Persian

Persians, with their long flowing coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in popularity. Their sweet, gentle, personalities blend into most households once they feel secure in their new environment. Creatures of habit, they are most at home in an atmosphere of security and serenity, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most boisterous of households. Their quiet, melodious voices are pleasant and non-abrasive. They communicate delightfully with their large expressive eyes and make charming pets for all ages. Persians have short heavily-boned legs to support their broad, short bodies. They like to have their feet firmly planted and are not given to high jumping and climbing. Playful but never demanding, they love to pose and will drape themselves in a favourite window or chair, enhancing the decor in much the same way as a treasured painting. Persians are tremendously responsive and become a constant source of joy and delight to their owners. Pleasurable as an unexpected sunbeam, their companionship is close and enduring. 

Their long flowing coats require an indoor, protected environment. Proper maintenance requires a daily run-through with a metal comb to eliminate the potential drawbacks of tangles and hairballs. An occasional bath, attempted only after a complete comb-through and clipping of the nail tips, will keep the coat clean, healthy and beautiful. It is wise to establish the routine of the bath when they are young. 

Persians are divided into seven colour divisions for the purposes of competition. These divisions are established on the basis of the colour pattern. Red peke-face Persians, with more extreme facial conformation, appear in both the Solid and the Tabby Division. Solid chocolate and solid lavender Persians are known the Kashmir in CFF. It is still called by this breed name in some older cat breed books. 

Weight: 9-12 lbs. 

Eyes: The Persians eyes are large and round. The colour will reflect the colour of their coat. 

Coat: Long and thick, standing off from body; fine texture, glossy, full of life; long all over body, including shoulders; ruff immense; deep frill between front legs; ear and toe tufts long; brush very full.

Diet: The Persian Cat is the quintessential, luxuriously longhaired, and usually royally pampered cat. Unfortunately, many of the Persians I've seen have been pampered to death by indulgent, nutritionally uneducated owners. The major errors, I've found, are feeding all meat diets, baby food, overfeeding with table scraps and treats, and leaving food down for all day nibbling. These are definite - and dangerous no - nos! Persian cats are not particularly active cats and are prone to obesity and FLUTD; proper diet is, therefore a necessity. Calorie intake should be controlled. Feed only low magnesium cat foods. You may want to leave cat food down all day for those predisposed to FLUTD. Ocular discharge is common in this breed, so you should clean a Persian's eyes once or twice daily with a piece of damp, sterile cotton. To prevent eye infections, a strong immune system must be present to provide ample antibodies. A daily antioxidant plus bee pollen should be given. If you are using a supermarket label cat food, all a well rounded supplement with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fats. A specific hair supplement containing the B vitamins, zinc, and fatty acids can make that marvellous coat of the Persian cat look its very best. With Persians, grooming can not be ignored and should be done daily. Remember, when brushing, brush backwards to distribute oils evenly. Administer hair ball treatment between meals two or three times weekly. Vegetable enzymes will ensure delivery of essential hair and coat nutrients.

Disease susceptibility