Persian cats, those gloriously maned creatures, were brought from the middle east by traders. Wagons traveled to western Europe with ware, jewels, gold, and carpets. But what really attracted the eye of the European was none other than the beautiful Persian cat.

Of unparalleled beauty, the Persian cat is and was a sight to behold. But deep within the nature of a Persian cat can lie a temperment that can be slightly difficult to manage, yet once you capture the heart of your Persian, it is yours forever to keep.

The things which are valuable to a person considering a Persian cat are the following:

• Initial cost: Persian cats are expensive! A typical breeder can charge up to $800. plus for a healthy kitten.

• Color: It can be difficult to procure the color of kitten you desire most. Greys and beige colors seem to be most popular. If you would like a certain color of cat, be patient. You may not get your purrfect kitty for awhile!

• Breeders: Bear in mind, you may need to develop a working relationship with a breeder out of state or even out of country! And shipping costs can be expensive! Some breeders might wish to have an ongoing relationship with you. Some may also have restrictions they write into a contract, such as not surgically removing your cat's nails.

• Cat Shows: Go to a CFA Persian cat show, this is your opportunity to meet other Persian cat breeders. It's possible there may even be some kittens available for sale at the show.

• CFA breed registration: Remember, it's not a Persian cat, unless it is CFA registered. This means that the bloodline has been determined and established. If you buy a kitten, make sure to register your cat right away. Sorry, even if it looks Persian, it isn't unless it has proper documents.

• Brushing: Persian cats require daily bruishing. Are you ready to brush your kitty daily? If your Persian cat is cotton-furred, which is a very soft type of fur, this is especially important as the fur can knot and become nappy. If the fur knots around the belly and under the arms and legs, you may not know it, but it can pull at their tender skin.

• Bathing: Ideally, Persians require monthly baths. In some cases, a degreaser is used. The author has heard of some people using baby powders to take away oils and untangle knots. Sometimes a color enhance is used next. The author uses a purple shampoo for her Persian to brighten the color-- making very sure not to get it on his face. For a darker Persian a different color enhancer should be used. Next shampoo and conditioner are applied. Grooming techniques vary, but eventually you will find one which suits you and your kitty. The most important point is monthly bathing is essential in keeping your cat's coat clean and free of tangles.

• Expected grooming costs: Even if you brush your Persian cat daily, you may find, depending on the difficulty of fur, that you have to bring your Persian to the groomers every 6 months to a year. Are you prepared to spend around $70. per visit twice or once a year?

• Flat-faced vs Traditional-faced Persians: There are two types of Persian: flat-faced and traditional. The one we, as Americans, are most familiar with is the flat-faced variety. This is actually an Americanized variety. It is not necessarily the true variety. It all comes down to personal preference.

• Issues pertaining to Persian eye and nasal drainages: Flat-faced Persians are cute, but they can have serious eye drainage around their faces, as well as nasal stuffiness. Some flat-faced Persians face health issues in the long run. Traditional Persians have a nose structure that allows proper drainage. Please note, the flatter the face on your Persian, the higher likelihood it may experience allergies and colds. Traditional Persian cats requires some amount of cleaning as well, as they are prone to eye muck.

• Persians as indoor cats: Persian are one of the most domesticated of all cats. They should not be outdoors cats. They were owned by kings and concumbines and deserve a quiet life, such as they were raised for. They were bred as ornamental cats, not cats for the outdoors. Although the author has seen an outdoors Persian, it is not something that aligns with their natural constitution. If you own a Persian, it is your right to keep your cat as you like. But please consider Persians tend to be very soft in body composition, as well as tempermental and nervous towards dangers and loud noises-- not exactly the proper makings for an alley cat. Not to mention, the nose structures of a Persian leave it vulnerable to infection from outdoor pollutants and dust. Also, a groomer once confided to the author that Persians whose fur is not tended to frequently enough, but who are left to roam outside, often arrive at her shop with maggots under the knots and naps.

I hope that this article has given some good information to those who long for a Persian. I now own a lovely cameo-colored Persian named Capsurr for three years now.

Some great websites pertaining to Persian cats are:

CFA- The Cat Fanciers' Association http://www.cfainc.org This website will help you with registering your cat, cat information, national cat shows, etc.

Persian cats LLC- An online community of Persian Cat Fans Everywhere http://www.persian-cats.com A great online forum made of Persian cat lovers who are very helpful with all questions. Breeders can be found here, too!