Breeding Happy, Healthy Purebred Persians
Breed Info
Persian Breed Info
Sweet tempered and loving, Persian cats are famous for their long, flowing coats and round, pansy-like faces. Find out everything you need to know about the Persian cat breed.
Persian Overview
| OFFICIAL NAME | Persian |
| COMMON NAME | Persian |
| PET HEIGHT | 10 to 15 inches |
| PET WEIGHT | 7 to 13 pounds |
| LIFESPAN | 10 to 15 years |
| GOOD WITH | cats, children, dogs, families, seniors |
| TEMPERAMENT | affectionate, sociable |
| INTELLIGENCE | medium |
| SHEDDING AMOUNT | frequent |
| PLAYFULNESS | medium |
| ENERGY LEVEL | calm |
| VOCAL LEVEL | quiet |
| COAT LENGTH | long |
| COLORS | black / ebony, blue / gray, chocolate / brown / sable, cinnamon, cream / beige / tan, fawn, lavender / silver, lilac, red / orange, white |
| OTHER TRAITS | friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, good lap cat, low prey drive, requires lots of grooming, tolerates being alone, tolerates being picked up |
As one of the most recognized and adored cat breeds on the planet, Persian cats have been happily snuggling up with their owners since the 1600s. With their long, flowing coats; thick bodies; and flat faces, it’s hard to resist the charm of a Persian.
Persian cats are a medium-sized breed and take their role as a loving companion seriously-they’re always ready to be stroked and fussed over on a moment’s notice. This beautiful kitty comes in a wide variety of colors and color combos, and they get along with all family members (including fellow furry ones) when introduced as kittens. If you’re willing to put in the work with grooming-and it’s a lot of work-you won’t find a more loving companion.
Appearance
There’s no mistaking a Persian cat when you see one. These iconic felines are well-known for their thick fur coats, large eyes, and stocky bodies. But there’s one characteristic that immediately comes to mind when you think about a Persian’s appearance: Their cute, smooshy faces.
These cats are a medium-sized breed, with female Persians weighing between 7-10 pounds and males at a slightly larger 9-13 pounds. That long, lustrous Persian coat comes in a host of colors, including orange, gray, and cream, and their eyes are typically a brilliant copper, green, hazel, or blue.
Over the years, two forms of Persian cat have emerged-the show and the traditional, also known as the doll-face. Show Persians (also called “Peke-face,” because they resemble Pekingese dogs) generally have flatter faces, smaller ears, thicker coats, and larger eyes than the traditional. Doll-face Persian cats have less pronounced features and more closely resemble the first recorded images of the breed. But whether your kitty is a Peke-face or doll-face, both share the same sweet demeanor and require daily brushing to keep their long coats from matting.
Temperament
Persians are as sweet as they are stylish! These quiet, elegant beauties are walking love sponges whose main purpose in life is to adore you and be adored in return.
“Every cat is an individual, which means that the individual cat might not exhibit the temperament attributed to Persians,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant in San Francisco. “Generally speaking, Persian cats are known to be low-key, social, and affectionate cats [who] love to be next to their person, petted, and cuddled.”
Persians are happy and curious cats, but they won’t drive you crazy nosing around your home looking for cups of water to knock over. Plus, Persian cats are solidly built, so they’re unlikely to attempt climbing the curtains. You’re most likely to find them napping on the comfiest cushion they can find.
They also get along with everyone, including dogs, as long as they are socialized when young. Persians are energetic enough to enjoy cat toys and games, but don’t need constant entertainment to keep them happy.
Living Needs
Although they may look like fashion models, Persian cat care doesn’t involve any fancy accommodations. In fact, this medium-energy breed will be equally happy in a tiny apartment or large home. Like other cats, Persians will enjoy a cat tree to climb on, but depending on your individual pet, it might not be necessary-not all of these felines are all that athletic, and some Persians might want to keep all four paws firmly on the ground (or on the couch). They do, however, enjoy lying in a sunny window, so adding a cozy perch or two will allow your kitty to chatter at birds in comfort.
Because they have such sweet personalities, Persian cats make great pets for all members of the family, especially seniors and older children. If there’s a comfortable lap around, your Persian will find it. As a general rule, Persians also get along well with dogs and fellow felines.
How to Introduce Cats to New Family Members
And while your Persian will be fine left to her own devices while you’re at work (as long as she has toys and things to scratch for enrichment), she shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods of time, Krieger says.
“If possible, when adopting cats, adopt a pair that is bonded to each other,” she says. “Never leave cats alone overnight-they need to be fed, [to have] litter boxes scooped, and to be interacted with.”
Care
In order for their luxurious coats to stay in top form, Persian cats require daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Brushing and combing will also remove excess dirt, dead hair, and even cat litter that might stick to their fur. Bathing is essential to keep your Persian’s coat and skin in good shape. Pro tip: If you start bathing your cat when she’s a kitten, she won’t think twice about being placed in a tub of warm water when she’s an adult. If you’ve adopted an adult Persian, she might not be so willing to take a bath, so you might need to resort to spot cleaning with a warm, moist cloth.