Persian

Temperament

The Persian is a house cat in the best sense of the word: predictable, gentle and devoted to routine. It likes to lie near its people, often on a lap, and rarely demands attention with its voice; its meow is soft and brief. Racing across wardrobes and climbing to the ceiling are not its style. A session with a wand toy lasts a few minutes, and then the cat goes back to its cushion. Noise, frequent changes and overly boisterous children stress it, so it is happiest in a calm home. It usually tolerates other animals as long as they are not pushy. With strangers it can be withdrawn and needs time. It handles a few hours alone well, but dislikes changes of scenery, moves and travel. Its gentle nature makes it a popular choice for seniors and people who value peace and quiet.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Persian for?

A Persian suits a calm person or couple who enjoy a grooming ritual and have 15–20 minutes a day for it, plus the budget for regular visits to the vet and the groomer. It likes quiet homes and a steady daily schedule. It is not a good choice for a home with small, noisy children, for someone who wants an active, playful cat, or for anyone who will not accept fur on their clothes and the cost of eye or dental treatment.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Persian's coat cannot stay free of mats without human help. It needs combing every day, ideally with a metal comb that has both wide and fine teeth, plus a bath every few weeks followed by thorough drying; it is best to get the cat used to baths from kittenhood. Many owners use a groomer and have the cat shaved in summer. Wipe the corners of the eyes and the folds by the nose daily with a damp cotton pad, and check the area under the tail so that feces do not stick to it. The flat face makes it hard to pick up food from a flat bowl, so shallow saucers or kibble shaped for flat-faced cats work better. Persians gain weight easily, so measure their portions. Heat and stuffy rooms are hard on them.

Health and breed-related conditions

The flat face is a problem, not just a look. International Cat Care reports that brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is common in Persians: narrow nostrils, tight nasal passages and an elongated soft palate make breathing difficult. Bulging eyes are prone to keratitis and corneal sequestrum, and malformed tear ducts cause constant tearing and skin inflammation. Shortened jaws lead to bite problems. In the 1990s, polycystic kidney disease was found in more than a third of Persians; today catteries fight it with a DNA test. In a VetCompass study of more than 3,000 Persians in the UK, 64.9% had at least one disorder, and median lifespan was 13.5 years. It is worth choosing cats of a less extreme type with clearly open nostrils.

• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)Narrow nostrils and airways and an elongated soft palate; cats with extremely flat faces can have serious breathing trouble.
• polycystic kidney disease (PKD)In the 1990s it was found in over a third of Persians and Exotics; today a DNA test keeps it in check. Kidney disease is the most common cause of death in UK Persians.
• eye problems and tearingBulging eyes, malformed tear ducts, keratitis, corneal sequestrum and entropion.
• bite problems and periodontal diseaseShortened jaws cause misaligned teeth and make eating harder.
• skin and coat disordersThe most common group of conditions in Persians in the VetCompass study; facial folds make skin inflammation more likely.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Occurs in the breed and leads to vision loss.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

Longhaired cats from Persia and neighboring regions reached Europe at least as early as the 17th century: in 1626 the Italian traveler Pietro della Valle brought such animals to Italy. In 19th-century England, Persian cats were crossed with Turkish Angoras, producing a heavier, cobbier type with a shorter nose. The breed dominated the first cat shows in Britain and the US, where the first Persians arrived in the late 1880s. When the CFA was founded in 1906, the Persian was one of its six founding breeds. In the 20th century, breeding for ever flatter faces produced the so-called extreme type, and with it breathing, eye and dental problems that veterinary organizations now speak about openly.

Fun facts

• The Persian was one of the CFA's six founding breeds in 1906.
• Colorpoint Persians are called Himalayans.
• British and European veterinary organizations have urged advertisers not to promote cats with extremely flat faces, including Persians.
• In the 19th century Persians were crossed with Turkish Angoras, which gave them a heavier build.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Long-haired cat breeds
• Calmest cat breeds

Sources

1. 1International Cat Care – Persian cats and brachycephalyicatcare.org
2. 2O'Neill et al. 2019 – Persian cats under first opinion veterinary care in the UK (Scientific Reports)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. 3CFA – Persiancfa.org
4. 4VCA Animal Hospitals – Persianvcahospitals.com
5. 5TICA – Persian breedtica.org
6. 6FIFe – Breedsfifeweb.org
7. 7WCF – Breed standards longhairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.