Keeping a Persian Cat As a Pet

By CS Swarens

There are numerous breeds of cats for a cat-lover to choose from, but the most popular of all of the breeds is the Persian cat. The long fur and the regal persona of the Persian are the two main reasons why so many people seem to adore these affectionate and laid back cats.

The History of the Persian

Persians came to North America in the late 1800s and it didn't take long for them to become the favorite breed of cat lovers. At the same time, the cat was very popular in the UK and was the most commonly represented breed at the London Crystal Palace's first cat show. In the early 1900s, the Persian was already the most popular cat breed in the UK.

Before being introduced to North America and gaining popularity in the UK, however, the ancestors of the modern-day Persian were part of the Roman and Phoenician caravans that traveled to Europe. While traveling from Turkey and Persia, the cats were introduced to Europe in the late 1500s. These early ancestors later developed into the Persian and Angora breeds that are known to cat lovers today.

Recognizing the Persian Cat

Persians are one of the most easily recognizable of cat breeds, thanks to their long and full fur. The fur of the Persian tends to be quite thick and glossy, which helps it stand off from the cat's body and gives its body a rounded look. While many think of Persians as having white fur, the breed can actually be found in a variety of different colors.

One of the other distinctive features of the Persian is its face. The breed actually has two different facial types, but both include rounded ears that are small and set low on the cat's head. Persian's also have round, wide eyes and their chins are well-developed. The cheeks of Persian's are also full. Depending upon the face type, some Persians will also have a flattened look to their face. With these Persian's, the nose will be almost as high as the cat's eyes.

The Persian's Personality

Persian's have a very laid-back personality and are not as active as many other breeds. In fact, they tend to be lap cats that are very sweet-tempered and gentle. Still, they do enjoy playing for short periods of time. In addition, they crave attention and love to be cuddled and pet by their owners. They also tend to be very devoted, but demand a great deal of attention. For most pet owners, providing attention to these gentle cats is not a problem. Maintaining proper grooming, on the other hand, can be difficult!

Grooming the Persian

Persians have long and pretty fur that can be up to 8 inches long, which means it can easily become knotted and problematic if it is not properly cared for. If a pet owner neglects the Persian's fur, it can form into tight mats that need to be shaved. In order to prevent this, it is important to groom your Persian's fur for ten to fifteen minutes every day and to perform a more thorough grooming once a week.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's resource for cats for sale. Research over 45 cat breeds.