Persian Cat

[Mincepies76]

Hello, I am planning on buying a Persian kitten in the next few months. I have been reading a lot about how to look after one and I'm happy I can do all the necessary. I keep reading that they should be kept inside. I'm fine with that (it actually appeals, as having owned cats for many years one of the worst bits is worrying about them when they disappear for days at a time!!) I'm curious to know from people who have experience of owning Persian cats, are they bothered about staying in? Do they try and get out if doors or windows are open?

Any other words of wisdom to share?
Thank you.

Ahhhhh so jealous! My uncle was a Persian cat breeder years ago. Such docile cats, they're so dopey and kind

Love love love them. But yes, glad you've read up on them, they need a LOT of brushing!

And obviously, photos when you get one!!

Yo answer your questions, the Persian kittens/cats I had were quite happy to do whatever they knew- so the ones we kept inside were happy enough to sleep day and night and loll around on the sofas, the ones who knew the outside existed were happy running in an out as per "normal" moggy kittens, but seemed to become a lot more sedate and inside-y quicker than your average cat

They all loved being cuddled, stroked and generally adored from head to toe

Mine is half Persian, as NoisyOyster said very Thick dopy and good natured but she does love going out. We have a cat door so she can come and go but she doesn't go far, she's usually to be found sunbathing on the shed roof.

I have Persians and a regular mog and they are all indoor cats and fine with it. However, your house and life needs to be indoor cat friendly. For example we have floor to ceiling cat trees in all our major rooms (living room, dining room, conservatory, bedroom) and lots of cat shelves so that the cats have appropriate scratching posts and places they can hang out in all the rooms we spend time in.

Also we do at least an hour a day interactive chase old with them to keep them active. Finally, I noticed you said kitten..I would recommend two from the same litter so they have a pal to play with when you are out, asleep, busy.

Thanks all...I'd love two but they aren't cheap are they!! I have 2 older children (who are already being told that they will need to be gentle and sweet with it!!) So it will get a lot of lovin and playtime. We have a nice enclosed garden so perhaps we can have regular supervised time outside.

Mine used to go outside but she never left the garden or if she went out of the front door she would lie on the step. As she got older she preferred to stay indoors and in her last three years of life she never came downstairs. She lived to the grand old age of 20 though.

Just be aware that with persian coats (especially if they are of good type) that going outside would require a good groom after as they will pick up everything from outside (dirt, twigs, leaves etc) and will need it brushed out to avoid matting.

How old are your DC? I would suggest getting them involved in grooming and get into a regular habit (obviously final check done by you).

The biggest difference between a happy Persian owner and an unhappy owner is one who has grooming and bathing established and under control. We brushed the kittens daily and bathed them weekly for about 3 months to make sure the kittens were completely docile and used to it meaning now they are 3 I have no problems grooming and bathing them.

Hi, girls are 8 and 11 and I definitely intend to get them involved in the grooming under my watchful eye. I think I'll be doing the bathing though.

Really excited but not rushing, doing lots of research, but so far nothing has put me off.
Thanks everyone for advice.

I have had 2 Persians, both who have had toiletting issues...that is they would/will not reliably use a litter tray. Maybe I've been unlucky. Certainly with my current Persian I only got her a few months ago, she is about 8, she will wee upstairs at the first opportunity she gets, I've put it down to being stressed in a new house and just keep her downstairs,. I have read that they can be a bit lazy with toiletting though
Brushing is an issuewith my current Persian, she had a terrible coat and fleas when I got her so is not used to being regularly groomed. Just make sure you get your kitten very used to grooming so you dont have any issues.
I love Persians, they are so playful and laidback, although having a white one involves lots of eye cleaning!

I love Persians (hence the user name).

My rescue Persian was a total lap cat, however compared to other cats, he was hard work. Whilst he was also an indoors cat, he liked to go outside, so I used to take him for walks around the garden and the surrounding area on a cat harness which he really enjoyed. He also loved being brushed - you need to make sure you've got time to brush them, else they get matts pretty quickly so the sooner your kittens accept being brushed (and maybe even enjoy it) the better.

Also, as they have no noses as such, they can get quite runny eyes which need to be taken care of - I used to always gently wipe any eye gunk away with a warm cotton pad - if you don't wipe it away, it goes hard and then it's much, much harder to get rid of.

In regards to getting one - please try and find a registered breeder, not necessarily one of the ones on Gumtree or a free-ad. Persians can command a high price and sometimes people aren't responsible, giving you cats that have health problems and exploit the Queens, forcing them to have lots of litters . If you find a reputable breeder, they will also be able to help you in looking after your Persian and ensuring you give them the best start.

Oh.. and yes, they can have issues with the litter tray. Mine used to like urinating EVERYWHERE apart from the litter tray...

They are lovely but in my limited experience, a bit thick.

Ours used to walk into doors, climb into the litter tray and stick her bum outside to wee / poo on the floor etc. She was a rescue cat and would happily let you groom her back but not her underside so was constantly covered in matted bobbles in spite of our daily efforts.

She would also end up with clumps of poo stuck to her bum.