Frequently Asked Questions

By the time you take your new kitten home, it will be accustomed to getting a bath and having its nails trimmed. I start them young and recommend bathing them twice a month, minimum, for the first year. After that, once every month or two is sufficient. Combing 3 times a week minimum to prevent mats from forming and to stay on top of the tangles.

Introduce your Persian kitten to water by filling the sink a couple of inches with warm water. I like to put a liner in the bottom of the sink for grip so they feel more secure. A Happy Hoodie by Chewy.com will help keep the Persian kitten calm. This little trick is amazing!

Put your cat in the warm soapy water and his paws will start to soak as you put him under the faucet and wet the rest of his fur starting on the back of the kitten. I prefer to do the first shampoo with Dawn dishwashing liquid and really concentrate on the paws and potty area. I don’t get the face wet and use a round cotton pad to really clean the eyes. I use the products recommended on my kitten care page for the eyes and a nice conditioner for the final rinse. Use a mild, pH balanced shampoo.

Steps for bathing:

Prepare:

• Remove ALL tangles and mats. Do not bathe with tangles as it will make it worse! Warm sudsy water (not hot).

• Mild kitten shampoo (recommended on the kitten care page)
• Soft towel
• Non-slip mat
• Calming treats (optional, good distraction, cheese wiz works great as well as whipping cream)

• Gently wet your Persian kitten

• Apply dawn shampoo for the first wash and a mild kitten shampoo for the second wash, followed by a refreshing conditioner.
• Rinse, rinse, rinse!!!

Pat dry with two towels and then blow dry until the kitten is completely dry. Making sure it is completely dry will help prevent mats and allow you to get the loose fur from the cat.

Next, clean the ears, nose, and eyes with the products recommended on my kitten care page. I do not get water in the eyes, ears or nose, as this can cause health issues.

Other tips:

The American Cat Fanciers Association offers grooming guidelines.

Keep bathing sessions short.

Consider a regular grooming appointment.

Talk to your cat when you are bathing him. This is reassuring for them. They will learn to trust you as much as they do me.

Use a humidifier to combat the dry air.

Avoid accessible brushing and use a long-tooth metal comb all the way down to the undercoat to prevent tangles, focusing on the belly and behind the elbows.?

Feeding your cat a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for your cat's overall health.

Nutritional requirements:

High-quality protein 30-40%: chicken, salmon, turkey

Moderate fat 20-30%

Limited carbohydrates: 2–4% whole grains, vegetables

Essential vitamins and minerals : vitamin ADE calcium and phosphorus

Moisture 3-50%

I would like to give you additional Tourine and Lysine.

Recommended food types:

High-quality commercial cat food such as Royal Canin, IAMS, Hill’s Science Diet

I personally mix urinary health and hairball food and give them unlimited dry

I feed Royal Canin canned food when I can get them to eat it, and I highly recommend the wet food over dry food.

Some people prefer to make homemade diets, in which case, you need to consult your veterinarian for supplement guidance

Raw diets are another great option that needs a veterinarian for guidance

Feeding guidelines:

Kittens up to a year old can be offered canned food 2–4 times per day. Adult cats prefer to be fed twice a day.

Senior cats 1–2 times per day. Monitor portion control if necessary to prevent obesity.

Always provide fresh, clean water, changing the water daily.

Tips for Persian cat-specific considerations:

Brachycephalic syndrome: feed multiple small meals to prevent breathing difficulties

Persian cats with flat faces have a hard time picking up food with their moths. Larger kibbles and chunks can help prevent choking.

Persian cats are prone to hairballs due to their massive coats. To help prevent hairballs and reduce shedding, feed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Foods that you must avoid feeding Persian cats:

Onions, garlic, and chives

Grapes, raisins

Chocolate

Raw or undercooked eggs or meats

Milk, and dairy products

Choosing the right litter and box to use can make all the difference for you and your cat. I personally loved the Litter Robot’s and felt they were life-changing. I use either the Litter Robot litter (best) or Slide Clumping litter. Any clumping litter works on the robot.

1 robot is good for 3–5 cats, and my cats most certainly prefer them over a regular box. I suppose that is because they are Always clean, and cats are clean animals. Should you choose to go with a regular litter box, I prefer the stainless steel boxes over the plastic for many reasons, but mainly because they can be cleaned more thoroughly. A low-dust or dust-free litter will keep your cat's coat cleaner and reduce respiratory problems. I have never bought a scented litter, as Persian cats have very sensitive noses. The size of the box should be large, so the cat doesn’t feel cramped. The depth of the litter should be 1 to 2 inches to prevent digging. Kittens tend to want to play in the litter, but quickly outgrow that urge. Scoop the litter daily if you choose a regular box versus an automatic. Place a litter box in a quiet place in a private area. Monitor the litter box's behavior for health issues. If the cat starts lying in the box, it could be a deeper health issue. Also, if it’s not Tootsie Rolls, either the food is wrong, there are too many treats, or you need to see the vet. Avoid table food, as that is not for the nutritional needs of your cat and creates bad habits such as jumping on tables. ALWAYS keep food off the table and counters to prevent them from jumping where they do not want to jump.

Blog:

Cats can actually be certified and trained to provide emotional support and comfort to people in need. My thoughts are that they do not need to be certified in most situations to provide the same comfort. People who live alone, spend hours in bed for health reasons, or are simply seeking more emotional attachment can benefit from a cat. There are health reasons to start children young with their lifelong pet. Children introduced to cats at a young age are half as likely to develop allergies. Cats have been proven to lower blood pressure, help with post-traumatic stress disorder, and help children and adults with social and separation anxiety, along with ADHD. They offer exercise to take proper care of them and can alleviate depression. Cats encourage social activities and human interaction. They help with motor skills and increase personal motivation. Cats have been proven to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

A good breeder will be able to provide you with references as well as a picture of your kitten with the date on a piece of paper next to it. These two things alone will help prevent you from being scammed. A good breeder will be licensed by the registration company. I am licensed with CFA. A good Persian cat breeder will have a legitimate business license, Red flags: no social media found, no website, unrealistically low prices, poor communication, unresponsive, unwilling to share pedigree, asking to use wire transfers, Western Union, or MoneyGram. Look for a breeder that will offer a health guarantee on your cat. Remember, to raise Persian Kittens properly takes money, so if it seems too good to be true, it probably is! You have to ask yourself why? If you are a victim of a scam, report it immediately to the FTC, the Internet Crime complains center, and to the cat association such as CFA or TICA.

At Powderpuff Persians, We hand-deliver our Persian kittens. If you live within a few hours of me, I will meet you part way to deliver the kitten to you myself. For those that live further away, the kitten will fly under the seat in the plane, either with myself or my pet nanny. After confirming a good date and time, an itinerary is sent to you. You’ll meet at your nearest airport and pay your pet nanny the delivery fee. At that time, you'll receive your kitten. If you live further away and are using my pet nanny, the kitten is dropped off at the Indianapolis, IN, airport and hand-delivered by a friend of mine who works as a pet nanny. She has delivered for me from Germany and does an excellent job with a lot of experience. She delivers happy pets to their forever families.

Your kitten is prepared for delivery by starting a few weeks ahead of time, spending short sessions in the carrier, and gradually increasing the time to a few hours. On the big day, it is not such a shock and not the first time in the carrier. The morning of delivery, the bottom of the stay-dry fur pad in the bottom of the carrier is sprayed with Feliway Calming Spray and given time to dry. The pad is absorbent, like a diaper, and two pads are placed in the carrier, just in case one is soiled. Please note that it is VERY, VERY rare that the kitten will use the bathroom in the carrier, regardless of the distance. In cross-country or overseas delivery, the pet nanny offers a pee pad with litter on it in the bathroom to offer relief, along with food and water. A blanket from home is placed in the carrier to be used in the new home until the kitten has adjusted. The familiar smell is comforting to them. Bring your carrier with your snuggle blanket, and put the blanket from my carrier in with yours so that they are starting to become familiar on the car ride home. Always leave your cat in the carrier when traveling. That is the safest way to transport them. Be sure the carrier is securely fastened, as that is the most common way that cats run away and are lost forever. Invest in a good-quality carrier. An airline-approved carrier is perfect if you plan to fly with your cat. Flying with Persian cats is easy!

Kitten is given Rescue Remedy's natural calming drops before the car ride to the airport. This helps prevent relax your kitten and to prevent stress.

Persian cats are prone to the terrible disease, and many are affected by it in some form. The disease causes cysts to form on the kidneys, leading to kidney damage that can even be fatal. A reputable breeder will genetically test and only breed PKD-negative cats. This is a simple DNA swab of the mouth. I do not test all my kittens, but all parents are tested and negative. A reputable breeder will not raise cats with any type of genetic or behavioral problems. Treatment and management will involve medication to slow the disease and diet. Restricting protein, phosphorus, and sodium. Extreme cases will need fluid therapy and possibly surgery. Breeding PKD negative cats helps to ensure that the kittens are not born with these problems. Hopefully, by purchasing a kitten with PKD negative parents, you will get you the life expectancy of your Persian cat of 15–20 years.

Choosing good bloodlines when buying a Persian kitten is crucial for several reasons:

Health:

1. Reduced risk of genetic disorders: Certain bloodlines are prone to specific health issues, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), or hip dysplasia.
2. Improved overall health: Reputable breeders prioritize health testing and selective breeding, minimizing the risk of inherited diseases.

Physical Characteristics:

1. Conformation: Good bloodlines ensure a kitten's physical structure adheres to breed standards (e.g., flat face, short nose, sturdy build).
2. Coat quality: Bloodlines influence coat texture, length, and color.

Temperament:

1. Calm and gentle nature: Persian cats are known for their calm demeanor; good bloodlines help ensure a kitten's temperament.
2. Intelligence and trainability: Some bloodlines are bred for intelligence and ease of training.

Longevity:

1. Increased lifespan: Healthy bloodlines contribute to a longer, healthier life (12–17+ years).

Resale Value:

1. Preservation of breed standards: Purebred Persians with good bloodlines retain value.
2. Show potential: Kittens from reputable bloodlines may excel in cat shows.