If you have set your heart on owning a Persian cat, you definitely aren’t alone.
Persian cats are loved by millions of people worldwide due to their stunning looks, playful nature, and gentle personalities. They also make ideal family pets, especially for those with young children. This special cat breed is one of the largest domesticated cats in existence though, so you need to make sure that you know exactly how to care for a Persian cat properly.
Don’t panic though, this beginner’s guide will have you clued up in no time!
Care for a Persian cat by feeding them high-quality dry food 2-4 times per day. Their diet should include carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and fatty acids. Groom your Persian cat no less than once a week, to prevent fur from becoming matted. This highly intelligent cat breed adores human company, so spend as much time with them as possible. Encourage daily exercise and play to keep your Persian cat fit.
Beginners Guide To Caring For A Persian Cat
If you do not have any experience of how to care for a Persian cat, check out the Persian cat care summary table below, to see the key care requirements of a Persian cat.
| Persian Cat Care Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Feed them high-quality dry food, 2-4 times a day. Do not feed them wet food more than twice a week. Avoid overfeeding your Persian cat |
| Water Supply | Require constant supply of fresh water |
| Grooming | Brush Persian cat regularly, no less than once a week. Buy your cat a scratching post, to help them keep their claws in great condition |
| Exercise | Daily exercise needed to keep them fit and healthy |
| Hygiene | Clean litter tray daily |
| Bathing | Bathing is optional, though will help to reduce the amount of hair shed. Bathe no more than once per month |
| Socialising | Persian cats need human company. Spend regular time with your Persian. |
| Health Checks | Regular veterinary health checks required, to ensure Persian Cat is fit and healthy. |
| Medication | Apply flea drops as per packaging. Make sure your cat has all the appropriate vaccinations. |
| Spaying or Neutering | Unless you are planning on breeding Persian cats, make sure you spay or neuter your pet. This will stop your cat ‘marking’ your home, or breeding. |
Caring For Your Persian Cat
Persian cats are pedigree cats who require extra care and attention, than the average moggy.
They are an amazing cat breed to own, and you will certainly love having them around, but if you are new to the breed it is important to read this beginner’s guide now, so are able to care for a Persian cat correctly.
The top 10 care areas that we shall focus on are:
- Feeding
- Water Supply
- Grooming
- Exercise
- Hygiene
- Bathing
- Socializing
- Health Checks
- Medication
- Spayed or Neutered
1.Feeding Your Persian Cat
With the average male Persian cat weighing in at 7-12 lb (3.2-5.4 kg).In order to keep these cats fit and healthy, make sure that their diet includes the following:
- Protein (high levels)
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins (A,B,K, Niachin)
- Fats and fatty acids (arachidonic acid, amino acids i.e. taurine and arginine)
- Fresh Water
The table below summarises the Persian cats dietary requirements:
| Dietary Requirement | Description | Food Source |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Feed your Persian cat with a diet high in protein. Protein has been proven to play a key role in Persian cats reaching their full growth potential | Chicken, Fish, Rabbit, Mice |
| Carbohydrates | Provide the cat with the energy needed, to play and exercise | Dry Cat Food |
| Vitamins | Vitamins A, B, K, Niacin are essential to your Persian cat, to enable them to grow healthily | Dry / Wet Food |
| Fats and Fatty Acids | To keep your Persian cats fur looking shiny, and in top-notch condition, ensure their diet contains a small level of healthy fatty acids i.e. amino acids and arachidonic acids, such as taurine and arginine | High Quality Dry Food |
| Water | Persian cats love water and need a constant supply of freshwater to keep hydrated | Water Bowl, Cat Fountain |
a) Size
This playful breed is full of energy, and will not reach their full physical size until they are 2 years ol.
Feeding Persian cats the correct diet is therefore essential in order to fuel their bodies with the energy needed to keep growing.
A diet full of their key dietary requirements will also give them the energy required to fuel their playful nature, until late into their lives.
b) Obligate Carnivores
Persian cats are obligate carnivores, so need meat in their diet to enable them to thrive. Protein should make up a key part of their dietary requirements, and should never be excluded.
c) Dry Food
It is important to feed your Persian cat high-quality dry food. Although this might seem like a pricey option, it really is an important part of caring for your Persian cat.
Don’t be tempted to feed your cat a cheaper diet, unless you have made sure that the ingredients will adequately meet this specialized breeds dietary requirements. If in doubt, check with your local veterinary practice for advice.
Feed Your Persian cat 2-4 Portions Of Dry Food Every Day
I would recommend this specialized dry cat food because it is designed with the Persian cats dietary requirements in mind and easily available off Amazon.
d) Age
A Persian cats diet varies across their lifespan, so make sure that you are feeding your Persian cat with a diet appropriate for their age range.
The table below gives a quick breakdown of the food you should be feeding your Persian cat.
| Age Range | Diet Needed |
|---|---|
| 0-5 Months | Feed your Persian cat specially formulated kitten food during the first 4-5 months of their lives. This is important for ensuring your kitten is fueled with the protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, and fatty acids needed. |
| 5-9 Months | Due to the slow growth rate of the Persian cat, some vets advise owners to keep feeding Persian cats with specially formulated kitten food until they reach 9 months old. Speak to your veterinary professional for further advice on this |
| 9 Months Onwards | Persian cats remain playful for most of their lives, though will start to slow down as they get older. To give them the energy to play, make sure you always feed them high-quality dry food/kibble. This breed is prone to obesity, so monitor their weight and adjust their diet if required |
| Senior Cats | Senior Persian cats dietary requirements differ, from that of a 9-month-old cat. Feed your Persian cat will high quality dry food formulated to meet the dietary requirements of the senior Persian cat’s diet. Do not overfeed a senior Persian cat |
2.Water Supply
Persian cats are one of the few cat breeds known for being obsessed with water. They are fascinated with everything to do with water, so don’t be surprised if you see them enjoying a quick swim in the lake!
Many Persians are also known for enjoying a quick bathe in the bath and patting the water in their water bowls.
If you give them the chance, your Persian cat will love covering the floors within your home with water. The best to limit water spillage over your floors is by purchasing a cat fountain like this one off Amazon (click here to view). I find this cat fountain to be really quiet. The continual movement of water also ensures that our Persian cat is only drinking fresh water.
3.Grooming Your Persian Cat
Persian cats are known for their luscious, long, and impressive fur. Whilst the beauty of their long hair may catch many people’s eyes, it is safe to say that owners will need to groom their Persian cats hair on a regular basis.
GROOMING TIP: Groom Your Persian cat No Less Than Once A Week
The hair on a Persian cat is quite unique since it is made up of two thick dense undercoats of hair, and a third longer layer of hair over the top. As stunning as the Persian cat looks, they will require help from their owners to maintain one of their most famous attributes!
Expect to brush your Persian’s hair no less than once a week, though ideally, you should groom their hair every 1-2 days, to limit the chance of their fur becoming matted or tangled.
Winter Grooming Schedule
During Winter, the weather can become quite wet and damp. It is important to groom your Persian cat more often since the damp weather may cause havoc with your Persian cats hair.
Hair that has shed is also more likely to get caught within the cat’s live hair more often, due to the damp wet weather holding the hair together.
Brushing Your Persian Cat
There is a range of different cat brushes available on the internet, suited for different purposes. We’ve tried most types and found these three from Amazon offer great value for money. They are currently on offer, so grab a bargain whilst you can!
Deshedding Brush – We have found this brush brilliant for removing excess, loose hair from our Persian cats thick fur. It hooks the hair that has shed, yet is still caught within the two undercoats, then gently removes it.
Gentle Cat Brush – I would recommend this cat brush because the ultra-soft silicone pins are not harsh on your Persian’s skin, and your Persian gets a full body massage in the process!
Salon Grooming Brush – This brush has always been a wonder to me if I’m honest. It doesn’t look very impressive, but boy does our Persian cat love it. It’s simple, you could even argue that it looks rather basic, but, either way, it works, and that is enough for me!
Persian Cat Claws
Purchase your Persian cat a large cat scratching post, or tree. This is beneficial for your Persian since it enables them to keep their claws in great condition, whilst also limiting the chances that they will claw at your furniture.
It is important that your Persian scratching post is strong, and sturdy because your Persian cat will grow to a significant size, becoming a strong and extremely powerful creatures. Small cat scratching posts are unsuitable for your Persian’s needs, but this scratching post is really large, and an ideal choice for any Persian cat owner.
4.Exercising Your Persian cat
Persian cats are prone to obesity, so owners need to ensure their cat is exercising a little, every single day.
OUTDOOR
Outdoor Persian cats generally exercise more than indoor Persian cats because nature offers them a variety of ways to exercise, e.g. cats love to climb trees or chase live prey like mice.
Their playful nature and sense of curiosity help your Persian cat stay fit and healthy because they will find countless ways to exercise in the outdoor world.
INDOOR
Not everyone is comfortable with letting their Persian cat venture outdoors on their own, maybe due to the location they live, nearby busy roads, or fear that their precious Persian cat may not return.
If you own an indoor Persian cat, encourage them to exercise regularly by purchasing them an extra-large cat tower. These do take up a considerable amount of space within your home but will give your cat ample opportunity to exercise.
Ways To Exercise Your Persian cat
There are a variety of ways to enable your Persian cat to exercise, including:
- Playing games with your Persian cat
- Purchasing a cat tower
- Allowing your Persian cat outside
- Walking Persian cat on a leash
- Cat proofing the garden
- Cat toys
Playing Games With Your Persian Cat
It is important that all Persian cat owners play with cats on a daily basis, whether they allow their large cat outdoors, or not. This is because Persian cats adore human company, and playing with them will strengthen the bond between your Persian, and you.
Purchasing A Cat Tower
Many of the cat towers sold on the internet just don’t meet your Persian cat kitten’s future size requirements. They are simply too small for a full-size Persian cat to play on, and you will quickly need to upgrade to a larger cat tower as your Persian cat kitten continues to grow and grow each week!
Trust me, I stupidly made this mistake, and ended up having to buy a second larger cat tower within a year!
Either of these two cat towers will make ideal purchases for your Persian cat kitten / cat:
- We bought this extra large cat tower from Amazon, and our cat loves to jump around the different levels, just for fun! He regularly scratches the posts to keep his claws in great condition, and can often be found sleeping in one of the hammocks (super cute). Yes, it is pricey but has been a great investment for ‘Pippin’, our Persian cat.
- If you are looking for a more budget-friendly cat tower, consider buying this cheaper extra large cat tower from Amazon. I bought this cat tower when our cat never seemed to stop growing, and it lasted for many years before I chose to re-sell it. In fact, this particular model held its value well, because I re-sold it for a great second-hand price when I decided to upgrade to an even bigger cat tower!
Walking Persian Cat On A Leash
Many people take their Persian cats out for a walk, on a leash. If you don’t believe me, Google it!
Walking a Persian cat on a leash is a great way to get your Persian to exercise, particularly if they are prone to laziness. This concept should be introduced to the Persian cat whilst they are still a kitten, in order to maximize your chances of success.
Cat Proofing The Garden
Owners with indoor Persian cats often cat-proof their gardens so that their treasured cats can roam freely within the safety of their garden.
Cat proofing is a great way to encourage indoor Persian cats to exercise outdoors, but will require owners to purchase mechanisms such as this from Amazon, to prevent their cats from escaping:
Best Persian Cat Toys
Cat toys are a great way to encourage Persian cats to exercise more regularly. I have found the following cat toys to be particularly effective:
- Catnip Fish: This is our Persian cats favorite toy of all time! He prances around our home on most days, playing with his fish. I purchased it from Amazon, and it has been a great value for money. Here’s a short video of him playing with his fish!
- Selection of cat toys: This selection of 29 cat toys is a great value bundle of fun for your Persian cat. There are so many cat toys for your Persian cat to enjoy, that it would be unlikely that your Persian does not love this set.
- Cat Circuit: This fab cat toy really encourages your Persian cat to develop and practice their hunting skills. I couldn’t believe how cheap it was being sold on Amazon when I just checked, so don’t miss out on this incredible deal.
- Cat Roller: I love this great value cat toy on Amazon because it can provide hours of entertainment for your curious playful Persian cat! Our cat can be pretty rough with his cat toys, but this toy has stood the test of time. Highly recommended.
5.Hygiene
Cats are known for being extremely clean and hygienic animals. In fact, many will exhibit clear signs of distress if they are unable to poop in a clean and hygienic litter tray.
Practicing good hygiene is very important when you own a Persian cat, so make sure that you clean your litter tray out on a daily basis. The sooner you can remove their cat poop from the tray, the better. Failure to do this might cause mental distress to your Persian, who potentially might then find another less desirable place to do their business.
If you allow your Persian cat outside, it is likely that you will not need to use a litter tray at all. However, if you would prefer to keep a tray within your home to reduce the chances that your Persian does their business in your own garden, or that of your neighbors, then give this extra large cat litter tray from Amazon a go. The extra-large proportions of this tray will enable your Persian cat to fit within the tray comfortably.
Persian cat litter tray requirements:
- Extra-large litter tray
- Tray with lid (not essential)
Self Cleaning Cat Litter Tray
If you are like me and hate cleaning out the cat litter tray on a daily basis, check out this self-cleaning litter tray available on Amazon. Before you get too excited by this concept though, I will warn you that it is pretty pricey but definitely worth the investment.
6.Bathing
Persian cats are well known for their fascination with water. They are one of the few cat breeds that love to play in the water, and have even been known to enjoy a quick swim or bathe in the bathtub!
Bathing is a great way to help your Persian keep their long thick hair clean. It also helps to remove excess dander and dead hair that has become caught within your Persian cats thick fur.
Before you rush off and start bathing your Persian cat, make sure that you do not bathe them more than once a month. You should also only use shampoos that are specifically designed to be used on cats. This is extremely important since human shampoos will contain chemicals that might be harmful (toxic) to your Persian cat.
With many different cat shampoos on the market, it can be a confusing business trying to pick one. I personally settled with this great value cat shampoo, available on Amazon. It arrived quickly, and our Persian cat smells super yummy!
If your Persian cat isn’t a fan of bathing, give this cat dry clean spray a go, to help keep their fur in a great healthy condition.
Cat Allergies
Cat allergies are very commonly misunderstood. Many people assume that they are allergic to cat hair, when in fact they are actually allergic to a cat’s dander (dead skin cells). Dander sheds regularly and often becomes caught within the cat’s fur, which is why people claim they are allergic to cat hair.
Bathing a Persian cat can help to reduce allergy sufferers’ symptoms, because the washing process removes the cat’s dander, and also detaches excess cat hairs that are covered in dander.
BATHING TIP: Wash your Persian cat no more than once per month
7.Socialising
Persian cats are very different from ‘normal cats’, so it is important that you always take their social needs into consideration. They are very sociable cats and love nothing more than being able to spend time with their human family.
Spend as much time with them as possible, even if they are only lying at your feet whilst you watch TV during the evening, to prevent your cat from developing mental health issues as a result of lack of human contact.
Don’t be surprised if your Persian cat follows you around the home as a dog would. They won’t need encouragement to do this, they are extremely loyal, and will naturally just want to be by your side at all times.
8.Health Checks
The Persian cat is known for being a very hardy cat breed capable of withstanding the harsh Winter elements of New England. They are prone to a few health issues though, so it is important that you visit the vet regularly, to check your Persian cats is fit and healthy.
Regular vet checkups are beneficial because they may uncover underlying health issues that an owner may not be aware of. Early detection of unwanted diseases will allow treatment to start sooner.
Persian cats are prone to the following health issues:
- a) Obesity
- b) Hip Dysplasia
- c) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- d) Spinal Muscular Atrophy
If you have any health concerns relating to your Persian cat, contact your preferred veterinary practice as soon as possible.
a) Obesity
The Persian cat is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds in existence, yet their growth rate has always been surprisingly slow. Whilst most cats achieve full growth when they are two years old, the Persian cat doesn’t reach full size until 3-4 years!
A downside of this slow growth rate is that some owners mistakenly overfeed their cat, because they worry that their Persian cat isn’t growing quick enough. This error often leads to obesity, which needs to be combated with a calorie-controlled diet prescribed by a vet.
b) Hip Dysplasia
Larger cat breeds are more prone to developing hip dysplasia than smaller cat breeds. Although hip dysplasia might not be a massive issue for many cats, the condition can cause arthritis which can be painful to your feline companion.
Look out for the following symptoms in your Persian, since hip dysplasia can cause paralysis (source):
- Reduced levels of activity
- Joint looseness or laxity (an early sign of disease)
- Joint degeneration and osteoarthritis (later sign of disease)
- Cat avoids jumping, climbing, running
- Thigh muscles lose muscle mass
- Shoulder muscles may become enlarged
- Hind-limb lameness
c) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is uncommon in Persian cat. It is extremely serious and should never be ignored.
9.Medication
To ensure your Persian has a long, healthy, and happy life, make sure that they are up to date with all their vaccinations. If you are unsure what medication your Persian requires, speak to a veterinary professional.
You should also ensure that you regularly apply flea drops to your Persian, to prevent their thick dense fur from becoming infested with unwanted itchy fleas.
Recommended: I swear by these cat flea drops. They offer great value and are crazily simple to apply. Just make sure that you part your Persian’s fur as far apart as far as you can so that the drops actually reach their skin. Voila! No need for tablets, or jabs, it literally couldn’t be easier.
10.Spayed Or Neutered
This is an emotive subject, but one that needs to be addressed under the ‘care for a Persian cat’ subject banner, since every owner will need to make a decision. To spay or neuter your Persian cat, or not …
Spaying is described as “the surgical removal of a female cat’s ovaries and uterus”, whilst “neutering is the removal of a male cat’s testicles” (source). These medical procedures are considered routine, and should only be completed by trained licensed veterinary professionals.
Benefits of spaying or neutering include:
- Prevention of unwanted cat births
- Reduces the number of unwanted animals being euthanized, to control cat population
- Some male Persian cats become more docile, after neutering.
- Will eliminate or reduce sexual behaviors in cats
- Cats less prone to fighting with cats in your neighborhood
- Avoid urine spraying from female cats.
Related articles:The Best Age to Neuter a Persian Cat
Conclusion
Taking on a Persian cat is a big responsibility, and it is imperative that you know how to care for a Persian cat properly. Much of what I have described is common sense, yet so easily forgotten. If you have never owned a Persian cat before, keep this article handy so that you can refer to it when required.
This fabulous cat breed is truly unique, and their playful loving personalities make them truly irresistible. I have no doubt that you will adore owning a Persian cat.
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