Persian cat: breed profile, temperament and care

The Persian may be the most recognizable cat breed, and one of the most demanding to keep looking its best. This profile draws on the CFA (The Cat Fanciers’ Association) breed page and standard.

Origin

The breed is named after its presumed homeland. According to the CFA, the Italian traveler Pietro della Valle returned from Persia in 1626 with a heavily coated longhaired cat, different from the Turkish Angora reaching Europe at the same time. Breeders combined the two lines to produce a sturdier, short-nosed cat with a dense, silky coat.

The first Persians reached the United States in the late 1880s, and the breed was one of the six foundation breeds of the CFA in 1906. FIFe recognizes it in category 1.

Size and build

The standard calls for a medium to large cat and says quality matters more than size; the CFA gives no weight range. The body is cobby, with a broad chest, heavy bone and short legs, and the tail is short and fully plumed. The head is round, the nose short and snub, and the eyes large, round and wide-set. The theme throughout is roundness, right down to the ear tips.

Coat and colors

The coat is long and thick, standing off the body, with a fine, glossy texture. The ruff is very full and continues into a deep frill between the front legs, with long ear and toe tufts.

Show colors fall into seven divisions: solid, tabby, silver and golden, shaded and smoke, parti-color, calico and bi-color, and Himalayan (pointed, with deep blue eyes). Silvers and goldens have green or blue-green eyes; most other colors call for brilliant copper.

Temperament

The CFA describes the Persian as sweet, affectionate and quiet: playful yet placid. Persians enjoy attention, are considered easy to handle, and tend to stay on the floor rather than on counters or curtains. The CFA calls them suitable for children of all ages and homes with other pets.

Grooming and care

• Frequent combing with a steel or Teflon-coated comb with long coarse and fine teeth, to prevent mats.
• Occasional baths, always after thorough combing and nail clipping. Many owners rely on a professional groomer.
• Eye cleaning with a soft, damp cloth, since tears stain the coat.
• Start young: get kittens used to grooming early.

Health

The CFA itself raises two points:

• Breathing. Extreme nose refinement once produced nostrils that were too small, causing breathing problems. Breeders reduced this by removing affected cats from breeding. Noisy breathing at rest, tiring easily or open-mouth breathing still warrant a vet visit.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This inherited disease causes kidney cysts. A 2004 study identified the responsible PKD1 mutation and estimated that it affected about 38% of Persians worldwide at the time (Lyons et al., 2004). The CFA reports it is now well controlled through genetic testing and neutering of affected cats.

Ask the breeder for the parents’ PKD test results and book a vet visit soon after your kitten arrives. This content is informational and does not replace that visit.

Who the breed suits

People who want a calm, home-loving, affectionate cat and genuinely have time for combing and eye care. If that routine does not fit, a shorthair or a mixed-breed cat will be happier with you. Compare breeds in the cat breeds guide.