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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

Possibly adopting a Persian cat...

73 replies

Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 09:50

A friend of a friend is desperate to re-home her Persian cat, she's just had a baby and the cat is stressed and weeing on all the baby's things constantly. Friend says that new mum has taken to shutting the cat out in the rain to "teach him a lesson" 🥺 I feel dreadfully sorry for him.

We have a dog and a cat already (who gets on fine) and also a 6 year old and a 2 year old who are respectful of the animals but can be quite loud.

I've been told that the Persian cat lives with a 4 year old and a dog and is fine with both of those but has taken a dislike to the new baby. He also has access to outside but mostly stays in.

I feel like he could slot into our family no problem but I'm wary of taking him on in case he doesn't settle, or continues to wee on things. I've seen a picture of him and he's a small fella but he has quite a flat face and very grubby eyes, also looks like he needs a good brush. He's 4 years old.

Any advice very much welcome. Pros/cons etc?

OP posts:
Ilovemyshed · 23/02/2024 09:52

Be prepared for some grooming costs, but they are generally charming and lap cats.

Initially, introduce the cat to a quiet space in your home, add feliway and let it settle and calm down, take some advice from the vet.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 23/02/2024 09:56

Poor cat!

I agree with @Ilovemyshed they may need grooming costs but two NDNs had Persians and so did my nana. Lovely cats, charming and tend to be lap cats too.

Just introduce cat to your family, let him settle, feliway, cat treats and toys with catnip in it for your DC to use to play with him. Take advice from vet re dog and other cat intros but should be fine. Good luck! 🍀

RosaBaby2 · 23/02/2024 09:58

We had a Persian cat when I was a child, rehomed from a rescue and he had been fully shaved as his fur was so matted. We never had issues with that again though so just a brush now and again.
He was a lovely cat with his squished up face 😻

Original poster
Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 09:58

Trying to think of a quiet place we could let him settle in.. bathroom!? Maybe with a comfy bed in the corner. It's warm in there too. Could pop litter tray in the room for maybe the first week or so and then let him venture into the upstairs? Does that sound reasonable?

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 23/02/2024 09:59

Oh I forgot, yes you sometimes do have to wipe their eyes, one NDN had to cut her Persian’s hair once as it was so matted! And brush a fair bit too.

They’re very clever as a breed I think. Toby, my nana’s grey Persian, learned to open a window (with the long handle) and got on fine with her yappy poodle! He was rehomed to my nana too.

Nannyfannybanny · 23/02/2024 09:59

We had one Charlotte from the cat protection league. She was 2, absolutely beautiful ginger/white. We already had a cat from them, and 2 border collies. She hardly ate for 3 weeks,we had fed her, firstly scraps at the table,rubbed fish on her face,so she kicked it off. Came with the most heartbreaking letter. Divorce,and house re possession,no animals in the rental. Other animals had been re homed already. Please look after her. She was the nicest cat I had ever owned. Fitted right in. Youngest DD used to dress her in dolls clothes and she would lay upside down in the dolls pram. She died in 2006 kidney failure, haven't had a cat since.

Original poster
Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 09:59

Oh I forgot to mention he makes a weird noise according to my friend. Sounds like a hiss but isn't. Almost like a sneeze.
Is that a normal thing?

OP posts:
Dilbertian · 23/02/2024 10:00

I think you need @Toddlerteaplease.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 23/02/2024 10:01

Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 09:58

Trying to think of a quiet place we could let him settle in.. bathroom!? Maybe with a comfy bed in the corner. It's warm in there too. Could pop litter tray in the room for maybe the first week or so and then let him venture into the upstairs? Does that sound reasonable?

Sounds absolutely fine. Just be careful if he’s nervous or curious about water (I’ve had cats go into bathrooms to work out what I do in there!), and bathroom products, so eg keep those locked away!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 23/02/2024 10:02

Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 09:59

Oh I forgot to mention he makes a weird noise according to my friend. Sounds like a hiss but isn't. Almost like a sneeze.
Is that a normal thing?

They can have breathing issues, speak to vet or ask Toddlerteaplease.

Nannyfannybanny · 23/02/2024 10:04

Blasted phone, I typed HAND FED.LICKED HER FACE. We had her 12 joyous years.

CaraMiaMonCher · 23/02/2024 10:06

The grooming can be a lot of work, especially if they’re nervous and the current owners have fallen out of the habit, but you’ll fall so in love with the breed. They are wonderful.

Original poster
Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 10:11

Re - the grooming. Are we talking every night? How long?
Once kids are in bed at 7 we tend to just read or watch TV anyway and our current cat is on our laps all evening so I am open to grooming him of course.

OP posts:
CaraMiaMonCher · 23/02/2024 10:13

If you could get into the habit of a quick brush every night when they’re on your lap already, then that is far better than a much longer and more difficult brush once a week, for example.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:14

I'm on my third and fourth Persians. They are the best breed of cat ever! Sweet, affectionate, bossy, not the brightest though! One was an absolute diva. They are pretty placid and don't do much. They don't really club or jump. They need to be indoor cats for their own safety, as they aren't clever enough to go outside. But an enclosed garden is fine.

If they are long haired, you do need to keep on top of the grooming. But it's not too onerous. (Or mine weren't) a metal comb and a tangle teaser did the trick. They had a professional groom every three months or so. (Cost about £45-50) always keep the trousers and bum hair short. Loose poo and long hair isn't a good mix!

Some do have breathing issues and are a bit snuffly, but they don't all have issues.
They are prone to health problems, so make sure you have the best insurance you can get.

silentpool · 23/02/2024 10:15

They are the most gorgeous loving breed. I've been slave to 3, one after the other and they have all been delightful.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:16

I used to birth mine about once a week. But it does depend on their coat. The very fluffy cottony coats are a bit more tricky.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:16

@silentpool I need pictures!

CaraMiaMonCher · 23/02/2024 10:18

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:16

I used to birth mine about once a week. But it does depend on their coat. The very fluffy cottony coats are a bit more tricky.

I had a Persian chinchilla and his fur was desperate to form dreadlocks. I adored him nonetheless and I’d have walked to the ends of the earth to him brushed and groomed if needed.

Missingmyusername · 23/02/2024 10:18

Doesn’t sound like your friend has been looking after the poor thing. 😓

Hope you can post a photo once you get the kitty.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:20

I now have shorthair's to save on the grooming. Although they shed more!

Original poster
Honeyplease · 23/02/2024 10:21

Thanks very much for all the advice!
I've just learnt that he hasn't yet been neutered, could that be causing the weeing? I'm assuming so.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:22

Poor boy. Definitely get him done asap. You really do t want an uneuterd cat in the house. It stinks.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 23/02/2024 10:23

Omg that’s awful what a mean uneducated woman locking him out in this weather.

Go and get him it’ll be fine. We’ve had Persians for years with no issues

Toddlerteaplease · 23/02/2024 10:24

Ps my Persians get very offended when people say they look grumpy. They really aren't!

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