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Photos courtesy of Dazzle M Persians and Exotics

With a glamorous image worthy of the Hollywood studios in their heyday, it’s no surprise that the Persian is the most popular of the cat breeds. Extravagantly beautiful, they come in a dazzling array of colors and markings, including solid colors, tabby, calico, Himalayan, and just about anything else you can imagine.

Persian cats are as treasured for their personalities as their distinctive looks. Affectionate yet undemanding, a Persian is more likely to get your attention by adopting an especially fetching pose than plonking herself down on the newspaper you’re trying to read.

All that beauty doesn’t come without a price, and grooming your Persian cat is not an optional activity. Persian coats will become tangled and matted if not combed on a daily basis, and usually require periodic professional grooming as well. A matted Persian is not just unsightly; matts are painful and can lead to abrasions and skin infections if not removed promptly. The Persian is not the cat for you if you aren’t ready, willing, and able to make sure that coat stays in good shape.

Pros:

There is no way around it, the arresting beauty of these kings and queens of catdom is behind their enduring popularity. However, Persian cats are also wonderful companions, serene, quiet, and affectionate, never noisy or pesty.

Cons:

The coat requires considerable attention and/or professional grooming, and sheds. Popularity means there are many unethical breeders. Genetic problems include dental and sinus abnormalities related to the distinctive Persian facial structure, and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), which can be fatal. Ultrasound screening of breeding cats can prevent this disease, so only obtain your Persian kitten from a breeder who guarantees against PKD - in writing.

Copyright 2005 by Christie Keith. Used with permission. All rights reserved.