All about your Persian Cat
Beautiful and elegant, the Persian is nothing short of delightful company. From grooming advice to common health conditions, our guide covers the key things you should know about this easy-going, sweet cat known for their glamorous, flowing coat.
Breed information & advice
The fluffy-coated, big-faced Persian will stay by your side and act as a great house companion. Generally a placid breed, they will enjoy lounging about your home, but will also have bursts of energy where they’ll want to play. Here’s more you should know.
- The Persian prefers a calm, predictable environment where they can relaxThe Persian prefers a calm, predictable environment where they can relax
- Their luxurious, long coat will need daily grooming to keep it in good conditionTheir luxurious, long coat will need daily grooming to keep it in good condition
- They'll typically weigh between 3kg and 7kg, when fully grownThey'll typically weigh between 3kg and 7kg, when fully grown
- A healthy Persian will usually live for 10 to 15 yearsA healthy Persian will usually live for 10 to 15 years
Typical size of a Persian: Medium
Recommended exercise & nutrition
Although known for they relaxed, laid-back attitude, the Persian still requires some form of exercise to help keep their mind and body active. You might choose to keep your cat indoors, due to their delicate coat and shy personality, so buying an indoor climbing tree and giving your cat the ability to wander your home will allow them to flex their muscles. Playing games and teaching your cat tricks will keep their mind well-exercised too.
Cats are carnivores, so you need to feed your Persian a protein-heavy diet – even during their kitten years they'll need plenty of meat. Two feedings a day should be sufficient, and quantities will vary depending on your cat’s age, size and exercise regime. Always read the packet instructions.
Relaxed, yet playful companion
While the Persian likes to laze about the house, they’ll still appreciate playtime, so try to set aside a couple of daily play sessions to keep they body and mind active.
Common health problems & illnesses
Persians need all of the usual vaccinations, flea and worming control, and dental checks to go on to lead a healthy life, but it’s worth being aware of some of the more specific ailments which can affect this breed, so you can look out for any symptoms.
Kidney disease, when one or both organs are unable to clear waste from the blood properly, can develop naturally as a cat ages. It can also occur due to infection, a tumour, injury or even poisoning. The effects can usually be managed well, and if caught in good time a cat will live a healthy life. Signs to watch out for include loss of appetite or weight, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Persians may be prone to eye problems due to their physical characteristics. A corneal ulcer can be caused by a scratch or graze to the eye, which in the long run, can lead to infection and further damage. Look out for a watery eye, redness or your cat scratching around his eye. Your vet may prescribe topical treatment, antibiotics or advise surgery depending on the circumstances.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is the term used to describe upper airway breathing problems. Research shows that the size of cats’ noses affects the severity of this condition. Flat-faced Persians often experience breathing issues due to their compact airways. The symptoms of BOAS include:
- Coughing
- Heavy breathing
- Snoring
- Low oxygen levels
- Swelling of the airways
- Fainting
Cat name popularity
If you’re struggling to think of a name for your Persian, take a look at the most popular ones at Tesco Pet Insurance for inspiration.
Coco
Bella
Milo
Alfie
Lola
Average treatment costs
Wondering whether pet insurance for your Persian is worth it? We’ve put together the top five conditions claimed for by Tesco Pet Insurance customers in 2021. To give you an idea of how much vet bills can vary, we’ve shown both the average cost and the top 10% most expensive costs for each condition.
Top five conditions and average costs
|
Condition |
Average Cost |
10% Most Expensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Respiratory condition |
£729 |
£2,309 |
|
Kidney/renal disease |
£879 |
£2,096 |
|
Corneal ulcer |
£1,268 |
£4,289 |
|
Eye condition |
£728 |
£1,859 |
|
Cystitis |
£471 |
£759 |
Tesco Pet Insurance claims data from paid treatments including excesses from 01/01/21 to 31/12/21.
Considering Persian insurance?
We know your cat is an important member of the family, so give them the protection they deserve with Tesco Pet Insurance.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
Grooming advice
The Persian is quite high-maintenance when it comes to grooming, as they have such a long thick coat, so it's best to get into the routine while they're still a kitten.
Thanks to your pet's luscious locks, you'll need to give them a good daily brush down – use a stainless steel comb to remove all the knots, kinks or tangles.
Due to their flat face, your Persian's eyes will need wiping on a regular basis, to prevent staining to their fur and to prevent infection – use a tissue or soft cloth for this. Keeping their nails trimmed back is also important, as you don’t want their claws to become too long. Remember to take care of your cat’s teeth too – use a specialist toothbrush and toothpaste to remove any bacteria, plaque or tartar build-up.
Fun & interesting facts
- The breed is either a Peke-face (flat-faced) or Doll-face (the traditional, less flat-faced variation).The breed is either a Peke-face (flat-faced) or Doll-face (the traditional, less flat-faced variation).
- They were first encountered back in 1621 in Persia (modern-day Iran).They were first encountered back in 1621 in Persia (modern-day Iran).
- Queen Victoria was a huge fan of the breed, and owned two Persians herself.Queen Victoria was a huge fan of the breed, and owned two Persians herself.
- Over 50 different fur colour variations are thought to exist and the main colour divisions are white, blue, black, red, cream, chocolate and lilac.Over 50 different fur colour variations are thought to exist and the main colour divisions are white, blue, black, red, cream, chocolate and lilac.
- Garfi the Persian is regarded as the world's angriest cat thanks to his seething facial expression.Garfi the Persian is regarded as the world's angriest cat thanks to his seething facial expression.
Important information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to pet breeds, but does not constitute expert veterinary advice. If your dog or cat falls ill or has an injury, contact your vet immediately. Tesco Pet Insurance has a partnership with vetfone™ which means that as a customer, you can benefit from their advice as part of your policy.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
All facts and figures were correct at date of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.
Vetfone™ is a 24/7 unlimited, free telephone or video call service that provides expert advice from vets or vet nurses qualified with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). If your pet has a medical emergency, or you need advise on health, grooming, feeding or behaviour Vetfone™ is there to help.
As a Tesco Pet Insurance customer, you can access friendly expert advice from qualified Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a standard benefit with your policy, and the service is provided at no additional cost. A quick telephone call or video call could answer any questions you have about your pet, give you peace of mind and could even save you a trip to the vet.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
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