Persian cats are popular pets, and many people find their adorable, squashed faces highly appealing. If you have considered getting a Persian cat, you might be wondering how well they’ll fit in with your family life and whether they are patient and good with children.
Are Persian Cats Good Family Pets?
Persian cats are gentle, playful creatures, and they are rarely bothered by the loud noises or the activity associated with children. However, they also require lots of care, so you may find a Persian too high maintenance if you have a busy family life. They are also not very active compared with some felines.
Before rescuing or buying a Persian cat, it’s vital to know whether they will make a great fit for your household. Other breeds that make great pets are Savannah, Ragdoll, Devon Rex, Scottish Fold, etc.
Below, we’ll look at this endearing breed to help you understand what you need to know.
Character
In terms of their character, most Persians are very suitable as family pets. They are calm and gentle, which makes them suitable if you have young children who are still learning how to handle animals.
They are very friendly and like to be with their family a lot, so if your children want a best friend, they’ll find it in a Persian. Persians also tend to be relaxed about changes in the household, and they are laid back when it comes to loud noises, too.
This means that they are suitable for chaos, changing routines, house guests, visiting friends, noisy games, laughter, or tears. All of these are likely to be encountered in a family with children, and their tolerance for them makes Persians excellent family pets. According to Omlet, they are particularly known for their patience with children.
Many cats find children too noisy and will retreat from loud, sudden bangs or shrieks.
They will hide under furniture, other rooms, under the bed, etc., and often feel stressed, which isn’t ideal for a daily living environment. While some cats will adjust to children, Persians are unlikely to feel stressed in the first place.
Not Very Territorial
Persians are also not particularly territorial. While some cats may lash out if they consider their territory to be under threat, Persians will generally welcome attention and do not mind even strangers entering their space.
If you have young children, this is important, as you don’t want a cat that will scratch or bite because it feels its space is being threatened. Most Persians will accept the presence of others in the home.
Temperament
It’s important for your children to be safe with your cat. Few cats can do major damage to even young children, as they don’t have the strength or weight, but you don’t want a cat that scratches or attacks, even if the wounds they leave are minor.
Some cats have very little patience with children and will quickly make themselves scarce – or worse, scratch the child as a message to leave them alone. Children often struggle to read the body language that precedes a scratch, resulting in tears, claws, and stress for both the child and the cat that has been harassed.
Fortunately, Persian cats very rarely lash out. Of course, if pushed, any cat is capable of showing its claws, but Persian cats are generally patient and loving rather than looking for a fight. They will tolerate a lot of playing and gentle teasing before they lose their patience.
However, this tolerance does mean you need to teach your child how to respect the cat. Otherwise, the cat may not teach them itself if they are too rough.
If your Persian does scratch, ask your child what they did to prompt the scratch, and explain to them why the cat didn’t like it and how to avoid it happening again.
Activity Levels
You have a mixed blessing in terms of activity levels. Persian cats tend to be a little lazy. They rarely want to join in with play, and although they will put up with being part of a child’s games – as long as children are gentle and respectful – they are not going to be enormously active playmates.
If your children want a kitten that will chase around the room, run after strings and laser pointers, and dive into cardboard boxes at a moment’s notice, a Persian may not be the cat for you.
They prefer to lie and watch the action rather than being part of it.
Of course, that may be an advantage. In a high-activity household, you might be glad of a low-activity creature to balance things out!
Your children can still enjoy quality time and some games with your cat, but you’re unlikely to encounter wild and inexplicable tearing around the house at three in the morning with a Persian.
If you want a pet that would rather relax on a chair or sprawl on a bed and play occasionally, a Persian’s activity levels will suit you – but if you’re looking for a pet to romp with your kids, they aren’t the right choice.
Grooming
Probably the biggest con of owning a Persian is that it needs regular grooming, and if you have other family commitments, this may prove too much for you. You need to brush a Persian daily and have the time and patience to work any knots out of its fur.
Because of their long, fine, silky coats, Persians require this regular grooming to stay in good condition. If you’re finding it hard to fit in all the chores already, they are not an addition you will want to make to the household.
Remember that kids tend to generate a certain level of dirt and stickiness, and if you have youngsters, they are likely to transfer at least some of this general debris to your Persian’s fur.
That might mean more regular grooming or perhaps even having to bathe your Persian to help them maintain their fur.
You can get your Persian’s fur cut short to help with this, but they will still need regular brushing and lots of care and attention. Matted fur can lead to problems with their skin and is not comfortable for the cat at all.
Persians are certainly higher maintenance than your standard house cat, so if time is something you’re short of, don’t adopt one on a whim.
If you can’t provide this level of care, the cat will likely be unhappy and uncomfortable and not a good addition to your family home.
Independent
If you want to travel a lot as a family, a Persian can also be problematic. While they do enjoy their own company, they are Persians highly affectionate cats and would rather not be left for days at a time. You should consider your general routine and whether somebody will usually be at home with the cat.
Families that spend long vacations away or are frequently out from dawn until dusk may not be suitable for a Persian, even if the Persian is suitable for them. Instead, you may want to get a breed that loves to travel.
If you are going to be out a lot, consider getting two Persians so that they can keep each company when you aren’t there. Remember. However, this doubles the amount of brushing needed!
Final Word
Persians can make great family pets, but you should think carefully before taking one on. While they are affectionate, loving, and very patient felines, they are also hard work and need a lot of your time and attention as well.
You must be able to look after them, teach your children how to respect them, and meet their needs as well as the needs of your family. They are not low-maintenance pets!
No matter what type of pet you’re getting, it’s essential to do your due diligence before bringing them home. Doing your due diligence will ensure you get the right cat for your household and fewer people taking cats to the shelter or dropping them off somewhere.
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References
https://www.quora.com/Do-Persian-cats-make-good-family-pets
https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/cats/choosing_the_right_cat_for_you/7_best_cat_breeds_with_children/
https://pethelpful.com/cats/Best-ways-to-care-for-your-Persian-cat