Persian Cat Information: Personality, Prices, and Care| Zippy Pet|

• About
• Latest Posts

Follow me

Amir Ali

Founder at Zippy Pet

Hey there, I'm Amir Ali. The author of this post and the Founder of Zippy Pet. I have been researching and writing content on cats for more than a year now. I am here to help you make the lives of their fluffy babies safer, healthier and happier.

Follow me

Latest posts by Amir Ali (see all)

• Top 10 Cat Names  - March 4, 2024
• American Bobtail Cat Breed- Profile and Facts - July 8, 2023
• Black Cat Names 2023- With Meanings  - June 28, 2023

Written by- Amir Ali/ Aug 24, 2021

‘Purrr-sian‘ Cat lives in the hearts of millions upon millions of people around the globe. In India, its popularity is even more. The silky soft long hairs, flattened nose, peeking eyes, and chubby body make them a favourite of all.

Its sweet, innocent, and lovable personality are reasons behind its utmost popularity. We won’t be wrong if we call it one of the most popular Long-Haired Cat Breeds. Don’t you see almost every day someone from your acquaintances post their pics with a Persian cat? I bet.

Also, it is the Fourth Most Popular Pet Cat Breed of the World in 2018 by the same organisation. This is clear evidence that it’s still popular as a pet cat. Let the haters say what they want.

Onward.

You often get annoyed that your Persian Princess is not as playful as other cats, you shouldn’t. After all, this is a part of her personality and should be accepted as it is. 

Now here I ain’t saying that she’ll always be lazy and lethargic or there won’t be any fun in the home? Nooo! Hell, not! In fact, you would often witness your LAZY LAD turning into FIRE in a fraction of a second. Lol.

Let’s not beat the bush, the purpose of writing this article is to get you the crucial information you need to provide the best care to your love that she always deserves. 

So, in this article, we’ll delve into the Persian Cat’s— Meaning, History, Cross-Breeds, Personality, Colours, Common Diseases, Health and Grooming Tips, Prices, and FAQs.

Ok. Cat Daddy. Are you ready? You are. Good. Come with me.

Persian Cat Meaning

When someone says Persian Cat(also known as the ‘Persian Longhair in Europe) he refers to the long-haired, flattened nose medium-sized cat that you often see in ad commercials and movies.

A well-known example of this is the tomcat featured as ‘Snow White’ in a movie called ‘Stuart Little’. Do you remember? I hope you do. 

So, basically, the Persian is a medium-sized cat with a round face, flat nose (doll Persian) or not-so-flat nose(show Persain), long coat, heavy body, and thick flowing tail. 

Due to their long and soft hair, they are a high-maintenance breed. So, before bringing a Persian kitten home, be sure that you have enough time to give her what she needs otherwise her coat would tangle in the absence of proper care or she might fall sick in the absence of care. 

Persian Cat History: 

First of all, I would like to state clearly, “ PERSIANS AND ANGORA ARE TWO DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATS” many people and ‘websites’ call both breeds the same but it’s not true. Angoras have a smaller, narrower, and less rounded head than the Persians.

Moving on…

…Folks say the first documented Persian cats were brought into Italy by Pietro Della Valle in 1620 from Khorasan(an old region shared by present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) and into France by Fabri de Peiresc from Angora(Ankara) Turkey. But wait, I couldn’t find any evidence to support this. 

“THE TRUE ORIGIN OF PERSIAN CATS IS STILL UNKNOWN”

Yes, this is true. Read this study to learn more about the topic. The same study also says, there is evidence of Persian Cats being sold in the souqs(markets) of Basra(Iraq).

They became very famous in England during the Victorian era. Interestingly, the Persian cat was presented in the world’s first cat show in 1871, London, England.

Traditional or Doll Face Persian Cat 

Traditional Persians or Dolls-Face Persians are Long-Haired Cats with normal noses. They do not have extreme features such as Peke-Face or Flat Nose like the Show Persian. Their heads are also more rounded than Show Persians. 

Show or Peke Face or Punch Face Persian Cat

Call it a Show Persian, Peke Face Persian(name taken from Pekingese Dogs), or Punch Face Persian all are the same. This breed is developed by the breeder later by a genetic mutation.

This gave rise to extreme features such as the square-shaped face, extreme flat nose, and smaller jaw than traditional Persians. 

Although there are clear differences in the look of both doll-shaped and peke-face Persian cats there are no differences in their personalities. Both cats have lovable and adaptable personalities and sweet voices.

Persian Cat Prices in India

The price of a Persian cat depends on its breed, age, health and condition of its fur. Purebred Persian cats cost higher than crossbred. Similarly, the age of Persian cats also has a profound effect on its cost. In India, Adult Persian Cats costs the most somewhere around 15000 rupees to as high as 25000 or above. Kittens, on the other hand, costs lesser than adult cats. You can get a Persian Kitten 5000 rupees and the highest price for a kitten can go up to 10000. 

On average, the price of Persian cats in India falls in the range of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 25000. 

*Pro Tip: There are people who find themselves unable to care for Persian Cats because it requires a lot of time and effort to keep them in good health. So, they even give out Persian Cats for free. Search for such people in social media groups or in your acquaintances. If you are good with luck, you may get your Persian Princess for free. But the best thing is to buy pure breed from breeders or stores. 

Persian Cat Prices in Around the Globe 

Persian Cat Cross Breeds

The two most common breeds that were developed by cross-breeding Persians are- Himalayan and Exotic. They are now accepted as separate breeds by most of the cat fanciers organisations though. Another cross-breed of Persain is Chinchilla Longhair. 

The Himalayan Cat

Himalayan Cat is the result of cross-breeding between Siamese and Persian. It has long hair and a chubby body like a Persian while its colourpoint is similar to a Siamese cat. They are also known in the UK.

The Exotic Shorthair

Like Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair is also a crossbred bred in 1950. This breed is developed by cross-breeding a Persian Cat with an American Shorthair. 

They are cute, active, and lovable and like playing with toys. They follow you and everywhere you go. They also love cuddling and can often find their place in your home.

They are friendly by nature. A very good option to keep with children. Calico and stripes are the most common colours of Exotics. It was accepted as a separate breed By CFA in 1966.

The Chinchilla Long Hair

Breeders in the USA also tried to establish Silver Persian as a separate breed called Sterling but the request was rejected by the cat organisations. However, in South Africa, Chinchilla Longhair was accepted as a separate breed by the South African Cat Council(SACC). 

Persain Cat Colours

The most commonly seen Persain cat is ‘White’ but there are a lot of other colour Persian cats too. Black, Cream, Blue, Smoke Tortoiseshell, Cream, Cameo (red), Blue-Cream Smoke, and Silver(also known as sterling are the different-coloured Persian cats that walk on the planet.

Persian Cat Size

Persians are medium-sized cats. Some of them are even larger. Generally, a male Persian cat can weigh between 4 kg-6 kg(9 -13 lbs) and females should weigh 3 kg- to 4.5 kg( 7-10 lbs). 

Their length can be between 14.5 cm to 17.5 cm and the height from the ground is about 8 to 10 inches.

Persian Cat Personality

Everybody knows that Persian is a very affectionate and adaptable cat breed with no ego problems. It has an undemanding personality. They love to sit in lap and are good to keep with children but make sure that they don’t cross their limits. Lol.

Persian is not an athletic breed. So if you want a cat whom you find perching at the top of the kitchen cabinet or jumping at you from the cupboard, unfortunately, you won’t get that. Instead, you’ll find her resting on the bed or posing on the couch for a perfect shot. The best thing is you can click as many pictures as you want and post them on Social media. Persians are completely okay with it.

However, they are still playful and love playing with toys. You would often find them going crazy at insects or at toys.

They are a bit shy and take some time to approve strangers. Also, they like to be in familiar surroundings. So if you are planning to go abroad the best thing is to take her with you or ask someone to cat sit your home till your return. 

Persian Cat Health

Persian Cats are undoubtedly one of the cutest cat breeds but they are also susceptive to several diseases. Some of these diseases are genetic, some are contagious, and some are behavioural. Diseases such as LSD, PKD, and FeLV are so severe that they can even take the life of your cat. So, being a responsible cat parent you must care for your feline friend in the best way you can. 

Here, I’ve summed up some of the common diseases that are found in Persian Cats. You can learn about these diseases in great depth in the article Learn About the Persian Cat. For your ease I have summarised some of the most common diseases below: 

1. Obesity

As you know, obesity is the abnormal weight gain in cats which(if not controlled) can become the cause of many other fatal diseases such as Diabetes, Hepatic lipidosis(fatty liver), and others. According to Indian Trail Animal Hospital, excess weight can shorten a pet’s life by as much as two years. It can also cause the onset of arthritis two years sooner.

Solutions: 

i) Plan and control the diet of your cat a per the instructions of weight. Allow her to take a few nibbles 10-15 times a day. 

ii) Get her interactive cat toys as cats often come towards food out of boredom. Cat toys kept her engaged thereby reducing the number of times she eats.

iii) Give her nutritious cat food on the advice of your vet. 

2. Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, Rhinotracheitis and Rabies

Cats are likely to catch certain bacterial and viral infractions  Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies through various channels such as food, water, contact, and with other cats. 

Solution:

Fortunately, all these diseases are preventable through vaccination called the ‘Core’ vaccines. These vaccines can also prevent the Feline Leukemia Virus(FeLV). So, I recommend you book an appointment with your vet and get your feline friend’s vaccination plan. 

3. Fleas, Ticks, and Worms

Cats, especially Persians, are vulnerable to fleas, ticks and worms, and lots of other villains. Why? Don’t You see their long hair?

The most common cause of developing flea and ticks is hanging out with bad-boys stray cats outside. 

Worms such as heartworm and whipworm can enter her body via food, water, or mosquito bites which then harm her intestine and interrupt the process of digestion. 

All of these parasites can make a child uneasy and uncomfortable and can cause severe pain.

Solutions:

i) Keep her inside as much as possible. If she goes outside make sure that you are with her. 

ii) Take her to a vet for regular check-ups. 

iii) Use Flea and Tick shampoos if she has developed them. 

iv) Take care of her cleanliness, give regular baths and brush her coat daily.

4. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases FLUTD 

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases(FLUTD) is a group of diseases that affect cats’ lower urinary tract, such as the bladder and urethra. Cats suffering from FLUTD experience pain and face difficulty in urinating. 

The most common symptoms of FLUTD are increased frequency of urinating, avoidance to use the litter box, spraying on cool surfaces, and licking genital area too often, blood in the urine, and crying in the litter box. 

Overweight cats are most vulnerable to FLUTD due to lack of movement and exercise.

Solutions: 

1. Feed her multiple times by small servings. 
2. Consulting a vet is a must.
3. Giver her clean and fresh water
4. Choose an appropriate at least 2 litter boxes based on her need.
5. The litter boxes should be placed in a quiet, safe area of the house.
6. Avoid changes in her routine
7. Reduce stress by providing toys, cat beds, and cat trees.

5. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in Persian Cat

Research says that 45% of Persian cats are likely to have Polycystic Kidney Disease(PKD). According to VCA Hospitals, PKD is so common in Persian cats that it can affect almost one-third of the Persian Cats. 

This disease is an inherited disease caused by a defective gene. Persian is not the only breed that suffers from the disease. In fact, Exotics shows the maximum possibility of getting affected by PKD, almost 50%. The disease is often diagnosed in kittens born with miniscule cysts inside the kidneys and liver. Oftentimes it becomes so large that it destroys the affected organ. 

Weight loss, excessive thirst, vomiting, and poor health are some of the common symptoms of PKD. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PKD so far. However, we can slow down the speed of progress with proper medication and timely diagnosis. The early the PKD is diagnosed the better is it for the cat.

Solutions:

• Consult a vet or take your cat to an animal hospital.

• Give appropriate diet and medication that could help slow down cyst formation. 

6. Lysosomal Storage Disease in Persian Cat

Lysosomal Storage Disease (LSD) is also caused by a genetic defect like PKD. It prevents the flow of information of certain enzymes needed to perform metabolic functions in the body.

LSD causes Lysosomal Toxins to accumulate in the body which can eventually affect the nervous system, causing nerves to swell and cease normal body functions. 

The symptoms of LSD may include but are not limited to lack of balance, intolerance, poor vision, abnormal behaviour, growth issues, and seizures.

Solutions:

Unfortunately, there is no cure for LSD like PKD. Nonetheless, some injections and therapy can reduce the speed of accumulation of LSD and some can treat specific LSD. These treatments include: 

• Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT)

• Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)

• The Orphan Drug Alglucerase injection

7. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) in Persian Cat

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), is a virus that can cause anaemia, other infections, and various types of cancers. FeLV is a deadly disease (like PKD and LSD), though many cats live for years before symptoms emerge. FeLV is found only in cats and cannot infect other species including humans.

According to VCS hospitals, “80-90% of FeLV-infected cats will die within three to four years of initial diagnosis.”

Some of the common symptoms of FeLV are— Weight loss, Diarrhea, Fever, Loss of appetite, Weakness, Inflamed lymph nodes, Infertility, and Infections of the bladder, skin, and respiratory systems.

FeLV can be diagnosed by a simple rapid blood test. 

Solutions: 

There is no specific treatment available to reverse the FeLV. Yet, you can minimise the chances by following the below-mentioned steps: 

• Whenever you bring a new cat or kitten, get her tested by a vet and vaccinate her against FeLV. 
• Make sure the healthy cats shouldn’t come in contact with the infected cat(s).

8. Separation Anxiety

Another psychological health issue found in Persian Cats is Separation Anxiety. Yes, Persians are reserved cats and love the solitary environment but this is the case with strangers not with the owners.

In fact, some Persian Cats are attached to their owner so much that they start behaving abnormally in their fear of absence. Such behaviour includes paper shredding, vocalisation, and litter box amnesia.

Solutions: 

• Buy her some nice and interactive toys.
• Try Food-Puzzling that is hiding the food in the litter box, behind the couch, etc. 
• If you are going to the station, take your cat with you.
• Maintain a consistent daily routine.
• You might need to give her vaccination in extreme cases.

Persian Cat Grooming

To be honest! Mind that bringing a Persian cat home means devoting a lot of time to her grooming and care. Your cat left them on their own like other shorthair cats who don’t need much grooming.

You must take out time from your schedule to comb her coat every day. Also, make sure that you must give them a nice bath with warm water once a week. Then you also need a cat shampoo made specifically for the long and soft hair of Persians. 

The best practice is to buy a Persian kitten and make her habitual bathing right from her childhood. After growing up, cats, if not introduced to bathing in the early stages, create many problems in taking baths.  They can even bite you out of fear. Hence, it is best to train them when they are kittens. 

Where Should You Keep a Persian Cat  Indoors or Outdoors?

The one-sentence answer is KEEP HER INDOORS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 

The reason behind this advice is your Pretty Persian is not a fighter. If she goes outside alone there are very high chances of her getting hurt by the ‘Gully Boys’ (stray cats).

According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cats should be kept as indoor as possible. This would help you protect her from fleas, ticks, worms, other villain cats, dogs, and humans. 

Another reason is, her long hair coats can also get dirty by leaves, small twigs, mud, and garbage.

Tips for Caring for a Persian Cat 

Here are some more tips that help you keep your Persian cat in Top Health and Shape: 

• Use cat ear wipes to clean the eye area Persian cats as they can have excessive tearing, which eventually causes staining. 

• Go to a vet for a regular check-up at least once a year.

• Give her nutritious Cat food free from dangerous chemicals. You may learn more about cat food in my other article Best Cat Foods for a Sensitive Stomach.

• Get her some interactive toys that would keep her engaged. 

• Keep an eye on her behviour to identify symptoms of common fatal diseases.

• Buy her a treehouse, catnip, and comfortable and cosy bed.

• Provide her opportunities to play daily this way you can keep her stay active and work out her muscles regularly.

• Provide here with at least 2 comfortable litter boxes and keep them clean.

• Wash the litter box at least once in 15 days.

• Scoop the litter twice a day.

•  Provide her with sufficient water to drink.

• Vaccinate her against common cat diseases.

Persian Cats FAQs

References

1. http://cfa.org/AboutCFA/News/PressReleases/PressReleaseTopBreedsfor2018.aspx

2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/021086032000062866A

3. https://cfa.org/cfa-news-releases/top-breeds-2020/

4. https://www.indiantrailanimalhospital.com/services/cats/breeds/persian

5. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/feline-panleukopenia

6. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-calicivirus-infection

7. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-herpesvirus-infection-or-feline-viral-rhinotracheitis

8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb1

9. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/feline-lower-urinary-tract-disease

10. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kidney-disease-polycystic-kidney-disease-in-cats

11. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/lysosomal-storage-disorders/

12. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-leukemia-virus-disease-complex

13. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/general-cat-care