Cat Breeds - Persian Cats

The exotic and majestic appearance of the Persian cat captures the attention of cat lovers everywhere, making it one of the most desirable breeds of cats today. Their dense and lush long-haired coat, short legs and broad head with round eyes and flat muzzle faces are distinct physical traits that make them easily identifiable to just about everyone.

According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, (website http://www.cfa.org/) there are seven main categories of Persians. You can visit their web site for specific information on each group and to view pictures.

1. Himalayan

2. Solid Colors

3. Silver and Golden

4. Calico and Bicolor

5. Smoke and Shaded

6. Tabby

7. Parti-color

Within these categories, there are many colors and variations. The many different kinds of Persians that are available permit anyone to pick the perfect companion. However, before running out and snatching up the first Persian you see, there are several factors for purchasing a Persian you ought to consider.

First, give some thought on how this new addition will get along with any pets you already have. Then assess if you are able to take the time to groom this cat properly EVERY day. The next issue might be the hardest thing to decide. That is, narrowing down which of the seven types of Persians you like the most. Once that is resolved, you can determine which color you would prefer. After that, you may have a partiality for the specific sex of your pet. A significant issue to consider is if you intend on entering your cat in show competitions or if you are just looking for a buddy. A show quality Persian will generally cost more than one that you want just for a pet. As a side note to this, many Persian breeders will require you to sign an agreement not to breed any cat purchased from them and others will also request that you not enter your cat into shows, even local ones. Getting a Persian cat that you are allowed to enter into shows and breed can become quite expensive.

Show-quality Persians have an extremely long thick coat, short legs, a wide head with the ears set far apart, large eyes and an extremely foreshortened muzzle. As a result, it is fairly common for Persians to have moderate discharge from their tear ducts. This is easily cleaned and should be maintained consistently by you or another member of your family.

The breed was originally established with a short muzzle, but over time this feature has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America. The extremely short muzzle was not recognized by the Persian Breed Standard for some time. Howerver, in 2007 the Persian Breed Standard was altered to reflect the flat face and it now states that the forehead, nose and chin should be in vertical alignment.

Persian cats can have any color or markings including pointed, golden, tortoisehell, blue and tabby. Tipped varieties are known as Chinchilla. Point varieties are called Himalayan in the United States and Colorpoint Persian in Europe.
Since Persian cats have long, thick dense fur, as mentioned above, they need daily grooming. Persian cats need to be bathed regularly, dried carefully afterwards and then brushed thoroughly. Their eyes also need to be checked for problems on a regular basis because some animals have trouble keeping them clean. Likewise, Persians are particularly susceptible to a genetic disease, Polycystic kidney disease, PKD, which causes kidney failure. However, cats can now be DNA screened for the gene that causes PKD, so affected cats can gradually be removed from the Persian gene pool by responsible breeders. Persian cats usually live from 10 to 19 years on average. The Persian cat is the most popular breed in the United States.

If you decide that a Persian cat is going to be your next pet, you have to make another decision. Depending on your personality and time constraints, do you want and are you able to raise a kitten? If you do, then you will want to locate a reputable breeder. This is an important matter because the better the breeder, the better your chance of acquiring a strong and healthy kitten. See if the kitten appears to be properly taken care of and is being raised in clean surroundings. Has a veterinarian done a complete checkup for health problems and is it up-to-date with shots? Is the breeder aware of any genetic conditions that may run in this kitten's pedigree lineage? Remember to obtain a health contract or guarantee from the breeder. An honest breeder will have no problem supplying you with one. Additionally, you will need the vaccination certificate. If the kitten is registered or you are planning to register it, you will need these papers from the breeder too.

Perhaps you are leaning toward an older cat. Adopting from a shelter or rescue group could be a rewarding experience, not to mention saving a life. Just realize that this cat might have been abandoned due to a major health or personality problem. Ask a lot of questions and spend as much time with the cat as you can to determine if it will be a good pet for you.

No matter what cat you ultimately select, by doing your homework and being honest with yourself on your particular personality and situation, picking the perfect Persian can be a fun experience that later grows into a long loving relationship.

Until next time,

Teia