian Longhair, or the subdivision breeds of Dollface or Peke-face.

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Persian insurance considerations

Persian cats sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.

We always offer these things as standard:

Physiotherapy

Dental illness & injury

Cancer treatments

Diagnostic tests

Hereditary conditions

Physical & online consultations

Prescription medicine

Behavioural conditions

Surgery & specialised care

Congenital conditions

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