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Ancient Beginnings
Persian cats are not only the most popular breed of cats, they’ve also been around the longest. In fact, hieroglyphics reference their origination as far back a 1684 B.C.
Thought to have originated in Persia (now Iran), the cats were named after their believed “country of origin.”
A Breed To Be Reckoned With
Persians are the most popular breed registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats.
According to the CFA Persian breed standard, (the hypothetical ideal set of guidelines used to insure that the animals produced by a breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed), Persians should present an impression of a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. Their large round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. Their long thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance.
Colors of Persians can range from solid colors to tabby and everything in between.
Purrsonality
Persians tend to have a sweet and gentle nature, making them great pets and companions. Although they can be both playful and affectionate, they tend to be more calm and quiet, and get along well with other pets and children.
Persians tend to have a sweet and gentle nature, making them great pets and companions.
Grooming
Although the breed has evolved over time in color and body type, one thing has remained the same: its thick and full fur.
Ideally, Persians should be groomed at least once a day to prevent knots and matting of the fur. Persians should also be bathed occasionally to maintain a clean and healthy coat.
Persian Health
 Because of their large eyes and compacted facial structure, Persians are susceptible to eye-tearing, which requires them to have their eyes wiped daily. Keeping your Persian’s face clean also helps prevent dermatitis (inflammation of the skin causing itching and swelling, among other symptoms), that can develop in their skin folds.
Persians are also predisposed to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), an inherited kidney disease where cysts form in the kidneys at birth, gradually increasing in size as the cat ages. PKD eventually leads to kidney failure, however, it can be managed to help decrease the workload on the kidneys.
Well-bred Persians are normally healthy cats. Combined with proper nutrition and care, Persians can live approximately 15 years, if not more. As always, all pets should have regular veterinarian check-ups to catch any potential health problems early.
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