They may also be prone to some hereditary conditions, including polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and progressive retinal atrophy. They live about 12 to 20 years.īecause of their exaggerated facial features, some Persians can have breathing difficulties and be sensitive to high temperatures. Persians are medium-size cats who typically weigh 7 to 12 pounds. And it never hurts to accustom a long-haired cat to baths at an early age. Don’t get a Persian if you’re not willing to put in time with a comb and brush.

Most important: Persians require daily grooming, and they do shed, leaving big wads of fur in their wake year-round. What you should know about the Persian cat Through selective breeding, their appearance has changed dramatically over the decades, giving them a rounder head, flatter face and chubby cheeks, but their popularity remains high. They were first imported into the United States in the late 19th century, where they were equally popular. More than 200 years later, Persians were favorites of pet-loving Queen Victoria, which made them popular with everyone else, too. The tail is of great length and covered with hair six inches long.” It is of a blue-gray and soft and shining as silk. Here’s how he described them: “There is in Persia a cat of the figure and form of our ordinary ones but definitely more beautiful in the luster and color of its coat. The first Persian known to have been brought to Europe arrived there in 1626 courtesy of Italian world traveler Pietro della Valle. They were thought to come from Persia - hence the name. The Persian’s ancestry is lost in time, but cats like them have been around for centuries. At the time, they were listed as French Persian (Angora) cats. Persian cat history A Persian kitten was one of the prize winners in 1871 at the world’s first cat show, held at the Crystal Palace in London. The pointed Himalayan - developed by crossing Persians and Siamese - has vivid blue eyes and is a favorite of Persian lovers. Tabbies have a reputation as the extroverts of the breed, and tortoiseshells - in the particolor division along with blue creams and lilac creams - are the flashy ones.īicolors include calicos and tabby and white among other patterns. Smoke and Shaded Persians gaze out with eyes like bright copper pennies. Silver and golden Persians have green or blue-green eyes. White Persians are typically shown as examples of this breed, but other solid colors include blue, black, chocolate and lilac. Color me PersianĪ cat of many colors, it takes seven color divisions to describe them all: Solid, Silver and Golden, Smoke and Shaded, Tabby, Particolor, Bicolor and Himalayan. These earthbound cats are the perfect choice for people who don’t want a climber or jumper.

They enjoy gentle play, including tea parties with children.Īll that fur covers a short, broad body carried about on short, heavily boned legs. Laid-back Persians are companionable and get along well with other pets, including dogs.

When they do want something, they will inquire about it in a quiet, melodious voice. They love to snuggle but aren’t demanding of attention if you’re busy. Not true! Their upturned nose can give them a snobbish look, but they don’t have a mean bone in their body, says cat lover Terry Albert, who shares her home with silver Persians Sterling and Whisper.īest of roomies The Persian cat can get along well with other pets. There’s a rumor that Persians are snooty or stuck up. Don’t get a Persian if you don’t yearn to play kitty hairdresser on a daily basis. She can be equally happy in a home with a retired couple or one with rambunctious kids, if treated kindly and given the attention and care she needs. The Persian’s serene personality makes her not only a pleasure to live with but also adaptable to many types of homes and families. The Persian has a long, flowing coat, but there’s more to this cat than her looks. Persians are decorative, no doubt about it, but they are also affectionate cats who adore their people. It’s no surprise that Persians - in particular the Himalayan variety - are among the top five cat breeds in popularity (their short-haired cousins the Exotics are No. That coat! Those eyes! The Persian is the princess of the cat world: elegant but sweet, with a calm demeanor that takes her through any situation with aplomb.

Persian tabby cat