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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Any Persian owners? What should I know?

26 replies

stressystressy · 10/07/2017 18:39

We are long term fosterers and have had many, many cats through our home. While we have loved them all we have owned cats in the past and quite enjoy the temporary nature of fostering.

DP was recently asked to cat sit for a new neighbour, and over the weekend I went with him to care for the cat. He is the most delightful, handsome smoky Persian with amber eyes. He took to me straight away and was affectionate without being all over me - it took everything in me not to bring him home Wink

I am very rescue minded so I would never buy a kitten from a breeder, but it got me thinking about potentially adopting an adult Persian in the future. Does anyone have any insights into their personality? Are they known for being affectionate? This guy had a quirky little personality - is that typical?

OP posts:
ocelot41 · 10/07/2017 18:57

I don't know much about Persians, but if you are anywhere near N Yorkshire, they have some at the lovely St Francis Rescue where I am adopting a Maine Coon. In fact, I will be transporting another to them on Sat on behalf of someone else

OlennasWimple · 10/07/2017 18:59

they can be affectionate, are often quirky but almost always hard of thinking (they have fluff between their ears as well as their toes Smile)

Lolalovespugs · 10/07/2017 19:04

Mine is a bit thick, would go for a lie down on the motorway if allowed too, very trusting and friendly with everybody.

Fur and eye care are very important, they need grooming every day, mine also needs his bum wiped as the fur matts very quickly and then need to be shaved.

Great cats though

Original poster
stressystressy · 10/07/2017 19:06

hard of thinking Grin

We're actually in London and I've already looked at the four(?) Persian rescue sites for the UK. We aren't in a hurry though. I just want to make sure I know exactly what I'm signing up for before committing.

The only real experience I have of living with a breed has been a Siamese (demanding, bonded, highly intelligent, virtually no grooming required!) By the sounds of it the complete opposite of a Persian!

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 10/07/2017 19:52

How about this fella?www.northlondon.cats.org.uk/northlondon/adopt-a-cat/?cid=189133

Vinorosso74 · 10/07/2017 19:58

Ooh that didn't do the clicky link. www.northlondon.cats.org.uk/northlondon/adopt-a-cat/?cid=189133
Never had a Persian myself so no advice but Toddler a regular poster on here has two from a rescue.

Original poster
stressystressy · 10/07/2017 20:40

Vino he is delightful! Look at his tatty ear Smile

Sadly, we have no outdoor space, so he would need to be content to be an indoor cat (and as far as I'm aware they are pretty dopey so don't do well unsupervised outdoors). Ah well...

Hope Toddler pops by to give an insight.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 10/07/2017 20:49

I have a rescue Persian. He is very, very sweet and incredibly stupid. I should have called him Tim (nice but dim). I briefly also fostered his four brothers and sisters, who were exactly the same. Persians aren't known for their brains.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/07/2017 21:13

We had three at the same time, they were all intelligent but not in the evil genius league the bengals in.

You won't wear black for years & you'll become a lint roller aficionado.

juneybean · 10/07/2017 21:16

I love Persians. Got a gorgeous 3 year old tortie myself. She's dim as a brush but cuddly. They need a lot of grooming ...not just brushing but wiping eyes and botties if fur is too long around the bum.

Vinorosso74 · 10/07/2017 21:24

Stressy I met him last week and he is a sweetheart. You could always call them to discuss your home set up.....

Weedsnseeds1 · 10/07/2017 21:29

You need toddler , she has two lovely Persians.

Original poster
stressystressy · 10/07/2017 21:50

Thank you for all your input.

Vino will have a chat to DP about Chester tonight.

Someone else mentioned "Persian attitude" - is that a thing?

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 10/07/2017 22:30

Well, they think that they are the king or queen of all they survey, but don't all cats? Smile

I guess they end up in rescues because of the grooming requirements (they do need a lot of attention!)?

OlennasWimple · 10/07/2017 22:35

Chester looks like a persian cross, so might not need quite so much grooming

Our persian is an outdoors cat, and we never supervise him

heymammy · 10/07/2017 22:36

They do need intense grooming and it's just too much for most people, my mum included. Her lovely girl has had to be shaved twice at the vet and I've just finished shaving her again due to matts. Their fur is beautiful and soft but all of a sudden it just clumps together like damp wool. Their eyes are gunky and need cleaned regularly and yes, if you keep their fur long then you will need to wash their back end.

I'm a bit hacked off with Persians and their stupid fur at the moment, sorry! Lovely, sweet natured cats though!

FrencheoGrammaireo · 10/07/2017 22:44

I like Persians too.

In addition to rear end grooming (and rest of body) may I helpfully suggest you avoid any chance of Persian getting diarrhoea..especially if you dont notice until there are strange brown patches on your bed, on your sofa, down the backs of his furry furry legs.....Shock

And definitely make sure they're flea protected!! Even if they're never outside.

But despite those two delightful experiences, when I've finished mourning my former Persian love, I'll probably look for another.

Ours was a rescue and definitely not stupid.

Liked to be King though.

SnoozyMcsnoozy · 10/07/2017 22:58

I've got an exotic shorthair almost like a Persian but with short hair, she's the best cat and I don't even like cats (except her) I wanted a dog.
She runs up when I get home for cuddles and dreamies she's super cuddly but not demanding although she's not the sharpest tool in box.

Any Persian owners? What should I know?
Toddlerteaplease · 10/07/2017 23:21

Thanks for all the lovely comments. Wrote a long post and it won't post. Dodgy wifi so I will try again tomorrow!

Toddlerteaplease · 10/07/2017 23:32

Looks like is ok now! My Persians were used as breeding queens and were rescued in a bad state. It's taken almost two years to get them to where they are now. They came from the Brilliant St Francis rescue. They are gorgeous, very affectionate once their confidence is gained. Semi lap cats. We are getting there with that but love fuss. As PP's have said, they really do only have fluff between their ears. Totally rubbish at being cat's. They don't climb or hunt. Mine aren't bothered about going out. They go into an enclosed garden but that's it. I'd never let them anywhere near a road. Mine will not let me wipe their eyes but I can pick off dry gunk with my fingernails. Weirdo. The other just wipes it on my arm. Snorg has breathing issues and snores like a man. They are less demanding than normal moggies, I think. Mine have lovely easy to care for coats. But I know some Persian coats are hard work. Go for it Op, you'll not regret it. SF do have contacts in London As well.

Any Persian owners? What should I know?
Any Persian owners? What should I know?
Toddlerteaplease · 10/07/2017 23:34

My best friend has an exotic short hair and she's gorgeous but very grumpy. Her daughter is a cross with a Selkirk rex and is slightly more cat like as she lives boxes and climbs.

Toddlerteaplease · 10/07/2017 23:38

Persian Attitude. Is this a thing? Ha ha ha that made me laugh. They wouldn't know what attitude was! Although I'm told chinchillas can be quite a handful!

Original poster
stressystressy · 10/07/2017 23:49

Toddler if you can imagine the first picture (not sure which one of your girls that is) with amber eyes and a lion cut (and a boy of course!) - that is exactly like our cat sitting cat. I loved him!

To be honest, after having a grumpy guy for many years, whom I adored anyway, I will definitely be getting the lowdown from the fosterer on their personality. I want a lovey dovey cat if I every adopt again (it's looking likely isn't it?!) The grooming side of things doesn't put me off really as I groom the cats at work.

Thanks for sharing everyone. I don't think DP will take much convincing - I'll report back [winkl]

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 10/07/2017 23:51

I'm having yearnings for a persian kitten now.... (I never have pangs like this for babies, only cats)

JuicyNectarine · 11/07/2017 00:15

I have one who is a farm born super hunter. Way too cuddly, causes issues - thinks everyone is a friend. Has not read the cat handbook.

Cannot be kept in but is a greedy bastard so there is always some idiot neighbour trying to steal him via treats which make him barf or worse. After years of this I now utterly despise cat thieving and anyone who feeds animals that don't belong to them. Don't do it!

Issues are coat - luckily tolerates being bathed (used to it from kittenhood), stupidity - vaguely good recall training but training often ruined by other people coaxing him into their house with food etc, very cuddly and attention seeking - would live in my pocket if he could.

I do think anyone who wants a cat should get down the rescue centre. My cat is often mistook for a rare breed and presumed expensive, this is a worry because of cat poaching (he is very beautiful) - I would love him just the same if he was a scraggle puss and in fact some times wish he was gnarly so people would leave him the fuck alone and stop trying to steal him!