Persian Cat

About the Persian Cat Breed

The Persian cat is simply luxurious!

It is no wonder this cat is among the most popular cat breeds in the world. It is a gorgeous cat.

The Persian cat comes in a great variety of different color and coat patterns combinations.

It has a thick, long woolly coat. It sure is pure pleasure to pet this cat.

Considering that this cat has the longest coat of all the long-haired cat breeds, it does require cat grooming every single day. The hair of the Persian can be as long as 12 cm or 4 ¾ inches.

The owner of a Persian needs to commit to loving brushing and grooming of the cat daily.

The Persian has a broad, round head with a flat face. It has small ears. The nose is small as well. These cats have short necks and stout legs. Their tails are quite bushy.

Temperament

If you are looking for a quiet lap cat, then the Persian may just be the cat for you. They do love to settle close to you or on your lap and love being cuddled.

The Persian cats are not very vocal, but they will answer if spoken to.

These cats are placid, calm and good-natured.

They are very friendly cats and get along great with children and with other animals in the home. They do enjoy playing from time to time.

The Persian cats should be considered strictly indoor cats. They are dependent on humans to care for them.

A Persian will not survive for long as a free cat roaming about on its own. A Persian as an indoor cat has a lifespan of 12 years or more.

Persian Cat History

The Persian is said to have originated in Persia. Persia is the former name of the country known as Iran today. The Persian cat is one of the oldest cat breeds around. No one can say for sure the origins of the Persian cat.

What we do know is that that an Italian traveler named Pietro della Valle spent five years in Persia and simply fell in love with these beautiful cats.

This man soon decided to keep some of these cats. He returned to Italy with several Persian cats in 1626. His route back to Italy was via India, Mesopotamia and Levant.

This is how Pietro della Valle described the Persian cat;

“There is in Persia a cat of the figure and form of our ordinary ones, but definitely more beautiful in the luster and color of its coat. It is of a blue-gray, and soft and shining as silk. The tail is of great length and covered with hair six inches long.”

At the first major cat show at the Crystal Palace in London, England in 1871, the Persian cat was shown. The Persian cats became a favorite among the wealthy Europeans in late 1800’s.

European Royal families have also taken to the Persian. Queen Victoria of Great Britain had two Persian cats.

Today the Persian cats are it seems more popular in the United States than in Europe.