Persian Cat Care

The Persian is a long-haired breed of cat characterized by its round face and shortened muzzle. In Britain, it is called the Longhair or Persian Longhair. It is also known as the Shiraz or Shirazi, particularly in the Middle East.

Persian cats are both blessed and somewhat cursed with unique characteristics. Persian cat care is the so important for cat lover. Their flat, snub-nosed faces and thick, double coat are what make this breed so popular.

The Persian is a long-haired breed of cat characterized by its round face and shortened muzzle. In Britain, it is called the Longhair or Persian Longhair. It is also known as the Shiraz or Shirazi, particularly in the Middle East. The first documented ancestors of the Persian were imported into Western Europe from Persia and Turkey around 1620.

Recognized by the cat fancy since the late 19th century, it was developed first by the English. Then mainly by American breeders after the Second World War.

The selective breeding carried out by breeders has allowed the development of a wide variety of coat colours. But has also led to the creation of increasingly flat-faced Persians.

Favored by fanciers, this head structure can bring with it some health problems. As is the case with the Siamese breed, there have been efforts by some breeders to preserve the older type of cat, the traditional breed.

Having a more pronounced muzzle, which is more popular with the general public. Hereditary polycystic kidney disease is prevalent in the breed. That’s affecting almost half the population in some countries.

The placid and unpretentious nature of the Persian confers a propensity for apartment living. It has been the most popular breed in the United States for many years. But its popularity has seen a decline in Britain and France.

Origin:

It is not clear when longhaired cats first appeared. As there are no known long-haired specimen of the African wildcat. The ancestor of the domestic subspecies. There were claims in the 19th century. The gene responsible for long hair was introduced through hybridization with the Pallas cat. But research in the early 20th century refutes this theory.

The first documented ancestors of the Persian were imported from Khorasan, Persia into Italy in 1620 by Pietro Della Valle, and from Angora (now Ankara). Turkey into France by NicholasClaude Fabre de Pierces at around the same time.

The Khorasan cats were grey coated while those from Angora were white. From France, they soon reached Britain. Longhaired cats were also imported to Europe from Afghanistan, Burma, China and Russia.

Interbreeding of the various types were common especially between Angoras and Persians. Recent genetic research indicates that present day Persians are related not to cats from the Near East but to cats from Western Europe.

The researchers stated, “Even though the early Persian cat may have in fact originated from ancient Persia. The modern Persian cat has lost its phylogeographical signature.

Persian Cat Care

But, grooming can be quite a challenge. By staying on top of your Persian’s grooming needs, you can drop the hassle of working out tangles and mats. Here are a few helpful tips may be all you need to keep your cat’s fur, ears, nails and eyes clean and healthy.

Coat Maintenance:

Persian cats have a long, silky double-coat which will matt and tangle easily if not brushed daily. A typical cat brush is not effective on a Persian cat’s fur. A wide toothed comb is the most effective at detangling. Problem areas include: behind the ears, under the chin, the stomach area, and underneath each arm. If you comb the whole coat daily (spending a bit more time in the problem areas) your cat will never have a mat!

Eye Cleaning:

Most Persian cats have “weepy” eyes and, if left untouched, can stain and build up around the cat’s eyes; sometimes leading to infection. Their eyes will need to be gently wiped twice daily with a special eye cleaning solution or simply warm water on a paper towel or quilted cotton pad. HSCC recommends a betadine and water mixture or a tear stain remover.

Ear Cleaning:

Persian cats have smaller and fuzzier ears than most breeds so it’s easy for ear infections to go unnoticed or untreated. It’s important to inspect your cat’s ears as part of the grooming process and to clean them if they appear oily or dirty. Use a cotton ball moistened with ear cleaner to gently wipe the cat’s ears. Make sure to see a veterinarian if there is discharge or a bad odor.

Nail trimming:

Persians, like all cats, will need their nails trimmed. Front claws should be cut every couple weeks, but back claws grow slower and can be done less often.

Hairballs:

Your Persian cat will inevitably develop hairballs. but brushing on a regular basis will greatly help prevent them from occurring. You can also give a hairball formula (often malt flavored) to your cat to help prevent and treat hairball problems.

Dental care:

Brushing your Persian’s teeth, as with any cat, will help reduce tartar buildup and prevent dental disease. You can also get specially designed treats to help break down tartar.

Bathing:

The frequency of baths will depend on your Persian’s fur. A Persian cat will begin to look greasy as it becomes dirtier and mats will increase quickly if the cat is not bathed.