anyone have a persian cat?

[2LittlePuds]

As the title, does anyone have a persian cat? I have wanted one for a while but the othet half isnt overly fond of cats, he prefers dogs, so we haven't yet got one. I know if i really really nag him then i will get one (all pets are shared and joint decision in this house) but i want to make sure i can properly take care of one first. My main concerns are how muh attention does their hair need? Do they molt a lot? And also how bad is the discharge from their eyes and nose, how do i keep them clean etc?

[Willow Wisp]

No I don't have any cats, I have dogs and birds, I value both wild and pet birds health and safety too much to ever consider having a cat but my mum used to have a couple of Persians. They needed daily grooming, I remember her going on holiday and leaving the cats in the care of a neighbour, when she came home they were full of knots and had to have their fur shaved off because the neighbour hadn't combed them I also remember them having to have vet visits because of fur balls She didn't allow them to go out on their own, she used to walk them on collar and leads like they were dogs LOL. I don't recall her ever having problems with either of them regarding eye or nose discharge though, or breathing problems come to that and with that squashed nose persians have I would assume they do suffer with breathing issues.
As regards moulting, I have long haired rabbits, not the same as a cat I know, but I can comb my boys twice a day and their fur is still everywhere lol I also have long haired dogs which I comb daily but the house is still full of dog hair too LOL

[TheHamsterCher]

Not currently, but I've volunteered at a shelter with a couple persians. They tend to be sweet and calm cats, if not a bit shy. They can be scared by loud noises, on the unhealthy side (problems with their teeth and a predisposition to kidney disease) and demanding when it comes to grooming. They should be groomed everyday. They're total fur balls with a predisposition to tangling and matting. Grooming is especially important around their butts as matted fur is like a poo magnet. As for their eyes they just need to be wiped clear of any tearing. Some owners like brush their teeth, but it's debatable if it's necessary.

I'm not a big fan of letting any type of cat free range outdoors, but persians especially need to be kept inside. They're particularly small, non-agile cats and will easily fall victim to any sort of predator. They will also come back a big mess of matted fur after being outdoors for a bit.

I remember devoting quite a bit of time to them at the shelter because they needed such maintenance, and I grew to really like them. They have a great disposition, if you're willing to deal with the work and the potential cost of vet bills.

[2LittlePuds]

Thanks for the info. Im at home most days so grooming wouldnt really be a problem, although i have really long hair that ends up all over the house and really annoys my partner, so not sure how he'd react to even more hair round the house lol. Do their bums get messy when using the cat litter with them having long hair?

I am aware of them being an indoor cat and i actually prefer that to risking them being outside with all the dangers.

What sort of problems do you mean with their teeth? I hadnt heard of that before.

I would take insurance out to cover any unexpected problems.

They really are adorable little things. Ive told my other half it can be my birthday present in January ive been keeping a lookout for a rescue but haven't seen any local as of yet. If i went for a kitten should they come from a proper breeder?

[TheHamsterCher]

If you keep their hair brushed and their butts trimmed, it shouldn't be a problem. As far as hair goes, they are total fluff balls that shed constantly. Stock up on the lint rollers ahead of time!

Because of persians smushed faces, they all have underbites. They often have overcrowded mouths because their jawbones are to small to fit all of their teeth. Their teeth don't get as clean through eating because of this and they accumulate plaque faster. That's why some people brush their cat's teeth. They're doing it in hopes of preventing gum disease, gingivitis and other nasty oral problems that can occur.

Some people say the teeth only become an issue with an improperly bred persian but I don't know if this is true.

I have no idea as far as breeding goes, I'm only familiar with shelter practices.

What I do know is that when I worked at shelters we would get people wanting to be notified when we got persians in. They usually didn't stay in the shelter long. People really fall in love with the breed and become total enthusiasts. Most people find that the work they put in is worth it with these little guys. I do have a soft spot for their wise little faces.

Also it depends on what your partner likes about dogs, but if he doesn't like cat's for their stand offish reputation, he may find he likes persians. They tend to be sweet and docile creatures that crave affection, and who knows he may be a cat guy deep down

[2LittlePuds]

Lol he seems to just like the fact that you can take dogs for walks i know he will love a persian cat, any cat really, when we go to our local rspca he quietly 'awwws' at the kittens lol. He just wont be impressed with the hair all over. I guess ill tell him that bit AFTER we get one