Persian care: coat, bathing, eyes and tear stains

A long, silky coat is the Persian's calling card and also the main piece of “homework” for its owner. Unlike most cats, a Persian can't keep its coat in order on its own, and its eyes need daily attention. The good news: once grooming becomes a habit, it doesn't take long and turns into a pleasant ritual for you both.

Daily combing

GCCF recommends combing a Persian every day with a metal comb for 5–10 minutes. The basic kit:

• a wide-toothed comb for the first pass;
• a fine-toothed comb for finishing, the face and the legs;
• a rubber grooming mitt to pick up loose hairs at the end.

Comb from head to tail, section by section, reaching right down to the skin, because that's where mats start. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears, under the “armpits,” on the belly, between the hind legs and on the “trousers.” International Cat Care points out that the skin in the armpits and on the inner hind legs is very thin and sensitive, so work especially gently there.

Get your kitten used to the comb early: short sessions, treats and praise, and stop before the kitten starts to wriggle away. Never hold a cat down by force.

Dealing with mats

Gently tease a small mat apart with your fingers, working from the base toward the tips and holding the hair near the skin so you don't pull. Never cut mats out with scissors: in matted fur it's very easy to catch the skin. If there are many mats, or they lie tight against the body, see a groomer or a vet. Sometimes the coat has to be carefully clipped, and some cats need sedation for this, which is the vet's decision.

Stress-free bathing

Unlike most cats, Persians sometimes really do need a bath: long hair gets greasy and dirty faster. GCCF recommends bathing Persians occasionally and using a conditioner so the coat doesn't dry out. A few rules:

• use only shampoo and conditioner made for cats;
• comb the cat thoroughly before the bath, because water tightens mats even further;
• use warm, not hot, water; don't pour it over the head, and wipe the face with a damp cloth instead;
• rinse very thoroughly and dry the coat with a towel and a hair dryer on a warm, not hot, setting, combing as you dry.

Introduce water early and gradually. If bathing is very stressful for your cat, discuss alternatives with a groomer.

Eyes and tear stains

Because of the shape of the face, a Persian's tears often don't drain through the tear ducts; instead they run down the fur and leave reddish-brown streaks. Wipe the eyes every day:

• with a soft cotton pad moistened with warm boiled water or an eye-care product made for pets;
• using a separate pad for each eye, wiping away from the inner corner;
• without touching the eye itself;
• then pat the fur dry, because constant moisture irritates the skin.

Don't use human products or eye drops unless a vet prescribes them. Take your cat to the vet if the discharge turns yellow, green or thick, or if the eye looks red or cloudy, or your cat squints or paws at it.

Facial folds and hygiene

Gently wipe the fold above the nose with a damp cloth and dry it so moisture and dirt don't build up. The long hair under the tail soils easily, so many owners ask a groomer to trim it neatly, a so-called sanitary trim. Check this area every day as you comb.

Claws, teeth and skin

A VetCompass study published in 2019 covered more than 3,000 Persians under veterinary care in the UK. The most common problems were coat disorders, gum disease, overgrown claws and eye discharge. So:

• trim the claws every 2–3 weeks or as needed;
• get your cat used to having its mouth checked, and have the teeth assessed by your vet at routine visits;
• check the skin as you comb: dandruff, bald patches, redness or crusts are a reason to see the vet.

Persians are prone to ringworm (dermatophytosis), which can spread to people, so diagnosis and treatment should be left to a vet.

The bottom line

A daily comb-through, clean eyes, a tidy rear end and regular checks: these four habits keep a Persian comfortable. Start early, keep sessions short and reward your kitten.

Learn more about the breed on the breed page, and about checkups and tests in “Persian health”. Available kittens, if there are any, are among our kittens of the breed, and if there are none right now, join the waitlist.