Persians are one of the oldest cat breeds dating back to the 1600s. Persian cats were smuggled out of Persia (now Iran) by explorers in the 17th century and for centuries the Persian cat gracefully lived with royalty from France, Italy and England. Queen Victoria’s favourite cats were Persians, liked equally by Florence Nightingale. Due to all the fame and royal living, they still like to drape themselves over furniture today, as if to say: “Look at me, I’m beeeeeeaautiful!”
The Persian cat is well known for its unique flat face (brachycephalic head), giving it a beautiful pansy-like face. The eyebrows, nose and the cheeks should all be lined up. Persians have short solid-boned legs, so they prefer having their feet firmly on the ground, unlike the jumping Siamese cat. The most striking feature of the Persian cat is its luxurious long coat; it is the longest of any cat breed, created by a combination of a long undercoat and a topcoat.
The Persian cat is an exquisite breed, known and loved by so many because they love to lounge around in the house and look beautiful. These purrrrrfect angels will live happily and peacefully with other cats, dogs and children. After generations of pampered lifestyles, they are not street smart at all and do better as indoor cats.
Persians are susceptible to polycystic kidney disease, where cysts are formed in the kidneys, destroying tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Forty percent of Persians are affected by this disease and you will probably need to have your Persian monitored on a regular basis. Persians are also prone to a number of other potential health problems, mostly due to their flat faces (which can cause breathing difficulties and snoring). They can develop eye conditions (such as cherry eye and excessive tearing) and can experience complications from heat sensitivity.
Keeping a Persian’s coat beautiful isn’t an easy task. They need to be regularly brushed and bathed. Some people prefer to have them shaved or clipped completely to give them a so-called lion cut. Besides the hard work in grooming and the regular check-ups, they make a perfect and friendly house cat.
| Breed | Persian cat |
| Country | Persia (modern-day Iran) |
| Average Adult Height | 25 – 38 cm |
| Average Adult Weight | 4 – 6 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 15 – 20 years (if indoors) |
| Exercise Requirements | The Persian is not known for a high degree of energetic exercise, so attention must be paid to weight management. |
| Similar Breeds | Peke-faced and doll-face Persian, Himalayan Persian. |
| Rescues in South Africa | www.persianrescue.com or www.persian.rescueme.org/za |
| Breed | Persian Cat |
|---|---|
| Country | Persia (modern day Iran) |
| Average Adult height | 25 – 38 cm |
| Average Adult weight | 4 – 6 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 15 – 20 years (if indoors) |
| Exercise requirements | The Persian is not known for a high degree of energetic exercise, so attention must be paid to weight management. |
| Similar Breeds | Peke-faced and doll-face Persian, Himalayan Persian. |
| Rescues in South Africa | www.persianrescue.com or www.persian.rescueme.org/za |
