| Well-known since it was first developed in the 1800s, with their long coats and grumpy-looking face, the Persian cat is familiar to most cat lovers. However, since caring for these lush coated felines can be a bit time-consuming, they are certainly not the perfect breed for everyone.
 Funny Faces
The Persian's most well known characteristic is probably its 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 8 to 15 pounds.
Breathtaking
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.
Coats Of Beauty
Persian breeds come in many beautiful colors. You can find these breeds in many colors such as Black, Blue, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Cream, Red, Silver, and White. White Persians might have blue, orange or even mismatched eye colors. This breed can also be found in bicolor, shaded, silver tabby, smoke, tabby, tipped, or tortoiseshell patterns.
Peace And Quiet, Anyone?
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.
Health-related Issues
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.
Right Cat For You
The gentle Persian cat may be just right for you and your family, especially if you are looking for a cat that is content to doze on the windowsills with an occasional pet thrown in for good measure. |