White Persian Kitten

Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Although they are beautiful and sweet, Persians are prone to a number of potential health problems, most commonly related to their facial structure:

• Breathing difficulty or noisy breathing caused by constricted nostrils
• Dental malocclusions, meaning the teeth don’t mesh well together
• Excessive tearing
• Eye conditions such as cherry eye and entropion
• Heat sensitivity
• Polycystic kidney disease, for which a genetic test is available
• Predisposition to ringworm, a fungal infection
• Seborrhea oleosa, a skin condition that causes itchiness, redness and hair loss

The most important thing to understand about caring for a Persian is the need for daily grooming. That long, beautiful coat doesn’t stay clean and tangle-free on its own. It must be gently but thoroughly combed and brushed every day, and regular bathing—at least once a month—is a good idea.