Persian

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

The classic long-haired cat with a flat face, a round head and a quiet nature.

A Persian cat sitting, full body
Size
Medium
Weight
7 to 12 lb (3 to 5.4 kg)
Lifespan
12 to 17 years
Coat
Long, thick and flowing
Colors
Many: white, black, blue, cream, silver, tabby and more
Origin
Persia (Iran), developed in Britain and the United States
100% of the time, our scanner puts a Persian in its top three. It names it first 96% of the time. How we tested

What does a Persian look like?

Persians have a very long, thick coat, a full ruff and a short, cobby body on short legs. The face is flat, with a short nose, large round eyes and small, rounded ears set low on a round head. Older 'doll face' Persians have a longer nose than today's show cats.

Persian personality

Persians are calm, gentle and quiet. They like predictable homes and soft places to lounge.

How to care for a Persian

The coat needs daily combing, or it mats. Clean the eyes daily and watch for breathing problems linked to the flat face.

How do I know if my cat is a Persian?

A long coat with a flat face is the Persian look. With colorpoints and blue eyes, it is a Himalayan. With a short plush coat, it is an Exotic Shorthair. Long-haired house cats have a normal-length nose.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

Identify my cat

Breeds that look like the Persian

Himalayan HimalayanA long-haired Persian with Siamese points and blue eyes. Exotic Shorthair Exotic ShorthairA Persian in a short, plush coat: flat face, round eyes and a teddy-bear look. Turkish Angora Turkish AngoraA fine-boned, graceful cat with a silky coat, a plumed tail and often odd eyes.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my cat is a Persian?
Look for a flat face, a round head with small ears, and a long, thick coat. A long-haired cat with a normal nose is more likely a domestic longhair.
Do Persian cats need daily grooming?
Yes. Without daily combing, the long coat mats quickly.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat