Persian cat temperament & health

Persian cat Pet Insurance

Is the Persian cat the right cat breed for you?

Our guide to living with a Persian cat

Look at that face! Persian Longhairs are a lovely, calm breed with luxurious long hair and a charming round face. Learn more about their temperament and origins.

Persian cat quick facts

Size: Height 25-38cm, body length 37-44cm
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Weight: 2½-5 kg (adult male 3½-5 kg, adult female 2½-4 kg)
Colours: Over 300 variations including solid, shaded, smoke, tabby, bicolour, and more
Characteristics: Sweet, gentle, calm, loyal
Common diseases and health problems: White, black, blue, cream and red (ginger)
Country of origin: Iran, formerly Persia

Where does the Persian cat come from?

The clue’s in the title. Originating from Persia (modern-day Iran), the Persian is one of the oldest cat breeds, which can be traced back to the 1600s. Imported into Europe, they became popular among nobility thanks to their luxurious coats and elegant appearances. They’ve since been selectively bred to enhance their distinctive flat faces and long, flowing fur.

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What is a Persian cat’s temperament?

Persians are calm, affectionate cats that feel most at home in a peaceful environment. They’re generally content to sit near you, purr softly or curl up in a sunny spot for a nap (bliss!).

Quiet & laid-back

They usually prefer gentle play and quiet companionship over boisterous games; something to bear in mind if you have young children or other high-energy pets.

Loyal

While not overly demanding, they do enjoy attention and often form strong bonds with their owners.

Relatively quiet

Persians aren’t known for being especially vocal, but they will communicate with soft, sweet meows when they want attention or food.

Persian cat training and exercise

Here’s how to keep your Persian active, and a little light training:

1
Gentle play
Persians enjoy short, calm play sessions with toys like feather wands or rolling balls.
2
Body movin’
Encourage a little light daily exercise with toys to help prevent weight gain.
3
Litter training
They’re usually easy to litter train. Keep their litter box clean, and in a nice quiet spot.
4
Positive reinforcement
Use rewards such as treats and praise to gently train behaviours like grooming tolerance or using a scratching post.

Find out more about how to train your cat.

Persian cat appearance and size

The Persian is known for its long, luxurious flowing coat and flat face. It has a short flat nose, large expressive eyes, plus small rounded ears that sit low on the head. Its body is stocky and compact, supported by short, sturdy legs and a bushy tail. Males are typically slightly larger than females.

Persian cats come in a huge range of colours. Seven divisions of Persians are recognised, each with a range of potential colours. These include (deep breath):

Solid: Including white, black, blue, chocolate, cream, lilac and red (ginger)
Silver and golden
Smoke and shaded: Including cameo (red tips with a white undercoat), cream, tortoiseshell and blue-cream
Tabby: Including blue, silver, brown, cameo, cream and various mixtures
Particolour: Including blue-cream, lilac-cream, chocolate tortoiseshell and tortoiseshell
Bicolour: Split into Van Persians (white coat with spots in two colours), Classic Persians (white legs and bellies, and a different colour on top) and Calico Persians (white base coat with patches of black and red)
Himalayan: A white base coat, with different coloured tips of ears, points of faces and other extremities

Vet in blue scrubs holding white fluffy Persian kitten.

Buying a Persian kitten

Persian cat kittens grow and develop relatively slowly, reaching full maturity between 2-3 years old.

When you pick up your new Persian cat kitten, be sure to ask the breeder what food to give them when you first take them home.

All kittens should be vet-inspected, vaccinated against feline distemper and cat distemper, and dewormed when you pick them up. You should also ask when their next vaccination and deworming treatment is due.

Learn more about caring for your kitten, including how to settle them into their new home.

Persian cat insurance with Agria

With Agria, it's lifetime, every time

At Agria, we believe pet insurance should last your pet’s lifetime. Our policies provide lifelong vet fees cover for illnesses and injuries. This means that, provided your policy is renewed each year, your maximum benefit will be refreshed, providing cover for ongoing conditions.

So, whatever happens throughout your Persian cat's life, we’ll always be there for you and your cat!

Agria Pet Insurance has been awarded 'best pet insurance overall' from The Telegraph.

Up to £20,000 towards vet bills every year

So your cat can get the care they need.

We pay 98% of claims*

And we can pay your vet directly, so you can focus on your cat.

No increase in your premiums when you claim

So you don’t have to worry about the cost of insurance when you go to the vet.

Free vet video calls, 24/7

Which means help is always on hand if you’re worried.

Get a quote

Get a 5% multi-pet discount when you insure more than one pet with us.

*Based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between November 2023 and May 2024.

Want to know about our insurance policies? From multi-pet coverage to pre-existing conditions, we have lifetime insurance options for cats, rabbits, horses, and dogs, including older dogs.