01.07.2022

All you need to know about the black Persian cat

The black Persian cat, along with other felines of this breed, is one of the oldest cats in the world. Known for their long, luscious coats, chubby faces, and friendly demeanour, Persian kitties have gained huge popularity among cat lovers. 

Before adopting one, read our guide to discover this feline’s origins, physical and psychological traits, and the best way to take care of them.

Black Persian cats—the origin story

It’s believed that black Persian felines come from Iran, previously known as Persia. Ancestors of today’s modern black Persians came to Europe—more precisely Italy—in the 17th century and looked pretty different than today. Although they had signature long hair, their faces weren’t as flat and chubby. The modern features began to develop in 19th-century England.

Black Persian cats became popular among the noble class in Great Britain because most breeds were short-haired at the time, and Persians turned into a fashion trend. The luxurious long-haired feline gained even more fame once cat shows became all the rage. The first Persian to cross to America was black, so this colour stayed the most common and recognisable for the breed. 

I don’t want to brag, but I’m a bit of a celebrity in the cat world.

Source: Reba Spike

In the late 19th century, black Persians were the first to be recognised as a separate breed. Today, they remain one of the most well-known purebreds in the world.

The appearance of black Persian cats

Here’s a quick overview of the most distinctive black Persian’s physical characteristics, namely:

1. Body type and size
2. Coat texture and colour
3. Head

Body type and size

All Persians are usually short and chubby, with sturdy legs and thick necks. They’re medium to large and have pronounced muscle tone. Females usually weigh 3–4.5kg and males around 4–6kg.

The black Persian is usually taller and larger than other kitties of this breed. 

Coat texture and colour

Some black Persian cats have rougher, wool-like coats, while others have rich, silky hair. Their coats have two layers—a short undercoat and a long topcoat, which results in consistent shedding and frequent hairballs. 

Not all black Persians have the same colouring. Check out the following table for the varieties within this colour:

This breed also comes in cream, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell, lilac, chocolate, and blue. 

Look at my striking coat, hooman! Isn’t it gorgeous?

Source: Suna Onne

Head

All Persians have large, round heads with a flat forehead, nose, and chin. Their ears are small, rounded at the tips, and tilted forward.

The eyes are prominent and full, typically in one of the following colours:

• Copper
• Amber
• Gold
• Orange
• Yellow
• Green

The personality of black Persian cats

Thanks to their elegant looks, Persian cats are often considered divas of the cat world. Although they are somewhat high-maintenance because of their thick fur and breed-specific health issues, their mild temperament and affectionate nature make them excellent companions.

The personality of black Persian cats is no different than that of other Persians—they’re social, docile, and curious. They’re not likely to throw tantrums or climb your drapes, which makes them a perfect fit for cat parents with kids and other animals. They’re energetic enough to love playtime and games but don’t cause ruckus and love to take long naps.

Even though Persians aren’t prone to violent outbursts, such as hissing or biting, they like their peace. When surrounded by noise and commotion, they can get irritated and resort to “mean” behaviour.

If you look past our striking colours, you’ll realise we’re all equally loveable. 

Source: Reba Spike

Are there special grooming techniques for Persians of different colours?

Regardless of their colour, you should create a regular grooming schedule to keep your Persian’s coat healthy and beautiful. If left ungroomed, it will quickly become matted and greasy, which causes excessive shedding. Since Persians are not hypoallergenic, a messy coat can become a problem for cat parents prone to allergies. 

The essentials of Persian grooming are:

• Brushing—Brush your Persian daily with a wide-toothed comb. If you run into mats, don’t tug on them since it could be painful and result in bald spots, which will traumatise your kitty. Try to gently detangle them using your fingers or a de-matting tool
• Trimming—If your Persian’s coat becomes too tangled and makes them uncomfortable, take them to a grooming salon for a haircut. The most typical Persian haircut is "lion's cut", which keeps their body fur short, while their tail, head, and legs remain fluffy
• Nail-clipping—If you have an indoor Persian, you should trim their claws due to the lack of friction they would otherwise get outside. You can also get a scratching post, so your kitty can maintain their nails naturally
• Bathing—You might need to bathe your feline occasionally since their thick fur collects dust and dirt, often resulting in a greasy coat. Get them used to water from kittenhood to avoid tantrums whenever you run a bath for them
• Eye and ear cleaning—Persians’ eyes are quite teary, which leads to under-eye stains. Clean their eyes and ears gently using cotton balls and warm water 
• Teeth brushing—Persians often suffer from dental issues because of their bite and teeth alignment. Brush your cat’s teeth daily and feed them dental cat food to prevent tooth loss or gingivitis

To improve your Persian’s overall health and fur quality, make sure their diet is high in protein and other essential nutrients.

The best diet for your black Persian kitty

With a high-quality, well-balanced diet, your black Persian will get all the nutrients they need to thrive. Your kitty’s diet should resemble their natural feeding habits.

Before they were domesticated, cats primarily fed on: 

• Birds
• Mice and other rodents
• Slugs and snails
• Frogs
• Insects 

Since catching fresh prey is not a safe option for your feline, feeding them lean meat and fish is the best way to mimic their natural diet. The key ingredients in cat food are:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat
3. Vitamins and minerals

Animal protein

Meat is the primary source of energy for your Persian and contains all essential amino acids, including taurine and arginine, they need for:

• Strong muscles
• Normal organ function
• Healthy skin and coat

These are the best sources of protein for your feline:

Pay attention to the ingredients list before purchasing cat food. The first ingredient should always be meat or fish. If a product contains vegetables, grains, meat derivatives, artificial colouring, or unnecessary additives, don't include it in your feline's diet.

Even though rice, sweetcorn, soya, beans, peas, carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes aren’t toxic or harmful to cats, these ingredients won’t provide your Persian with sufficient nutrients for a long and healthy life. As obligate carnivores, cats need enormous amounts of vegetables to make up for the missing protein, which could result in obesity and diabetes.

I’m a carnivore, not a vegan! I’ll have the meat, and you can have the tofu!

Source: Dan Wayman

Animal fat

Animal fat makes cat food taste incredible. Since Persian cats are notorious for their fussiness and often refuse to eat wet, dry, or mixed food, moderate amounts of fat will fix the problem straight away. One sniff of fatty goodness, and they won’t be able to resist their meal.

Animal fat also contains the essential fatty acids, which contribute to cell structure maintenance, efficient immune response, and skin and coat health. Check the details in the table below: 

Vitamins and minerals

A diet rich in high-quality meat, especially the liver, has all the right micronutrients your Persian kitty requires. Supplements in cat food indicate the meat content is low and lacks quality. Artificial vitamins and minerals shouldn't be added to a cat's diet before consulting the vet.

Recommended nutrient ratio for Persians

A proper diet should contain the following nutrient ratio:

Looking for the best food for your black Persian cat? Try Untamed!

Untamed offers the perfect balance of the right nutrients and great taste!

Our wet food comes in jelly and gravy and is made from human-grade meat and fish to support your feline's healthy digestion, muscle tone, and general health.

Your black Persian will enjoy a diet that's:

1. High in protein—Our products contain over 60% whole meat, including chicken, turkey, duck, liver, mackerel, tuna, salmon, and shrimp. The protein content in all Untamed meals is twice as high as in most other commercial products
2. Free of allergens—All our recipes are free from any known allergens, such as dairy and grains. If your Persian struggles with food allergies, we have two single-source-protein meals, Chocka Chicken in Jelly and Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly
3. Easy on the tummy—There are no questionable meat derivatives, plant proteins, or harsh additives in our formulas since they could be hard to digest and cause stomach sensitivities. We gently steam prime cuts of meat and fish, making them tender and preserving all the nutrients 
4. Vet-formulated—Untamed recipes are formulated by vets to ensure your Persian gets complete and balanced meals
5. Ethically made—We use recyclable packaging and get our meat and fish from dolphin-safe and sustainable suppliers 

Whether you wish to help your black Persian kitten develop, maintain their health throughout adulthood, or reach their senior years with zero fuss, Untamed will deliver!

Untamed is a healthy and delicious source of joy for your black Persian kitty.

Image (c) Untamed

What can you expect from Untamed?

Our products are fit for all felines, regardless of their age, gender, or breed. Untamed meals can help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of some common health niggles, including diabetes, bladder stones, UTIs, and arthritis.

Persian cat parents who’ve already made the switch to our products have helped us keep track of the Untamed effect:

Order our trial pack!

Get our taster pack online right away by following these steps:

1. Tell us about your Persian
2. Select the products
3. Place the order

Your work here is done—we’re happy to take over!

We offer:

• Free one-day shipping
• Monthly supplies delivered to your doorstep
• No-fuss modification of orders
• No-questions-asked cancellation policy