As one of the most recognized and admired cat breeds on the planet, Persian cats have been happily snuggling up to their owners since the 17th century. With their long, flowing coats; thick bodies; and flat faces, it’s hard to resist the Persian’s charm.
Persian cats are a medium-sized breed and take their role as a loving companion seriously – always ready for a pet and a tantrum at a moment’s notice. This beautiful cat comes in a wide variety of colors and color combinations and when introduced as a kitten, gets along with all members of the family (including other furries). If you’re willing to put in the work of caring – and it’s a lot of work – you won’t find a loving companion. Download Report
What Food Do Persian Cats Eat?
They love meat just like their big cat relatives in the wild. Persians require a balanced diet, which can be provided by a range of quality wet and dry foods. You should provide your Persian with a balance of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and of course vitamins.
Persians like to eat both wet and dry food. Dry food is convenient because it is easy to store and costs less than canned food.
Wet food has that meaty goodness that cats enjoy, but it can go bad quite quickly if not eaten in time. We also found that canned food is usually less energy dense than dry cat food.
Persian cats love protein; all cats are strict carnivores and must eat other animal products to stay healthy and maintain an abundance of all nutrients. To stay healthy, they need three times more protein than omnivores.
Cats break down these valuable proteins into amino acids, which are used as energy for play, self-care and general good health. Cats are great because they make all 22 types of amino acids they need, but 11 of them must come from food.
Personality
Dignified and docile, the Persian is known for being quiet and sweet. She is an ornament to every home, where she can enjoy sitting on your lap – surely her rightful place – being pampered by those who are fastidious enough to recognize her excellent qualities, and where she plays house with kind children who will gently comb and circle her . in the pram and then serve her tea at their parties. Persians are loving but discerning. They reserve their attention for family members and the few guests they can trust.
Loud environments are not Persian style; they are calm cats who prefer a quiet home where little changes from day to day. With large expressive eyes and a voice that has been described as soft, pleasant and musical, Persians make their simple needs known: regular food, a bit of play with a cat mouse or feather, and lots of love, which they return tenfold. . This is one cat that is unlikely to climb the curtains, jump on the kitchen counter or sit on the fridge. She absolutely loves ruling her domain from the floor or more accessible pieces of furniture. When you’re at work or busy around the house, the Persian will be content to decorate a chair, sofa or bed until you can admire her and give her the attention she readily accepts but never demands.
Caring for your Persian Cat
The most important thing to understand when caring for a Persian is the need for daily grooming. This long, beautiful coat won’t stay clean and tangle-free on its own. It must be gently but thoroughly combed and brushed every day, and regular bathing is good – at least once a month.
Another factor to consider is the trash can problem. Litter can get stuck in Persian paws or fur. If the cat and the box are not carefully kept clean, the Persian is more likely to stop using the box.
Excessive tearing can be a problem with this breed, so wipe the corners of your cat’s eyes daily to prevent under-eye stains. Brush her teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing.
It is a good idea to keep a Persian cat indoors only. She is not a scratcher and would do poorly against other cats, dogs, coyotes, and other dangers that cats face when they go outside. Even the Persian coat is not made to shed dirt, leaves and stickers. Leaving the Persian outside just means that you spend a lot more time combing the cat. Persians who go outside also run the risk of being stolen by someone who wants to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it.
Common Diseases of Persian Cats
Persian cats suffer from certain recurring problems. This does not mean that Persian cats are necessarily unhealthy, but you should be aware of their risks and needs in order to prevent and spot diseases early
Hairballs and trichobezoars
Persian cats are known for their long and thick fur. Therefore, they suffer from trichobezoars more often than other cats with shorter fur. Trichobezoars are hairs that form in the cat’s stomach and digestive tract.
Cats can usually expel the hair, but sometimes it accumulates in the stomach. When this happens, cats suffer badly and can even have serious health consequences. A veterinarian must intervene quickly to resolve the problem.
To prevent ingrown hairs and trichobezoars, you should brush your Persian cat daily and ensure that all dead hair is removed. If you suspect that your cat may be suffering from dandruff, give it cat malt or pharmaceutical grade paraffin oil.
Polycystic kidney disease
Persian cats are very prone to polycystic kidney disease. This means that cysts develop in the kidney area, grow and multiply if left untreated. It is estimated that 38% of Persian cats suffer from this hereditary disease.
This high probability is why Persian cats should have an annual ultrasound after they reach one year of age. Unmonitored, affected Persian cats often collapse suddenly at 7 to 8 years of age and die of kidney problems.
If you find that your Persian cat has kidney cysts, the vet will apply the appropriate treatment to alleviate the condition.
Eye problems
The peculiar shape of the Persian cat’s eyes can also cause problems. The most common eye diseases in Persian cats include:
- Congenital ankyloblepharon is an inherited abnormality that usually occurs in blue-eyed Persian cats. It consists of a membrane connection between the upper and lower lids.
- Congenital epiphora consists of excessive tearing of the tear duct, resulting in oxidation of the hair around the eyes and bacterial or fungal infection in the affected area. There are specific medications to alleviate this anomaly. It is a hereditary disease.
- Entropion is when the eyelashes rub and irritate the cat’s cornea due to inversion of the lid margin. It causes excessive lacrimation where the cat has narrowed eyes and corneal vascularization that creates ulcerations. It requires surgical treatment.
- Primary glaucoma. Excessive blood pressure in the eye that results in opacity and loss of vision. It should be treated surgically.