Breed Focus: Persians

So our cat enthusiasts won’t feel left out I thought this week we would focus on a cat breed. Persians are an easily recognized breed with their long hair and smushed faces. They do tend to appear a little grumpy but are usually quite friendly! A variety of colors makes them appealing to many people. 

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Persians are definitely one of the most popular pure bred cats around today. However they are not for everyone. Their luxurious coat requires extensive brushing daily. They may also need regular trips to the groomer to clean up various problem areas, such as armpits, private areas, behind ears) where mats can easily form. Getting them used to these activities at a young age will help decrease the stress of handling when they are older. Some people even prefer to regularly groom them in a lion cut which helps reducing the need for daily brushing and the risks of matted hair. 

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As with most purebred animals there are certain conditions that we need to be more aware of in Persians than in other cats. Although all cats are prone to this it is important to screen the hearts of Persians for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a condition of the heart becoming too thickened to function normally. Some symptoms will include a change in breathing pattern where there is more effort, weight loss, vomiting or a heart murmur developing. X-rays or echocardiograms performed by veterinarians can confirm a diagnosis. Another condition to be aware of is progressive retinal atrophy. This affects their eyesight. It typically occurs in very young cats and can progress to full blindness in months. (source) Regular trips to the vet for any cat are highly recommended to ensure that they are overall healthy and this can also help detect early signs of these conditions!   

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Some of you may recognize the Persian from the movie ‘Cats and Dogs’. Mr. Tinkles is actually played by a Persian cat!