When it comes to popular cats that most owners would love, one of the most common ones that pop up in our head will be the Persian cat. Indeed, according to TICA, the Persian cat is in the list of the top 25 cats for 2019!
The Persian Cat
Interestingly, the first appearance of Persian cats can be traced back to 1600 B.C. in Persia (modern-day Iran). Of course, it is made popular also by Cleopatra, who reportedly owned a couple of the Persian cats. In those days, the Persian cats are only owned by the royal family.
Now, what is it that makes the Persian cats so alluring to many? Here are some of the top FAQS when it comes to Persian cats.
When Persian cats did first appeared?
As mentioned earlier, they have been in existence since 1600 B.C. in Persia. They were then brought to Europe by the traveling Europeans. After the colonization of the USA, it was then introduced to the continents of both North and South America. Of course, with the conquests by Alexander the Great into the far east of Asia, the Persian cats were then introduced to the countries along the route.
How much do Persian cats cost?
This depends on the era actually. In the past, Persian cats are literally priceless, and it can cost an arm and leg just to get the cat. Of course, as time goes by, the cost went down drastically, and the Persian cats are made available to everyone else.
Typically, the cost of Persian cats is highly dependant on various factors as well as the country you are at. For the case of cost of Persian cats in the United States, the cost does range from $500 to $5000. Of course, the rarer colors will fetch a higher price. Here are some of the factors that greatly influence the price of the Persian Cat:
- Age: The younger the cat, the higher the price!
- Lineage: Some owners will want the parents of the Persian cat to be from legitimate sources, and hence the quality of the parents will be important here.
- Sex: Typically, female cats do fetch a higher price and this is because of the cat’s ability to produce litters of the cat. Of course, once the cat is spayed, the value of the cats of both genders will be the same.
- Source: The source of the cat is equally important. For cats that are being bred from legitimate sources, they tend to fetch a higher price. Some owners will be willing to pay a small fortune for cats that comes from a recognized breeder who has a history of producing top quality Persian cats.
- Features: The features of the cats can have a direct influence on the price that it fetches. For example, white Persian cats fetch a higher price than black ones. Also, the choice between a show face or doll face can influence the price too.
Why do Persian Cats have flat faces?
Actually, the Persian cats in the past do not have flat faces. The flat faces that they have these days are a direct result of selective breeding. Somehow, the breeders decided to reject the cats that do not have flat faces, and this resulted in the Persian cats having the flat face.
Of course, they having the flat faces does have a downside, which will be covered in the following two points.
Why do Persian cats cry?
This is one of the after-effects of selective breeding of the Persian cats. Due to their flat faces, they are regarded as a brachycephalic breed. With this flat face of theirs, the cat’s eyes are unable to drain properly, and as such it will produce a colorless discharge, and that discharge is often misunderstood to be tears.
Of course, there are times where the cat might meow and whine, and that is done specficically because they needed your attention. Did you really expect the cat to speak up and inform you about their needs? Of course not!
Why are Persian Cats grouchy?
This, again, is a direct impact on the cat’s flat face. Indeed, Persian cats are often misunderstood to be grouchy, but in fact, they are very friendly and docile in nature. It is only because of the flat face that gives the impression that the cats are mean and grouchy in nature.
Life span
The lifespan of the Persian cat is hugely dependant on the lifestyle that they have. Typically for Persian cats that are domesticated, they can live between 12 – 18 years on average. Of course, if the cats are left in the wild, they would not survive that long due to various factors that might be upon them.
Are Persian cats good as pets?
What do you think? One of the reasons why they are so popular as pets are because of their mild temperament. They are extremely easy to take care of and are perhaps the most sociable cat that you can ever have. We know for a fact that Persian cats are good with kids, so you wouldn’t have to worry too much about this. They, however, need some grooming, and perhaps you can find the best clippers for Persian cats here!
Are Persian Cats hypoallergenic
Just so you know, it is a misconception that cats can be hypoallergenic. Indeed, from a study that is being conducted, cats are actually not hypoallergenic. The only reason why some people can be allergic to cats is due to the cat’s saliva. The enzymes and proteins in the saliva are the cause of allergic reactions.
What are some food that is dangerous to Persian Cats
Indeed, there are some types of food that are dangerous to cats and not just Persian cats. The following food types should not be given to cats at all:
- Cheese
- Alcohol
- Garlic
- Avocado
- Grapes
- Raw fish and eggs
For a more complete list, you can find it here.