Persian Cat Breed
The grumpy looking face and long coat of the beautiful
Persian cat are familiar characteristics to most cat lovers.
After all, this striking cat breed has been well known since it
was first developed in the eighteen hundreds. However, these
cats are certainly not the perfect breed for everyone, since
caring for the lush coat of the Persian breed can be a bit time
consuming. The Persian's most well known characteristic is
probably it's face. This breed has tiny, rounded ears, very
round eyes that are set far apart, and a short nose that gives
the cat's face a pushed in appearance. A large, muscular body,
a short neck, stocky legs, and a short, bushy tail complete the
cat's distinctive look. These cats weigh in at eight to fifteen
pounds.
However, Persians are also well known for their long, thick
coats. A well groomed cat is breath taking. Hair flows
gracefully around his body. Of course, if the cat has not been
properly groomed, he can look quite shabby instead. This breed
has a coat that tangles and becomes matted very quickly. You
should be prepared to groom your cat once a day to keep his
coat in good shape. Cats that do develop bad tangles will have
to be clipped down to the skin. This is very stressful for the
cat, since he will have to be sedated. In addition, clipping
will make him more susceptible to the cold in winter months.
The Persian's beautiful coat comes in Black, Chocolate, Red,
Blue, Lilac, Cream, Chinchilla, Silver, and White colors. White
cats can have blue, orange, or mismatched eye colors. You can
also find this breed in tortoiseshell, shaded, smoke, tipped,
tabby, silver tabby, and bicolor patterns.
If you don't think you can handle an extremely active and
overly affectionate cat, then the Persian may be the ideal
choice for you. This breed is not very talkative and is much
calmer and more placid than most other cat breeds. These laid
back cats are also a good choice for multiple cat homes or for
homes with both cats and dogs, as they rarely fight with other
animals. If your cat doesn't care for another pet, he will most
likely just stay out of the other animal's way. The Persian's
calm temperament also makes it a good family pet. These cats
are fairly tolerant of children, as long as they are not
abused. Just be sure that toddlers do not start yanking on your
cat's tail and everything should be fine.
While most Persians are usually fairly healthy cats, there are
a few serious problems that are common to this breed. These
cats are often prone to kidney disease, breathing problems that
are the result of their compacted faces, and reproductive
problems. In addition, blue eyed white Persians are prone to
deafness.
If you are looking for a cat that is content to doze on the
windowsills and enjoys an occasional petting, then the gentle
Persian may just be the right cat for you and your family.
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