Persian

Also known as: Colourpoint, Peke face, Shiraz cat, Iranian cat, Sterling cat

The name points to Persia, and the breed's ancestors are traditionally said to have reached Europe from there, but the modern Persian took shape through breeding in Europe and North America. It is the classic long-haired cat, with a dense, flowing coat, a broad head and a short, flattened nose. Adults typically weigh around 3 to 6.5 kilograms. The coat tangles easily and needs brushing every day, and the face needs regular cleaning around the eyes. Persians are usually quiet, gentle and undemanding companions, who prefer a calm routine to constant activity. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Persian: how old in human years?

3–6.5 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Birman

FIFe category: Category I — Persians and Exotics
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: PER
Country of origin: Iran

Energy level

1/5
Playfulness

2/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

5/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 3.5–6.5 kg

Females 3–5.5 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

dense (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Persian: average score for sociability and trainability is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 2/5

Activity & Living Space

Persian: average score for activity and living space is low.

Energy level 1/5
Playfulness 2/5
Hunting instinct 1/5
Apartment friendly 5/5

Personality & Communication

Persian: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 4/5
Independence 3/5
Vocality 1/5

Grooming & Shedding

Persian: grooming and shedding demands are high.

Shedding 5/5
Grooming need 5/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the Persian

A Persian's favourite toy is a patch of sunlight moving across the floor, and its favourite place is the softest cushion in the house. Its energy is low, it has no ambition to scale the wardrobes and little interest in hunting, so a flat suits it well, and a calm, unhurried home suits it best. Play is short and slow: a feather on a wand, a rolled ball, a few lazy pounces, then back to rest.

It is gentle and attached to its people, likes to be near you, but never pushes itself on you. You will barely hear its voice, and when you do, it is quiet and musical. It gets along with calm children and other cats, accepts a dog that keeps its cool, and a day left alone is mostly spent asleep.

Its coat and short face make it an indoor cat: outside, the coat picks up debris and tangles in no time, and heat is hard on it, so give it a cool corner in summer. It will use a scratching post that is low and steady, rather than a tall tower it has to leap onto.

Grooming and coat

A Persian's coat is long, dense and soft as down, and left to itself it would soon turn to felt. Give it at least ten minutes every day: first a wide-toothed comb, then a finer one, layer by layer right down to the skin, without forgetting the armpits, belly and the area under the tail. It sheds heavily all year, so hair on your clothes comes with the cat, but every hair left on the comb is one less on the sofa.

The eyes need daily care too: with such a flat face, tears don't always drain where they should and leave brown stains below the eyes, so wipe the corners gently with a damp cotton pad. Check the skin and ears at the same time, and if you find hard mats or red patches while combing, don't tear at them; let a vet or an experienced cat groomer take a look.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The short face and big round eyes are exactly why people love the Persian, and exactly why its health needs a little more attention. It lives twelve to sixteen years, and breathing, eye, kidney, skin and dental problems are known in the breed, along with hydrocephalus in kittens. Ask the breeder about the parents' health testing before you take a kitten, and every day take a closer look at the eyes, the coat and the way your cat breathes.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Hydrocephalus

Too much fluid collects in or around the brain and presses on the brain tissue. In a Persian it is something that can show up in a kitten: a head that looks too big and domed, unsteady steps or odd behaviour. Show such a kitten to a vet, and if it has a seizure, it needs a vet immediately.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome

A short face means narrower nostrils and tighter airways, so air has a harder time getting through. Snoring or snuffling is easy to take for an endearing Persian habit, but mention it to a vet, especially if the cat tires quickly or breathes with its mouth open after play. If the cat is struggling to breathe, it needs a vet immediately.
Skin and coat disorders

Under a Persian's long, dense coat the skin is easily irritated, and mats rub it and keep it from drying out. You will spot flakes, redness or a greasy, smelly coat while combing, so the daily comb-through doubles as a check. What such changes mean is for a vet to decide.
Polycystic kidney disease

Fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys, grow over the years and get in the way of the kidneys' work. There is a genetic test for this disease in Persians, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing before you take a kitten. Later on, watch whether your cat drinks and passes more urine than before.
Progressive retinal atrophy

The light-sensing cells of the retina slowly die off and the cat sees less and less, first in dim light. A Persian moves unhurriedly anyway, so the first sign may be bumping into a newly placed object or reluctance to go into a dark room. Show such changes to a vet.
Dental disease

A Persian's short jaws leave the teeth less room, so they can grow crowded or crooked, and plaque builds up more easily in the gaps. Bad breath, drooling or food falling from the mouth are reasons to see a vet. A look in the mouth belongs in every visit.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 69 g of dry food a day, from €3,94 a month For a neutered, normally active 4,6 kg cat. Calculate for your cat