Do Persian Cats Make Good Pets?

If you’re wondering do Persian cats make good pets you’ve come to the right place. In this post you’ll get a brief introduction to this breed, as well as the pros and cons of adopting a Persian cat.

Firstly, Persians are a very old breed of cat dating back to ancient Egyptian times. It’s believed they were first brought into Europe around the early 1600s and are one of the most popular breeds around today.

However, with their silky long hair and dense undercoat do Persian cats make good pets or are they hard work? The answer is yes, they do make excellent pets but you will also need commitment.

Once you’ve set your eyes on a Persian cat it’s easy to fall in love
with their appealing large round eyes and beautiful coat. This breed is irresistible, but be warned though, these cats need a lot of grooming!

In my mind the pros of owning a Persian cat greatly outweigh the cons, but of course it depends on your situation. As I’ve outlined both in this article it will help you make an informed decision.

The pros of owning a Persian cat

1. They’re very affectionate

persian cats are very affectionate

Persian cats are very affectionate and loving with a sweet nature. Whether you live alone or have a family, you’ll find this breed will easily fit in. They love nothing better than curling up on the sofa or on your lap, and enjoy being cuddled

2. Good with children

Unlike many breeds of cat, Persians are perfectly fine with children. As long as your kids are not too noisy or boisterous, a Persian kitty will be fine.

In fact, if you have young children you’ll probably find a Persian will join in their games. Not only is this breed playful but patient and gentle as well.

They crave company and whether your children are a bit noisy or quiet, you’ll find a Persian cat will quickly adapt. Though, bear in mind both humans and cats only have so much patience!

Always supervise young children around cats, and make sure you teach them not to play rough. Small children don’t understand and though this breed are noted for being calm and patient, you don’t want to take risks

3. Quiet with a soft voice

If you decide to adopt a Persian cat you’ll soon notice how quiet your kitty is. Unlike the loud voice of some breeds such as the Siamese, this one has a soft melodic tone, and doesn’t meow a great deal. However, they also love purring and are a great antidote to stress!

If you love cuddling a purring cat on your lap this is your ideal breed. There’s nothing more soothing at the end of a stressful day than being in the company of a purring kitty. It’s also good for your blood pressure, so maybe one day doctors will prescribe Persian cats instead of pills!!

4. Undemanding

One of the good things about Persian cats is their passive, undemanding nature. In fact, you’ll rarely be bothered by the usual demands of a cat waiting to be fed. As long as you provide food, water, a place to sleep, and a bit of loving care, a Persian will be a very contented kitty!

5. Good with dogs

do persian cats make good pets if you have a dog

You’ll be pleased to hear that Persian cats get along with dogs. As long as your dog isn’t too boisterous you should be fine. Large, noisy dogs that love chasing cats may not be a good fit though! As mentioned previously, Persians have a calm, quiet nature so would be better suited to a canine with a similar temperament.

It’s not the size of the dog that matters, but how it behaves around cats. There are many great friendships made between cats and dogs, but give consideration to your dog and think how she or he will adapt to sharing their home with a feline.

The cons of owning a Persian cat

There are a few traits you should know about before adopting a Persian cat. Though not bad in any way they still need consideration. You should always understand a little bit about any breed of cat before thinking about adoption

Persian cats aren’t the sharpest tools in the box!

When it comes to training your kitty, many if not most breeds have a fairly high level of intelligence. In fact some such as the Siamese are super smart. However Persians tend to have problems grasping things such as how to use a cat flap! That being said, every cat is an individual and just like people, some are brighter than others.

2. Trusting nature

While a trusting nature is a positive thing it does mean Persian cats are best kept indoors. If this is a problem I’d advise against adopting one. A beautiful Persian kitty wandering outside could be an easy target for a thief. It wouldn’t take much to entice a not very bright, but pretty cat! In addition, their high value could make an unscrupulous breeder a lot of money.

On the positive side though, your house guests will get plenty of love and attention! After being enthusiastically greeted at the door, they’ll have their very own lap cat!

High maintenance

Even though Persian cats are very peaceful and won’t disturb you with demands for play or food, they do require a bit of work. As long as you’re ok with daily brushing you’ll be fine though.

Frequent grooming is one of the things that puts many people off owning a Persian cat as it can be time consuming. Even missing a few days can result in tangles and mats. In addition, many owners use professional pet groomers at least several times a year

Persian cats are at a higher risk of health problems

Unlike most domestic cats, Persians are prone to health problems. In fact it’s been found that over two thirds require regular veterinary treatment. Their flat faces and snub noses may look cute but it makes this breed at risk of respiratory problems including brachycephalic airway syndrome.

In addition, hairballs could become a problem if the cat isn’t brushed frequently enough. Also, the Persian’s flat face can cause problems with tear ducts, leading to conjunctivitis. One way to help prevent this is by cleaning the eyes on a daily basis.

Polycystic kidney disease is another fairly common health problem among certain breeds of cat including the Persian. It can be managed though with many living into their mid teens or older.

In conclusion

orange persian cat

I hope I’ve helped answer your question “do Persian cats make good pets?” Knowing some of the pros and cons can at least help you make an informed decision.

Persians are a stunningly beautiful breed and can easily win hearts. But, if you’re prepared to have a loving indoor kitty that needs a bit of regular grooming then this could be the perfect breed for you.

However, you will also need to ensure you have enough funds to cover the cost of vets bills and regular visits to a pet groomer.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please share. Also, if you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please leave your comment below.

Wishing you a purrfect day:)
Kathy

18 thoughts on “Do Persian Cats Make Good Pets?”

  1. I have been curious about Persians. They look super affectionate by nature. Thank you for all the pros and cons on owning them if I decide to get one in the future!

    Reply
  2. Hello,

    Thank you for this adorable article, I love persian cats and if I would have a cat, it would be persian for sure. When I met some in the past, it really stole my heart, each of them. I find this pet very cute and noble.

    Nice to read about what are their advantage and how to take care of them, it gave me a lot, thank you!

    I have bookmarked your site, if I come to decision to have a persian cat, I will turn on this website for sure.

    Have a good day.

    Bye, Renata

    Reply
    • Thank you Renata:) Glad you enjoyed this post and that you love Persian cats:) I think my last cat was a cross breed. She had long hair with blue eyes, and definitely had that Persian look! Thank you for stopping by and bookmarking my site:)

      Reply
  3. OOOhhh! What a lovely looking pet. I love Persian cats, although I don’t have any. My son is actually looking to add a cat to his family (him and his husky), and a Persian cat just might be a breed he will love. I love that they have a quiet temperament and soft voice. This is perfect for an apartment environment. I do worry about his husky because he goes from high energy to extremely calm. Anyways, thanks so much for sharing this great post. It is very informative! Keep up the good work.

    Reply
    • Thank you Christine, so glad you enjoyed this post:) Yes, Persian cats are ideal for apartments and I’m sure your son and his husky would love this breed. I think all dogs get excitable, but as long as your son’s dog is calm most of the time all should be fine:)

      Reply
  4. Hi Kathy , thank you for this wonderful post .My daughter has been asking me to get a cat for her since last week .We have been trying to decide which one to choose .Is there a suggestion you can give me for choosing ?I find this one also not bad .Is the maintenance really that bad ?If not ,my daughter likes this one and i do too ,very cute .

    Reply
    • Thank you Jim:) The best way to choose a cat breed is to look at different characteristics of each, then make an informed choice. You also need to take into account your lifestyle and disposable income since some breeds are not only expensive to buy, but maintain as well. I don’t think caring for a Persian cat is too bad providing you’re willing to spend time grooming each day. Sounds like your daughter has already made her mind up:)

      Reply
  5. We had a crossbreed between a Persian cat and a regular cat for 12 years. He was a very good cat, but the maintenance was very difficult due to his long (er) hair. I always liked Persian cats no matter what. They look different and radiate with something special. Would like to own one again. Thanks for sharing this post!

    Reply
    • Thank you Ivan, glad you enjoyed this post:) I also had a crossbreed that I think was part Persian. I can understand the problems you had with his hair as grooming a long hair cat can be hard work! Added to which, Persian cats have thick undercoats. Yes, they do have that something special and hope you decide to get another:)

      Reply
      • Thanks for replying to my comment, Kathy. Yes, they’re hard to maintain, but thankfully there are a lot of great products that help to keep your Persian clean and awesome! I’m going to contemplate the idea some more and probably get another one in the future 🙂

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  6. I have always admired the beauty and uniqueness of Persian cats. Right now we have an 8 year old domestic short hair that my daughter absolutely adores. If I were to ever get another cat in the future I would consider a Persian. They do seem a little more high maintenance but I find them so beautiful and majestic. Thank you for sharing this article about them!

    Reply
    • Thank you Shyla, glad you enjoyed this post:) Yes, Persian cats are beautiful and apart from all the grooming required, make wonderful pets.

      Reply
  7. I find it helpful to know that a Persian cat is an excellent choice for families with children because they are gentle, patient, and playful. My husband and I were thinking of getting a cat for the kids, so it’s great that I came across your article. A Persian cat would be a wonderful addition to our family. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hello Levi, thank you for your comment and glad you enjoyed this post about Persian cats:) Yes, if you have young children this is an excellent choice. Persian cats are known for their sweet, gentle nature, which is ideal. Thanks for stopping by:)

      Reply
    • Thank you Nellie, glad you enjoyed this post:) Yes, Persian cats are beautiful to look at but do require plenty of grooming! Thanks for stopping by:)

      Reply

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