Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Is The Persian Cat For You?

By Paulina Jenkins

Very often the Persian cat is considered to be the best looking, friendly and docile cat breed. It is also believed to be one of the world's oldest cat breeds. Generally it is accepted that the Persian cat has its origin in Persia. This region is the Iranian plateau between the Hindukush Mountains and Mesopotamia. Hence the Persian cat was named. Owning a Persian cat is equivalent to possessing a great work of art.

The Persian cat has a flowing thick coat of long hairs. You can find Persians in almost any color. The color can be solid with pointed, tortoiseshell, blue, and tabby markings. It has a short neck and a massive round head. They have big round expressive eyes that are wide-set. The ears are rounded and small and the nose is broad and short.

Persian cats have short, thick legs in proportion to the rest of their bodies. Their feet are round, and their bodies short and broad. Tails are bushy, and not long in relation to the body. Generally, a Persian will weigh between eight and fifteen pounds. These cats live between fifteen and twenty years in most cases, provided they receive proper care. Their voices have been called beautiful and melodious.

The Persian is very adaptable and can be a single owner pet or a family pet. Persians are not good jumpers because they only have short legs. They are good at interacting with their humans and very responsive to the owners' emotions. Some of them can be aloof and quiet households are more preferable. Persians are people orientated and love any kind of attention from their humans.

It is important to care for a Persian cat properly, like any other pet. Since Persians tend to have short muzzles, they can suffer from genetic problems, including constriction of the nostrils, tear duct overflow, dental malocclusion, and a condition called cherry eye. Other problems peculiar to Persians include polycystic kidney disease, seborrhea oleosa, and entropion.

If you get a Persian, you will enjoy interacting with this intelligent, friendly cat. However, you will also need to work to maintain your pet properly. Persians can suffer from tear staining, and may need to have their faces washed. Their teeth should be brushed, and their coats cared for regularly. Since Persians have such long hair and can get tangles easily, you should brush your cat once a day for ten minutes. During months when the cat is shedding you should brush even more often.

Persian cats should have regular vaccinations. This means keeping their rabies and other shots up to date. Make sure to take your feline in for regular check ups to keep your pet happy and healthy. Remember that some plants are toxic to cats, including many house plants. Consult your vet for plants you should keep your Persian away from. Look for commercial cat foods that contain a high quantity of protein, and avoid those that contain a large number of grains or fillers.

You can choose to have your Persian groomed regularly by a professional. If you choose to do the grooming yourself, make sure you have the right tools. Grooming supplies can be obtained from all pet stores. These should include towels, mild shampoo, a good pet brush, nail clipper and eye ointment.

Before you decide to owing a Persian cat you must be aware it is a lot of work involved. If you are unable to give your Persian cat the daily required grooming then the Persian is not for you. The veterinary costs for a Persian are expensive and necessary. Do not get a Persian if you cannot afford the expenses. For people who can give the attention and love the Persian cat will become your best friend and loyal companion for life.

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