Persian Cat Care: Grooming, Eyes and Daily Routine
Persian cat care guide: daily grooming to prevent mats, gentle eye cleaning, face folds, heat, diet and health checks for this long-haired, flat-faced breed.
Quick answer
A Persian needs combing every day to keep its long coat from matting, and a gentle clean around the eyes and face every day too. Keep it in a cool home indoors, and take it for regular vet checks for the problems the breed is known for, such as kidney cysts, crowded teeth and trouble breathing. Most are calm and affectionate. Even so, the coat and the flat face put Persians among the most work of any cat breed.
Know the breed before you start
Persians are medium-sized, solid cats, typically around 3–5.5 kg (7–12 lb). They're known for being quiet and gentle, and most would rather have a steady routine and a comfortable lap than climb and hunt. With good care, many live into their teens.
Two things set them apart from other cats.
The coat is a long topcoat over a dense, soft undercoat that tangles easily.
The face is brachycephalic (short). It ranges from a moderate "doll face" to the very flat "extreme" or "peke" face. The flatter the face, the more likely the cat is to have trouble with breathing, tear overflow, eye injuries and teeth. If you're choosing a kitten, a moderate face with open nostrils is kinder to the cat.
Daily grooming routine
Persian care rests on a few minutes of grooming every day. Keep it calm and make it worth the cat's while from kittenhood.
What you need:
- A wide-toothed metal comb
- A fine-toothed metal comb
- A soft slicker brush (used gently; cat skin is thin)
- Round-ended grooming scissors or clippers for tidying, used with care
- Unscented baby wipes or soft cloths for the face and rear
How to do it:
- Start with the wide-toothed comb, working in small sections right down to the skin, not just across the surface.
- Go over it again with the fine comb to catch smaller tangles.
- Pay extra attention to the places mats love: behind the ears, under the front legs (armpits), the belly, the inner thighs, the "trousers" round the back legs and under the tail.
- Finish by checking the rear end for stuck faeces. A small sanitary trim around the bottom helps a lot.
- Reward with a treat or play.
Dealing with mats
You can often tease small tangles apart with your fingers and the wide comb. Never cut a mat out with scissors close to the skin. Mats pull the skin up into them and it's very easy to cut the cat. Get large or tight mats clipped out by a professional groomer or your vet. A badly matted coat hurts and can hide skin infections, so don't leave it.
Bathing
Plenty of Persians do better with a bath every few weeks so the coat doesn't get greasy, especially show cats, though some owners get by with combing alone. If you bathe:
- Comb out every tangle first, because water tightens mats.
- Use a shampoo made for cats.
- Rinse well, then dry completely with towels and a low, warm dryer setting. A damp undercoat can mat and chill the cat.
Eye and face care
Persians have prominent eyes, and their tear ducts often don't drain well. As a result, many have tears spilling over all the time, which stains the fur and can make the skin sore.
Daily face routine:
- Wipe gently from the inner corner of each eye outwards with cotton wool or a soft cloth dampened with clean, lukewarm water.
- Use a fresh piece for each eye so you don't spread any infection.
- If your cat has a skin fold above the nose, clean and dry it. Trapped moisture irritates the skin.
- Don't use products that aren't made for use around the eyes.
Get a vet to look if you see squinting or one eye kept shut, redness, cloudiness, a visible scratch, or discharge turning thick, yellow or green. Prominent eyes are easily injured and prone to ulcers, which need treating promptly.
Breathing and heat
Short-faced cats can have narrow nostrils and a crowded airway. Noisy breathing, snoring and a bit less stamina are common in the breed. A cat breathing with its mouth open is never normal, though, and needs urgent attention.
The thick coat and short airway also mean Persians handle heat badly. Keep them indoors in a cool, well-ventilated room, with cool tile or a cooling mat to lie on. Avoid travelling or handling them in the hottest part of the day, and keep fresh water available at all times.
Feeding
- Feed a complete, balanced cat food in measured portions. Persians aren't very active and put on weight easily.
- Some flat-faced cats find certain kibble shapes easier to pick up, or prefer wet food. Wide, shallow bowls help.
- Wet food or a water fountain gets more water into the cat, which is good for the kidneys and bladder.
- A hairball-control diet or supplement may help some long-haired cats, but daily combing does more.
Health checks to know about
Talk to your vet about these breed-associated issues:
| Issue | What to know |
|---|---|
| Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) | An inherited condition causing cysts in the kidneys. A DNA test exists; ask breeders for evidence that parents tested negative. |
| Dental problems | A short jaw can crowd the teeth. Regular dental checks and, if your cat tolerates it, tooth brushing help. |
| Eye problems | Tear overflow, ulcers and eyelid problems are more common in flatter faces. |
| Breathing difficulty | Linked to narrow nostrils and a short airway. |
| Skin problems | Mats, greasy coat and skin-fold irritation, especially if grooming lapses. |
A check-up every year, and more often for older cats, catches kidney and dental problems early.
A sample daily and weekly routine
- Every day: comb the full coat, clean the eyes and face fold, scoop the litter tray, fresh water and measured meals, play for 10–15 minutes.
- Every week: check ears and claws, look in the mouth, check the rear end and trim if needed, weigh your cat if you can.
- Every few weeks: bath if needed, claw trim, sanitary trim.
- Every year: vet check and vaccines as advised.
For general set-up and first-week advice, see the cat care guide for beginners. If you are buying, our guide on how to choose a healthy kitten explains what to check before you commit.
In Pakistan
Persians are among the most popular pet cats in Pakistan. Kittens are sold under all sorts of labels, such as "doll face", "punch face", "triple coat" or "imported". These are sales terms and prove nothing about quality. Judge the kitten's health, the seller's records and the parents instead. Prices vary hugely by city, age and lineage, so compare several sellers rather than trusting one quote. Summers across much of the country are very hot, and power cuts can knock out fans and air conditioning. Plan a cool room, keep the coat free of mats, and think about a light trim from a skilled groomer before the worst of the heat.
Looking for a Persian kitten from a verified seller? Browse cats on Paalo.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I brush a Persian cat?
Daily is best. A Persian's long, fine undercoat tangles quickly, and a few minutes every day prevents mats far more easily than dealing with them once they form.
Why do Persian cats have tear stains?
Their flat faces and shallow eye sockets mean tears often overflow onto the fur instead of draining normally. Gentle daily cleaning keeps the area clean and comfortable. A sudden increase in discharge, a change in colour, or squinting should be checked by a vet.
Should I shave my Persian cat in summer?
A full shave is not usually necessary if the coat is kept free of mats, and it should only ever be done by a skilled groomer or vet, as cat skin is thin and easily cut. A tidy 'lion cut' or belly and sanitary trim can help some cats in very hot climates. Keeping the cat in a cool room matters more.
