The Persian cat breed is one of the most recognizable and well-known feline varieties in the world today. Why are Persian Cats So Popular? These fluffy, adorable cats are almost universally recognized for their distinct looks and their characteristic flat faces that make them cute in a French Bulldog sort of way. In this blog post, we will be exploring the reasons why so many people have fallen head over heels for with Persian cats. Read until the end to find out why these cats are so popular, what makes them so special, as well as general care tips for keeping a Persian at home. Lets not pussy foot around (excuse the pun) and firstly discuss the history of Persian cats.
The History of Persian Cats
The Persian cat breed is generally believed to have originated in the Middle East and Central Asia. Persian cats have been around for thousands of years, and they have been kept as pets in countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan since ancient times. Persian cats were often bred by royal families in the Middle East and Asia, and were often kept as prized possessions among the wealthy. The first Persian cats were imported to Europe in the late 1800s, and the breed gained popularity among the elite in Europe. However, in the United States, the Persian cat breed was not recognized by most cat associations until the 1950s. Traditionally Persian cats featured a doll faced look. The flat faced look we know so well today was bred from a genetic mutation isolated in 1942.
Persian Cats Looks and Build
The Persian cat breed, post 1942, is known for its distinct flat face or brachycephalic face and round-shaped appearance. This distinct appearance is often described as “cuddly” and ‘cute’. Persian cats are often described as having “padded paws” due to their soft, round paws. The Persian cat breed has a very fluffy, dense coat which is soft and a delight to pet. In fact, many Persian cats are so fluffy that you can barely tell that they are cats at all. However, this comes with the price of having to help maintain it with daily grooming sessions.
Persian cats are often described as being extremely soft and cuddly, and many people compare their coats to a nice, warm blanket which may be why the Persian cat is so popular. The Persian cat breed tends to have a stocky, muscular physique. This is due to the fact that the breed was specifically bred to be cuddly and large in size. Persian cats are often described as being sturdy, hefty cats that have a large, yet soft frame.
Persian Cat Colors and Markings
Persian cats come in an almost dizzying array of colors and patterns which adds to their popularity. In fact, when it comes to cat breeds, few can compete with Persians for versatility in looks. With the exception of the occasional spotting or splotching of white, these cats are almost as diverse in color as dogs. Each type of Persian has its own unique characteristics and traits which may appeal to your personal tastes.
When it comes to Persian cats, there are really only two types: longhair and shorthair. Longhair Persians are simply that: Persians with long, flowing fur. Shorthair Persians have what we usually think of as short hair: not too long, not too short. Within those two types, there are a lot of different color and pattern variations. The Persian Shorthair is generally suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Plus Persian Shorthairs are well suited for families with children.
Persian Longhair: This long-haired variety of Persian cat is the one most people think of when they imagine the breed. The shorthair is a less common, but still very popular, variety of Persian cat. It has a medium-length silky coat. The Persian Color-Point is a type of Persian cat which has a warm reddish-brown coat with lighter points (the extremities, including the face and paws). This breed has a warm coat colour with lighter points on the extremities and face, making it distinct from the more common Seal Point. Persian Color-Points are best suited to indoor living and are generally suitable for families with children. Color-Points can be Blue Points, Cream Points, Red Points, Lilac Points, Chocolate Points, and Tortie Points. All Color-Points have blue eyes.
Tortoiseshell or Tortie cats comw in two colors and not much white. Black, cream, red and blue, lilac, cream, and chocolate are often blended together to give the unique look. Torties as a rule have copper eyes. A cat with red and black patches with a white background are calico cats.
Persian Creams have a cream coat with darker patches on the face and around the eyes, while the Persian Solid Colour cat has an even coat color without patches or markings.
The Persian cat breed is highly susceptible to color genes, so breeders have had a lot of fun with breeding this diminutive pet. The result is an astonishing number of unique, eye-catching patterns and colors. The most common types of Persian cats, their colors and patterns, are as follows:
- The Classic Persian with bright, bold colors and patterns of this classic Persian look make it a popular choice for first-time owners.
- The Exotic Persian is a smaller type of Persian with long fur, and comes in a range of interesting and eye-catching colors.
- The Himalayan Persian is a Persian-Exotic hybrid, with a shorter coat than the Exotic and a wide, dark band of color on the torso.
- Traditional or Wild-Colored Persians are not a distinct variety, but a catch-all term for non-colored Persians.
Persian Cream
The Persian Cream breed is a white or cream-colored Persian with colored points. Their coats are short to medium in length, and they may also have a curly coat. The Persian Cream breed is a fairly recent development, likely beginning in the 1980s. Persian Creams are an active breed, and make good indoor companions. They’re friendly with humans, but may not get along with other pets.
Persian Solid Color
The Persian Solid Color breed is a white or cream-colored Persian without colored points. Their coats are medium in length, and they may also have a curly coat. The Persian Solid Color is a fairly recent breed, likely beginning in the 1980s. Persian Solid Colors are a moderately active breed, and make good indoor companions. They are friendly with humans, but may not get along with other pets.
Rare Perisan Cat Types
Silver Persian
A Silver Persian is a cat that has a coat that is predominantly silver in color. It is a very rare and highly desirable coat color, and a relatively new variation of the Persian breed. This unique color can occur in either the solid or tabby varieties of the Persian. Although Silver is a rare coat color, Silver Tabby is even rarer. Silver cats are caused by a recessive gene that eliminates all pigment from the fur, leaving the cat with a silver coat and blue eyes. These unique cats are very popular due to their unusual coloration.
Silver cats were first discovered in the 1950s, and are the result of a recessive mutation on the MC1R gene. The MC1R gene determines the color of a cat’s coat, and when this gene mutates, the coat color is changed to silver. Interestingly, silver cats are not albinos, as they are born with pigmented eyes and hair, but their color is reduced as they grow. As they age, the silver color deepens, making the cats look even more spectacular.
Silver Chinchilla Persian
If you’ve ever seen a Silver Chinchilla Persian, you know how spectacularly beautiful these cats are. A Silver Chinchilla Persian is a cat that has a coat that is predominantly silver in color, but with a sheen of deep gold, giving it a chinchilla-like appearance. These are very rare and highly desirable cats, and the only variation of the Persian breed that carries the Chinchilla gene.
Chinchilla is a rare coat color found among several cat breeds, including the Persian, Himalayan, Tonkinese and British Shorthair. It is caused by a dominant mutation on the MC1R gene, and is characterized by a deep gold sheen that glows in the sun. Chinchilla cats have a unique pattern of fur that is highly sought after. This pattern is called agouti, and is found in all wild animals, such as squirrels, rabbits and mink. It is characterized by dark tips on each hair, fading into a lighter colored middle section. Although Silver Chinchilla Persians look very similar to Silver Persians, the Silver Chinchilla variant is much rarer.
Blue-Eyed Black Persian
A Blue-Eyed Black Persian is a stunning cat that has a black coat and blue eyes. Although black Persian cats with blue eyes are not particularly rare, blue-eyed black Persians are extremely uncommon due to their limited gene pool. They are the result of crossing a blue-eyed black Persian with another blue-eyed black Persian. The gene that causes the blue eyes is dominant, and all kittens will therefore have blue eyes. Blue-eyed black Persians are very beautiful, and are sought after by many cat lovers. Because of the difficulty in breeding them, they are very expensive, so expect to pay a pretty penny for this stunning feline.
Copper-Eyed White Persian
A Copper-Eyed White Persian is a stunning cat that has a white coat and copper eyes. Copper-Eyed White Persians are very rare due to their limited gene pool. They are the result of crossing a copper-eyed white Persian with another copper-eyed white Persian. The gene that causes the copper eyes is dominant, and all kittens will therefore have copper eyes. Because of this, copper-eyed white Persians are very rare cats, and are therefore very expensive.
Looking After Persian Cats
Persian cats are generally easy to feed, and most will eat almost any type of wet and dry cat food. It is recommended that you feed your Persian cat a high-quality, high-protein diet. You can find a good assortment of Persian cat food at your local pet store or online retailer.
When it comes to grooming, Persian cats are generally not very high-maintenance. Brush your Persian cat’s coat a few times every week during shedding season, to keep its lustrous and silky smooth feel. If the long hairs seem to get in unwanted places and make you sneeze a HEPA air filter is a great way of cleaning the atmosphere and surfaces in your home. These easy maintenance traits are another reason why Persian Cats are so popular.
Why are Persian Cats so Popular?
Now that we have explored their overall looks and build, let’s talk about the reasons why Persian cats are so popular. There are a number of reasons why the Persian cat breed desired by prospective cat owners. The first reason is that the breed is undeniably physically cute. Its a fluffy, cuddly cat that looks like a giant ball of fluff with a flat face and big eyes of varying shades. Another reason why the Persian cat breed is so popular is that they are very easy to care for, with just a regular brushing needed.
Persian cats are generally healthy, friendly, and fluffy creatures, and the breed does not require extensive grooming or maintenance. Persians are often friendly to visitors to your home and can often be spotted sitting happily on the lap of a new guest. The Persian cat breed is incredibly sociable, friendly, and easy to train. Most Persian cats are very welcoming to other animals (pets) too, and are famed for being friendly to just about everyone.
In Conclusion
Persian cats is a very common cat breed, but there are many variations of Persian cats with different coats and eye colors. Why are Persian cats so popular? The desirability of their beauty, generally good temperaments and easy upkeep sums up why Persian cats are sought after. Some of these variations are extremely rare, while others are just uncommon. All Persian cats are known for their long, silky coats, large and round heads, and flat, round faces. These cute and fluffy cats come in many colors, with more being developed all the time.
- You may like: Why Does my Chihuahua Like the Sun?
- Read: Why do Cats Lick Your Hands?
- You could like: 7 Best Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes
