Facts Pet Owners Should Know Before Getting a Persian Cat

Guest Post by Moumik Maitra.

The Persian cat is a very popular cat breed worldwide, and especially in the USA and Europe. Most Persian cat owners feel proud of acquiring such a cute and delightful feline friend.

Adopting is a good idea whenever possible, as it enables you to save or rescue a pet from a particular scenario while gaining a family member. The other option is to buy. But, the major concern is that most of the aspiring pet owners don’t do much research before getting a Persian cat – they just want a cute pet. Moreover, they may not be aware of the future costs associated with their furry baby. 

When it comes to the Persian cat breed, you will find that they are very expensive. You need to spend between $1,300-$3,000 to buy a Persian cat. Not only that, but they also need quarterly health checkups and so many other additional costs are also associated with this breed. 

Respiratory Disorders

Persian cats tend to suffer from various disorders due to their body type and genes. Because of the deformity in their skull structure, Persian Cats tend to suffer from various respiratory problems. They can’t smell very well and that’s why they interact with the environment in a somewhat unusual manner. 

They are very popular in the cat lover community because of their cuteness and spunky characteristics. Despite their overwhelming popularity, Persian cats are predisposed to 29 diseases, and most of which are genetic disorders. 

Respiratory illness is prevalent in the Persian cat breed. Their Bracephylic face structure is the reason behind Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) which is similar to the issue also seen in brachycephalic dog breeds. A Persian cat’s reduced muzzle length is another reason behind its respiratory dysfunction. 

Persian Cats – Indoor or Outdoor?

Persian cats are better to be kept as indoor cats, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go outside. They certainly can but due to their predisposition to fungal infections and other issues, Persian cats going outside frequently comes with more cons than benefits. 

Persian cats have long coats which need to be brushed regularly. You can purchase a Furminator to brush and groom your Persian cats. Remember, even if you brush them frequently, you will still find cat hair lying around almost everywhere. So, if you hate hair or are not interested in the business of collecting fur, then perhaps you should consider getting a hairless cat breed like the Sphynx instead. 

General Healthcare and Vaccination

Even if you manage to adopt a Persian cat and avoid paying thousands of dollars for it, you will need to perform a regular health check at least once a year. It will cost between $300-$400 per year. Yearly vaccinations are also important to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases. 

One of the most common causes of death in Persian cats is kidney disease. If you are observing symptoms like frequent urination, loss of appetite, weakness, or excessive thirst, then you must contact your Vet as soon as possible. 

As a responsible pet owner, you should also consider neutering your Persian cat. Failing to do so could pass deleterious genes into the normal cat population. According to recent research done by Banfield Pet Hospital, spayed or neutered cats tend to live longer than unspayed cats. 

To find out more about the lifespan of Persian cats and how to increase their lifespan, check out this article.