Persian Kittens

Persian kittens seem to give off an air of sophistication. Learn more about this calm and cuddly breed.

It is unknown the exact origins of the Persian breed. However,the Persian kitten began to make a definite presence in the cat show world by the 1800’s with their arrival in the United States.

Physical Appearance

Persian cats are known for their luscious and flowing long hair. Overall, Persian cats are quite round. They have round eyes, bodies, heads, and even tails. Persians have short muzzles and super soft fur. They have petite wide set ears. Persian cats have broad chests, short stocky legs and large paws. They also have study body frames and long tail hair. The Persian cat body build is medium to large in size.

Colors

Persian cats come in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s not unusual to see tabby, solid, Himalayan type, silver, bi-color, and parti-color visible in the breed. There is also a wide range of eye colors: from blue to green, and even odd eye colors.

Temperament

Persians love human contact and companionship. They are calm and placid cats that love to play games. Because they are so docile it may be best to raise a Persian as an indoor cat. Persians are overall quiet cats that need lots of love and attention. They are a smart breed that enjoys games of fetch and playing with their owners. The breed adds a calm presence to any home.

Care

Persian cats have lots of thick dense fur. It is important to train Persian kittens early in life to tolerate grooming as it will later become a large part of their lives. Persian cats should be groomed at least 3 times a week preferably once a day. Their fur can become easily tangled.

Persian cat fur comes in three types: guard hair, wooly undercoat, and bristle. A steel comb works wonders to detangle and remove matted fur. Persian cat fur also tends to attract dust and dirt. You may notice dirt clinging to your Persians coat. Be sure to check your Persian cat’s backside after they have used the litter box. Sometimes kitty litter and stool may get stuck in the cat’s fur.

Bathing may be required if a cat is excessively soiled or will be participating in a cat show. It may take some time to remove soap from the Persians thick coat. In addition, fur drying time may be prolonged in Persians as they have dense coats.

Development

Persian kittens are slow in terms of development and maturation. Give them some time to reach their developmental milestones as kittens. Persian cats make great parents. Persian queens are doting parents and provide their kittens with lots of attention.

Health Issues

Persians cat live quite long. Some may live up to 20 years. However, they can suffer from inherited health problem. There is also a susceptibility to stomach problems especially when abrupt changes are made to their diet.

• Entropion

  Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward. This can cause discomfort in the Persian. In severe cases, surgery can help correct the condition.

• Tear Staining

  Tear duct infections of the eye are common in Persian cats as they have short muzzles. The short muzzles and tear ducts can cause tears to not flow properly in the eye. If an infected tear duct or eye is noted, then an antibiotic can usually solve the problem.

• Malocclusion

  Because of their head size Persian cats can also suffer from problems with their teeth growing in alignment. Cat with an over or under bite may difficulties chewing or biting food.

• Polycystic Kidney Disease

  Persian cats are quite prone to developing polycystic kidney disease (PKD). In this condition, cats have cysts that form in their kidneys causing enlarged kidneys and kidney failure. There are genetic tests that can detect the presence of the gene responsible for the development of PKD in Persian cats.

• Hip Dysplasia

  Cats with a large build and weak joints are prone to developing hip dysplasia. The condition occurs when the hip joints move out of their proper position. Persians with major hip dysplasia may need surgery to correct the condition.

• Dystocia

  Persian kittens are often born with quite large heads. Sometimes during birth, mother cats may have difficulty pushing the large kitten heads out of the birth canal. Sometimes the heads may become lodged in awkward positions making a normal birth nearly impossible. If there is prolonged birth difficulties a vet may be needed to facilitate birth.

Remember…Persian kittens can add a dramatic and gentle presence to any home.

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