Mary Allen
The majestic Persian cat is one of the most popular cat breeds of all. The good-natured cat loves to be cuddled and needs a lot of care. Due to excessive breeding, she often has health problems. Find out everything about the Persian cat breed here.
Persian cats are extremely popular pedigree cats among cat lovers. Here you will find the most important information about the Persian cat.
Origin Of The Persian Cat
The Persian is the oldest known pedigree cat. Its origin is in Asia Minor. However, there is no consensus as to where it came from. It is possible that the Persians do not come from Persia at all, but from the Turkish region, as their original name “Angora cat”, based on the Turkish capital Ankara, suggests. It was then introduced to Europe around 400 years ago and targeted breeding began in England. Since then, the Persian has been considered the epitome of the luxury cat, because, with its combination of formidable appearance and its gentle nature, it fitted very well into the elegant salons of the British aristocracy of the 19th century.
The Persian cat of the English was supplanted by the “American type” over time. This was characterized, among other things, by a much shorter nose: a so-called doll face was the desired result of this breeding line. As a result of the ever-shortening nose, the tear ducts were no longer clear: the cats’ eyes were watering and they were less and less able to breathe freely. Misaligned teeth due to the compressed jaw also caused problems when eating.
In the early 1990s, the first cat lovers set about reversing this “trend” and breeding Persian cats with longer noses. Although the “new, old Persian” is still ridiculed at exhibitions, the so-called “Peke-Face” (German Pekinese face) is officially disapproved today as torture breeding.
The Appearance Of The Persian Cat
The body of the Persians is rather large and powerful. Legs are short and stocky, chest broad, shoulders and back straight. The bushy tail is not pointed and is well proportioned to the rest of the body. The extremely short, flat nose is typical of this breed, but due to the associated health problems, breeders are now returning to the classic form with reasonably long noses and a longer body.
Fur And Colors Of The Persian Cat
The undercoat of the Persians is unusually dense, the long coat is soft and silky to the touch and shiny. The ruff and panties are particularly lavish. All colors and patterns are permitted. Today’s variety of colors among the Persians is living proof of the efforts to constantly create new color varieties in order to meet the immense demand for the Persian cat and to arouse new desires.
The Temperament Of The Persian Cat
The Persian is now considered the most peaceful of all pedigree cats. She is characterized by a cozy, gentle, calm nature and is very influenced by people. She loves to cuddle for a long time. She doesn’t overdo it with romping and chasing.
Although the Persian cat usually prefers a crawl lesson to a play unit, this breed is by no means boring. The impression is deceptive because behind the soft fullness of long hair and the round body shapes hides a strong-willed and intelligent character.
Keeping And Caring For The Persian Cat
The Persians’ desire for freedom is only moderately pronounced, which is why this breed is well suited to be kept purely as an apartment. She usually gets along well with both her peers and dogs.
A Persian needs a lot of care. Their long hair needs to be detangled daily and the coat brushed gently but thoroughly. Otherwise, the silky coat would become matted after a short time and form very uncomfortable knots for the cat. Health care is also important. The slightly watery eyes must be cleaned daily to avoid eye diseases. The ears, which are often very hairy on the inside, must also be cleaned regularly.
Before deciding on a Persian, you should think very carefully about whether you have the time and inclination to brush them daily and keep their coat well-groomed. This time must be planned in addition to the play and cuddle sessions. Because only then will the Persian not only be a real gem on the outside that everyone likes to look at and stroke, but also a happy cat that feels comfortable in its magnificent dress.
In addition to the health problems of the Persians, which arose from the breeding of the “Peke Face”, the breed also often has to contend with hereditary kidney cysts, known in the technical jargon as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Cats with kidney cysts must be consistently excluded from breeding, since the disease is inherited dominantly, i.e. it is certainly passed on to the offspring.