Persian
Iran / UK · 1800s · Flat faceCalm, sweet lap cat with a high-maintenance coat
Persians are calm, gentle cats with a long, flowing coat and a round face, usually flat. They prefer a quiet, predictable home and gentle handling.
At a glance
Life with a Persian
Most spend the day resting in favorite spots and enjoy quiet lap time. They rarely climb or jump high. The coat is a real daily commitment: without combing it mats painfully, and the eyes and face need wiping every day.
- Quiet homes and calm adults
- People who enjoy daily grooming
- Apartments
- You don’t have 10–15 minutes a day for grooming
- Your home gets hot — flat faces handle heat poorly
- You have loud, busy toddlers
Very flat faces are linked to lifelong breathing, eye and dental problems. Look for a breeder who breeds open nostrils and a less extreme face, and watch the parents breathe at rest.
- Comb every day down to the skin; many owners book a groomer every 6–8 weeks.
- Wipe the eyes and face folds daily to prevent staining and infections.
- Keep them cool and indoors.
Health
Flat faces can cause breathing problems, runny eyes and crowded teeth. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is common in untested lines, and ringworm and skin infections are more common than in other breeds.
- PKD DNA test for both parents
- Vet check of nostrils, breathing and eyes
- Heart scan (echocardiogram) of the parents
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Persian kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.