Persian cat: description, nature, types and recommendations for care

Persian cats are unusual and beautiful representatives of the cat family. They have a good character, various types of coat color and are one of the most recognizable cat breeds in the world.

The first notes on cats with long hair date back to the 16th century. The Italian traveler Pietro Della Valais first brought them to Italy in 1521. Decades later, thanks to explorer and traveler Nicholas Claude Fabry de Payrese, cats arrived in France.

According to another version, long-haired cats were brought to Europe by participants in the Crusades, who were delighted with their magnificent fur. They were brought from Persia (the territory of modern Iran) around the 13th century.

The French naturalist de Buffon in his book "Stories of Nature" claims that they come from the agora and, therefore, are called Angora cats. They were also called Chinese, Indian and Russian. In England, the name French cats was adopted, which is probably due to the fact that these animals were brought to England from France.

The Persians were originally thought to come from long-haired cats from the Middle East. However, recent studies say the ancestors of the breed come from Russia. Genetic studies have shown their connection with Russian longhair cats and as a result proved the lack of connection with the Asian line.

These animals began to appear in aristocratic salons, becoming a symbol of prestige and elegance. However, their appearance was significantly different from today's standard.They had a fluffy tail, a round head with big eyes and ordinary noses. True, they were able to save their fur, thereby preserving the features of natural breed. Persian cats have long and thick coat, which cools them on hot days and warms in the cold.

In 1871 and 1880, these handsome men appeared at the first cat shows in London. The first club of Persian cat lovers was created in 1900 in England. These cats became more and more popular.

A very rapid spread of this species has occurred. There were more and more clubs uniting Persian cat lovers. Through deliberate breeding, based on the correct selection of pairs, the ideal of a Persian cat was obtained.

The number of new colors and fur combinations has also increased. Today we can enjoy a wide variety of colors among all breeds of cats, but not a single species can be compared with the Persians in this regard.

In addition to an interesting appearance, Persian cats have a unique character. They are gentle, balanced and demonstrate extraordinary intelligence.

Interestingly, the name "Persian cat" was given to them at the beginning of the twentieth century. Previously used the term "Angora cats". Since then, the breed standard has changed many times. Over time, more attention was paid to the round forehead, flat muzzle and copious soft fur.

There are some features of this breed:

• harmonious body structure;
• round, rather large head;
• short and wide nose;
• rounded forehead, protruding cheeks and a strong chin;
• big round eyes;
• small, slightly rounded, far apart ears, heavily covered with hair;
• short and massive neck;
• dense, long and silky to the touch fur;
• short but strong legs with large round paws (with tufts of hair between the claws);
• short and fluffy tail.

By nature, cats should be peaceful, sometimes sleepy and somewhat lazy. However, this gentleness of behavior positively affects contact with children, and these cats will not spoil the furniture and interior of the apartment (this can only happen with kittens).

Persian cats are very fond of peace and comfort and do not always seek communication with people. Sometimes they sit in some corner of the house until they get tired of it. Although they love to be pampered, as well as sit on their knees and purr. However, to show that they rule, even after such caresses, the Persians can pretend to be indifferent and completely ignore the owners.

They quickly become attached to their owner. Small Persian kittens are cheerful and quickly learn new habits (for example, they sharpen their claws only in a specially designated place). They also like simple toys and, interestingly, they like to look in the mirror. From the very beginning, it is also worth accustoming them to frequent (preferably daily) combing.

The current standard of the Persian cat, followed by almost all breeders, determines the general proportions and phenotype. The main features of this breed are the harmonious body structure, round head and long fur. This is more important than emphasizing the individual characteristics of the breed.

The physique of a Persian cat is large to medium.It should be squat and have short strong limbs, which does not create the impression of clumsiness. All parts of the body are harmoniously developed. When assessing body size, phenotypic traits are always taken into account.

Specialists distinguish about 150 varieties of colors of their wool. And for each color there may be a different eye color. The color of the iris depends on the color of the cat and can vary from orange to copper, walnut, dark green, emerald or blue.

The weight of males can reach up to 7 kg, cats - up to 6 kg. Height at the withers - 25-38 cm. Persian cats reach maturity at the age of 2 years. Their life expectancy is 11-13 years. But some individuals can live 15 or even 20 years.

Especially characteristic is not only the fur of the Persians, but also their face. A wide head with round ears and a very short wide nose will not allow the Persians to be confused with any other breed. The bridge of the nose can end between the eyes (the so-called “Stop”).

Persian cat character is peaceful. Sometimes they are accused of laziness and of being eternally lethargic. Perhaps because of their gentleness, they behave very well with children, and, of course, do not pose a threat to them. Having these cats at home, we also can not worry about the state of our interior, with the exception of a short period of childhood. Usually they don’t beat vases and other decorative things (which cannot be said about other cats).

Besides, Persians love to be caressed and prefer luxury, comfort and peace of mind. That is why, when a kitten becomes bored in company, he hides in the smallest corner of the apartment or lies in a leather chair and does not think to move until he considers it necessary.

These cats can also play with other animals and young children. They do not like to run and jump. Even if there is a garden and plenty of space for outdoor activities, they prefer to choose a comfortable chair at home. These cats are ideal for keeping in an apartment.

Persians are completely non-conflict and extremely smart cats. Guests at home are welcome and no problem. They also easily adapt to changing conditions and quickly learn new house rules.

Despite the calm nature, the nature of the predator is still reflected in their habits. Persians should be able to climb, play and hide in the back streets of the house. This is especially important when cats are kept in an apartment. Under appropriate conditions, they can remain in good physical and mental shape until death.

They also need a place to scratch. Cats need to sharpen their claws to rid them of the dead layer. Thus, they also mark the territory with the help of scented glands located at the tips of their paws, spreading an invisible smell for us. Without a pillar for scratches, even the most patient cat will be interested in furniture. It is also a climbing and observation platform, which is why it catches every cat.

Persian kittens are curious, playful and learn fast. They can watch in the mirror without a break. However, it is worthwhile to devote this period of a cat’s life to rooting good habits, such as honing its claws only in designated areas and combing daily.

Active people who periodically go somewhere and plan to take a cat with them should keep in mind that the Persians usually tolerate road transport if they begin to make their first trips while still being kittens. To be happy on the road, they only need their own housing in the form of a cage with a comfortable bed in the middle. Do not overfeed the cat before the trip so that it does not vomit on the road.

This breed has over 350 varieties of color. They can be monophonic, two-tone, three-color, smoky or silver.

Monochrome individuals can be black, white, red, blue, as well as brown (chocolate), gray (lilac) or cream. Other options are two- and three-color individuals. They are also popular. Typically, in these cats, most of the hair is colored, and the area near the root of the hair always remains snow-white. It happens and vice versa - most of the hair is snow-white, and only the tips are colored.

The most common are black or red individuals, as well as their less saturated shades - blue, cream, chocolate, cinnamon, tawny and gray.

"Plush" ginger Persian cats are one of the most popular breeds.. An interesting fact is that their name in Persian means "Iranian cats."

Chinchilla-colored cats have a uniform white coat with a subtle black tint. This color causes a silver sheen. They have emerald green eyes with a pronounced black border. This breed was specially bred for a special color. It was first presented at the Crystal Palace of London in 1894.

They have a wide head with small, wide-set ears and a flat face. Their eyes are large, round and of beautiful color. The tail is short and fluffy. The skin is long, lush, with a thick but soft undercoat.

The blue colors of Persian fur are most beautiful in natural light. Blacks have glossy shades that shine beautifully. Pale milky and cream colors are often combined with shades of red. Chocolate and lilac, obtained as a result of mixing Persian and Himalayan breeds, cats are rare.

Silver and golden colors more often belong to chinchilla-colored Persians.

Tabby - extraverts of the Persian breed. They come in three types: classic, mackerel and striped tabby. Spotted tabby can show a classic color or pattern with the addition of red spots. Classic tabby is identified by a bull’s eye mark on the side of the body, and the mackerel pattern is characterized by a narrow line surrounding the body. Contrast spots can be as bright as a wild cat in the jungle.

Often called "funny," the tabby is an outgoing cat. The special color on the face gives them a piquant appeal. Recognized colors: silver, blue with silver, red, brown, blue and cream. There are no striped patterns in red and cream.

Smoky Persians are one of the most striking color samples of cats. There are 6 basic colors of their coat: black, blue, cream, cameo (red), smoky tortie and blue-cream. At rest, the smoky color of the animal seems solid. In the movement, the "fur coat" of the cat, as it were, opens up and shows glimpses of a white hue.

Smoky tortoise subspecies have a black mantle with clearly defined spots formed by the red ends of the hair.

Persian extreme is also a fairly popular species. Its first copies were bred in the 30s of the last century. They differ in that on a flat face there is a short upturned nose. As a result, the nose is at eye level or higher.

Himalayan cats are one of the most popular species of Persians. The Himalayan type of cats has the following colors: chocolate, black, lilac, blue, red, cream tortie, lilac-cream, chocolate tortie, lilac cream, sea seal, blue lynx, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, purple lynx, chocolate tortie lynx and purple cream lynx.

The Himalayans were bred by mixing Persians and Siamese breeds to combine the Siamese spot with the Persian type of color. After many years of crossing, the Himalayan subspecies was approved. All representatives of this species should have deep bright blue eyes.

The price of Persian kittens depends mainly on the reputation of the breeder and the pedigree of their parents. Be careful not to take kittens at too low a price, because in this case you can easily stumble upon scammers who pass off an ordinary cat as a Persian one.

Determining the breed of any cat can be difficult due to its many variations. Persians are quite different in both appearance and behavior. Knowing what a Persian kitten looks like and how it should behave can simplify the search for your new pet.

Look at the length and texture of the coat. Persians usually have a long fur with a silky texture. Check the color of the coat. Many people only imagine a white cat when they think of Persians. But in fact, these animals can be of many different colors.

Examine the fur pattern. Breeders who breed Persians for exhibitions have divided the most common options into 7 categories (the so-called divisions), so that it is easier to determine what type of Persian you get:

• continuous coloring;
• silvery;
• smoky;
• shaded
• tabby - have three types of color;
• tortoiseshell;
• Himalayan.

Look at the tail. Persian cats usually wear it at an angle below their backs. Check your torso shape. Persian beauties have a distinctly short, stocky body shape. They are usually a bit heavier than regular cats, although their torso is quite compact. Persians are usually medium to large in size. Their shoulders are wide. The neck is short and thick.

Look for a playful, but obedient individual. Although each cat is unique, the Persians as a whole tend to be calm. They are playful in their own way, but mostly reserved. Persians are often frightened or annoyed by loud noise or poor child behavior.

Persian cats are not loud. They can greet people with a quiet meow, but they will not meow or yell if they are upset. When a Persian cat casts a voice, it is usually modest and melodic.

Like many purebred cats, Persians are prone to certain diseases. Therefore, when choosing a kitten, it is advisable to check it with a veterinarian or ask a breeder for a medical certificate.

Famous breeders usually sell kittens between 12 and 16 weeks old. Kittens sold before 12 weeks of age may not be vaccinated, it will be difficult for them to adapt to a new home. Look carefully for any signs of illness in the animal. And also notice possible indicators of unsanitary conditions in which kittens could be kept.

Cats need a lot of protein, so meat should be the main ingredient in their diet. Wet foods are preferred not only because of the better composition of the ingredients, but also because of the higher level of fluid in it. Persians because of their origin can be called "desert" cats. Therefore, they do not often have to pour water into a bowl. They drink little from nature, but get most of the fluid from food.

Each cat has different taste preferences and different nutritional needs. However, cats are carnivores and should receive about 40 specific food ingredients. The proportions of these substances vary depending on the age, lifestyle and health of the cat.It is not surprising that an energetic kitten needs more nutrients in its diet than a less active adult cat.

Persian cats do not require a special menu. They definitely prefer raw meat - mostly poultry. But they may also like fish dishes. Just never give them pork - it is not only fatty, but may also contain Aujeszky's virus, which causes rabies.

Persian diet can be varied with dry food. It not only satisfies hunger, but also acts like a toothbrush and removes tartar. Persian cats can also be given dairy products from time to time - cheese, yogurt, porridge with milk. An exception is whole milk - it contains too much lactose, which can cause diarrhea and, therefore, dehydration.

Usually cats are fed twice a day. Mostly they eat well even when changing the schedule. There will be times when your kitten will not want to eat simply because it is not hungry. But young kittens love to eat! Therefore, if they miss the morning and evening meal, you should consult your veterinarian.

High-quality canned food for kittens should have a high fat content. As they grow older, the fat content in them should decrease, while the content of protein and fiber will increase. Good quality raw meat can be bought at most pet stores.

You can use a mixture of three dry feeds - one for the normal functioning of the intestine, another with a high fiber content for healthy hair growth and a third for taste.

Do not overfeed your pet, even if the kitten wants more. Habits are developed in youth and for life. The optimal dose is 30 grams per 0.5 kg of body weight in the first year, decreasing to 22-25 g after reaching the year. This is approximately 150-170 g per day for a cat weighing 3 kg.

Several varieties of Persian food.

• "NomNomNow" - The best canned wet food for Persian cats. Main ingredients: chicken breast, thighs, liver, asparagus, carrots, spinach.

• Wellness Complete food mainly composed of meat and rich in easily digestible protein. It does not contain cereal components, potatoes, corn, soybeans, wheat, artificial additives, growth hormones and steroids.

• "Hill's Science Diet" - This product is best suited for those cases when your Persian cat enters adulthood. Helps to build body weight and is useful for the digestive system.

• Purina Fancy Feast - a combination of poultry and beef.

• Wysong Optimal Vitality - dry food for adult cats

• "Pros" - contains probiotics for healthy digestion. Made without fillers and grains. Allergen free.

Basically, Persians can eat chicken, turkey, fish and seafood. For your Persian cat, there is no need to create a special menu of cat food. They prefer to enjoy different tastes. In addition, the Persians need to give more wet food. The reason for this is that Persian cats are prone to polycystic kidney disease. Therefore, many veterinarians recommend that their diet include approximately 80% wet food.

Gorgeous long hair of Persian cats requires some care. The owner of the cat should be aware of the following procedures:

• systematic baths;
• daily combing;
• proper diet.

Without proper care, the Persian cat’s fur will tangled up in lumps. Sometimes the balls are even impossible to comb. In this case, the only way out is a pet haircut. But don’t worry, the trimmed fur grows back quickly.Of course, such situations should be avoided.

To prevent tangling, Persians need to be combed regularly, on average 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily). The cat should start combing from an early age, so that the animal gets used to this procedure. You should also bathe your pet. It is recommended to do this at least once a month. Extremely important dry the cat thoroughly after each bath.

Cats can have problems due to the formation of tartar, which can subsequently lead to various troubles. Therefore, it is advisable to care for cat's teeth and clean them systematically. Also important hygiene of the ears.

In addition to caring for fur, you must carefully monitor the eyes of the animal. Using cotton pads, you need to clean the corners of the eyes so that when tearing (which happens quite often), the sclera of the animal does not redden. To do this, you will need to purchase special eye lotions.

The area around the anus and under the tail is sensitive to stool contamination. Therefore, make sure that they are clean and free from stains or unpleasant lumps.. These parts of the body also need to be cleaned periodically.

Be sure to buy the appropriate bath products - shampoos that help untangle the coat, conditioners and a good brush. In pet stores you will find many combs, but for Persians brushes with natural bristles and a wooden handle are best. You can also try metal products. Avoid plastic combs. They bend under such a heavy fur and additionally electrify it.

In order for your cat to boast of beautiful and shiny hair, you will also need a hair clipper that will allow you to deal with tangled tangles.

Despite regular brushing, Persian cats ingest very large amounts of hair during molting. Come to the rescue exfoliating pastes or cat grass, which naturally support the process of excreting swallowed wool, preventing digestive problems. Like all cats, Persians should be regularly vaccinated and anthelmintic.

Breeding Persian cats can be a lucrative affair. Persians are known for their long luxurious fur coats, good character and short noses. Mating Persian cats begins with finding suitable breeding partners.

If you want to reduce the female and male that belong to you, make sure that they are not interconnected by family ties. Otherwise, subsequently, kittens may have problems at the genetic level.

Let Persian cats mate naturally. Bring the male to the female once a day for several days.

It will take a minimum of 1 year to fully recover the cat after childbirth. Therefore, knitting can be done only once or twice a year.

Check the female’s tummy 20 days after mating. You should feel the small balls inside the uterus. Her nipples will be swollen. She will give birth approximately 60 days after conception. Prepare a safe, quiet place for this.

Stay close to the cat when she starts giving birth to help if something goes wrong. As soon as the kittens are born, your task will be to document the newborns as purebreds and make sure that they are checked for the absence of worms. Keep other pets away from the mother and her kittens.

Sterilization and castration are some of the most popular and safe surgical procedures in Persians.More and more cat owners decide to expose their pet to this, not only because of concern for his health, but also to get rid of unwanted kittens. Cats are very prolific animals and can give birth to about a dozen kittens a year. Pregnancy can occur several times a year.

Sterilization is a procedure performed in cats that involves removal of the ovaries and uterus. It is performed under general anesthesia. Castration is performed in males and consists in the removal of the testicles. This procedure is also performed under general anesthesia. The result of treatment is complete and irreversible infertility until the end of the animal's life.

The best time for sterilization is from 6 to 12 months. Castration and sterilization do not change the nature of the animal, but even reduce aggression in some individuals.

Castration is usually carried out at the age of about 6-7 months. Castration of the male is necessary for individuals living in the house. A mature cat will mark the territory, that is, he will urinate on furniture and in different corners of the apartment. It is his nature, and it cannot be eliminated in any other way than by castration.

Do not delay the operation for too long, because later this instinct will become a habit. The urine of a mature uncastrated cat has a very unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove. Therefore, almost all owners of domestic cats choose castration.

The operation itself lasts less than an hour. After this time, you can pick up the cat from the clinic, but it is better to leave it in the office until awakening from anesthesia. Then the veterinarian will be able to monitor the patient's condition. After anesthesia, the cat should be slightly warmed up, especially when she is still unconscious to prevent heat loss. It would be nice to cover her with a blanket.

Immediately after surgery, the animal will receive antibiotics and painkillers. Cats recover a little longer than males because sterilization is associated with deeper surgical intervention.

With proper care and nutrition, Persian cats practically do not get sick. But they can still have health problems.

In Persian cats, the following can be detected:

• cataract;
• deafness (especially common in blue-eyed Persians);
• cryptorchidism;
• dermatitis of the facial fold;
• pericardial hernia;
• polycystic kidney disease;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• gingivitis;
• corneal sequestration;
• hip dysplasia.

You need to visit a specialist from time to time to constantly monitor the health of the cat. Professional breeders take care of the early and regular research of their cats and their descendants, so that in case of a hereditary disease they can exclude the sick individual from participating in breeding.

Research on hereditary diseases focuses on kidney disease. Symptoms can only be seen at a later age, which means that the gene can be passed on to offspring before the disease is diagnosed. Fortunately, an ultrasound scan allows you to diagnose a possible disease at the age of a kitten from 10 weeks.Thanks to this, the breeder can timely find out about cat disease, exclude the animal from the cattery and prevent the transmission of the disease to the next generation.

When the new four-legged pet arrives home, the question arises, what name should it bear. His choice is often a problem.

Undoubtedly, the nickname should be well thought out. In the end, our pet will wear it all his life. First of all, it should be relatively short and easy to remember. A simple name will be deposited faster in the memory of the pet and it will respond better to it. In addition, the name should please us as well. It’s great if the nickname reflects the individual character or appearance of a furry friend.

Probably each of us has a favorite name that will perfectly match the cat. However, if nothing comes to mind, you can choose from the options below:

• for cats - Figaro, Hunter, Geros, Ginger, Kashmir, Logan, Orion, Baron, Boston, Bristol or Impas;
• for cats - Carmen, Gilda, Molly, Kira, Anabel.

Funny names:

• for cats: Joke, Fuchs, Tuesday, Friday, Pixel, Pretzel;
• for cats: Cola, Magic, Saturday or Ghost.

Names for black cat / cat: Batman, Beast, Bond, Blueberry, Brunette, Storm, Black, Cherry, Moth, Devil, Miner, Graphite, Blueberries, Blackberry, Lucifer, Darkness, Night, Onyx, Panther, Pepper, Pepsi, Pirate, Currant, Puma, Shaman, Ink, Coal.

Names for the white pet: Lampshade, Fairytale, Snowman, White, Cloud, Diamond, Domino, Ghost, Elsa, Kefir, Fang, Lily of the Valley, Lace, Crystal, Moon, Lady, Mayonnaise, Pasta, Flour, ?? Almond, Milk, Sheep, Feather, Petal, Snowdrop, Sweet, Sun, Owl, Snow White, Venus, Fairy, Tooth, Winter.

About interesting facts about Persian cats, see below.