It is an undisputed fact that Persian cats are considered a desirable pet. They continue to be an in-demand breed with their squishy face and fluffy coat. However, if you’re here and thinking about getting a Persian cat, you may be asking yourself: are they healthy?
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Unfortunately, there are several health issues that Persian cats are predisposed to and, as with many purebred animals, the very features that have been selected to continue breeding to make them desirable can be detrimental to their overall wellbeing. In fact, research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, demonstrated that nearly two thirds of Persian cats suffer from at least one health condition. That is a significant number, and one that could, perhaps, indicate a welfare problem for our Persian cats.
So, on this topic, what are the specific issues for our Persian cats?
1) Their head shapes and their short, squashed noses
Pets being bred for their flattened noses, large eyes and wide heads predisposes them to health problems during their lives. To put it strongly, this breed standard serves no physiological purpose, it is simply deemed ‘desirable.’ Several of the health conditions due to the ‘brachycephalic’ anatomy includes:
Breathing issues, termed Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
As a result of the narrow opening of their nostrils, nasal passages, and long soft palates, it takes more effort for the affected cat to breathe. Depending on the severity, the most common sign is mouth breathing. It is important to note that signs are exaggerated in hot and humid weather.
Dental disease
Due to the short face, the teeth can be out of alignment. This means that a Persian cat may not be able to chew properly, predisposing them to dental issues. This can result in mouth pain, poor appetite, lack of grooming, bad breath, and infection.
Protruding eyes
The surface of their eyes (their cornea) is more exposed and unprotected. Persians are prone to corneal sequestra, whereby plaque (a dead piece of corneal tissue) forms on the eye. These are painful and can lead to rupture of the eye if not treated. They are also prone to persistent discharge from the eyes due to having malfunctioning tear ducts that are unable to drain tears properly. Whilst this is more of a cosmetic nuisance, it does mean that Persians must have their eyes and faces cleaned regularly.
Skin folds on the face
These are prone to bacterial and fungal infections, so it is important to ensure that they are being checked and if needed, bathed, regularly.
2) Their coats
Grooming is a natural pass time for cats. In fact, healthy cats will spend nearly a quarter of their time grooming. However, the Persian’s challenges mean that sometimes this is not possible. Despite the fact that a long lustrous coat is inarguably beautiful, it does require far more maintenance than the short-coated breeds; especially in Persians who, for various reasons, find grooming difficult. In fact, Persians are over twice as likely to have coat issues when compared with other breeds of cats; and the issues may be multifactorial.
Not only is a Persian’s coat long and dense, with the breed having a general difficulty of getting down to the deeper layers of fur; other issues in the Persians (such as dental disease and breathing difficulties) may make grooming uncomfortable and painful for the cats. Persian’s coats need to be managed vigilantly, to prevent them from needing sedation and de-matting at the veterinary hospital. This involves a daily grooming routine at home.
3) Hereditary issues
The aforementioned study demonstrated that the leading cause of mortality in Persian cats after five years of age was renal disease, which has an incidence that is almost double those of other cats. Persians are prone to polycystic kidney disease, an inherited condition present from birth, that causes multiple cysts to form on the kidneys. Over time these cysts grow, leading to renal failure, typically at around seven years old.
They are also at risk for developing the heart disease ‘Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy’ (HCM). This is where the heart’s walls become abnormally thick and, over time, leads to heart failure. Sometimes it can sadly present with sudden death. HCM can be managed with appropriate medications.
To conclude, it is worth noting that the average lifespan for a Persian cat is approximately 13.5 years. Whilst this may seem low in the current times where advances in veterinary medicine mean that many cats now live to 18-20 years old; the actual average for the rest of the cat population in the United Kingdom is 14 years. So, although they are prone to uncomfortable health problems, a committed owner who can provide the appropriate care and management of a Persian cat, and who is mindful of their challenges, can give them a long and happy life.
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