Persian cats are extremely popular and with the power of social media, this popularity is only likely to increase. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of purchasing this breed of cat. There is more to know than first meets the eye.
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These cats generally have a very laid-back personality
This makes them very suited to family life. They will require space indoors to hide, climb and toilet. You may want to keep your Persian cat indoors, as they are sought after and worth a lot of money and people occasionally do try to steal pedigree cats. If your Persian is very keen to explore the great outdoors, you could try to harness train them. This will allow you to take your pet on controlled walks where they are unlikely to get harmed.
Persian cats have thick, long coats which can be a variety of colours
Unfortunately, coat related problems are some of the most common conditions they suffer from; the long fur is prone to tangling and often needs periodic dematting. Regular grooming is needed and therefore you must have enough time to do this. Starting grooming from a young age will aid with familiarity with the brush and the time needed for the process. If you struggle to groom your cat, you can take them to a groomer. So, when budgeting for one of these breeds, you should consider regular grooming fees.
If their coats get out of hand, they can take a long time to recover. Large mats of fur become painful as their weight pulls on the skin; this can make your cat fearful of grooming. Prevention of matting is always better than treating the knots. But, if the problem is too severe and becoming painful, your veterinary professionals may be able to help using sedative drugs to calm them before the matts are gently clipped away.
Dental care
Whilst you are grooming your pet, you may need to trim their nails and you could attempt to brush their teeth. Brushing teeth can be challenging in older cats who are not used to it, so we recommend that you start brushing the teeth at a younger age. Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to prevent periodontal disease. Unfortunately, many Persian cats, due to their squashed noses, have overcrowded mouths, resulting in more complex dental issues and predisposing them to dental disease. This can be very painful and can result in the pet having no teeth left.
This breed is thought of as very beautiful
They have a brachycephalic face which, unfortunately, does predispose them to medical conditions which owners should be very aware of. Being brachycephalic means they have very short noses, but their internal anatomy is the same. Unfortunately, that means there is quite a lot of tissue squashed into a smaller space. This space is the space they use to breathe. Struggling to breathe affects their ability to control their body temperature (especially, cool down) which, along with their long coat, means they are more likely to overheat. They may also struggle to exercise the same as other cats may be able to. If you notice your cat panting, or open mouth breathing, you need to take them to the vets. These pets should always have access to water and cooler areas of the house where shade can easily be found.
Genetic disorders
One study, performed by the Royal Veterinary College in 2019, suggested that 2/3 of all Persian cats had at least one disorder. Some medical problems are related to accidents, but common problems such as coat disease, dental disease, kidney disease and neoplasia are conditions that normally progress and get worse.
Kidney disease is a condition many cats suffer with but is remarkably common in this breed because of a high risk of the genetic condition Polycystic Kidney Disease. Be sure to regularly monitor the volume of water your cat is drinking, in addition to the volume and smell of urine that is being produced. Any sudden changes in these parameters could be a sign of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is likely to develop much more gradually, so keeping a record of these parameters could prove useful.
Be prepared!
Any medical condition can become expensive, and long-term conditions incur repetitive costs. With this in mind, insuring this breed is essential. When you take out insurance, you pay a monthly fee, and a good policy should help to cover any sudden, large vet bills. Be sure to check out any conditions that are not included and always read the small print. You should shop around and read reviews from other customers as to whether the customer service was good and whether the company paid out when expected to.
Persian cats make great pets, but they are susceptible to multiple diseases and their grooming needs will take up larger amounts of time compared to other cat breeds. These pets can become very expensive too. If you have the money and time for a cat of this breed, they do make very loving, friendly pets.
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