Persian Cat
The Persian is a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. Large round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. A long, thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the round appearance. The Persian’s beautiful coat is long and thick, standing away from the body. An immense ruff continues in a deep frill between the cat’s front legs. Persians come in a rainbow of colors, including parti-colors, shadeds, smokes, solids and tabbies.
Proper maintenance requires a daily run-through with a metal comb to eliminate the potential drawbacks of tangles and hairballs. An occasional bath, attempted only after a complete comb-through and clipping of the nail tips, will keep the coat clean, healthy and beautiful. It is wise to establish the routine of the bath when they are young.
Keeping the Persian indoors also keeps it safe from transmission of disease and parasites, as well as the dangers of urban life. With an annual trip to a trusted veterinarian, and good nutrition and care, the Persian can live as a family member for easily 15 years, and some surpassing 20 years. Persian breeders dedicate themselves to breeding healthy cats, availing themselves of the latest in veterinary screening procedures to test for any heritable disease conditions. A well-bred Persian is a hardy and healthy cat and is not more prone to illness and respiratory infections than other breeds. However, the large eyes do mean that a certain amount of tearing is normal, and a daily face wash is recommended.
