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Persian cats are thought to be one of the most elegant and luxurious cat breeds. They are known for their magnificent flowing coats and uniquely flat faces. Ever since they were brought to the United States around the turn of the nineteenth century, Persian cats have been adored across the country. Today, they are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. They are also as expensive as they look, costing up to $5,500 in some cases. But why are Persian cats so adored? Turns out, they are an incredibly interesting breed with a fascinating history that spans over thousands of years! Now, let’s explore 10 fun facts about Persian cats.
1. Their Origin Isn’t Clear
Since the Persian cat breed is so old, its exact origins and how it was spread throughout the world is unclear. However, it is highly suspected that Persian cats originated in the Middle East. Though we can’t be sure, many researchers have approximated their original location to ancient Mesopotamia. The ancient Mesopotamian kingdom spanned from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. Today, this area is primarily known as the country of Iran.
Persian cats are thought to have existed in this area for thousands of years before eventually being introduced to Europe in the 1600s. Some evidence pointing to their origins in the Mesopotamia region, later Persian region, is their signature long hair. They likely developed long hair in the cold Zagros mountain range. No matter how this breed came to be, we are sure glad they did!
2. Persian Cats Have Won Many Awards
The first accredited cat show was held at the London Crystal Palace in 1871. At this event, several different breeds were showcased as being the finest of cats. The Persian was represented at the cat show along with other well-known breeds such as the Siamese. This event was no small feat; over 20,000 people were recorded as attending the event. In front of such a massive crowd and put up against some of the most prominent cat breeds in the world, a Persian cat was crowned the “Best in Show” award.
That was just the beginning of the Persian cat’s award-winning history. According to the Cat Fancier’s Association, the Persian cat has won the “Best of Show” award thirteen times at the International Cat Show since the show began its run in 1994. So, in its 26-year run (the show was not held in 2007 and 2010), a Persian cat has won half of the “Best of Show” awards. The Persian cat has proved over and over again how timeless its beauty is, by winning awards over the course of multiple centuries.
3. They Have Been Owned by Famous People
Throughout modern history, plenty of famous individuals have called a Persian cat their own. As one of many examples, Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing, was a massive fan of Persian cats. She is said to have owned over 60 cats throughout her lifetime, but one of the most mentioned is a Persian cat named Mr. Bismarck. As another example, pop culture icon and renowned actress Marilyn Monroe kept the company of a beautiful white Persian that she called Mitsou.
4. Persian Cats Have Been in Hollywood
Persian cats have been the face of the gourmet cat food brand Fancy Feast for over half a century. Considering Persian cats’ reputation for being beautiful and elegant, it is no surprise that they represent one of the classiest cat foods around. Fancy Feast represents their brand with a Dearheart Chinchilla Silver Persian. But their pop culture influence doesn’t stop with commercials.
Persian cats are also well-known for their role in the James Bond franchise. Supervillain Ernst Starvo Blofeld, also known by his codename Number 1, who has appeared in nine James Bond films including the 2021 film No Time to Die, is known to keep a white Persian cat in his company. Bond’s formidable foe is known to stroke his white Persian cat while construing his evil plans. They’ve made appearances in various other movies including the Cats & Dogs movie series and the 1985 live-action Alice in Wonderland movie as Alice’s beloved cat, Dinah.
5. They Are Featured in an Expensive Painting
Not only are Persian cats often the muse for cat-related artwork, but they were also featured in what has been dubbed the “world’s largest cat painting.” Weighing a staggering 227 pounds and measuring 75 by 102 inches, the oil painting by 19th-century Austrian artist Carl Kahler is adorably titled “My Wife’s Lovers.” The painting features 42 different cats (though Kahler’s wife is said to have had 350 cats in total).
Most of the cats featured in the painting are different variations of the Persian breed including the piece’s centerpiece, Kahler’s wife’s favorite cat named Sultan. The beautiful piece of art sold for a whopping $826,000, making it the most expensive cat painting on record. It is no surprise that the most expensive cat painting features one of the most lavish cat breeds.
6. Persian Cats Have a History With Royalty
Throughout history, royals have been drawn to the Persian cat for its magnificent and regal appearance. Queen Victoria of England who ruled over the United Kingdom for 63 years had a particular love of Persian cats. She had multiple Persian cats throughout her extensive rule. And it wasn’t just the British monarchy that was fond of Persian cats; they have been recorded as the French nobility’s companions throughout several different eras of rule.
It has even been rumored that King Louis XV, a French king known for his love of cats, was particularly fond of Persian cats. Here’s something to think about: are Persian cats viewed as elegant because of their association with royalty or are they associated with royalty because of their natural elegance? It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that so many royals and people of wealth were drawn to these luxurious-looking cats.
7. Persian Cats Come in Many Varieties
Persians are actually extremely versatile cats that come in a multitude of varieties. For example, their fur can be solid colored or patterned. You can find Persians of white, black, beige, cream, grey, blue, red, chocolate, orange, and more. They also can be found in various mixtures of colors like white and black, tortoiseshell, or calico. But that’s not where their variations end. Persian cats can also come in smaller toy and teacup versions! Finally, Persian cats can be shorthaired or longhaired. Since they have an incredibly broad range of appearances, it looks like there’s a Persian cat for everyone!
8. They Didn’t Always Have Flat Faces
Persian cats are often identified by their signature flat-looking faces. However, this is a relatively new genetic mutation in the Persian cat’s long history. The Persian used to have a more typical-looking face with a more prominent snout. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the genetic mutation of a flat face was first seen in a Persian cat. Breeders were a fan of this new development and decided to selectively breed the Persian cat to make a flat face a common feature.
As a result, Flat faces quickly became a desirable and signature trait for the Persian cat. However, some Persian cats still retain their original facial features. These cats are known as “doll-faced” or “traditional” Persian cats in contrast to flat-faced “show quality” or “ultra face” Persian cats. Persian cats with flatter faces are typically viewed as the breed standard for competitions.
9. Persian Cats Have Many Names
Persian cats have been known by multiple other names throughout history and even today! They used to be grouped with every other longhaired cat and referred to as simply an “Asiatic cat” before the 19th century. As an FYI, “Asiatic” refers to the origin point of Asia. Several cats were grouped under the title including Persians, Siamese, and Angoras cats. Later on in history and primarily due to their popularity among French nobility and the French in general, they were known as “French cats.”
Even today, Persian cats are not known by a uniform name. In the United Kingdom, they are generally referred to as “longhair cats.” In some places in the Middle East, they are known as the “Shirazi cat.” “Shirazi” generally refers to a city in Iran, the area where Persian cats are thought to have originated from. In the United States where they are extremely popular, they are most often referred to as Persian cats.
10. They Make Great Indoor Cats
If any cat is meant to be an indoor cat, it is the Persian cat. They thrive on a pampered, routine lifestyle. Persian cats do not do well outside as they tend to get twigs or other objects stuck in their coat. Also, they are not incredibly active cats, so they don’t enjoy exploring and running around like other cat breeds do. Instead, they tend to enjoy being spoiled in a safe, warm environment.
Persian cats are also known for being fairly lazy. They enjoy laying around and being pampered, truly embracing their royal roots. The Persian tends to be minimally destructive and relatively easy to care for (aside from grooming). A lot goes into taking care of a Persian cat. Their magnificent coat should be brushed daily to maintain its shine and prevent matting. Overall, they generally have a calm, relaxed temperament. This breed also tends to be very friendly and sociable. Because of their relaxed personalities, they make great indoor, lap pets!
Final Thoughts
Persian cats are extremely elegant and well-tempered cats. It is no wonder that they have captivated humans for centuries and piqued the interest of many famous people. What’s more is they’ve become icons themselves! Persian cats have delighted audiences in commercials, movies, paintings and so much more. Between their charming personalities and natural beauty, they are truly an amazing breed of cats.
Sources
https://weareallaboutcats.com/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/
https://www.iranicaonline.org/
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
