Cats

Persian Cat

Updated: September 21, 2017
Persian Cat

We can easily recognize the Persian cat by its wide and flattened face next to their abundant fur. They were introduced in Italy from ancient Persia (Iran) around 1620 although their true origin is unknown. The standard of the current Persian as we know it, was set in 1800 in England and comes from the Turkish Angora.

Origin
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Iran
  • Italy
FIFe classification
  • Category I
Physical characteristics
Average weight
  • 7-11
  • 11-13
  • 13-17
  • 17-22
  • 22-30
Life expectancy
  • 8-10
  • 10-15
  • 15-18
  • 18-20
Climate
Type of hair

Contents

  1. Physical Appearance
  2. Character
  3. Health
  4. Caring for a Persian cat
  5. Fun facts

Physical Appearance

They have a rounded head that together with their prominent cheekbones and short snout, shape the flattened face of this breed. Their eyes are large and full of expression in contrast to their small, rounded ears.

The Persian cat is of a medium / large size and very muscular and rounded. They have a compact body, Corby style, and stand out for their short, thick legs. Their thick hair is long and very soft to the touch.

The colors of the Persian cat's mantle are very varied:

White, black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red or cream are some of the colors in the case of solid fur although there are also bicolored cats, tabby cats and even tricolored in the case of females.

The Persian Himalayan fulfills all the characteristics of the common Persian although its coat is similar to the one of the Siamese, the pointed one. These cats always have blue eyes and their fur can be chocolate, lilac, cream, red, tortoiseshell or blue.

Character

The Persian cat is a familiar and calm cat that we will always find relaxing in the sofa, because they spend long hours of the day resting. They are extremely domestic cats that show no typical attitudes of their wild relatives. In addition, we will observe that the Persian cat is very presumed and ostentatious. They know that they are beautiful animals and will not hesitate to strut several times ahead of us to obtain caresses and attentions.

They like to feel accompanied by people, dogs and other animals. They can also behave beautifully with children if they do not pull their hair and behave properly. It should be added that they are very sweet cats and they can be convinced easily to do tricks of all kinds if we reward them with goodies.

Health

The Persian cat is prone to suffer from polycystic kidney disease or the symptom of retained testicles. Like any cat we will also be careful to brush to avoid the dreaded balls of hair that end up in the stomach.

Other diseases that can affect your Persian cat are:

  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Abortions in the case of blue cats
  • Malformations in the case of blue cats
  • Malocclusion
  • Chediak-Higashi syndrome
  • Congenital anquilobléfaron
  • Entopion
  • Epiphora congenita
  • Primary Glaucoma
  • Dermatitis of the skin fold
  • Calculations in the urinary tract
  • Dislocation of the kneecap
  • Hip dysplasia

Caring for a Persian cat

The Persian cat changes the hair according to the season. For that reason and to maintain the quality of their coat it is very important to brush them daily (besides we will avoid the tangles and the balls of the hair in the stomach). Providing a bath to our cat if they have become soiled is a good option to prevent dirt and tangles. On the market there are plenty of products specifically designed for this breed that serve to eliminate the excess of fat and clean the lacrimal or the ears.

Fun facts

  • Obesity is a very serious problem in the Persian breed that sometimes manifests itself after sterilization. We recommend to go to the vet and check which food and how much of it is suitable for them.

Persian Cat photos

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How would you rate this breed?
15 comments
Rating:
Camilla
hello! this is my cat and I adopted her as an adult, so I don't know much about her origins, however her characteristics always made me think that she doesn't look like a cat without a breed. In addition to the long and dense fur, its body is compact and its limbs are a little short, in addition its ears and nose are a little smaller compared to our withou breed cat. I was wondering if you have any suggestions as to what breed or mixed breed she might be? Love your content! thank you very much!!
Rating:
Lindsey
Hi, we just got a perisan, i was told she is a doll face, I'm worried she may not be a perisan. πŸ’” are you able to tell me by the picture ?
Administrador AnimalWised
Although they certainly look like a Persian, we cannot say 100% from a photo alone, especially at this age. What we can say with 100% confidence is that it doesn't matter if they are a Persian in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that you love and care for them, whatever breed they may be.
Rating:
Tammy
I am not sure if my cat is persian or not, could you please confirm, thanks
Rating:
sheila james- johnson
I want persian stud cat for my persian female
Rating:
ikram
This is Timmy, He is 2 months 3 weeks old. Wanted to check if he is persian and peke faced?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Ikram,

We is definitely not peke-faced. He looks like he may be a Traditional Persian, but it is always hard to tell if they are purebred.
Marissa
is my cat persian or himalayan breed
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Marissa,

Due to their colorpoint coat pattern, they are more likely to be Himalayan. Although a distinct breed, they are developed from Persian cats. We cannot be be sure they are 100% purebred.
Rating:
Nishat malik
I want to know the breed and color and coat of this breed and is it a pure breed or a cross breed ?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

These cats both look like Beautiful Traditional Persians, but it is very difficult to tell if they are purebred. One is white and the other is red tabby.
Rating:
Taha Adnan
what breed is my cat and what type of coat is it? single double triple or extreme coated?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

It looks like this cat may indeed be a Persian with a cream tabby coat. Persian cats have a double coat, so it would be that if so. We have not heard anyone use the term 'extreme' coat and there is no such term in most breed standard descriptions. Would it mean there is a 4th type/layer of hair? Can you let us know where you heard it?
I want to know the breed of my female kitten
I was said by the breeder that it is a doll faced persian kitten or u can say traditional indian long hair cat so i wanna know which breed it is?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

While there are some Indian cat associations trying to change it, there are currently no Indian cat breeds officially recognized. This cat may be a Persian and most likely has some heritage, but we can't tell if it is purebred. Try sending a closer pic and we'll see.
marissa
Kitten pictures, what breed?
marissa
What breed is kitten.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Marissa,

Send us a pic and we'll see!
christoper
🐱🐈
marissa
I want to know, what kind of persian is my cat
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

Looks like a Traditional Persian cat with a smoke/black coat. Can't say for sure if they are purebred.
Dalia
Just want to know what breed my cat is?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Dalia,

This cat has the long fur, doll face and ear size of a Traditional Persian, even if it is hard to say for sure in the picture. Their coat is quite unusual, not to mention very beautiful. It looks like a silver and white parti-color, but the markings are in a very interesting pattern. Thanks for sharing.
Monish Sharma
I just want to confirm what breed cat is this
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Monish,

It looks like you have a Traditional Persian Cat, although as always we cannot be 100% sure. We thought at first they were smoke division, but their green eyes threw us and we looked more closely. It looks like they might be a blue-cream bi-color which, if so, is a beautiful marking. Great looking cat!
Photo uploaded by Monish Sharma:Please let me know what kind of breed is this cat
Photo uploaded by Bilal K Qazi:My Tabby Persian Magnum. He is 3 months old and we just love him as he is our first pet. Not sure of the type of Persian he is but that’s what we were told about him.
Photo uploaded by marissa:kindly check, what breed is my kitten
Photo uploaded by Which breed is it?:Wanna know the breed of this kitten
Photo uploaded by Taha Adnan:Beautiful Solitary Independent Always hungry Fearless
Photo uploaded by Sarmad Qureshi:Zeus aka Zoosh
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Persian Cat