How to Care for Persian Cats

With their doll-like faces and large eyes, gentle disposition and amiable personalities, Persian cats are a popular breed to own. Like with all pets, having a Persian cat as a companion comes with its own set of responsibilities. From coat care to health issues, there are many things to consider when caring for a Persian cat.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Caring for Your Cat’s Coat

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1
Start brushing your cat’s fur at an young age. To make sure that your Persian accepts being brushed a lot, you will have to start brushing him/her at an early age. From day one, make a point of brushing your kitten so that she gets used to this experience. If you don't start brushing him/her at an early age, (s)he may develop a dislike for being brushed that can ultimately make it much harder to maintain his/her coat.
- One way to help your cat accept being brushed is to brush his/her right before a mealtime. That way, your cat will associate getting brushed with getting food (which is something that (s)he enjoys).
You will need a metal comb that has narrow teeth on one end and wide-spaced teeth on the other end to properly detangle your cat’s long fur. A metal slicker-type brush can also be good for removing excess fur that has a tendency to become tangled.
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3
Learn the proper way to brush your Persian’s fur. One common mistake owners is brushing over the outer surface of the coat without getting down to the hair roots. Think of brushing your cat in terms of combing your own hair: you need to part the fur and comb knots out from the roots, working tangles free on your way to the hair tip. This mentality can also be applied to your cat. As with your own hair, it is most effective (and comfortable for the cat) if you brush in the direction that the fur grows. The proper combing process involves:
- Parting your hair and using the wide-spaced teeth on the comb to brush out any loose knots. This step also helps to get the fur lying in one direction, making it easier to detangle.
- Using the slicker brush, work in sections and progress from head to tail. This will help to brush out loose hairs.
- Once you have cleared the coat of shed fur, go over it again with the wide-toothed comb, working from the root to the tip of the hair and then finish by combing your cat’s whole body with the narrow-toothed part of the comb.
4
Brush your cat’s fur every day so that she/he stays healthy. While it might not seem like brushing fur is that big of a deal, a Persian’s luxuriously long fur can become a problem really quickly. When your cat’s fur gets tangled, it becomes matted.
- These tangled up clumps of fur can tug at your cat’s skin—which can feel very unpleasant—and may tangle to such an extent that it creates a hard shell of fur on certain areas of her body.
- Having tangled fur can also increase your cat's chances of developing skin infections. When the fur is matted, it is much harder for your cat to clean the skin under the fur. When cat's skin goes uncleaned, they often develop infections.
5
See a professional groomer. You cat’s fur might become matted for a variety of reasons. It might be from a lack of brushing. If cats get overweight or older and less healthy, they can also become less efficient in self-grooming and less able to take care of themselves. This can lead to tangled and matted fur.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Consider seeking out a professional groomer if you aren’t able to deal with your cat’s matted fur. A groomer can try to remove the matted areas; in a worst case, he or she may have to shave down the cat’s coat to avoid possible skin problems.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Helping Your Cat with Breathing Issues

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1
Understand the term brachycephalic. Persians are brachycephalic, which is a term that means their nose and nasal chambers are fore-shortened when compared to normal cats. It is part of the breed description of pedigree Persians that in profile the nose ‘button’ does not protrude past the level of the eyes.^{[2]XResearch sourceBrachycephalic airway syndrome: management. Lodato, Hedlund. Compendium of Continuing Education/ Vet. 2012,Aug;34(8):E4}
- Sadly, this means the cat has sacrificed a system of mucous membrane lined scrolls within the nasal chamber that filter and warm air. This predisposes Persians to sneezes and sniffles, because they lack the normal filter that is the first line of defense against infection.
2
Keep your cat’s nose clean. The best way to help your cat fight off respiratory infections is by keeping his/her nose clean. Making sure your cat's nose is clean is very important because your Persian’s shortened nose can become blocked easily, making it difficult for your cat to breathe. You can use a warm, wet cloth to wipe your cat’s nose and make sure that it is cleaned out.
- Wipe your cat’s nose at least once a day and always wipe it if it looks slightly blocked.
3
Get your cat vaccinated regularly. Persians are prone to respiratory infections because they do not have as much protection against pathogens due to their stubby noses. Cats normally have an extra defensive layer in their noses that help keep bacteria and other pathogens out, but Persians lack this extra defense. Because of this, it is important to take your cat to the vet to get regular booster vaccinations against respiratory infections.
- If you notice your cat having a hard time breathing or sneezing uncontrollably, you should take her to the vet.
- Persians can have a lot of potential health issues. For this reason, you should think very carefully before breeding a cat with respiratory or other issues that could be passed on.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Caring for Your Cat’s Eyes

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1
Be aware that Persian’s can have eye problems because of how their faces are structured. Part of the appeal of Persians is their round, flat faces and large eyes. Sadly, the features that make them so attractive can also cause problems. All cats produce tear fluid that serves to keep the surface of the eye moist and their corneas healthy. This fluid should drain away via paired tear ducts in each eye. Sadly, your Persian’s truncated nose means these ducts are kinked and can no longer drain effectively.^{[3]XResearch sourceHistological observations upon the porphyrin-excreting Harderian gland of the albino rat. Allan and Griffin. American Journal of Anatomy. Vol 71, Issue I, p43-46}
- Think of it like a hosepipe that you bend or step on to stop the water from flowing. This is what happens because of your cat’s shortened nose.
2
Wipe away your cat’s excess tears. The best way to help you cat is to simply wipe away the excess tears that have a tendency to stain Persian fur and irritate their faces. If you notice that your cat has excess eye fluid on her face, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe up the excess fluid.
- Wipe around your cat’s eyes at least once a day. You should really try to wipe it anytime you notice that it looks wet under her eyes. Do not wipe the eye itself however as this could lead to corneal scratches or ulcers.
3
Understand why Persian cat eye fluid turns brown. You may be wondering why the fluid that leaks out of your cat's eyes turn brown. The reason is that chemicals called porphyrins are found in the tear fluid and when the chemicals are exposed to the air, these porphyrins oxidize and turn a brown-rust color.
- This is the same process that causes a cut apple to turn brown.
- You should be able to keep these tears from creating stains on the cat’s fur. Basic eye care, mentioned above, is one way. You can also wipe around the eye with a small amount of liquid boric acid, which is safe as an eye wash, on a cotton square. Wipe the area below and around the eye with cotton balls soaked in water warm twice a day after removing the staining.^{[4]XResearch source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Dealing with Persian-related Health Conditions

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While Persians have been bred for their unique looks, this same breeding has also led them to become predisposed to certain diseases. While there is nothing you can do to prevent your cat from getting the disease is (s)he is genetically prone, you can watch for signs of these diseases and have your cat treated as soon as (s)he develops the condition.
2
Watch out for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This genetic fault affects one in three Persian cats and results in the formation of multiple fluid-filled cysts within the kidney that can lead to renal disease. Once the problem is identified your pet’s lifespan can be extended by prescription renal diets and medications such as ACE inhibitors which can aid the filtering capacity of the kidneys.^{[5]XResearch sourceNormal Doppler velocimetry of renal vasculature in Persian cats. Carvalho and Chammas. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2011, Jun; 13(6):399-404.} Symptoms include:
- Drinking more than normal.
- Reduced appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Weight loss.
- Vomiting.
- If you recognize these signs in your pet then take him/her to a veterinarian.
3
Look for symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (heart disease). This disease causes the heart wall to become thickened which then impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. Luckily, there are drugs such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors that can decrease the workload on the heart and increase longevity.^{[6]XResearch sourceComparative echocardiographic and clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 5 breeds of cats: a retrospective analysis of 344 cases. Trehiou-Sechi, Tissier et al. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2012, May-Jun;26(3):532-41} Signs that your pet has heart disease are vague and non-specific. However, you can look out for things like:
- Exercise intolerance.
- Sleeping more than normal.
- Lack of interest in food or grooming himself/herself.
- Shallow breathing and breathing through an open mouth.
4
Pay attention to signs of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA is a genetically programmed thinning of the retina that eventually leads to blindness. Whilst it sounds distressing, cats are actually very good at compensating for blindness. They are adept at using their whiskers, sense of smell and hearing to move around. If your cat does go blind, it is generally best to keep him/her indoors and avoid rearranging the furniture as (s)he could become disoriented.^{[7]XResearch sourceEarly-onset, autosomal recessive, progressive retinal atrophy in Persian cats. Rah, Maggs, Blankenship et al. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2005 May;46(5):1742-7} Signs of blindness include:
- Bumping into objects left in her path that are not normally there.
- Pupils that cease forming slits in bright light and will remain large and black.

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Question
How do you clean a Persian cat's eyes?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
You should gently wipe away any discharge from the Persian cat's eye area with a damp clean piece of gauze or a cotton ball. Inspect the skin folds to make sure they aren't raw looking. If they are, you should consult your veterinarian for advice.
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What is the best food for Persian cats?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Any high quality cat food will work for Persian cats as long as they don't have any specific health issues.
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What health problems do Persian cats have?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Many. From eye and nose/respiratory problems due to their facial shape to kidney cysts and heart problems (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
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Give your cat plenty of love and affection every day.
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Avoid letting Persian cats out of the house, as they can easily catch fleas. As a rule, cats should be kept indoors to avoid accidents or injuries due to cars or fights with other cats.
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