Persian Kittens

Persian Cat History

Persians are one of the oldest known cat breeds throughout Europe and America, recognised by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) for over 100 years. The fancy began in 1871 at the very first Crystal Palace cat show in London and today the Persian is the most popular cat breed worldwide.

During the 1500's, longhaired cats were present throughout Europe thanks to Roman's who brought them back from countries such as Turkey and Iran (formerly Persia). Many believe the cats originated from the colder, mountainous areas of Persia and developed their long warm coats as a way of adapting to their environment. However, cross breeding with domestic cats during the 1800's made the Persian history unclear and the true origin of the modern Persian cat will never be known for sure.

The first Persians brought to Europe were thought to be during the 1600's with the Italian traveller Pietro della Valle, he also brought over Angora cats. At the time these cats were favoured over the Persian breed because of their pure white silky fur and slimmer appearance. However British fanciers soon came to prefer the Persian and Queen Victoria even bought two blue ones! It wasn't until the late 1800's that Persian's were imported to the United States, but the breed almost immediately became the number one cat and everybody wanted to own one.

Both Persians and Angora cats are now known simply as 'Longhairs' and the colour of the coat defines the breed. The long coat is their most desired characteristic and sought after by many cat fanciers, their popularity and unique appearance makes them extremely valuable cats.

Persian Appearance

Persians are quite large cats and are heavier than many other breeds. Their legs are rather short, made to look shorter due to their long hair and they are heavily boned. They do however have the sweetest little expressions on their faces, making them appear innocent and lovable. Persians have large rounded heads, tiny pointed ears and wide eyes; the colour of their eyes depends highly on the colour of their fur. Their fur is long and thick and comes in a variety of colours. Because of this and because they are so popular to show, there are now seven colour categories to follow.

Solid Colour Group

Persians can be white, blue (grey), black, lilac, chocolate, red, peke-face red and cream solid colours. Pure whites can have either copper or blue eyes, all other colours in this category have copper eyes.

Silver and Golden Group

Persians in this category can be either chinchilla silver, chinchilla gold, shaded gold or shaded silver. They can have green or blue-green eyes and have a soft pattern in their coat due to the coloured tips.

Shaded and Smoke Group

Patterns include a variety of shaded, shell and smoke markings in red, blue, tortoiseshell, cream or black. Coats are brilliantly detailed and eyes are a deep copper.

Tabby Group

Colours include brown, red, peke-face red, cream, silver, blue, blue silver, chocolate and lilac (majority of cat colours) and the pattern can be either mackerel, patched or classic. Many have copper eyes but some silvers may have hazel or green.

Parti-Colour Group

Persians from this category all have deep copper eyes and can be found in blue cream, tortoiseshell, chocolate tortoiseshell and lilac cream.

Calico and Bi-Colour Group

This group consists of calicos, smoke and whites, tabby and whites and the following bi-colours: red, cream, black, blue, chocolate and silver with white. Copper eyes are the dominant colour but hazel or green in common in silver and white tabbies.

Himalayan Group

Himalayan Persians can be blue, red, chocolate, seal, lilac, cream tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, red lynx, cream lynx, tortie lynx, blue-cream lynx, chocolate lynx, lilac lynx, chocolate-tortie lynx and lilac-cream lynx, lilac-cream, seal lynx, blue lynx and have stunning blue eyes.

Persian Personality and Temperament

Persian cats are extremely docile and quiet tempered. They make great additions to the household and will be your friend for life if you treat them kindly and give them the affection they need. If you are looking for an active cat to chase leaves in the garden and run around in a mad lap, don't get a Persian; these cats have one of the lowest activity levels in the breed world and a much happier sitting on the sofa with a member of the family admiring its beautiful coat! Although docile, they do still like to play, especially as kittens and they enjoy a game of chase the string! Persians are sweet caring cats who enjoy the company of other domestic pets or children, a perfect new member to the family.

Playfulness		Medium
Intelligence		Medium
Independence		Low-Medium
Attention Seeking		Very High
Affectionate		Very High
Activeness		Low
Friendliness to Children		Very High
Friendliness to other Pets		Very High

Cat and Kitten Care

Persians require a great deal of grooming due to their long thick coats, this involves a daily comb with a metal brush and a bath on a monthly basis. The coat will tangle if not brushed properly or thoroughly, if you don't have time to do this then a Persian probably isn't for you! The main ailment affecting Persians is a renal disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Average Weight

Persians are usually heavier that other breeds due to their stocky shape so between 8 and 12 lbs is about average.

Persian Lifespan

15 - 20 years, sometimes even longer!

Average Litter Size

The average is 3 -5 but up to 15 is possible.

Persian Recognition

This breed has been given Championship Status by all respected Assosiations.

In 1996 the Persian breed was ranked 1st out of 36 breeds by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

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