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Persian Cat: Noble, Relaxed and Cuddly

What actually makes the Persian cat one of the most popular pedigree cats? This is a question asked by many who do not know this breed better. Her character in particular should be one of the reasons for this. Because the Persian cats are considered to be particularly calm, peaceful, and relaxed. A happy Persian cat is actually very even-tempered and usually easy to keep in the home.

The only minus in keeping them is the time-consuming grooming that has to be done regularly. But it’s worth it: On average, you can enjoy the wonderful fur and affectionate nature of this silky velvet paw for around 20 years.

Persian cat: character

Even if they often appear to look a bit grim due to their characteristic face shape and small nose – Persian cats are friendly and extremely cuddly cats. The relaxed and even-tempered character of the Persian cat makes the animal the ideal companion who feels completely comfortable as an indoor cat.

Persian cat: husbandry and care

In contrast to other cats, the Persian cat’s urge for freedom is rather low: they like it cozy and prefer to make themselves comfortable on the couch instead of going on a discovery tour. The up to 10 centimeters long and lush fur of the Persian cats means that the animals require a lot of care. The thick undercoat must not become matted, which is why it should be combed and brushed for about a quarter of an hour every day – or every two days. So that there are no problems, it makes sense to get Persian cats used to regular grooming as a wellness program when they are kittens. With a soft brush and comb, work your way from the head towards the tail, only brushing the tail and not combing it. Otherwise, the magnificent tail hairs can be torn out. If knots or matted areas have formed, combing aids such as sprays with care oils can help to untangle the hair.

Colors of the Persian cat

At the beginning of Persian breeding, the color spectrum was still clear: black, white, and blue. In the meantime, Persian cats roam through apartments and exhibitions in all sorts of colors and patterns, including multicolored ones. New colors such as lilac or chocolate are increasingly being bred. A color variant of the Persian cat and now listed as a separate breed is the so-called Colourpoint, which was created by crossing Siamese cats.

History of the Persian Cat

Systematic breeding of Persian cats began in England in the mid-19th century. There has been much speculation about the origins of the ancestors of the first breeding animals. Initially, it was assumed that they were descended from Persian longhair cats and Angora cats. Recent studies, however, locate the genetic roots of the Persian cat in long-haired domestic cats from Russia. The early specimens, shown since the first cat show in London in 1871, bore little resemblance to the modern Persian cat. In the course of the breeding history, the fur of the cats became more and more luxuriant, the body stockier and the nose flatter. In the 1970s, Persian cat breeding boomed, especially in the USA. This resulted in serious breathing and tear duct problems for the animals. Fortunately, European breeders are now making sure that there are Persians with a nose again. The name “Persian” itself only entered the terminology at the beginning of the 20th century with the first breeding clubs.

Peculiarities of the Persian cat

Persians take in their food with their tongues instead of their teeth – make sure the food has the right consistency. Since the beginning of this century, there have been more and more types Persian cats that meet today’s breed standard and are extremely healthy. It is worth looking for them, because not only does the tendency to brachycephaly – i.e. problems with breathing, and thus often also thermoregulation – decrease as a result. Watery eyes and hereditary kidney disease are also less likely in such animals. Although the latter only occurs at an advanced age, the predisposition to it can be clarified at an early stage with an ultrasound examination. With proper care, Persian cats can live just as long as other breeds, and 20-year-old seniors are not uncommon.

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