If you have never looked into the face of a Persian cat before, you have yet to see one of the most unique cat breeds in the world.
I’ve tried carrying my friend’s Persian who’s named Percy and my shirt looked as if it was hit by a furry tornado. No kidding.
Do Persian cats shed a lot more than other breeds?
Persian cats are shedding machines and can take shedding to a whole new level. This is due to their long hair and very fine undercoat. They are capable of leaving hair in places that you thought were not possible. Persians require constant brushing and grooming to remove loose and dead hair. This also prevents matting which is painful for the cat.
Let us take a closer look at why your stumpy-faced Perian is shedding so much and what you can do about it.
Origins Of The Persian Cat
Persian cats have been around for hundreds of years and they originated in Persia, now known as Iran.
They were brought into Europe in the 1600s and the USA in the late 1800s where they eventually surpassed the well-loved Maine Coon as the most popular long-haired cat.
Persian cats quickly become a popular breed in America and claimed top spots in many cats shows over the years.
Physical Attributes
“The Persian cat’s fur is thick and long with some degree of water resistance.”
There’s no denying that its facial features are a Persian cat’s unique selling point. To some, it is a ‘love it or hate it’ kind of look.
Persians are medium-sized cats ranging from 7lbs-12lbs. They have rather round faces which makes them look like they have chubby cheeks.
They are also very recognizable by their stubby noses which have been bred to be more exaggerated over the decades.
The Persian cat’s fur is thick and long with some degree of water resistance.
This breed is also known for its long and beautiful bushy tail.
Personality Of Persian Cats
If you are looking for an active and high-energy cat, then the Persian isn’t that. You are better off with a Bengal or Siamese cat.
Persians are laid-back cats that love lounging the day away. They can be playful every now and then but don’t require so much playtime.
They aren’t the most trainable of cats as well.
Chances are you will end up feeling more frustrated than fulfilled if you expect a Persian to respond to your commands.
They can be affectionate but is slow to bond with their family members.
How Can I Reduce My Persian’s Shedding?
The fact that you have a Persian cat is allowing the furry floodgates to be flowing freely at home.
You have to accept that Persians are capable of shedding a lot due to the type of coat that they have.
However, all is not lost.
Here are some things that you can do to try and reduce the constant shedding.
Daily Brushing
“When it comes to choosing a brush, make sure you choose one that is gentle on your cat’s skin.”
Persian cats are high-maintenance cats and their fur needs frequent brushing.
Being a long-haired cat with several layers of cat hair, there is a tendency for dirt and debris to get stuck in there.
You should be brushing your Persian at least once a day to get rid of the loose hair and dirt.
According to a Persian cat owner that I once spoke to, she said that if you shave off most of a Persian cat’s fur, this cat breed have pretty small heads.
Daily brushing also helps prevent matting and entanglement which is quite a common occurrence for Persian cats.
When it comes to choosing a brush, make sure you choose one that is gentle on your cat’s skin.
There are some brushes that are touted to be very good at removing loose hair. But in fact, they end up making your cat bald as it removes too much cat hair.
Showering your furry friend about once a month can also help reduce the shedding by getting rid of the loose hair at the top of its coat.
Most Persian cat owners bring their cat to a professional groomer monthly for a proper groom.
Trim It Short
Some Persian cat owners will make it a point to trim their cat’s coats shorter. This helps to reduce matting and makes grooming the Persian easier.
There’s also a rather famous cut for Persians called the ‘Lion cut‘. The entire coat on the Persian’s body is shaved down, leaving only the head, tail and legs.
This makes them look like a ‘mini lion’.
It would be better to do this during the summer months when it is warmer.
The poor cat might not have enough fur on its body to keep it warm during winter.
A cute Santa sweater would make a perfect Christmas gift for your Persian to keep it warm during the cold winter months.
Do Persian Cats Shed A lot?
You can expect your Persian to be shedding more fur that a cat that has short fur.
But if you notice that your cat has been shedding more than usual or losing clumps of fur, something isn’t right.
Here are some reasons that could be causing it.
Lack Of Nutrients / Low-Quality Diet
“Cats are obligate carnivores and need a healthy diet that is high in protein diet to remain healthy.”
There’s a well-known saying in the health and fitness industry that says “You are what you eat.”
And it is very true.
You won’t find someone who looks fit and healthy chowing down on fast food and cakes every day.
The same applies to what you feed your Persian.
A diet like dry food or kibbles might not give your cat the necessary nutrients it requires for a healthy coat of fur.
This can result in excessive shedding.
Cats are obligate carnivores and need a healthy diet that is high in protein diet to remain healthy.
If you are currently feeding your Persian cat dry food, do your cat a favor and upgrade its diet to good quality canned food.
Persian cats in canned food can be switched to a raw food diet which is the most natural diet for cats.
It is not as intimidating or difficult as it sounds.
You can check out our ultimate guide to feeding your cat raw food for more info.
Excessive Stress
A person under too much stress can start to exhibit strange behaviors. The same applies to cats that are experiencing stress.
One of the most common symptoms is excessive shedding.
You will see this happening when your cat knows that it is headed for the vet and when it is at the vet.
All you see is cat fur flying around. It is a normal response from cats.
But if this is happening on a daily basis then something at home might be triggering its stress levels.
It could be a new pet or a change in environment (shifting house).
Your furry friend will stop the abnormal shedding once it is accustomed to the new pet or environment.
Allergic Reaction
If you have recently introduced a new plant, furniture or food to your Persian, its abnormal excessive shedding might be due to an allergic reaction to the new object.
There are some cats that can also be allergic to dust mites or even nuts.
Many cats are allergic to nuts so feeding your Persian cashew milk can cause excessive shedding.
This can use bald patches, rashes or dry skin on your cat.
Try removing the new item from the house for a week or so to see if it helps stop the excessive shedding.
Cats can also be allergic to the same things that affect us humans like pollen, dust, grass, etc.
The specific allergen can be difficult to identify at times.
A trip to the vet can help bring some relief and stop the shedding with some allergy medication.
Pest Infestation
If your Persian or other pets have outdoor access, the cat can get infected with ticks or fleas. If untreated, it can cause skin irritation leading to discomfort for the poor cat making it bite and scratch the infected areas.
Fleas usually like to set up camp at the base of the cat’s tail and look like specks of dust. So if you see your Persian cat biting and chasing its own tail, it could be fleas.
Over time this can cause bald spots and abnormal shedding in Persian cats.
A trip to the vet or some anti-flea/tick medication will help destroy the pest infestation.
You can also try to get rid of the fleas at home by using a flea comb dipped in a solution of dawn dish soap.
Your Cat Is Going To Be A Mother Soon
If you are using your Persian as a breeding cat or have unsterilized cats at home, the unexplained hair loss might be due to your Persian cat being pregnant.
Wild hormonal changes or fluctuations in the cat’s body can cause hair loss.
There’s not much that you can do about it but wait it out. The cat’s hair will start to grow back when her hormones have stabilized.
When Do Cats Shed The Most?
Most long-haired cats shed the most just before winter and summer. These are the heavier shedding seasons for most cat breeds.
Having a thicker coat helps keep them warm during the colder months.
And when winter is over, cats shed their thicker coat to be cool for summer.
Do be more prepared during these excessive shedding periods and don’t let up on the brushing.
Make it a point to vacuum the house more often too.
Do Persian Cats Cause Allergies?
“You will be spending the whole day trying to remove cat fur and dander at home.”
Persian cats are considered long hair cats which require frequent brushing.
Furthermore, long hair cats tend to shed more than short hair cats.
This means you will have to be in constant contact with the fur and dander.
Plus your home will almost always be coated with cat hair.
You will be spending the whole day trying to remove cat fur and dander at home.
If you or a family member suffers from cat allergies, then the Persian cat is not the right breed for you.
Is A Persian Cat Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, they are not. The Persian cat saliva contains normal amounts of the allergen ‘Fel d1’ which can trigger cat allergies.
A good example of a hypoallergenic cat is the Siberian which has very little ‘Fel d1’, especially the females.
Just so you know, there’s no such thing as a cat that is totally hypoallergenic. It just depends on the amount of Fel d1 that a certain cat breed has.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning on getting a Persian as a pet then you will need to be prepared to care for it the right way.
Not only is daily brushing required, but be prepared to have cat hair all over your home as Persians do tend to shed more than most cats.
For existing Persian cat owners, it would be good to know how much your cat sheds on average.
If you noticed that your cat has been shedding a lot more than usual then it could be due to a health issue.
Don’t let the ‘high maintenance’ aspect of keeping a Persian cat put you off.
There is no perfect cat and Persians make awesome family pets.