Persian (modern)

The modern Persian is a medium-sized longhaired cat recognised by its long flowing coat, broad round head and quiet manner. It counts among the oldest recognised cat types in the fancy and stays one of the most familiar pedigree cats the world over. The breed sits at the placid end of the feline temperament range. Most Persians move at an unhurried pace and settle into the rhythm of the household rather than looking for busy activity.

The "modern" label sets today's show-type Persian, with its very flat or extreme face, apart from the older and more moderate doll-face lines. Both carry the same heavy coat and easy-going nature. Face shape mostly bears on grooming, tear staining and breathing, all of which matter when you pick a kitten.

A Persian suits people who want a companion cat that keeps close, puts up with handling and takes to a settled environment. The coat is the real commitment. Daily brushing forms part of ordinary care rather than an odd-job now and again.

Who the Persian suits

The Persian fits homes that prize a low-energy, affectionate cat and can stick with daily grooming. It makes a grand match for flat living and for owners who are about the house a good deal of the time. It is less suited to households after an active, climbing or very playful cat, or to people who cannot keep on top of coat care and routine face cleaning.

The breed takes its name from Persia, the historical name for Iran, where longhaired cats appear in early accounts of cats brought to Europe. European interest in longhaired cats grew across the 1600s and 1700s as imports arrived from the Near East. The early longhairs were grouped loosely and not yet standardised.

The Persian as a defined breed came together in Britain in the late nineteenth century. Longhaired cats featured at the first organised cat shows, the London show of 1871 among them, and breeders began selecting for the long coat and rounded head that mark the type.

Through the twentieth century the breed spread across Europe and North America and became one of the most numerous pedigree cats. Breeders selected for an ever rounder head and a flatter face, which gave the show or modern type seen today.

More moderate lines, often called doll-face or traditional Persians, held on to a longer muzzle and are still available alongside the flat-faced modern cats. Both come down from the same longhaired foundation.

The Persian has a cobby, broad-chested body set on short thick legs, which gives it a low, solid outline. The head is round and massive with full cheeks, a short broad nose and small rounded ears set wide and low. The eyes are large, round and set far apart, lending the breed its open expression. The modern show type carries a notably flat face, with the nose break level with or close to the eyes.

Coat and colours

The coat is one of the longest of any cat breed, with a soft dense undercoat below longer guard hairs. A pronounced ruff frames the neck and the tail is short and full. The breed is bred in a wide colour range across solids such as white, black, blue, red and cream, along with tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolour, calico, smoke and shaded patterns. Pointed Persians, with a pale body and darker face, ears, legs and tail, go by the name Himalayan. Coat length and density mean mats form quickly without regular brushing.

The Persian is a quiet, even-tempered companion. It forms close attachments to its household and tends to trail after people from room to room without looking for constant attention. Persians are affectionate on their own terms and will often pick a warm lap or a favoured resting spot over active play.

With family, the breed is gentle and tolerant, which makes it grand for considerate children who handle a cat calmly. With strangers, most Persians are reserved rather than fearful and warm up little by little. They usually get on well with other calm pets, though they may steer clear of boisterous animals.

The breed is low energy and content with short bursts of gentle play. Persians rank among the quieter cats and rarely give a loud mew. They favour stability and can find frequent noise, change or commotion stressful, so a predictable home suits them best.

Grooming

• Brush the full coat daily with a wide-tooth comb and a slicker brush to head off mats and tangles.
• Wipe the eyes and facial folds daily with a soft damp cloth, as the flat face causes tear overflow and staining.
• Bathe every four to six weeks to keep the coat clean and cut down on grease.
• Trim nails every two to three weeks and check the ears during grooming.
• Clip the coat around the hindquarters if soiling turns into a recurring bother.

Exercise

• Offer short daily play sessions with wand toys or rolling balls to keep the weight in check.
• Provide low, easy-access perches and scratching posts rather than tall climbing towers.
• Keep play gentle and brief, in keeping with the breed's low energy level.

Environment

Persians do best as indoor cats in a calm, stable home. The long coat is not cut out for outdoor exposure, and the flat face can struggle in heat. Keep rooms at a comfortable temperature, provide quiet resting spots and steer clear of frequent upheaval.

Feed a complete and balanced cat food suited to the cat's life stage, with animal protein as the main ingredient. Cats are obligate carnivores and need taurine, which quality cat foods supply. Because Persians are low energy, portion control matters to head off weight gain. Flat-faced cats can find it hard to pick up standard kibble, so larger or specially shaped pieces, or a mix of wet food, can help.

Fresh water should always be to hand. Wet food supports hydration and can help cats that drink little.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. A complete diet usually needs no extra supplements. Hairball remedies or fibre can help with the breed's heavy shedding, and joint or kidney support may be advised for older cats, but bring in any supplement only on veterinary advice.

With good care most Persians live 10 to 15 years. The breed is generally hardy but carries several known health concerns, some tied directly to the flat-faced conformation. Picking a kitten from a breeder who screens for inherited disease lowers the risk of the most serious problems.

Preventive care

• Book annual veterinary check-ups, with more frequent visits for senior cats.
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite control up to date.
• Ask breeders for PKD DNA testing and HCM screening of the parents.
• Clean the eyes and face daily to hold down infection and staining.
• Keep an eye on weight and water intake, as changes can flag kidney or other disease.

The Persian is intelligent but not driven to perform, so training aims at good household habits rather than tricks. The breed responds to patience and routine. Because Persians dislike commotion, training works best in short, quiet sessions. Most take to the litter tray easily and can be taught to accept grooming, nail trimming and carrier use, the practical priorities for this coat-heavy, flat-faced breed.

Basics

1. Place a low-sided litter tray in a quiet, easy-to-reach spot and keep it clean.
2. Bring in grooming early, rewarding the cat for sitting still during short combing sessions.
3. Handle the paws and face gently from kittenhood so nail trims and eye cleaning are accepted.
4. Leave a carrier open with bedding inside so the cat goes in of its own accord before vet trips.
5. Use brief, calm play to teach gentle interaction and discourage scratching of furniture.

Responsible Persian breeding centres on health screening and the demands of the flat-faced type. Queens generally reach sexual maturity between about 7 and 12 months, though many breeders wait for full physical maturity before a first mating. Cats are induced ovulators, so mating itself triggers ovulation.

Gestation runs about 63 to 67 days. Litters are typically small, often around two to four kittens. Persian kittens are born with short coats that lengthen over the following months, and they open their eyes within the first one to two weeks. The flat face can complicate nursing and birth in some lines, so breeders watch queens closely and involve a vet. Both parents should be screened for PKD and HCM before breeding, and kittens normally go to new homes at around 12 to 14 weeks once weaned, vaccinated and litter trained.

Registering a Persian (modern) in Ireland

The whole of cat registration is a form: her name, her colouring, a photo, your phone number, save. Free for life with United Pet Club, chip or no chip, indoors or out.

The fifteen digits on your Persian (modern)'s vet paperwork want a registry. United Pet Club lodges them free, keeps them current through every move, and leaves the record findable whenever a scanner asks. Microchip registration plus a free account: both sorted in one cup of tea.