PERSIAN CAT CARE
You are now the happy owner of an adorable Persian cat who needs love, attention, and care. 
As a Persian owner, you now have some special responsibilities as well.
Before you arrive at your home with your Persian or Himalayan, be sure you're ready for your new family member.
Here's a checklist to get you thinking about things you need for your cat. This doesn't include everything, but it's a good start:
- a litterbox for your new feline
- litter for the litterbox
- easily accessible containers for food and water
- cat food (Remember that cats have special dietary needs and that any old animal food will not do!)
- proper grooming tools
- toys ready for your cat. You may want to hold off on this until you get to know what your cat enjoys.
- a veterinarian's number, just in case
We suggest a clumpable cat liter that has no perfumes. Perfumes can cause allergies and make the litter box less attractive.
The truth is who wants their house to smell like a litter box even if it is perfumed!
If you are having a problem with odor try spraying with a bacteria killing airspray directly on the litter.
Then add some fresh litter to the top. Odor can be caused by bacteria.
Interviewing the vets office before you have a problem is always good idea.
Just call and ask a few questions.
Remember the people answering the phone are going to be the people you talk to first when you have a problem. When you call the vets office ask 
them if
they see persians on a regular bases. Are they familiar with the the health issues that a prominent in persians?
Is there some one on call on the weekends? Ask yourself is the person you are talking to responsive to your questions? Does she or he
make you feel stupid for asking them? I have found that often the staff is a reflection of the vet.
Your vets job is to educate you so you can take the best care of your kitten.
Your new cat may feel a little shy at first in its new surroundings.
Make sure your Persian or Himalayan can find its food and litter box.
Be patient, and remember how nervewracking it can be when you're in a new place.
Your Persian may not eat at first, but should eventually calm down and become at home in your home. Never just put you kitten down and let them run the house.
Start in a small room. As they get to know and trust you, let them have more freedom.
This will be a lot less frightening for your kitten than just tossing them in to a strange place.
Be sure to get your cat vaccinated if it is not already. Kittens need 3 sets of kitten shots. Adults need to be vaccinated anually. You need to spay or neuter if you are not planning to breed. Remember that GROOMING is an essential requirement for a healthy Persian or Himalayan.
Grooming:
As may be expected from a breed famous for its long, luxurious fur, proper grooming is a necessity. One of your greatest responsibilities as a Persian or Himalayan owner will be to keep your fluffy friend clean, well-groomed, and knot-free. Keep in mind also that Persians tend to have runny eyes and noses which will require regular face-cleaning. Our suggested grooming technique is as follows:
You will need to comb and brush your cat daily. They may not need this as a kitten but it is good to get them (and you) in the routine. A wide tooth metal comb is suggested for knots and a slicker brush is nice for fluffing. When you notice the coat starting to look ragged (this usually starts on the stomach) it is time for a bath. Having an oily coat will make it mat more easily. I suggest washing with ivory soap because it will remove the oil the best. You can use baby shampoo on the face. Before you bath, trim nails. It is especially important with a persian, because their claws can grow in a
hook shape
and grow into their pads. I think the scissor type cat clips are the easiest to use.
Then put a lubricant into the eyes to protect them and cotton ball in to the ears.
You can use the cotton ball when you are done to thoroughly clean the ears.
I bathe the body first with ivory then the face with the baby shampoo.
After bathing you will need to blow dry your kitten.
When done drying, comb and then brush to fluff the hair.
Make sure the setting on the blow dryer is not to hot!
Here is a list of bathing needs
ivory soap
baby shampoo
GenTeal ® lubricant eye gel (can be bought at any pharmacy)
cotton ball
towel
nail clippers
air dryer
metal comb
slicker brush
Daily face care
Persians have very big eyes so they can get dry and are more likely to get dirt and other particles in them. You will most likely need to wipe your kittens eyes daily. If there is a lot of drainage you can use the following routine: Clean eyes with an eye cleaning solution (make sure it is eye cleaner not contact cleaner they are in the same section. Next use a lubricating gel for dry eyes. If the eyes have brown drainage you can get terramycin ointment. This can be purchased online at Jefferpets or Revival animal health. You do not need a prescription to get it. You can get it at your vets office but it will most likely cost you double the price. If you do not have any terramycin you can use triple antibiotic you just put it in the eyes. Make sure to wash your hands first. The triple antibiotic does not work as well. but it will improve the eyesAnother good preventative is lysine, it can be purchased ion the vitamin section. I put the tablets in the food processor till they are powder . Then add the powder to a bag of dry food. I have seen a 3o% decrease in eye problem just by using lysine.
Food:
As mentioned before, cats have special dietary neeeds which are unique and not satisfied by any other type of animal feed. Our recommended diet plan is as follows: We use Iams kitten food. Twice a day a mix a little warm water with the food. The
kitten loves this.
It reenforces to the kitten that the food comes from you and that you take good care of them.
If you are goiing for a more natural diet we suggest that you use a calcium and vitamin
suppliment such as kitty bloom to make sure that the kittens diet is complete. If you are
going to change your kitten to a raw meat diet please do it slowly.
Remember also that there are many foods and substances which should be avoided. (Poinsettas and milk are definite no-no's!)
Play Time:
Persian cats are among the smartest and most loveable breeds around. They are a sweet, playful breed, and enjoy many kinds of toys. Have fun getting to know your kitten. Here are some of our suggestions: laser pointer. feather on string (must be us
ed under supervision. Kitten can get tangled in these), donut with ball, cat nip matts etc. You can find a lot of these on line at Jefferspets. With some care, love, and patience, you will find that getting a Persian will be one of the best decisions you ever make. You will fall in love with your adorable kitten, and getting to know him or her will be an incredible and rewarding experience for you and your family.
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