Persian cats are highly admired for their majestic coat, doll-like eyes, and endearing personalities. As a pedigree breed, they have specific needs and require proper care to live a full and healthy life. Learn more about Persian cat care with the help of this article.
Importance of Eye Care in Persian Cats
The Persian cat is considered as a brachycephalic cat breed. Thus, they sport a flat face and a stubby nose. Because of this distinctive physical feature, it can cause them to develop health-related issues. In some cases, Persian cats that are extremely flat-faced have undeveloped tear ducts. As a result, their eyes are prone to constant eye draining.
Since they have watery eyes, their tears usually oxidise and form into a brown viscous sludge, which is called as browning. It can cause dirty staining on their fur. Eye irritation caused by allergens and pollens can also cause this condition. If you disregard browning, it can lead to serious bacterial infection. Therefore, it is crucial for you to clean your Persian cat’s eyes on a daily basis.
How to Care for a Persian Cat’s Eyes
Cleaning your feline friend’s eyes is a simple process. However, she might not be fond of this at first since it’s a new experience for her. So make sure to stay patient and calm. Avoid scolding your cat and strive to make it a positive experience. Below are the items needed and a step-by-step guide on how to clean your Persian cat’s eyes:
What You Need:
- Lukewarm water
- Cotton pads
Step 1:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them. This is to prevent any bacteria on your hands from transferring to your feline friend.
Step 2:
Dip the cotton pad in lukewarm water. Then, gingerly wipe it under her eyes. Avoid wiping the cotton pad near to your cat’s eyes since this may cause eye irritation. For similar reasons, be careful not to touch her eyes too.
Remember to change cotton pads when you start cleaning her other eye. By doing so, you are minimising the threat of spreading bacteria between each eye.
Step 3:
Once you are wiping your furry friend’s eyes, use dry and clean cotton pads or soft tissues to dry her fur.
Importance of Bathing Your Persian Cat
Since Persian cats have long coats, the base of their coat is prone to oil build-up. It can cause dirt, grime, and other debris to stick on your feline friend’s fur. Bathing your cat when required will help in maintaining her coat neat and clean. This is also a good time to check if your cat has mites, ticks, or fleas.
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How to Bathe a Persian Cat
Step 1:
Persian cats are not usually a fan of water. Avoid of using cold water; set the warm water to 37°C to 38°C or 98.5°F to 100.5°F when you are bathing your cat. The warm temperature of the water helps in making her bathing experience more relaxed.
Step 2:
Avoid directly sloshing water on your furry friend. Instead, gently wet and soak her with warm water. This way, she will gradually feel at ease, feeling the water on her skin.
Step 3:
Once your cat feels relaxed and confident in the water, start applying an appropriate amount of specialised pet shampoo on her coat. Make sure that it is mild to prevent damaging your furry friend’s skin.
Step 4:
Rinse the shampoo off your cat’s body by pouring warm water with the use of a jar or jug. Be careful not to get the shampoo or the water on her face. If your cat is dirtier than usual, you can lather them again with shampoo. You also have the option to use a conditioner that is safe for your cat once you’ve washed off the shampoo from her coat. The conditioner helps in softening her coat and hinders matting and tangles from forming.
Step 5:
Dry your cat thoroughly using two towels. Use the first one to absorb most of the water collected on your cat’s fur. Then, use the second one to blot the remaining water completely.
The Importance of Brushing a Persian Cat
Although Persian cats are keen on self-grooming, their coats still need to be brushed daily. Since they have such thick coats, their licking and scratching are not enough to remove the moulting hairs or untangle matted fur. Combing and brushing their fur will solve these problems. Moreover, it can lower the risk of your furry friend from experiencing hairballs and also give you the opportunity to check for lice and ticks.
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How to Brush a Persian Cat
Disentangling knots and snarled hairs is one of the most important things to do when brushing your cat. A Persian cat’s coat is prone to matting, and if left unmanaged, it would not only make her look unkempt but also at risk to skin infections. To prevent this from happening, prepare these grooming items and follow these steps:
What You Need:
- Wide-toothed comb
- Fine-toothed comb
- Toothbrush
- Stiff bristled brush
Step 1:
Use the wide-toothed comb to untangle knots and snarls. Keep in mind to be gentle to avoid hurting your cat. Aim to make this an enjoyable experience for her so that she will look forward to your daily brushing sessions.
Start combing from the top of your cat’s head. Then, work your way down to her back. Do not forget to include her tail and the fur behind her ears. In order to comb her chest down to her legs, shift her on her back. Make sure to brush in between her armpits and legs since the hairs in these areas tend to matt.
Step 2:
Proceed to use a fine-toothed comb to comb her undercoat. If you encounter knots and tangles, deal with them gently. To avoid causing pain and discomfort, hold the fur at the roots. Then, use your other hand to comb through the rest of the hair. After a few strokes, check the comb and clear away the fur stuck on it.
Step 3:
Use the toothbrush to comb through the hairs on your feline friend’s face. Since cats have sensitive faces, using a regular comb is not recommended. Brush the areas around his mouth, eyes, and nose. Remember to be gentle to avoid irritating your cat.
Step 4:
Use a stiff-bristled brush to fluff up his coat. Brush against the hair growth to not only make the coat downy but to also stimulate growth.
