Persian Cat Health: Common Problems & Proven Care Strategies

It is unfortunate that one of the most gorgeous cat breeds in the world is also at high risk of several health problems.

The Persian cat is easy to love because of its good looks and docile personality. Sadly, the breed is prone to health problems.

Did you know? More than two-thirds of Persian cats around the world suffer from a health problem.

I’ll be discussing the Persian cat health problems in this article.

In this post, you will learn

• Brief Overview Of The Persian Cat Breed
• Common Persian Cat Health Problems
• How To Care For Your Persian Cat

Let’s hit the road at once!

Brief Overview Of The Persian Cat Breed

Before discussing the Persian cat health problems, here’s an overview of the breed.

The Persian cat is a purebred of North American origin. It is usually bred for companionship.

You cannot miss this breed anywhere because of its luxurious long coat and cute flat face.

It is also popular for its quiet and sweet personality. This cat tolerates children and other pets but will appreciate some moments of solitude once in a while.

The male Persian weighs about 12 lbs. while the female weighs 8-12 lbs. They are usually 8.0”-10.0″ long and 14.5”-17.5” tall.

Their eyes can be blue, copper, green, hazel, or odd-eyed. Also, their long silky coat can take any colour including white, brown, red, calico, silver, cream, black, blue, tortoiseshell, and blue-cream, seal, etc.

Though not the healthiest breed, Persian cats can live up to 8-11 years.

Let’s see the health problems associated with this breed.

Tag along!

Common Persian Cat Health Problems

Interestingly, most of the Persian cat health problems stem from their flat face (brachycephalic) and a long coat.

The most common health problems of this breed are:

1. Breathing problems

Because of their compacted snout and airway, your Persian may have shortness of breath or noisy breathing.

2. Eye problems

Two eye problems are common with the Persian cat – Entropion and Cherry eye.

Entropion is when the eyelid rolls inwards, leading to injury or irritation of the eyeball. When your cat suffers this condition, he scratches around the eye area more often.

It is treated with surgery.

The Cherry eye is the irritation that happens when the third eyelid swells. You will then see a red mass at the corner of your cat’s eye. It is also treated with surgery.

There is also Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

This is the gradual deterioration of the retina following a group of eye conditions.

As the situation worsens, the cat goes from not being able to see at night to not being able to see at all.

If nothing changes in his environment, a blind Persian will still cope.

Excessive eye discharge or watering is also common in this breed.

3. Seborrhea Oleosa

Another Persian cat health problem is Seborrhea Oleosa, a skin condition.

Here, the cat’s skin is scaly, greasy, and smelly because skin cells are produced in outrageous amounts.

You may also notice itchiness, redness and hair loss.

Using medication and special shampoos will make the condition less severe.

4. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

This is a heritable condition characterized by the forming of fluid cysts in the kidneys, thus limiting their smooth functioning.

If PKD is not detected early, it can result in chronic renal failure.

Look out for these signs: excessive drinking, frequent urination, vomiting, poor appetite, and lethargy.

PKD is best diagnosed with Ultrasounds. And treatment options include a proper diet, medication and hormone therapy.

5. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Persian cats usually suffer this disease at an older age.

It is inherited and difficult to diagnose. There are different accompanying signs of this disease but most affected cats usually die before revealing any.

These signs include difficulty in breathing, coughing, fainting, anorexia, lethargy, and paralysis of the legs.

Where Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is discovered early with an echocardiogram, the patient can be treated with medication.

6. Liver Shunts

Liver shunts are also one of the Persian cat health problems, where blood flow to the liver is limited.

It can result in bladder stones and anaemia, giving the cat a stunted look.

The best treatment for the liver shunt is surgery.

Other health problems are:

• Dental disease especially Dental malocclusions, where the teeth don’t lock well together
• Ringworm
• Fungal infections
• Haircoat disorders
• Overgrown nails
• Heat sensitivity

Now that we have seen the health problems of Persian cats, let’s see how this breed can be catered for.

Keep reading!

How To Care For Your Persian Cat

We have already established that the Persian cat is prone to health problems.

However, with proper care, your cat can lead a healthy and happy life.

These tips will help:

1. Daily grooming – brush your cat’s coat every day to keep it tangle-free and matt-free. Bath your cat regularly as well, at least once in two months.
2. Maintain his litter box – it is easy for litter to get stuck in your cat’s nails or coat. Always check your cat after he does his business to ensure that nothing is out of place.

Properly clean up the litter box and on time too.

1. Brush his teeth – doing this daily will help prevent periodontal disease. If you can’t afford daily dental hygiene, ensure you brush your cat’s teeth every week.
2. Eye care – cleaning the corners of your cat’s eyes will help prevent excessive tearing and formation of under-eye stains.
3. Keep him indoors – your Persian is very reserved. Be wary of leaving him outside unsupervised.

He may not defend himself from other cats, dogs, coyotes, thieves, etc.

1. Trim his nails – Trim your cat’s nails regularly to prevent scratches and accumulation of dirt.
2. A little exercise is enough – the Persian cat is not hyperactive. Only a little exercise is enough to keep the heart pumping.

Therefore, cat toys will make a good investment for your pet.

1. Feed your Persian well – this is a no brainer. Giving your cat high-quality meals will keep him at optimal health and keep the diseases at bay.
2. Send him to the vet for a regular checkup – this way, health problems will be discovered early and tackled in time.

Conclusion

We have now come to the end of our discussion on the Persian cat health problems. I hope it was worth your time.

Now that you know these problems, you can show your furball better care. And if you are a breeder, you’re more equipped to reform the health of this breed. Great!

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions on the topic in the comments section.

Also, share this post with other cat lovers on your list, thank you!