• Grooming
• Hair Knots
• Bathing
• Dental Hygiene
• Eye Drainage
• Feeding

• Litterbox Problems
• Shaving
• Health Issues
• Ear Wax Build Up
• Feline Acne
• Flea Problems

• Milk Consumption
• Plants Toxic to Cats
• Ringworm
• Stud Tail
• Breeding
• The Average Persian

Persian hair care definitely can be troublesome. An owner should brush his/her Persian ideally once a day with a metal comb and bath them occasionally. You can get away with brushing their coats about 3-4 times a week and keeping the hair shorter in their problem areas (under the arms and neck). Also take them for grooming every 3-5 months. A neglected coat results in knots. If the knots are in the beginning stages, you should be able to work them out with a metal comb and some detangling solution. You can purchase such solutions at pet stores and sometimes veterinary offices or groomers.

If your cat's knots are really severe, they will probably need to be cut/shaved off and this might leaving unattractive bald spots depending on the location of the knots. Either make an appointment with a local vet or groomer to have the knots removed, or you can attempt to cut them out yourself,  however be very careful if they are close to the skin, it is very easy to tent and cut the cats skin, so it might be best left to professionals.

Now if your cat is badly knotted all over, you might want to consider getting him/her completely shaved - leaving the fur about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch for insulation. That way your cat will be able to grow a brand new coat, and you will be able to maintain it from the beginning.

Breeders recommend using a natural bristle brush (soft) and/or a comb. Avoid nylon combs because they generate static electricity. If you discover a knot, simply tease it apart with your fingers then brush/comb it. If you need to cut it out, first slide a comb underneath the knot to separate the knot from the skin. Using round-tipped scissors, cut the hair sitting on top of the comb.

One thing to remember about Persians and other longhaired breeds is that they need to be brushed/groomed daily or every other day. The cat can only do so much on his/her own to maintain a healthy coat. So assistance from humans is usually necessary. Use a metal comb and a detangling solution to work out the knots. For knots that will not budge, you can use special grooming scissors. First slide the comb underneath the knot to prevent cutting the flesh. Then use the scissors to cut the knot off the top of the comb. If you feel the least bit uneasy about performing this task, do not hesitate to let a professional groomer handle it.

Bathe your Persian regularly - once or twice a month. Make sure the cat's nails are trimmed before you get going. Start by brushing out the fur. Fill up the tub or basin with lukewarm water and place the cat inside (be gentle but firm). Wet down the cat completely (don't dunk the head!). Lather up the cat using shampoo that is specially formulated for cats (be sure to follow whatever directions are on the bottle). Completely rinse the cat making sure to remove all soapy residue. 

Dry out the cat's fur with a towel. Then use a stainless steel cat comb to brush out any tangles. Let the cat dry in a warm environment, or blow dry, use low heat and continue to brush the cat's fur. When the cat is completely dry, you're all done!

Like humans, cats can accumulate tartar on their teeth. Additionally, Persians can certainly develop gingivitis. Proper dental care is a good habit to start when your cat is at a young age. Talk to your vet about scheduling a regular teeth cleaning. You can also clean your cat's teeth in between vet visits.

"Eye gunk" is just another problem that Persians typically encounter. Due to the shape of the face and head (as well as other factors), Persians often develop sinus problems, such as eye drainage (this is more of an annoyance to the cat than anything). If the cat cannot clean off all of the substance, it falls upon the owner to do so. Wipe a warm washcloth (no soap!) around the cat's eyes once in the morning and once at night.

For problems with staining around the eyes, consult your vet before using any cleansers or solutions. A solution recommended by many breeders that can be mixed up at home is an eighth of a teaspoon of boric acid and 8 ounces of water. Shake it up and wet the cotton ball. Be careful not to get too much boric acid because it can irritate your kitty's eyes.

You've heard the saying. "You are what you eat." Your Persian deserves to have a healthy diet. Here are some good cat foods recommended by breeders:

• Eukanuba
• Hills Science Diet
• Iams
• Nutro Max
• Royal Canin

Litterbox problems are not unusual for cats. There are many possible reasons. Your cat has decided that the litterbox is an unpleasant place to be. The box may not be clean enough, or he/she may have experienced painful urination or defection in the box. Your cat may have been startled by a noise while using the box or perhaps been "ambushed" while in the box by either another cat, a child, a dog, or even by you (if you were attempting to catch him/her for some reason). This kind of an aversion may require you to completely replace the litterbox so it no longer reminds your cat of unpleasant experiences. You may need to buy a new box, put it in a new location, and use a different type of litter. Remember to keep the box clean - scoop everyday, and completely change the litter anywhere from every three days to once a week.

If stress is involved, you may see other behavioural or physical changes as well, such as, weight loss, fearful behaviour, or changes in eating or sleeping habits. Punishment is not a way to resolve a litterbox problem. First, check with your veterinarian. Health problems can cause litterbox problems.

It has been said that booby traps, placed in the location of the soiling, may discourage pets from repeating the behaviour in the same location again. Tricks include two-sided carpet tape, which pets don't like to walk on, a string of empty soda cans, small alarms set off by motion, balloons set up to pop against a tack on the wall if bumped by the cat, and mouse traps set upside down provide a quick, safe scare to the cat. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian before setting up any traps.

Shaving a Persian is quite common, but it's ultimately up to the owner. The "lion cut" is a very popular style. I take my Persians to the groomer's for a shaving once or twice a year. I've had groomers tell me it's actually good for Persian cats because it lets them grow out a fresh, new coat and gives the skin a chance to air out.

Be sure to check:

Unfortunately, male cats are prone to developing bladder stones. To help prevent such occurrences, choose a food that is specially formulated- your vet can make recommendations. My male Himalayan has had great success with Science Diet. After having problems with stones, we started feeding him Science Diet. Knock on wood, he's never gotten them again, and it's been over 10 years.

Unclean ears sometimes indicate an infection. If such a problem exists, it would be a good idea to let a vet examine your cat. He/she can determine if an infection or ear mites is present. If so, there are treatments that should clear up the problem. However, if your vet determines that it isn't a serious wax build up problem, you can use a commercial ear cleaner (or your vet will probably have one that you could use at home). Otherwise, I've heard that it's safe to mix up a homemade solution to clean out wax using half hydrogen peroxide and half water.

Feline acne is not uncommon to Persians. It looks almost like flea dirt on the chin. Our vet told us to take a cotton ball, wet it down with alcohol, and swab the cat's chin every few days. I also have heard that cleansing the cat's chin a couple of times a week with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo helps.

Some vets recommend antibiotics or corticosteroids, but I'm not one to suggest drugs unless it's absolutely necessary. And in case it's an allergy to plastic food bowls, try using ceramic or stainless steel bowls for the food and water.

Fleas can be a real nuisance. To get the problem under control, make an appointment with a local groomer and ask them to give your cat a flea dip. (Some people keep their Persians shaved so they can look for flea eggs easily.) You may want to talk to your vet about anti-flea products, such as:

• Program
• Advantage
• or Revolution

Typically, these products only have to be administered to your pet once a month. Such medications prevent fleas from laying eggs, so they cannot reproduce and spread. Using Program involves putting a dose in their food. With Advantage, you simply squeeze a few drops on the back of the neck. Revolution that not only handles fleas but prevent heartworms as well.

There are very mixed reviews about cats and milk. Cats usually will drink milk, but it may not be the best substance for their digestive systems. I've read (don't know for sure if it's true) that cats are actually lactose intolerant. So giving milk to your cat may result in him/her having an upset stomach or diarrhoea. You can try giving your cat a small amount and see if there are any problems. Otherwise, I suggest a product called Cat Sip. It's a milk product made for cats, so your cat should be able to digest it easily. You can pick up some at your supermarket in the cat-treat section. It looks like a little juice box.

Consumption of the following plants can result in regurgitation, diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Ringworm is actually a fungal infection. Signs can include patches of hair loss and/or a red, scaly circle on the skin. Some cats can have ringworm and show no signs of it. If you have more than one cat, it will not matter which one has is - ringworm is so contagious that you will have to treat all of the animals anyway. Treatment usually lasts about 6-8 weeks, but you must stick with it. Here are some suggestions on how to treat the condition.

1. Shave the cat's fur and start him/her on an oral medication prescribed by the vet. (I have heard that Sporodax is better than Fulvicin because it has fewer side effects. Talk to your vet.)
2. Infected areas can be treated topically (in both humans and cats) with Lamisil.
3. Using LymDyp, dip the cat twice a week.
4. Twice daily, sprinkle Lotrimin Athlete's Foot Powder and then vacuum the house (be sure to change the bag after each time).
5. Spray the house - furniture, carpets, walls, etc. - with a diluted clorox solution.
6. Using a black light, do a daily inspection.
7. Launder with an anti-fungal laundry additive and add plenty of bleach to the whites.
8. Using diluted clorox bleach in water (1 part chlorine bleach + 30 parts water), spray the cat's coat daily.

Stud tail presents itself as a brown, sappy substance at the base of a cat's tail. Sometimes is has a foul odour. It occurs in males (usually due to stress) and is nothing serious. The secretion comes from a gland located at the base of the cat's tail. To treat it, first shave the area. This will allow the skin to breathe better. I've been told that wiping the area with alcohol may cause severe pain and burning if the skin is raw. Instead, try one of the many feline shampoos made exclusively for stud tail. They work very well.

There are 2 main breeding periods: early spring and then again in summer. During these seasons, the female will come into heat about every 14-21 days. She will be receptive to mating for 3-6 days.

Ideal Weight

Cats ideally weigh between 7-12 lbs, but a vet can help you determine what your cat should weigh based on his/her bone size. Persians tend to be heavier than other breeds.

Life Span

According to vets, cats usually live 10-18 years. Typically, the life span of a Persian is 15 years and up. Although some have been reported to have lived as long as 22 years.

Cats ideally weigh between 7-12 lbs, but a vet can help you determine what your cat should weigh based on his/her bone size. Persians tend to be heavier than other breeds.