Persian Cat

            

The Persian is one of the most popular breeds of cats around the world. Their beauty has become an object of desire among children and adults. They are considered exotic, aristocratic, and so attractive that they could be part of any specialized cat exhibition.

The first Persian cat was taken from Persia to Italy around 1700. In the 19th century, the animal developed into the Persian cat we know today, as the result of the crossbreeding with the white Turkish Angora. The species arrived in North America around the 1800s. Although the name has become official around the world, this breed is known as “long haired” in the United Kingdom.

        

Their coats show different colors such as black, white, chocolate, red, and beige among others. Its diversity has originated around 80 different species. They have a strong bone structure. Because of their big eyes and small noses, it is said that they have a “doll face”.

Persian cats are also called sofa tigers, they love to lie down and sleep. Because of their nature, it strongly recommend not to let them out of the house and keep them in a safe place at home all the time. Their behavior is really kind. They love quiet environments, and also love to be admired; therefore, they always find a way to be the center of attention for everyone around.

These cats need human care and attention. However, they are very selective when choosing who they are going to spend time with; but once chosen they will be inseparable. Persian cats do not enjoy playing games for a long time; hence about 10 or 20 minutes of any activity is enough to entertain them. They like to play with balls and objects that make nice sounds.

        

Their coat is really light and may get knotted easily, so they need to be brush daily with a natural bristle brush, avoiding nylon. Also, they should be taken to the pet stylist every six weeks, to receive special care. Protecting their eyes is also very important; they should be cleaned properly on a daily basis, using a towel with warm water, or following vet recommendations.

Persian cats have a very fragile health. They may develop breathing, ophthalmologic and teeth diseases. They also tend to become obese and may get polycystic kidneys; therefore it is necessary to keep them under permanent diet control, especially if they are sterilized.