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The litter tray

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

Advice on Persian care

36 replies

wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 17:10

I have seen a Persian kitkat at my local c.p. and wonder if all your Persian slaves can give me any tips, will he need any special care apart from daily brushing and eye wipes. My last much loved feline was an Oriental so have gone to the other extreme.
TiA x

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 17:37

Persians are just the best!
I had two long haired identical sisters from a rescue. I was a complete Persian novice, but they've been really easy. I wouldn't have another make of cat!

Affectionate, docile, cushions that breathe. Not very bright though. Mine go into an enclosed garden, but aren't overly bothered by it. And don't miss it if they don't go out for a while

Grooming wise, mine have been fairly easy. I brush them both every few days with a tangle teaser and she gets a good doing over with a metal comb every couple of weeks. I take her to a professional groomer every 3-4 months as required. Mine had very easy coats. Some are more difficult.

My pair hate having their eyes cleaned and Tbh tend to clean them themselves. Wiping is a no. But I can pick off the dried on gunk with a fingernail.

Persians are prone to health issues though. So good insurance is a must. We've run up £16k bills. And Maia died from inherited heart disease. Which Magic also has, but not as severe. Magic has a very tiny nose so sounds very bunged up and does struggle. Bothered me more than her though.

I now have an exotic called Cheddar. (See multiple posts!) she's noisy, very gentle, super affectionate and utterly bonkers!

Go for it OP, you won't regret it!

Advice on Persian care
Advice on Persian care
Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 17:38

Ps. Most of Magic & Maia's issues were caused by neglect and being breeders in a kitten farm. Cheddar has a better start and seems healthier.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 17:58

PPS, you'll show pictures of your beautiful puss cat only for people to say how ugly/grumpy/fugly/miserable they look!

ScreamingValenta · 15/03/2019 18:04

PPS, you'll show pictures of your beautiful puss cat only for people to say how ugly/grumpy/fugly/miserable they look!

Not on Mumsnet, though! Cheddar has her own fan club here! Grin

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 18:10

And Magic has a boyfriend!

wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 18:40

Thanks everyone , my little Oriental was called Mia too. Do you think a zoom groom would be ok, do they need the hair around their bottoms clipped? Will try and post c.p. pic

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:00

Zoom groom is ok to get loose hair off. But you need a metal comb, to deal with the undercoat. Tangle teaser is the best for my girl for a quick brushing. It's also the one she prefers.
They are not at all normal 'cats' they don't jump or climb much. That are wonderful

wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 20:00

www.cats.org.uk/ferndown/adopt-a-cat/?cid=247913

OP posts:
wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 20:02

you sound smitten

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:03

Oh he is beautiful!! Looks like he's been loved and well cared for. He looks like he's had a teddy bear trim. Which is an option if grooming is a problem.
Things to ask:
Does he have breathing issues.
Does he have a heart murmur? Symptoms of heart disease. Or has he been screened for it. ( it is treatable with medication)

wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 20:09

thanks toddler, is this something they are prone to? would the cp do that or shall I take him to the vet and what happens with insurance if he does have heart problems? I guess the breathing issue is because of the shape of their nose and face but I don't want to have to put a poor cat through loads of surgery.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:12

A hygiene trim is a good idea vet nurses will do it. Smitten? Me?!!!!

Easterbunnyiscomingsoon · 15/03/2019 20:15

Keep tail away from naked flame... Ime..

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:17

Apparently they are prone to heart disease. I had Magic scanned only because her sister had it. Her disease is nowhere near as bad as her sisters was. And since her death has improved Hmmwhich the cardiologist was very surprised about. But she's much more relaxed now.
At four I would think that any breathing issues would have been dealt with by now. I'm not convinced the surgery she had made a huge difference. And so I said. It bothers me more than her.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:18

Unless he has a murmur I wouldn't do anything about it.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:19

Please PM me if you want to know anything!

wigglypiggly · 15/03/2019 20:21

thanks

OP posts:
BorderlineExperimental · 15/03/2019 20:25

Both International Cat Care and UFAW have some good information on hereditary and conformation-linked health issues prevalent in the breed. Well worth a read through.

The former also have a good page about brachycephalic cats which goes through some of the health issues they're prone to as a result of their face/skull shape.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 20:36

Don't let it put you off though. They are fab cats! Though I did see that the CP says he's not indoor. He will need to be mainly indoor and be supervised out doors. Enclosed garden is fine. They just aren't clever enough to be out unattended!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/03/2019 21:06

Go for it, he's gorgeous! I love Persians and if I didn't have Harry (aforementioned boyfriend of Magic) I would love one!

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 21:09

GrinGrinoh and they are unlikely to bring you presents.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2019 21:26

I would have liked to have trained Cheddar as a Pets as therapy cat as she's so gentle. But she'd cause skin damage with her constant kneading so I can't.

Vinorosso74 · 15/03/2019 23:27

I think Toddler is our Persian expert although her original 2 girls had a rough start. I tend to prefer moggies then DD and I met this fella

Advice on Persian care
ScreamingValenta · 15/03/2019 23:33

If a thread title mentions Persians, I always have a look in hope of Cheddar/Snorg pictures. Your little chap is lovely too, Vinarosso !

Toddlerteaplease · 16/03/2019 06:04

@ScreamingValenta I will oblige later. I've reached my phot limit.
He is gorgeous!