03.07.2022

The Persian cat grooming requirements 

Persians are famous for their beautiful, long coats that require constant attention, but how difficult is it to take care of their fur?

Untamed explains Persian cat grooming techniques and shows you how to properly care for these friendly and affectionate felines. We’ll also discuss ways to improve your Persian’s diet, which heavily affects their beauty, health, and longevity.

How to groom a Persian cat

Even though Persians groom themselves, their thick and luscious fur requires your attention as well. Since they have double-coats, they cannot reach far enough and can only clean the top layers. Without a regular grooming routine, your Persian’s coat becomes matted and greasy, potentially leading to painful skin irritation. 

Avoid these complications with a regular grooming routine consisting of:

1. Brushing
2. Bathing
3. Claw clipping
4. Teeth cleaning 

Brushing

Persians need thorough brushing sessions to keep their coats detangled and healthy. 

Gently brush your Persian with a wide-toothed metal comb starting at the back of their head and ending at the tail. It will remove excess hair and de-mat the first layer of their coat. If you decide to comb against the grain (a method that removes the undercoat more efficiently), be careful not to tug and pull too hard since it can cause discomfort.

If your Persian’s hair is matted, brush it gently by starting at the bottom and working your way up. De-matting with a metal comb can be painful, so observe how your Persian reacts. If they find it uncomfortable, switch to a mat splitter.

Bathing

Persian cats cannot stand water, so bathing tends to be an uncomfortable experience for them. 

Establish a routine and bathe your kitty once or twice a month to degrease their fur and eliminate dander (dead skin flakes). Get a vet-recommended shampoo and organic degreaser that’ll keep their coats silky but won’t irritate your feline’s eyes. 

Use bathing sessions to clean your cat’s eyes and ears. Due to their facial structure, Persians have sensitive eyes prone to tearing and improper tear drainage. Use damp cotton balls and gently tap until you’ve removed the discharge. 

I’m not getting close to that tub ever again!

Source: Maxim Mushnikov

Claw clipping

Clip your cat’s claws every 2–3 weeks using sharp, high-quality nail clippers. Since Persians are typically large felines, you should get bigger clippers to avoid injuries. Keep styptic powder close whenever you clip your feline’s nails—if you cut them too short, it’ll stop the bleeding right away.

Teeth cleaning

Poor dental hygiene can lead to more than bad breath—it can also cause serious health conditions. Oral bacteria can affect vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, causing further complications.

To prevent gum diseases and tooth loss, you should:

• Brush your Persian’s teeth with a vet-approved toothbrush 
• Give them dental food and avoid treats with sugar 

How to groom a fussy Persian cat

Persians are mild-tempered and well-behaved, but they won’t always be in the mood for a grooming session. Here's what you should do to make the ritual pleasant:

• Get them used to grooming from kittenhood—If you’re adopting a Persian kitten, start their grooming routine as soon as possible to get them used to it 
• Don’t miss sessions—Once you’ve established a routine, don’t skip it. Cats are creatures of habit and don't respond well to surprises and sudden changes
• Use treats—Treats aren’t only meant to be a training tool. You can also use them to calm your cat and distract them during a grooming session. Use healthy treats to avoid weight problems and indigestion

Dear diary, today they tried to take my precious fur with something they call “a comb”...

Source: Mariam Soliman

Is shedding normal in Persian cats?

Persian cats shed more than other felines. They lose their thick fur all year round, but seasonal shedding is when your house might be covered in cat hair.

Even though changing the undercoat is normal, excessive hair loss can come from an underlying issue. It can also be a huge problem for allergic cat parents because Persians aren’t hypoallergenic. 

If your kitty is losing too much hair, you should address the issue immediately with the help of your vet. Check out the common causes of hair loss in Persians in the table below:

Maintain a healthy coat with a proper diet

Felines are obligate carnivores and should get their calories from meat. It's the only way to keep them healthy and happy.

The essential nutrients your Persian’s food should have are:

1. Animal protein
2. Animal fat

Animal protein

Your cat’s food should contain ample amounts of animal protein since it delivers essential amino acids, including taurine and arginine, that:

• Provide energy
• Maintain a shiny coat (hair is composed of about 98% protein)
• Ensure a functioning immune system

In the wild, cats used to hunt fresh prey, such as rodents, birds, frogs, and rabbits. Even though they’ve been domesticated, felines still require a high-protein diet. Their meal plan should closely resemble their natural eating habits. 

Felines metabolise animal protein far more efficiently than plant-based protein. Meat and vegetables have strikingly different biological values (BVs show how efficiently cats metabolise the protein from a particular source).

The BVs of the most common protein sources in cat food are:

Animal fat

Animal fat is a viable secondary energy source for felines. It’s rich in fatty acids, including linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help:

• Maintain the integrity of cell membranes 
• Improve your feline’s healing response
• Reduce shedding and keep your cat’s coat sleek

Animal fat makes even the pickiest of felines who avoid wet food change their minds because they find its smell and taste irresistible. 

Fat delivers twice as many calories as protein, so it shouldn’t exceed 20% of your Persian’s daily food intake. Overconsumption can lead to obesity and related health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

Oh boy, that fatty goodness tastes like heaven! May I have some more?

Source: dongwon3164

Are carbs bad for Persians?

Unlike humans, cats cannot efficiently turn carbs into energy. It’s high in calories, hurts their tummies, and causes rapid weight gain.

When choosing cat food for your Persians, skip the products with:

• Carb-rich ingredients (grains, cereals, and sugar)
• Meat derivatives 
• Common allergens

These ingredients can have a poor effect on your Persian’s coat, trigger food allergies, and reflect badly on their overall health.

What’s the ideal diet for your Persian cat?

Check out the following table for the ideal nutrient ratio in cat food:

High-quality cat food made from lean meat and fish contains all necessary vitamins and minerals, so there's no need to add supplements to your kitty’s diet. Avoid products with added micronutrients because it indicates the use of subpar main ingredients.

There are various types of cat food, including dry, mixed, raw, and homemade, but wet food in the form of gravy and jelly typically has the best nutrient ratio and enough moisture to keep your Persian fit and satisfied.

How can Untamed help with Persian cat grooming?

We understand how crucial your Persian's diet is for their beauty and well-being, so our products are made by the following rules:

• High amounts of protein—Our meals have double the amount of protein compared to the industry standard
• Human-grade ingredients—We use meat and fish from the human supply chain and not meat derivatives and other fillers. Our food is highly digestible, whether your Persian is a weaned-off kitten or a senior
• Vet-formulated recipes—We’ve cooperated with vets to ensure each recipe, whether Chocka Chicken, Tuck-in Tuna, or Full-on Fishy, caters to your feline’s biological needs
• Sustainable production—One of our biggest priorities is leaving the planet a safe place for future kitties and humans. We use 100% recyclable packaging and source our meat and fish from ethical suppliers
• Fussy kitty-approved—If your Persian kitty is a finicky eater, open a can of Untamed wet food and see them transform into a foodie. Our two delicious variants—jelly and gravy—will make them go wild for the taste

Untamed offers delicious and healthy recipes, purrrfect for your Persian’s unique biology. 

Image (c) Untamed

Create a tailor-made meal plan for your feline depending on their life stage, sensitivities, and preferences by taking our quiz today!

What changes can you expect after switching your Persian to Untamed?

Positive changes in your Persian will be visible soon after changing their diet. Cat parents whose furry friends have tried our products report the following results:

Get Untamed right away!

Ordering an Untamed taster pack online is a straightforward three-step process. You should:

1. Visit our Try Now page
2. Tell us more about your Persian cat
3. Place your order

Your taster pack will be with you in a day, and your kitty can decide on their favourite dish. Once they’ve wolfed down the trial pack, we can provide regular monthly supplies with no extra shipping fees. You can feel free to change, postpone, or cancel orders at your convenience from your account!