Persian Cat BasicsPersian cats, those gloriously maned creatures, were brought to Europe from the Middle East by traders. Caravans passing through Western Europe would carry exotic wares, jewels, gold, and carpets. But what really attracted the eye of the European was none other than the beautiful Persian cat. Of unparalleled beauty, the Persian cat was and is a sight to behold. However, it does possess a temperament that can be slightly difficult to manage, yet once you capture the heart of your Persian, it is yours forever to keep. I've owned a lovely cameo-colored Persian named Capsurr for three years now and wanted to share some information about what you should think about before getting a Persian based on my experience. What to Know About Persian Cats Before You Buy There are many factors that go into making the decision to purchase a Persian cat. Persian cats are expensive! A typical breeder can charge up to and over $800 for a healthy kitten. It can be difficult to procure the color of kitten you desire most.

Greys and beiges seem to be most popular. If you would like your cat to be a certain color, be patient. You may not get your purrfect kitty for a while! Bear in mind that you may need to develop a working relationship with a breeder out of state or even out of the country in order to get a Persian cat! And shipping costs can be expensive! Some breeders might wish to have an ongoing relationship with you, and some may also have restrictions they write into a contract, such as not surgically removing your cat's nails. Go to a CFA Persian cat show. This is your opportunity to meet other Persian cat breeders. It's possible there may even be some kittens available for sale at the show. 5. CFA Breed Registration Remember, it's not a Persian cat, unless it is CFA registered. This means that the bloodline has been determined and established. If you buy a kitten, make sure to register your cat right away. Sorry, even if it looks Persian, it isn't unless it has the proper documentation.

Persian cats require daily bruishing. Are you ready to brush your kitty daily? If your Persian cat is cotton-furred, which is a very soft type of fur, this is especially important as the fur can knot and become nappy. Hampton Bay Lighting AustraliaIf the fur knots around the belly and under the arms and legs, it can pull at their tender skin.Dim Sum Weight Loss Ideally, Persians require monthly baths. Rv For Sale Auburn AlIn some cases, a degreaser is used. I've heard of some people using baby powders to take away oils and untangle knots. Sometimes a color enhancer is also used. I use a purple shampoo for my Persian to brighten the color and make very sure not to get it on his face. For a darker Persian, a different color enhancer should be used.

After the color enhancer, use shampoo and conditioner. Grooming techniques vary, but eventually you will find one which suits you and your kitty. However you do it, monthly bathing is essential to keeping your cat's coat clean and free of tangles. 8. Expected Grooming Costs Even if you brush your Persian cat daily, you may find that you have to bring your Persian to the groomers every 6 months to a year. Are you prepared to spend around $70 per visit once or twice a year? 9. Flat-faced vs Traditional-faced Persians There are two types of Persian: flat-faced and traditional. The one we, as Americans, are most familiar with is the flat-faced variety. This is actually an Americanized variety and not necessarily the true variety. It all comes down to personal preference. 10. Issues Pertaining to Persian Eye and Nasal Drainage Flat-faced Persians are cute, but they can have serious eye drainage around their faces, as well as nasal stuffiness. Some flat-faced Persians face health issues in the long run.

Traditional Persians have a nose structure that allows proper drainage. Please note, the flatter the face on your Persian, the higher likelihood it may experience allergies and colds. Traditional Persian cats require some amount of cleaning as well, as they are prone to eye muck. 11. Persians as Indoor Cats Persian are one of the most domesticated of all cats. They should not be outdoors cats. They were once owned by kings and concubines and deserve a quiet life, which is the life they were raised for. Although I've seen an outdoors Persian, it is not something that aligns with their natural constitution. If you own a Persian, it is your right to keep your cat as you like. But please consider that Persians tend to be very soft in body composition, as well as temperamental and nervous about danger and loud noises—not exactly the proper making for an alley cat. Not to mention, the nose structures of a Persian leave it vulnerable to infection from outdoor pollutants and dust.

Also, a groomer once told me that Persians who are left to roam outside and whose fur is not tended to frequently enough often arrive at her shop with maggots under the knots and naps. My two cents: Keep your Persian indoors! Bonus Video: Cats 101—Persians! Some Great Websites Pertaining to Persian CatsCFA (The Cat Fanciers' Association) — This website will help you with registering your cat, cat information, national cat shows, etc. Persian Cats LLC: An Online Community of Persian Cat Fans Everywhere — This is a great online forum made of Persian cat lovers who are very helpful with all questions. Breeders can be found here, too! More by this AuthorCat BehaviorCat Speak—Understanding the Language of CatsLearn what your cat is saying to you when it shows common behaviors like slow blinking, putting its paw on you, purring, and licking its lips. Comments Go to last comment Persian Cats Available on Petfinder Right Now Persian Cat Personality If you want your cats bouncing around like hyperactive popcorn, don't buy a Persian.

Persians are perfect companions, if you like placid, sweet-tempered cats. Don't count on using your Persian pal as a furry doorstop, however. They love to play between periods of regal lounging on your favorite davenport. Proponents say that Persians do not deserve their 'furniture with fur' reputation, they are intelligent, just not as inquisitive as some breeds, and not as active.Persians are devoted to their humans, but can be selective in conferring that honor. You must earn their trust and love. They crave affection and love to be petted and fussed over, but won't harass you for attention the way some breeds will. They will, however, let their feelings be known if they are not getting the requisite amount of attention.Owning a Persian requires a significant time commitment. That beautiful coat requires daily grooming to keep it in good condition and free of mats. Because of the long coat and docile temperament, Persians should be considered indoor-only pets. Many Persian fanciers keep at least part of the coat clipped, particularly the hindquarters and around the anus to avoid the accumulation of feces.

This should be done, though, only if the cat will not be shown soon. Persian Cat Breed Traits Over the years, the show trend has been toward a flatter, more extreme facial type for the Persian. This troubles some fanciers, who feel the extreme face can be harmful to the breed. Reported problems include upper respiratory problems, 'weepy' eyes, malocclusions, and birthing difficulties. The Peke-face red Persian, named after the Pekingese dog, has an even more extreme facial arrangement. For those who like a less extreme facial arrangement, the Traditional Cat Association (TCA) recognizes and promotes the Traditional Persian, also called the Doll Face Persian. This type possesses a less extreme look and emphasizes the sweet expression. Persians come in many colors and patterns. The various colors, along with the breed itself, have a long history of selective breeding. Breeders have worked long and hard to perfect each, and each breeder usually specializes in a few favorites. Within the divisions are a multitude of colors and patterns, adding up to more than 80 varieties.

The body and face type does differ slightly from one color to the next, and therefore judges are given some leeway in judging. The overall balance is more important than individual traits. Interested in the history of the Persian cat breed? Persians have enjoyed a long reign in the cat fancy and have featured prominently in shows since 1871, the year of the first modern cat show held at London's Crystal Palace. At this famous affair, organized by the 'father of the cat fancy,' Harrison Weir, many representatives of the breed were present, starting a supremacy that continues today.Persians have been around for much longer than 125 years. Long haired cats, including the ancestors of the modern Persian and Angora breeds, were first seen in Europe in the mid- to late 1500s, introduced by Roman and Phoenician caravans from Persia (now Iran) and Turkey, according to documents of the era. Researchers believe the recessive gene for long hair appeared spontaneously in the cat population in the cold mountainous areas of Persia.

An Italian traveler by the name of Pietro della Valle (1586?1652) is credited with bringing Persian cats to the European world in the 1600s. Both Angora and Persian cats are mentioned in the manuscript Voyages de Pietro della Valle. He described the Persians as gray with very long, silky, glossy fur. He noted that the cats resided in the province of Khorazan in Persia, and that they came from India with the Portuguese.Other travelers brought Persian and Angora cats into France and then into England, causing them to be called 'French cats' for a number of years. These cats quickly became popular in Britain. During this time and for centuries after, the Turkish Angora and Persian varieties (among others) were commonly crossed.At first, Angoras were preferred for their silky white coats. Eventually, however, the British fanciers came to favor the stockier Persian conformation. By the time of Weir's cat show in 1871, distinct differences between the Persian and the Angora could be seen, the former being stockier with small, rounded ears, and the latter being slender and tall-eared.

By the early 1900s the Persian had become overwhelmingly popular. Blue Persians were particularly prized, probably because Queen Victoria owned two.In the early 1900s the British Governing Council of the Cat Fancy decided that the Persian, as well as the Angora and Russian Longhairs, should be known simply as Longhairs, a policy that continues today. Each color is considered a separate breed in the British cat fancy. In North America, however, the Persian is considered one breed, regardless of color.Persians were imported to America in the late 1800s, where they were enthusiastically received. The Persian quickly shoved aside the competition and quickly took its place as the top cat. Using British standards as a starting point, American breeders began their own breeding programs to refine the coat, color, and conformation. Soon the American Persian developed a style of its own and evolved into the type we see today. Shelters with Persian Cats Shelters that currently have Persian cats ready for adoption: