Before Getting a Persian Cat

Your Persian cat will depend on you throughout its life which is typically about 15 to 20 years. Can you properly care for a Persian cat and provide a stable home for its lifetime? Statistics show that over 50 percent of all cats change owners at least once in their lifetime. Do you find that statistic as appalling and alarming as we do?

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Can You Afford a Persian Cat?

The initial purchase price of your Persian is not the most expensive cost as there are other costs over the cat's lifetime. Those costs include food, litter pans, litter, toys, scratching post and/or cat trees, and veterinary care. Veterinary care (without taking into consideration any catastrophic health problems) will run you about $100 - $300 per year. Preventive and consistent care is vitally important to your Persian's overall health. If you cannot afford veterinary care, you should not get a Persian cat. Additionally, depending on where you live, you will need to budget anywhere from $70 - $300 to get your Persian cat spay or neutered. Even if your Persian is an indoor cat, it should still have all of its vaccinations including rabies. Many people believe that because their cat is an indoor cat, it does not need a rabies vaccination. However, have you considered what will happen to you and/or your Persian if your cat bit someone while in your home? First of all, the authorities will remove your Persian cat from your home and quarantine it for about 90 days (at at cost to you for boarding and care), if on the off chance your cat shows signs of rabies it will be destroyed. In my opinion, your Persian, whether an indoor or an outdoor cat, needs to be kept current on all its vaccinations, including rabies. Check with your veterinarian to find out what vaccinations are required by law in your area.

What Breed of Cat is Best For You?

Of course, we believe the Persian cat is the best breed of cat. However, a Persian is not the best fit for everyone. All kittens are cute and most people fall in love with a cat or kitten because of its look. However, you need to consider the breed characteristics of each breed. For example: how much grooming will the cat require, how much will it shed, how playful or active is the breed, how big will the cat get? Do you need a cat that gets along well with children or elderly people? Do you need a cat that gets along with your dog? Do you desire a cat that is calm and loves to cuddle and will sleep with you at night? These are just a few of the things to consider before bringing a cat home.

Should You Get a Kitten or an Adult Cat?

Many people when considering whether or not to get a cat will only consider getting a kitten. Here are a few reasons why an adult cat may work for you:

While kittens are just so adorable and cute, there can be some disadvantages of getting a kitten instead of an adult cat. Initially, kittens require more time from you. You will need to make sure that they consistently use a litter box, kittens go through a "teenage" phase where sometimes they can become an unstoppable bundle of energy, kittens require several visits with a veterinarian because they usually need a series of vaccinations in the first 6 months of life, including getting the kitten spay or neutered, and it can be difficult to tell what personality a kitten will have when it grows into adulthood. If you decide to get a kitten it should not leave its mother and littermates until it is at least 8 weeks of age. While some states require 8 weeks of age, most kittens are really not consistently using a litter box at this age. Many reputable breeders will not allow their kittens to be placed into a new home until it is 12 weeks or more.

Should You Get a Male or Female?

Normally, in cats, there is not a difference in temperament and personality between the sexes. Neither is more affectionate, more intelligent, more calm, more playful, etc. It just depends on the individual cat. That being said, if you do not spay or neuter your cat you will have problems. An unaltered female cat, when in heat, will usually howl and/or cry out constantly until they cycle out of heat. They can also "spray" (urinate) on the walls. An unaltered male will spray on your walls and furniture. This urine has a strong and foul odor. An unaltered male, if it is an outdoor cat, will want to roam and he will get into fights with other cats (more vet bills). Basically, it is best to have your cat spay or neutered as they make much better pets and companions as they are not constantly fighting mother nature's call to mate.

Purebred or Mixed Breed Cat?

Many people are attracted to purebreds because they want a particular color, size, or hair length. For example, you might be interested in a Persian because you like the long hair or a Maine Coon because you want a big cat with lots of coat. However, you can find a big, long-haired mixed breed cat or other cats of any particular size and/or look that you might be interested in. Contact your local animal shelter and ask what they have available. About 98% of the cats in shelters are mixed breed cats.

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