Persian cats are beautiful, delicate creatures. They are graceful and sweet-tempered and would rather bat at a feather than sneak up on something to pounce. These pedigree cats are also known for their loud vocalizations.
What is it?
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a condition that can cause blindness in cats and dogs.
% Cats affected:
Less than a percent.
Clinical signs:
Tests can reveal signs of progressive retinal atrophy.
Treatment:
Sadly, there isn’t a treatment for PRA in cats.
Other risks:
Persian cats have a recessive inheritance pattern that makes them more prone to PRA, which typically develops in cats over one or two years old.
Amount a Spot accident & illness plan would cover*
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been met.
$2000
90% = $1800
80% = $1600
70% = $1400
What is it?
Bladder stones are small formations that develop in a cat’s urinary bladder.
% Cats affected:
Bladder stones are a common problem for cats.
Clinical signs:
Blood in their urine or struggle to urinate.
Treatment:
Vets often recommend the following treatments for a cat’s bladder stones: Cystotomy, passing the stone with a catheter, diet changes.
Other risks:
Bladder stones take a few weeks or months to develop.
$800
90% = $720
80% = $640
70% = $560
What is it?
Also known as portosystemic shunts, feline liver shunts stop toxins from flowing out of a cat’s intestines into its liver.
% Cats Affected:
Liver problems are very common in cats, but a liver shunt is rare and severe.
Clinical Signs:
Diarrhea, vomiting, acting lethargic, and kidney stones. More severe symptoms include seizures and disorientation.
Treatment:
Abdominal surgery, diet changes.
Other risks:
When left untreated, toxins in a cat’s blood can cause serious health problems. In rarer cases, liver shunts have been found to cause temporary blindness in cats.
$1200
90% = $1080
80% = $960
70% = $840
Snugly
Though they look smug and aloof, these kitties are sweet and love to sit on your lap.
Expressive
These pedigree cats are also known for their loud vocalizations.
Loving
Persians are one of those loving breeds. Despite their dignified looks, they are true lap cats.
Gentle
Persians are very gentle, but they expect the same treatment in return.
Sensitive
Persians prefer quiet houses, and they don’t like adapting to new situations.
Coat
Requires daily combing, bathed frequently, regular nail trimmings and teeth brushings, tear stain maintenance.
Colors
Gray or silver , black, white , blue, tabby , tortoiseshell, lilac, calico.
Hypoallergenic
Technically, no. They don’t shed, but they still produce dander.
Grooming
they need frequent baths to prevent body oil buildup — around once a week. They need ear cleaning for the same reason.
Training
Train your Persian to get more comfortable with handling.
Lifetime Care Cost:
$14000
Few cats are as famous as the graceful, elegant Persian. Their fluffy coats, chubby cheeks and flat noses are renowned in the cat community. Though they look smug and aloof, these kitties are sweet and love to sit on your lap.
If you’re thinking about adding a cat to your family, a Persian is a great option. They make wonderful companions for any cat lover.
Before you adopt a Persian, you need to know more about their habits and needs to determine if you can be a good parent for them. We’re here to help.
Spot Pet Insurance offers personalized plans for your pet, and we also provide educational resources so that you can learn more about keeping your pet happy and healthy.
So what do you need to know about the Persian cat? Read on to find out.
Persian cats are beautiful, delicate creatures. They are graceful and sweet-tempered and would rather bat at a feather than sneak up on something to pounce. These pedigree cats are also known for their loud vocalizations.
A Persian cat is a delightful companion. Their favorite pastime is sitting on laps or draping themselves on furniture. They will get along well with children, as long as the children treat them with respect and kindness.
The Persian cats you see at cat shows tend to have more exaggerated ruffs and flat faces, though you may still find those traits in standard Persian cats from breeders. They also feature a round head and a small nose. Eye color ranges widely, including blue eyes, copper eyes, and green eyes.
There are quite a few types of Persian cats, including the following:
Purebred Persian cats are largely distinguished by color. They are as follows:
As you’ve probably guessed by their name, Persian cats are thought to originate in Persia, one of the major kingdoms of the ancient world. Persia was in about the same area as modern-day Iran.
It is also thought that they were bred with long-haired cats from China, Burma/Myanmar and Russia. Persian cats came to England from Iran in the 1300s.
Persians became especially popular during the Victorian era. Queen Victoria herself owned two blue Persian cats. Their elegant ways fit in well with the aura of Victorian nobility.
The breed came to America in the 1800s. It was accepted as a formal breed by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) when it began keeping an official record in 1871 after a show at the Crystal Palace in London.
Sphynx cats are very affectionate creatures. Most people expect cats to be aloof; Sphynxes, and many other cat breeds, are actually super sweet and kind.
All a Sphynx wants to do is be around you and your family. They like having your attention and might even do silly things to get you to pay attention to them. They are pretty extroverted cats.
Most kitties are pretty smart; the Sphynx is no exception. They especially like to explore and learn new things about the world around them. They are little acrobats and are willing to do pretty much anything to get your attention.
They’re little show-offs, too, although they may tend to do so in a comedic way. They like to be the center of attention, and they know how to get that attention, too.
Sphynx cats are very good with kids. They love being the focus of attention, and they are very gentle and loving. You just need to make sure kids will be good to your kitty since some small children have trouble understanding the word “gentle.”
Most cats are usually pretty reserved when meeting new people, but the Sphynx is the opposite. They like having the opportunity to greet new people and show off to someone new. As long as they’re being appreciated, they should be fine.
Sphynx cats get along very well with other pets. They can even get along with some dogs. It’s actually a good idea to get another cat if you tend to be away from home most of the day.
Because Sphynx cats are so extroverted, they do best when they have someone to hang out with them at all times. That’s why they’ll end up following you everywhere. If they have other animal friends around, particularly another Sphynx, they’ll stay around them until they feel comfortable in their new homes.
Most people think of cats as aloof, but some can be very loving. Persians are one of those loving breeds. Despite their dignified looks, they are true lap cats.
Even though Persians love to drape themselves over you and your furniture, they can also be very playful. They aren’t fans of rough and tumble cat play but do enjoy playing with a feather or toy on a string.
A Persian would do well in a home with a single person, a child-free couple or a couple with older children. However, they will show affection to their family.
Persians are very gentle, but they expect the same treatment in return. They are not fond of children pulling their fur or dragging them around, so if you have small kids, you should teach them to pet their new cat gently.
Persians prefer quiet houses, and they don’t like adapting to new situations. They prefer routines to chaos. They dislike dogs, so a Persian probably isn’t the best fit for your home if you have a canine companion.
Many other factors go into caring for this popular cat. You need to know what their diet should look like and how to handle their exercise. You should always consult a vet, but we’ve gathered a few basic facts for you.
You’ve probably already guessed that taking care of a Persian involves a lot of grooming. Their world-famous long coats need quite a bit of tender, loving care to keep them picture perfect.
Persians require daily combing. Otherwise, their fur can become matted and tangled. This can make your cat uncomfortable; they’ll probably need a haircut.
This popular breed should be bathed frequently, at least once or twice a month. More frequent bathing can irritate your cat’s skin. It’s important to dry your Persian’s coat completely.
Persians should get regular nail trimmings and teeth brushings. They also tend to get tear stains, so you need to wipe their faces at least once a day, especially around the eyes.
Persians have a wide range of coat colors. Their luxurious coats can be:
There are more than 80 different colors, so we can’t name all of them, but the ones listed here tend to be the most well-known.
Persian cats aren’t considered hypoallergenic.
About $14,000
Reviews from cat breed-specific parents
Wondering how to keep your Persian cat happy and healthy? Read below for tips about exercise, diet, and everyday care.
Persian cats usually cost between $800 and $1500. However, you might be lucky enough to find one up for adoption from your local animal shelter.
Because Persians aren’t as energetic as animals like dogs, they don’t need much exercise. They are quite content with a daily playtime. The rest of the time, they prefer to sleep or find comfortable pieces of furniture to lay on.
Like dogs, cats can be trained to behave better when they’re acting out. Aim to begin training once you adopt or purchase your Persian kitten. If your Persian is behaving in undesirable ways, try to prioritize training in the following areas:
As you’ve probably heard from your vet, some human foods aren’t safe for your cat. Avoid giving your Persian any of the following foods:
Persian cats are carnivores. That means they eat meat, so a well-rounded cat food will be primarily some form of beef, chicken or fish.
Other potential health conditions for a Persian cat
Persian cats typically live for about 14 years.
Junior: 7 months – 2 years
Prime: 3 to 6 years
Mature: 7 to 10 years old
Senior: 11 to 14 years old
