home Drugs Persian cat. Character of Persian cats Persian cat breed characteristics

Persian cat. Character of Persian cats Persian cat breed characteristics

The Persian cat is one of the most popular and, at the same time, the most ancient breeds in the world.. Several countries are vying for the right to be considered the homeland of these long-haired ladies: Iran, which in ancient times was called Persia, France, England and, oddly enough, Russia. For many centuries, pampered beauties have won the hearts of people with their unusual appearance and affectionate disposition.

Origin of the breed

People first started talking about Persian cats in 1620. Then the famous Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle described them in detail in his notes, paying special attention to their appearance. The long-haired beauties, unusual for the hot climate, impressed him so much that he bought 4 pairs of kittens in Isfahan and sent them to Italy. The fate of these four-legged emigrants is unknown.

But very soon other aristocrats became interested in the amazing breed. Cats from Asia Minor were brought to France, where Cardinal Richelieu himself became their passionate admirer, and in the 19th century to Britain. Queen Victoria of England kept a dozen blue Persian cats.

It was the British who began the targeted breeding of this breed. It must be said that in those days the Persian cat was not distinguished by such a pronounced snub nose: its muzzle was only slightly flatter than that of most cats. Animals received the classic, flattened deflection deep into the head already in the 30s of the twentieth century. In 1887, the breed received official recognition. Among the possible names there were about ten options - “Indian”, “oriental”, “Turkish”, “exotic”, “French” and even “Russian”.

By the way, Persian cats came to Russia at the beginning of the 18th century, and immediately gained enormous popularity among the nobility. On ancient paintings, tapestries and early photographs you can see many representatives of these snub-nosed beauties.

Despite the long road to recognition, the true origin of the “Persians” is still shrouded in mystery. There are many theories explaining the thick fur of southern heat-loving cats:

According to one of them, the animals were originally brought to Iran from Siberia. This may well be true, given the centuries-old trade ties between Rus' and Persia.
According to another version, the Persian cat was a descendant of domestic pets and mountain cats of Asia - manuls. This is supported by the similarity in the shape of the head and ears. Alas, the genes of short-haired Pallas’ cats do not explain where modern “Persians” got such a long coat that is more typical of a lynx.

Appearance

Over the past centuries, the appearance of Persian cats has undergone changes. At least now they bear little resemblance to the animals that can be seen in the paintings of medieval artists.

The Persian cat has a massive, squat body, with low paws and a bushy but short tail.
Due to the high density of bones and muscles, their weight, with a relatively small size (on average up to 30 cm), reaches 7 kg.
Persians have a large head, sitting on a short and powerful neck.
The ears, on the contrary, are very small, rounded upward and decorated with fluffy tufts of fur.
The main distinguishing feature of the Persian cat is the flattened shape of the muzzle. Their short, flat nose has a pronounced deflection deep into the head - the so-called “stop”. According to breed standards, the top of the nose may be in line with the bottom edge of the eyes. However, the nose should not go beyond the line of the lower eyelid: this is considered a defect.
The eyes of this breed are famous for their expressiveness. Large and widely spaced, they seem almost round, which gives the animal a special charm.
The main pride of the Persian cat, without a doubt, is its fur. In some representatives it reaches 15 cm, that is, about half the total size of the cat. Thin and smooth hairs have a special texture, because of which the entire “fur coat” of the Persian seems to literally sparkle. Their undercoat is very thick and dense. Thanks to him, these cats can easily tolerate low temperatures, although they do not favor harsh weather.

Due to debate about the best nose shape, Persian cats are now divided into two similar, but at the same time distinct types:

The first of them, “classic”, became widespread in Europe. Such animals have a familiar appearance to the eye: with a short, snub-nosed muzzle with a distinct stop, but the nose is only slightly turned up.
The second species, called “extreme,” stood out after Persian cats attracted the attention of felinologists from the United States. It was thanks to the breeders of this country, who tried to emphasize the main external feature of cats, that the Persians received their short, highly upturned nose and ultra-flat muzzle shape.

Colors

The colors of Persian cats are distinguished by a rich palette. Today there are about a hundred different color options. Among them are white, red, blue, gray, peach, red, lilac, black, cream, as well as a huge number of their variations.

There are several types of colors that are found in cats of this breed:

Solid. It is characterized by a monochromatic, uniform color throughout the animal’s body.
Tabby is a rather rare color among Persians, in which the body is decorated with dark, black or red markings. They have different shapes, depending on which the color varieties differ: brindle, in which the spots merge into long stripes; spotted, reminiscent of leopard print; and marble tabby, the most valuable, with a beautiful pattern.
Tortoiseshell color, which is a combination of two primary colors - black and red in different shades and combinations. Variations with cream or light beige colors look especially good on Persian cats, given their long hair: chocolate tortoiseshell, blue cream and lilac.
Bicolor is another two-color color often found in Persian cats. The main color here is white, while the second color can be any darker one.
The smoky color is very popular, in which the hairs have a different shade at the roots and at the tip.
Not so long ago, the “chinchilla” type emerged - a very unique color, in which the dark coating affects only the very tip of each hair, and the main tone is set by the lighter part of the hair. So, in cats with the “silver chinchilla” color, the roots are painted white. And even more impressive “golden” beauties have peach or red fur.
The least common pattern among Persian princesses is the “calico” patchwork pattern. It is not surprising that such a tricolor variety with small spots is very much appreciated among fans of the breed.
Not so long ago, Persian cats had another color - a two-color “color-point”, in which the paws, muzzle and ears were painted in a darker color. Such representatives of the breed were traditionally called “Himalayan cats”, thanks to the gene that gave them their colors. Now these serious beauties are recognized as an independent breed.

Character

The Persian cat is an ideal companion for a city dweller. This is one of the most “domestic” breeds: it is not inclined to walks, and most of all loves to soak up the soft sofa.

Lazy and not very active, Persians are nevertheless considered excellent hunters. In the Middle Ages, sailors gladly took them as ship cats, choosing this breed as an excellent rat catcher. Any domestic Persian cat will happily play with moving toys. However, this pampered aristocrat will also easily catch a mouse that runs in.
This is a silent breed. They rarely make a voice, and often the only sound heard from them is light snoring during sleep.
Persians are monogamous. They choose one person and remain selflessly devoted to him, although they are usually affectionate with the rest of the family.
They have a very calm, balanced character. They are not afraid of other animals and do not show aggression towards children. They have great affection for their owners. At the same time, they do not make a tragedy out of the owner’s departure on business, calmly enduring loneliness and joyfully welcoming people upon their return.
These cats happily sit in your arms, strive to climb onto the shoulders or lie down on a sleeping person. However, this applies only to their own: they will greet the guest very warily, and before allowing themselves to be stroked, they will peer for a long time from a secluded corner.

Health and care

The Persian cat cannot boast of excellent health and has several genetic diseases:

The main thing is related to the structure of her nose: her breathing is constantly difficult. When stressed, in pain or in hot weather, she experiences shortness of breath. If this continues for a long time, it is better to play it safe and show the animal to a veterinarian.
Another problem is the eyes. They tear, get wet, and from time to time they need to be wiped and special drops for animals should be instilled.

Wool requires special care. In all animals of this breed, especially representatives of light colors, it quickly becomes confused. To avoid this, you need to brush your pet for at least 10-15 minutes a day.

Special combs with rotating teeth were created especially for them - they do not cause pain when bumping into tangles. But you can also use a regular “massage”. Due to the nature of the Persian's coat, they also need to be bathed more often.

Feeding

In terms of feeding, the breed is considered quite picky.. Dry food from elite brands is best suited for her. They cost a lot, but the high cost pays off with interest: the quality of food often determines how long Persian cats live. On natural foods, these animals will constantly lack nutrients.

But you need to be careful: some cats of this breed are allergic to certain types of food. You will have to select food for such sufferers individually.

Persians are considered domesticated and pampered. Meanwhile, they are able to withstand seemingly unimaginable tests. Three weeks after the tragic events of September 11 in New York, rescuers dismantling the ruins of a shopping center could not believe their eyes when they discovered a living, albeit very emaciated, Persian cat named Precious under multi-ton rubble.

Buying a kitten

Those who have fallen under the spell of the Persian cat and are wondering how much this fluffy miracle costs, need to prepare in advance for the thought of serious expenses. The starting price starts from 2,000 rubles, and the more rare and beautiful the color of the animal, the more the breeders will ask for it. Elite kittens of a Persian cat can cost a fan of this breed 30,000 rubles or more.

Persian cats, or Persians, are today the most popular and oldest long-haired breed. At present, it is difficult to find out for certain the true origin of the long-haired Persian cat, but many researchers are inclined to believe that the ancestors of this domestic animal were indeed inhabitants of ancient Persia.

History of the breed

Domestic and German felinologists have suggested that Persian cats owe their origin to Asian and desert cats from the Middle Eastern territories. The development of the breed has undergone a large number of changes, which were due to numerous selection works and an almost continuous process of improving the natural appearance of the animal.

Initially, Persians were represented only by black and blue coat colors, but work to improve the breed characteristics made it possible to obtain a breed represented by a hundred shades of color. Also, during the course of history, the breed has undergone some morphological changes..

This is interesting! The first pets of this breed were brought to our country by diplomats in the late eighties of the last century and were very expensive, so they were purchased exclusively by wealthy people.

Description of appearance

Today, breeders recognize only three intrabreed varieties of Persians, which differ in the appearance of the nose:

open variety. A modern short-nosed Persian cat with an open look. It is characterized by a short and slightly raised bridge of the nose, as well as a tip that is located at the same level as the lower eyelids. The eyes are large and wide open. The “frowning expression” is completely absent;
extreme variety. The nose and corners of the eyes are located on the same line. The stop fossa and the upper eyelid are also located at the same level. This appearance is typical for the American type of Persians;
obsolete variety. It has a noticeable nose with a downward or vertically located lobe, the upper edge of which is 0.5-0.6 cm lower than the lower eyelid. The classic or obsolete type refers to Persians that are deprived of permission to breed and therefore do not compete with other varieties within the breed.

A distinctive feature of the breed is not only the presence of a small, wide and snub nose, but also rather short and muscular limbs. In accordance with the standards established by the association of feline clubs and the World Cat Federation WCF, Persians have the following breed characteristics:

medium-sized and squat body with a wide, muscular, massive chest and low, stable paws;
The length of the thick, fine and silky coat can reach 120 mm. Also characteristic is the presence of a short, fluffy tail with a slightly rounded tip;
a round and massive, very proportional head is represented by a wide skull, a convex forehead, full cheeks, a well-developed chin, wide and strong jaws;
Small-sized ears are set very wide, have a slight rounding and are located quite low.

Large, round, shiny, very expressive and widely spaced eyes can be blue, orange or multi-colored.

The FIFe and WCF standards recognize the white variety of the Persian cat, but do not distinguish it as a separate breed. The animal has long hair, soft and thick undercoat. A characteristic feature is the presence of round, large, dark blue, dark orange or differently colored eyes. Many individuals have one eye of a deep blue color and the other a dark orange color, which looks very unusual. The wool should be pure white, without impurities or shades. The black, blue, red or cream colored spots present on the head of kittens completely disappear with age.

Important! The Persian white blue-eyed variety may be deaf or blind from birth, so the pair should be matched with an animal that does not have such a defect, which minimizes the risk of producing sick or weakened offspring.

Contrary to a very common belief, the sun's rays cannot have a negative effect on white fur, so there is no need to limit the animal's sunbathing.

This type of Persian has a black coat, like a raven's wing, without inclusions or shades, both on the coat itself and on the undercoat. The main breed fault can be represented by a brown color or a rusty-brown shade of color. The nose and paw pads are typically black or gray-black in color.

Eyes smooth copper or dark orange color. A specific feature is the instability of coat color in young animals, which often changes with age. Sun rays negatively affect the color and condition of the coat, and this must be taken into account when keeping and caring for the animal.

Popular colors

Persians have recently been leading in the number of different coat colors. There are representatives of the breed not only with pure black or white hair, but also with cream or tortoiseshell color. Today, in addition to classic solid colors, the most popular types of coloring are:

Agouti color with hair that has both dark and light coloring;
Tabby color with alternating stripes, markings and rings;
smoky or silver color with a light base of the coat and a darkish tip, reminiscent of an iridescent haze;
patikoler, represented by a mixture of shades, with a white base;
Chinchilla color with most of the hair in light colors and a darker colored tip.

This is interesting! The famous color point or Himalayan color, characterized by the presence of dark markings on the face, paws and tail, until recently also belonged to the Persian cat breed, but relatively recently it was decided to distinguish it as a separate breed.

Of course, wool is the main decoration of the Persian, so modern domestic and foreign breeders carry out a colossal amount of breeding work aimed at obtaining new, unusual and most attractive colors.

Character of the breed

Persians can be safely classified as artificially bred breeds, which affected their character and behavior when kept at home. The animal of this breed is docile, trusting and extremely devoted to its owner. Persians love attention and affection and do not tolerate loneliness very well.. The result of numerous selection works was the complete loss of survival skills in natural conditions, so such a pet left on the street will most likely die very quickly.

The very long and lush coat of Persians requires daily and proper care. It is recommended to comb your pet a couple of times a day, due to the tendency of the fur to roll and form tangles, especially in hard-to-reach places. The Persian breed sheds almost all year round, so a pet that is not combed in time swallows a huge amount of hair, which turns into huge lumps in the Persian’s stomach and often causes blockage of the gastrointestinal tract.

You can only walk your Persian on a harness, avoiding areas with burrs and a significant amount of plant debris. It is imperative to visually inspect the coat and comb out debris or dust using a wide-tooth comb, after which a standard thick comb is used for combing. Walking in winter is also acceptable, but should be reduced in duration.

A shortened lacrimal canal often causes increased lacrimation, so the eyes are regularly washed with a cotton swab soaked in boiled water. A couple of times a month, hygiene measures are carried out to clean the outer ear. A mandatory monthly procedure is nail trimming.

The Persian cat must be accustomed to systematic water procedures, starting from a very early age. Bathing your Persians a couple of times a month allows you not to worry too much about brushing your pet every day. For washing a Persian cat, special shampoos and conditioners for bathing long-haired breeds are best suited. Shampoos that contain medicinal herbal infusions or seaweed are optimal. Black Persians should be washed using tinted shampoo. About a couple of hours after bathing, the wool is treated with an antistatic spray.

Diet

A nutritious diet is the key to preserving the decorative appeal of the coat and the health of your pet. It is recommended to accustom your Persian to two feedings a day. The main part of the diet should be protein foods. A sufficient amount of protein is found in lean meats, boiled sea fish and eggs. To keep the coat in good condition, you need to use mineral-vitamin complexes and seaweed-based supplements. It is best to use high-quality dry food, properly balanced in composition,.

When buying a Persian kitten, you need to decide on the purpose of purchasing a pet. If the animal is going to be shown at exhibitions, then the purchase must be made in well-established nurseries. If you want to just get a beautiful and affectionate Persian friend, you can consider purchasing a kitten from private breeders.

In any case, the purchased animal must be completely healthy and accustomed to feeding independently. It is advisable that the kitten be two months or more old. It is important to carry out a careful visual inspection and make sure there are no diseases. A kitten purchased for further breeding must meet all standards and breed characteristics. It is recommended to purchase a purebred animal with a complex color with the help of a competent expert. You can buy a kitten secondhand for 5-10 thousand rubles. The average cost of a pedigree animal from a nursery, depending on color, starts from 20-25 thousand rubles.

Video about the Persian cat

The Persian classic cat is one of the most famous and sought after breeds all over the world. This magnificent animal is adored by cat lovers for its colorful original appearance and loyal character.

History of the origin of the breed

It is believed that the homeland of Persian cats is the province of Khorasan in ancient Persia; it was from there that they were brought to Europe at the beginning of the 16th century, where they immediately won the sincere love of titled persons of the French and British courts. Queen Victoria herself was crazy about these adorable cats and even ordered a real palace to be built for them. In fairness, it is worth mentioning that Persian cats of those times were not much like modern ones, with the exception of long fluffy hair.

There is another version of the origin of Persian cats: this breed was brought to France at the beginning of the 17th century by the astronomer N. de Pieresque. These cats, called “Angora”, are considered by many breeders to be the ancestors of the Persian breed.

Some phenologists are inclined to believe that the Persian breed originates from steppe cats, which still live in Asia and Africa today.

As you can see, there is no clear opinion about the origin of Persian cats, but it is known for certain that they came to Europe from the East and were registered in the British breed book in the late 80s of the century before last. Since then, breeders have done a lot of work to improve the breed. Thus, the cats’ heads have become more massive, their bodies are more compact, and their eyes are slanted.

Description and standards

With its original appearance, the Persian cat breed evokes a feeling of delight and tenderness. And it’s not surprising, because she looks like a charming plush toy that you definitely want to pick up, stroke and caress. Meanwhile, these are quite massive animals: the weight of an adult cat often reaches 7 kilograms, cats are 2-3 kg lighter.

The true pride of the Persians is their fluffy shaggy coat, which can reach 20 centimeters in length, is soft and silky with virtually no undercoat, forming a luxurious royal collar around the neck. Experts still cannot explain how an animal whose homeland is hot southern countries got such a warm “fur coat.”

In addition to thick fur, the distinctive features of Persians are a charming upturned nose, round cheeks like a hamster, and tufts of hair between the toes on the pads of the paws. This is what a Persian cat looks like, which cannot be confused with any other breed.

As for breed standards, they continued to be formed until 1970. By this time, scientists managed to create a healthy breed without defects, which was greatly spoiled by American breeders, who cared little about the rules of selection and sacrificed quality for the sake of fashion trends.

brief information

Breed name:
Country of origin: Armenia, Iran, Türkiye
Weight: from 3.5 to 7 kg
Lifespan: 15-20 years

Basic moments

– one of the most beautiful among domestic breeds. This is a true aristocrat who incredibly combines unparalleled appearance, intelligence and regal demeanor with amazing affection and sincere love for her master. Thanks to this harmonious combination, the Persian cat is confidently ahead of other breeds in the popularity rating.

Breed characteristics

Activity?

Affectionateness?

Shedding?

Need for care?

Health ?

Sociability?

Playfulness?

Friendliness?

Intelligence?

*Characteristics of the Persian cat breed are based on the assessment of site experts and reviews of cat owners.

History of the Persian cat breed

There are several versions of the origin of Persian cats.

According to one of them, the first long-haired animals were brought to Europe in the twenties of the 17th century by the Italian aristocrat Pietro della Valle from his trip to Turkey and Persia. In the city of Isfahan, he acquired several pairs of amazing and unusual animals for Europe at that time and sent them to Italy. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the further fate of these animals. And who knows how the history of the Persians would have developed further if the French scientist Nicole-Claude Farbi, who corresponded with della Valle, had not turned out to be a true cat lover. Having become interested in the breed described by the Italian and previously unseen in the Old World, he brought several Turkish Angora cats to France. Luxurious long-haired beauties won the hearts of the European aristocracy, including the all-powerful Cardinal Richelieu. With such patrons, the new breed has become one of the most elite. Owning an oriental cat has become not only fashionable, but also prestigious. Depending on where they were brought from, furry pets in those days were called Turkish, Asian, Russian, and even Chinese. Bearing in mind that the Persians began their spread throughout Europe from France, for some time they were called French cats.

According to another version, long-haired animals originally appeared on the territory of Russia, where the presence of such a coat was due to harsh climatic conditions. It was from here that these strange animals came to the East, and only later, in the 17th century, did Europeans first learn about them.

The scientific literature of the late 18th century describes two main types of long-haired cats. The first is that the animals are light, graceful, with thin soft fur, a wedge-shaped head and pointed ears. The second is more massive, round-headed and short individuals with long hair and the presence of a thick undercoat.

Soon the new breed came to England. British felinologists have found sufficient grounds to divide long-haired cats into two breeds depending on their type. The first began to be classified as Turkish Angoras, and the second were called at first French and then Persian cats. The interest in long-haired pets and their breeding was so great that Persians were registered in 1887. They were one of the first among other domestic cats to gain official status. The breed was called "Persian Longhair".

A new stage in the development of the breed began at the end of the 19th century, when the Persians came to the United States. American breeders have put a lot of effort into changing the classic British version of the cat's appearance, and have been quite successful in this. A new “extreme” type appeared, which was characterized by the unusual appearance of the animal’s muzzle: an extremely short nose with a high stop, an overhanging forehead, pronounced folds from the corners of the eyes to the mouth, and widely spaced eyes. This unusual exterior attracted cat lovers, but it also caused multiple animal health problems. Only hard work made it possible to minimize the negative results of selection experiments. Extreme Persians are very popular today, and many consider them to be the real representatives of the breed. This is not entirely fair. There are many clubs in the world for Persian cat lovers who prefer breeding the classic type.

Video: Persian cat

Appearance of a Persian cat

The size of the animal is medium to large. Weight – from 3.5 to 7 kilograms.

Head

Large, with a convex dome-shaped skull. The cheekbones are powerful, the cheeks are thick and round. The stop is clearly defined. The nose is very short and wide, often upturned. Persian cats of the “Pekingese” type have a small and depressed nose. The muzzle is wide and round. The jaws are well developed, the chin is weak.

Eyes

Large, round, as if wide open. Widely located. The eye color must correspond to a certain color. For chinchillas, silver and golden individuals - a green tint, a blue iris is typical for color points. The combination of light blue eyes + white color is highly valued. Copper and orange tones correspond to the standard for a Persian of any color. White Persian cats can have different colored eyes (one is light blue, the other is orange).

Ears

The ears of Persian cats are relatively small and widely spaced. The tips are rounded, the inside of the auricle is well pubescent.

Neck

Thick with well-developed muscles, short.

Body

Quite large, muscular, massive. The chest is deep and wide, the back is wide and short. The width of the shoulders and croup are almost the same. The bones are strong.

Legs

Short, powerful, with well-developed muscles. The bone is straight.

Paws

Strong, rounded, wide. Long hair between toes.

Tail

The tail of the Persian cat is short and thick in proportion to the body with a rounded tip. Very well dropped.

Wool

The Persian coat is long, up to 10 cm on the body and up to 20 cm on the collar, soft and delicate to the touch. The undercoat is thick.

Color

The breed standard allows any color option. The classic types of color include solid (without stripes or patterns); tortoiseshell (in cats); “smoke” when the outermost part of the hair is white (the ideal proportion is 1/3 – white, 2/3 – colored); two-color, silver, golden, chinchilla, color point, seal point, layack point, blue point, tabby (marble, brindle or spotted).

Disadvantages of the breed

An elongated narrow head, large pointed and close-set ears, a long nose. Small slanted eyes. Long body, legs and tail. Oval paws and long toes.

Disqualifying signs for Persian cats are a knobby tail, poorly developed jaws with pronounced defects, and “medallions” on the chest.

Photo of a Persian cat

Personality of the Persian cat

The Persian cat has a surprisingly calm, friendly and balanced character. The psychological peculiarity of Persians is that they are very afraid of upsetting their owner: after all, they are purely domestic cats, very attached to humans and determined to give him joy and pleasure. Even if you accidentally offended a Persian cat, she will not “sulk” for long and will gladly accept all your apologies.

There is one nuance: at first Persians are afraid to sit in a person’s arms. Therefore, under no circumstances should you hold them if they break out. The cat must get used to the person.

Representatives of this breed are inactive, even somewhat lazy. Persian cats hardly even meow; to attract attention, they simply sit next to them and gaze intently into the eyes of the object. They like to lie in one place for a long time, so the questions “where is the cat now and what is she doing” will not bother you. But if you offer your pet to play with a ball or chase an artificial mouse, he will never refuse.

The Persian, unlike other breeds, cannot be called a cat that walks on its own. They are big homebodies who love their owner and appreciate comfort. They are not interested in walking outside, but lying on the windowsill and watching the world around them is their favorite pastime, so if you live on high floors, consider precautions so that your pet does not reflexively jump after a bird flying past.

It is not difficult for a Persian cat to establish contact with dogs; pet parrots and canaries are completely safe in the company of a Persian - even outside the cage. The heart of the Persians is open to everyone. True, they treat strangers with suspicion, but only at first, after closer acquaintance, they will be as friendly as with others.

Mother cats are very caring and take excellent care of their kittens, while they are absolutely not jealous of them and do not show any aggression towards others.

Due to its character, the Persian cat is ideal for both a single person and a large family where there are not only small children, but also pets of other species.

Upbringing

Persian cats are very smart and vulnerable creatures. When raising a kitten, do not show impatience or aggression under any circumstances. Loud screaming and noise when communicating with the baby are also unacceptable. Methods of physical pressure have a particularly painful effect on the pet’s psyche. You must remember that you cannot carry a Persian cat by lifting it by the withers. The paws must have support.

One of the main requirements that a young Persian needs to learn is to comply with your ban on certain actions (aggressive behavior towards a person, damage to property). You can use the usual dog commands “Fu!” or “You can’t!”, which, for greater persuasiveness, it makes sense to accompany with a loud clap of your hands. Compliance with a command should be immediately rewarded, and disobedience should be immediately followed by punishment. You can’t hit a cat, just throw a newspaper at it or spray it with water.

Talk to your pet often. Moreover, do it expressively, and the baby will soon learn to distinguish by your voice whether you are happy with it or not.

Don't forget to play with the kitten. Persian cats do not like loneliness very much and easily become depressed.

When building your relationship with a new friend, remember that the best results can only be achieved with the help of love and patience.

The Persian cat is an elite breed. Keeping such an animal will require a lot of attention and considerable financial expenses from the owner. You are unlikely to find any other cat that would be as dependent on a person as the Persian. In order for your pet to always be beautiful and healthy, you will have to provide him with proper care, balanced feeding and proper support from an experienced veterinarian.

As for the living space, everything is more or less clear here. Persian cats are very calm and pliable; they like to spend a lot of time either in the arms of their owner or in a cozy, comfortable place allotted to them. They will easily get used to both the conditions of a city apartment and a large country house. The main thing is that family members do not forget about the animal.

Owners of private houses do not have to worry about their cat getting lost when going out for a walk. Persian cats are exceptional homebodies, and walking outdoors is not one of their favorite activities.

These cats are not hunters at all. Due to their phlegmatic nature, they get along well with other pets, including birds and rodents.

The Persian cat really values comfort and coziness. If opportunities allow, purchase a special sleeping place for your pet - a house or a bed. Your concern will definitely be appreciated. A soft chair or sofa will be a completely acceptable alternative for the animal. In this case, you should exercise caution and attentiveness, especially with a kitten. You can inadvertently injure your baby if he sleeps in your bed or likes to lie in the chair in which you are used to reading newspapers or watching TV.

Persian cats are very impressionable creatures. Never force your pet out of its home. If the cat is resting, do not touch it. Wait until your beauty wants to go outside on her own; in extreme cases, lure her with her favorite treat or interest her with a toy.

If your cat's house is not equipped with a scratching post, make sure to purchase one additionally. Ask the breeder what type of accessory the kitten is familiar with and buy a similar product. To train your little Persian to sharpen his claws in one place, use catnip. If you notice your animal's desire to get a manicure, immediately take it to a certain place. Persian cats are very intelligent creatures and will quickly figure out what you want to achieve from them.

Like any cat, a representative of the breed is very clean and will definitely try to bury the products of its vital activity. Persians can dig around in the litter box for a very long time before going to the toilet. To avoid being irritated by the filler scattered around, purchase a large tray with a high side (at least 10 cm). Prefer granular filler with high absorption capacity over wood filler. Immediately buy a tray designed for an adult animal. It will be convenient for the kitten to do his business in it, and when he grows up, he won’t have to spend money on a new one. The toilet can be placed on a larger rubberized mat. This will make cleaning up after your pet much easier.

An important accessory is a special carrying bag. You will need it for a visit to the veterinarian, for a trip to an exhibition, and when moving from a city apartment to a country house. The accessory must be suitable in size for the pet so that the animal feels comfortable enough inside.

Thanks to its thick, long hair, the Persian cat tolerates the cold well, but it is still worth taking some preventive measures to avoid colds. Do not place the cat house or bed near entrance doors, windows or other places where drafts are possible. And if your pet prefers to spend time lying on the windowsill, lay a soft, warm cloth for him.

In matters of nutrition, almost all breeders without exception recommend choosing ready-made food of the highest quality category. Precisely calculated and well-balanced daily intakes will provide your cat with everything it needs, even without adding natural products to the diet. Mixed or natural feeding is more troublesome, since sometimes there is not enough time to prepare food for the cat separately, and the human menu is not suitable for it by definition. Seasonings, sugar, and salt in excess quantities can cause serious harm to the cat's body. Be sure to introduce special vitamin supplements with a seaweed complex into your cat’s diet in the required proportions (1 tablet with calcium + 3 tablets with algae extract or vice versa - depending on color) (for any type of feeding). The availability of freely available clean water is not even discussed.

Persian cats are prone to overeating, so you need to control their diet and under no circumstances feed them from your table or from your hands.

The special pride of the Persian cat is its fur. Caring for her is an art. You will need various tools - a rare comb with rounded teeth, a natural bristle brush, regular hair cutting scissors. During seasonal shedding, a special spray for removing fur may be useful.

The structure of the animals' fur is such that without systematic care, tangles form very quickly, which can only be gotten rid of in a radical way. To avoid such troubles, some owners comb the animal daily and rarely bathe it, while others, on the contrary, often use water procedures followed by styling the fur. You can choose your path only through experimentation. The main thing is systematicity and constant adherence to the chosen procedure.

For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to sprinkle the fur with a special grooming powder purchased at a pet store. Baby powders are not suitable: they contain starch, which is harmful to the cat’s body, and the cat will definitely swallow it while licking itself.

Do not use a slicker when caring for the hair of a Persian cat - the undercoat hairs of this breed are restored very slowly. Do not comb your pet's tail unless absolutely necessary.

Caring for the Persian cat's ears and teeth is standard, but the animal's eyes require a little more attention. They need to be cleaned daily, but not with cotton wool, but with a clean soft cloth moistened with special drops or distilled water. Do not use any wet wipes!

The animal should be bathed in warm water (depth no more than 10-12 cm) using special shampoos, avoiding getting the head wet. As a precaution, apply special drops to the Persian cat's eyes and place cotton swabs in the ears.

Considering the natural laziness of Persian cats, it is necessary to play with them to keep fit: with kids - 3-4 times, with adults - 1-2 times a day.

Health and diseases of the Persian cat

The Persian cat is in good health, but there are a number of diseases, the predisposition to which Persians are quite high.

Almost fifty percent of Persian cats are at risk of developing a very dangerous disease - polycystic kidney disease. The first symptoms of the onset of the disease can be considered loss of appetite, depressed state of the animal, and frequent urination. The appearance of these signs requires immediate contact with a veterinarian. In the absence of the necessary treatment, by the age of 7-9 years the cat is likely to develop kidney failure, which can lead to the death of the animal.

A dangerous genetic disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is symptomatically expressed in rapid heartbeat and periodic fainting. The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the fact that in 40% of cases these symptoms do not manifest themselves until sudden death occurs. Statistics show that cats are more likely to suffer from this disease than cats.

Retinal atrophy can cause a lot of trouble for your pet, which usually begins at an early age and progresses quickly - the kitten can become completely blind by the age of four months.

Teeth are another weak point of the Persian cat. Changes in the color of the enamel and an unpleasant odor from the mouth should be a reason for a visit to the clinic. The result of your carelessness can be the development of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and tooth loss.

Like all long-haired cats, Persians can develop skin diseases if not properly cared for. Do not forget to bathe your pet in a timely manner and comb its long hair daily with special soft brushes.

The special structure of the animal's muzzle caused increased tear production. The glandular ducts in the Persian cat are almost completely blocked, which causes tear fluid to leak out. Your furry “chronic crybaby” requires daily hygienic care for the eyes and muzzle.

Almost all Persian cats wheeze or snore while sleeping. The reason for this is a shortened nasal septum. It is almost impossible to correct the defect. All that remains is to treat him as a cute flaw. Moreover, this does not affect the general condition of the animal in any way.

This breed does not like to bathe very much, but they need to be bathed more often.

While often licking themselves, neat Persians swallow some of the fur, and it accumulates in the stomach. To avoid health problems, you should give your cat special tablets or paste that will help get rid of hairballs painlessly.

Practice shows that with proper care, timely vaccination, and professional veterinary care if necessary, it is possible to significantly reduce the risks of various diseases or ease their course.

With good owners, a Persian cat is quite capable of living happily for about 15-17 years, and some live up to 20 years.

How to choose a kitten

So, you have answered your questions positively: do you want to get a cat, will it be a Persian, and will you have enough time to provide your pet with decent care?

The time has come to choose and purchase a kitten. It is best to resolve the issue of purchasing a purebred Persian through specialized clubs. Experts will help you with your choice, and you are guaranteed to buy a healthy high-breed baby.

If there is no such club in your city, we recommend that you follow the following tips:

take the animal only from the mother cat. This way you can evaluate the appearance of the mother, see if she is healthy, and in what conditions she is kept with her kittens. You can ask the owners if the kids are accustomed to the tray, what kind of diet they are accustomed to. Serious breeders must provide you with registration documents (measures or pedigree) for both parents and kittens;
You can pick up the baby only after he reaches two months. At this age, he already knows how to feed himself and will more easily endure separation from his mother. If you plan to use your Persian cat for breeding and showing in the future, wait until the kitten is three to four months old. At this age, it is already possible to more specifically assess its compliance with the breed standard;
examine your chosen one. The eyes and ears should be clean, the tummy should be soft. The fur around the anus is clean and dry. There should be no signs of scratching or bald spots on the baby's body. Also make sure there is no unpleasant odor from the mouth;
It is better to purchase kittens of breeding or show classes together with an expert. He will professionally assess the condition of the animal to ensure it meets the standard and that there are no signs of genetic diseases. You cannot do without the help of a specialist when choosing a Persian kitten of complex color;

Of course, all kittens offered to you must be vaccinated and have documentary evidence of this.

Photos of Persian kittens

How much does a Persian cat cost?

If we compare the prices for Persian kittens of the classic and extreme types, they are quite comparable.

In the case when you just want to have a Persian at home “for the soul,” then a kitten without a pedigree from unregistered parents will cost approximately 2,000 rubles. A pet-class kitten purchased from a breeder will lighten your wallet by about 7,000 rubles. The price for breeding animals that have the appropriate documents and are suitable for breeding work will start from 15,000 rubles, and show-class representatives from champion producers can cost in the range of 25-30 thousand rubles.

In each specific case, the cost of a kitten will be determined individually. The final amount is influenced by many factors, namely:

nursery rating;
level of exhibition achievements of parents;
compliance of the kitten with breed standards.

The price will also include a certain amount to cover the costs associated with breeding and raising a kitten (vaccinations, veterinarian services, club fees).

Among the subjective factors influencing the price of an animal are the color and quality of the coat. Kittens of rare colors are more valuable, and if we talk about the classics, a white Persian cat will cost more.

The gender of the animal also affects the final price. Girls are in great demand.

It is better to purchase Persian kittens from breeders or specialized nurseries. A trip to the poultry market is unlikely to bring you the expected results in terms of thoroughbred and purebred of the acquired Persian.

Rita Ryzhova A year ago 218 views 4 replies

Persian cats are well known and popular all over the world. Thanks to their amazing long, silky coat and unusual appearance, they have become favorites of titled persons, pop and movie stars. Passionate lovers of this breed were: Cardinal de Richelieu, kings Louis XIV, and later Louis XV, the beautiful Marie Antoinette.

There are two versions about the origin of the breed. According to the first, she was brought to Europe by Pietro della Valle’s companion, the Georgian girl Tinatin. An aristocrat and traveler became interested in long-haired cats, unusual for Italy. But the further fate of these animals is unknown.

The scientist Nicole-Claude Farbi de Peires, who corresponded with the traveler, was amazed by the cats described and ordered several specimens of exotic animals from Turkey. The fashion for Angora cats quickly spread to the French aristocracy. In the XVI-XVII centuries. they became a symbol of wealth and belonging to noble families.

The second version is more likely, as it is based on genetics. According to her, Persian cats descended from long-haired Russian cats. From Russia, pussies were exported by merchants to the East - to Persia, Turkey, Iran. Perhaps already there they crossed with wild species, in particular the Pallas's cat. Thanks to him, Persian cats differ from Turkish Angoras.

From France, both species came to Great Britain. Thanks to the efforts of British felinologists, long-haired beauties were not only divided into two independent species, but also received different colors. In the USA, the external type of individuals was changed. But poor health and short lifespan forced the anomalies to be corrected, and as a result, a new type of Persian appeared.

Description and appearance

There are 3 official types of Persians, differing in the location of the nose mirror:

obsolete - the edge of the nose is 5-6 mm, and sometimes more, located below the edge of the orbit;
modern short-nosed - the upper edge of the speculum is located only 1-2 mm above the lower eyelid or level with it;
extreme (American) - the upper edge of the nose is located above the lower edge of the eye socket, and the stop is on the line of the inner corners of the eyes.

The WCF banned the sharply extreme type of head of modern Persians - an unacceptably deep depression of the bridge of the nose and a nasal mirror raised above the line connecting the inner corners of the eyes.

Breed standards

Despite minor variations, the standards of world associations have much in common:

Colors

Today there are the following fur coat colors:

Tortoiseshell – black-red, cream-blue, red-chocolate, lilac tortoiseshell. The main requirement is color saturation and depth, as well as a symmetrical arrangement of “notches”. The eyes of such a cat are the color of old copper. Torti is characteristic only of females; in males, the gene responsible for this color variant causes sterility.
Pewter is an unusual color that gives it the name “tin cat.” On the general white background there are grayish shadows localized on the back, tail, and paws. The color of the iris is old gold or copper, bordered by a clear dark ring.
Marble or tabby. The base of the hair is golden brown with a dark brown or black tip (black marbled). The eyes are dark orange or copper, the edges of the eyelids are outlined in black. Blue marble has the main color of the fur - ivory and only the tip - gray-blue.
Cameo - white undercoat, upper body, head, sides painted red. There is a creamy cameo.
Spotted – a combination of several colors, and white is always present.
Color point (Siamese) – colored spots on a light background. Location and contrast are taken into account. The absence of dark spots on a light background and white spots on a dark one.
Harlequin - all colors, colored spots occupy 1/5-1/6 of the color. The rest of the fur is white. The spots are scattered throughout the body.
Smoky - the hairs are colored in the main color with a base of silver-gray tone. The Silver Smoke has a pearly silver base color with dark “tan markings” on the upper body and head. Eyes range from bright green, blue to old copper color.
Chinchilla - the very tip of the hairs is colored, the rest of it is painted white.
Tiger - all colors. The stripes running from the back to the belly have a clear pattern, with a dark stripe running down the back. The contrasting color forms an M on the forehead and spirals on the cheeks. There is a double continuous necklace on the neck, the tail and paws are covered with rings.

There are a huge number of color and pattern variations.

Character of Persian cats

Persians are quite phlegmatic; they prefer to sit comfortably next to their owner and bask. But an affectionate and good-natured disposition, combined with phlegmatism and non-conflict, give representatives of this breed charm and emphasizes their “toy-like” nature.

These animals are distinguished by their intelligence and good learning ability. The cat carefully monitors the actions, facial expressions and mood of the owner, trying to “match”. Incredibly loyal to the owner, they will empathize, “treat”, touchingly caress to lift their spirits.

They get along well in families with children and tolerate their pranks and harassment. They are unforgiving and will never behave aggressively. On trips and travels they are unpretentious, quiet, if their adored owner is next to them.

Love for the owner, desire for care and attention are the main character traits of the Persian cat. In childhood they are playful and funny. They can retain these traits into adulthood if others often play with them.

Lifespan

On average, the life expectancy of Persian cats is 11-15 years. Extreme types live shorter lives, which is due to their structure and the presence of anomalies that affect their health. The classic type is more resilient and is characterized by good health and longevity.

Persians love to watch life from the window. Hunting instincts suppress the sense of self-preservation, and the pet may fall out if the window opening is not secured with a strong mesh. When walking, you also need to keep the cat on a harness - he will trustingly go to “get acquainted” with the lapdog and the Great Dane, and will not be afraid of the traffic flow. The main rule of keeping Persians is to ensure the safety and comfort of the pet.

Care and hygiene

The main thing in caring for your Persian is maintaining his luxurious fur coat in proper condition. Combing should be done at least once every 2-3 days. To do this you will need a set of combs:

with rare long teeth for deep combing of strands;
with fine teeth to give the “hairstyle” smoothness.

Trimmers are also used to make the coat well-groomed. To make combing easier, conditioners and antistatic agents are used. You cannot use a powder brush; only high-quality combs with an antistatic coating will help maintain the vibrant shine and silkiness of the coat.

To maintain its appearance, the pet needs quite frequent bathing - once every 2-3 weeks. For the bath, use high-quality products for long-haired breeds. In order not to spoil the wool, it is dried naturally - blotted with a towel, thoroughly combed and air-dried in a warm room without drafts.

Ear care does not differ from the generally established rules applicable to any breed. Once every 7 days, the ear is examined and wiped with a swab treated in warm water or a special product. The tampon should be squeezed out thoroughly so that liquid does not enter the pet’s ear canal.

The characteristic structure of the Persian's muzzle causes increased pressure in the lacrimal glands, which is why Persians have more lacrimation than other breeds. If there are no eye diseases, then the tear fluid is transparent with a slight brown tint. It is enough to carefully blot them with a special napkin or soft cloth. It is recommended to carry out the procedure daily, and then your Persian will not have problems with his eyes.

The claws on the front paws must be trimmed once every 14 days, and on the hind paws - monthly. The rules for caring for your pet’s teeth are the same. With regular maintenance of cleanliness and health, the entire hygienic procedure takes no more than 5 minutes. per day.

Nutrition of Persian cats

For these luxurious beauties, proper balanced nutrition is very important - meat, cereals, vegetables in a ratio of 6:1:3. The basis of the diet is amino acids. Lean light meat can be doused with boiling water, frozen or boiled. Under no circumstances should you give pork. It can cause digestive upset and cause helminthiasis.

Quail eggs are an excellent source of amino acids. They are given to Persians raw, but not more than 1 egg per day. To provide your pet with energy, you need healthy carbohydrates - cereal porridge, flavored with a small amount of vegetable oil to strengthen and shine the coat.

Persians do not refuse dry food. It is important that it is of good quality and contains an increased amount of amino acids.

Diseases and breed defects

The following diseases occur in Persians:

polycystic kidney disease;
heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
progressive retinal atrophy;
skin diseases, including deadly basal cell skin cancer;
dysplasia of limb joints;
dental pathologies.
metabolic diseases - obesity, diabetes.

To protect your pet, you need to regularly examine it at the veterinary hospital, get all the required vaccinations, give supplements to strengthen bones, and deworm it.

Despite the fact that the breed has long been popular and there are a huge number of offers to buy a Persian kitten from a private person, you should not take risks and buy a pet from professionals who are responsible for its health and breed characteristics.

What to pay attention to

First of all, you should pay attention to the availability of relevant documents - pedigree, passport, vaccinations and genetic tests. It’s worth getting to know the kitten’s parents, looking at the rest of the babies in the litter - are they all healthy and do they meet the breed standard? You should visually assess the baby – size, appearance.

The health of a kitten can be judged by indirect signs - activity, behavior in a group and with strangers, movements. Healthy kittens are large, active, cheerful, and not shy. They have clean, clear eyes without excessive discharge. The gums should be pink. Breath is fresh, not foul.

Persian kitten price

The cost of a Persian reaches 9,000 rubles. and higher.