Blue Persian Cat: History and Personality

Blue Persian Cat are known for their long, silky fur, round faces, and sweet, gentle personalities. Blue Persians are a lovely variety of this popular breed, distinguished by their striking coat colour. This article will explore everything you need to know about keeping a Blue Persian cat as a pet.

An Overview of Blue Persians

The blue coat colour results from a recessive gene that dilutes black fur to a soft grey shade. Blue Persians have a unique “triple coat” consisting of a woolly undercoat, a full neck ruff, and long fur on the tail and legs. Their big, round copper eyes stand out dramatically against their blue-grey fur.

Blue Persian share the same beloved Persian traits – a calm, affectionate personality, melodic voice, and tendency to show happiness by kneading with their front paws. Their luxurious coat does require daily grooming to prevent tangles and mats. The blue Persian is a visually striking variety of this peaceful, loyal breed.

Blue Persian Quick Facts

Category	Description
AKC Group	Persian
Size	Medium – 7 to 12 pounds
Coat Length	Long
Coat Colors	Blue-gray with warm copper eyes
Grooming Needs	Daily brushing to prevent mats
Shedding	Seasonal, requires regular grooming
Personality Traits	Gentle, quiet, affectionate
Good With Kids/Pets	Yes, if socialized young
Lifespan	10 to 15 years

The History of Blue Persians

The exact origins of blue Persians are unknown, but the Persian breed traces back centuries to cat breeds from Persia (now Iran). Persians came to America in the late 19th century and became famous show cats. Their lush grey-blue coats caught the attention of early breeders.

By the early 1900s, CFA recognized the blue Persian as a separate colour division. Demand grew for the unique blue-grey kittens. Breeding programs focused on enhancing the dense undercoat and bright copper eye colour. Today, blue remains one of the most admired Persian colour varieties.

Persian Cat History Timeline

Year	Event
1600s	Persian ancestors imported to Europe from Persia
1871	Blue Persian exhibited at the first major U.S. cat show
1902	Blue Persians gain popularity as a unique alternative to white Persians
1950s	Blue Persians remain one of the most popular colour varieties
Today	Blue Persians remain one of the most popular color varieties

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The Blue Persian Personality

One of the biggest appeals of a blue Persian is their sweet, gentle temperament. While quite active as kittens, blue Persians mature into the quintessential lap cat. They form deep bonds with their families and prefer staying close to their favourite people. The affectionate blue Persian personality has earned them a reputation as the “velcro cat.”

Blue Persians get along well with polite children and cat-friendly dogs. Slow introductions are vital to integrating them with other household pets. Their docile nature makes them generally compatible with quiet pets after gradual acclimation.

With appropriate early socialization, blue Persians become the ultimate fluffy companion – happy to cuddle for hours and softly chirp their devotion. Their peaceful presence calms most households.

Blue Persian Temperament Traits:

• Affectionate
• Gentle
• Quiet
• Docile
• Adaptable
• Thrives on human bonds

Caring for a Blue Persian Cat

While blue Persians make delightful companions, their long fur and genteel nature require special care. Their luxurious triple coat must be groomed daily to prevent tangles and mats. Blue Persians should generally be kept as indoor-only cats for safety and health monitoring. With proper care, blue Persians live 10-15 years.

Blue Persian Care Checklist

Diet: High-quality cat food, occasional wet food

Grooming: Daily brushing, occasional bathing

Vet Visits: Annual exams & vaccines

Litter Box: Scoop daily, replace litter regularly

Safety: Indoor only, ID chip

Supplies: Food & water bowls, scratching posts, safe toys

Attention: Daily playtime & affection

Feeding Your Blue Persian Cat

Blue Persians should be fed nutritionally balanced cat food for their life stage and activity level. An indoor Grown-up blue Persian generally only requires one or two small daily meals. Many owners leave dry kibble available for free-choice snacking.

Occasionally, supplementing the diet with wet food or kitten formula helps provide extra moisture and nutrients for their thick coat. Avoid overfeeding treats or table scraps.

Always provide your blue Persian with clean, fresh water daily. Use cat-safe plastic or ceramic bowls that are heavy enough not to spill easily. Stainless steel bowls should be avoided as they can cause chin acne in cats with sensitive skin. Monitor your cat’s eating and drinking habits at home between vet checkups. Notify your vet promptly about concerns over diet, weight changes, or elimination issues.

Blue Persian Feeding Tips

• Feed a premium quality cat food formulated for Grown-up maintenance.
• Provide measured meals 1-2 times per day
• Supplement with wet food a few times a week
• Use ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel bowls
• Refill the water bowl daily with clean water
• Monitor eating, drinking, and litter box habits

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Grooming Requirements

The blue Persian’s long, dense coat requires thorough daily grooming to remain free of tangles and mats. Gently comb through the entire coat, including the frilled neck area, fuzzy paws, belly, and base of the tail. Regular grooming keeps their coat soft and minimizes shedding and hairballs.

Bathe a blue Persian as needed when their fur appears dull or dirty. Use a gentle cat shampoo and thoroughly dry their dense undercoat afterwards. Trim nails every 2-3 weeks to prevent overgrowth and scratching damage. Check and wipe their ears weekly for cleanliness and signs of infection. Brush teeth periodically to control tartar buildup.

Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks reduces shedding and helps the blue Persian coat stay pristine between weekly brushings. Be sure to bring your cat to a groomer with experience working with Persians to maintain their unique coat properly. Proper at-home and professional grooming let your blue Persian shine!

Blue Persian Grooming Schedule

• Daily: Thorough brushing
• Weekly: Ear check & nail trim.
• Monthly: Bath time
• Every 6-8 weeks: Professional grooming

Health and Litter Considerations

Reputable breeders screen their breeding cats for genetic diseases like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). However, blue Persians can still be prone to specific potential health issues:

• Breathing Issues
• Tear Staining
• Heat Sensitivity
• Dental Disease

Their flat face can cause breathing problems, especially in humid weather or under stress. Keep your blue Persian comfortable in air-conditioned spaces during the hot summer months.

Monitor their energy levels when active and promptly alert your veterinarian about breathing concerns.

Watery eyes and reddish tear stains are common cosmetic issues in the breed. Gently wipe the inner corners of their eyes daily with warm water and cotton pads.

Using ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls can also reduce staining. Consult your vet if tear staining is excessive or one-sided, which may indicate an infection.

Establish a dental care routine, including annual cleanings, daily tooth brushing, and dental treats. This helps prevent periodontal disease and ensures your blue Persian can comfortably eat properly throughout their lifetime.

Blue Persians should also be kept strictly indoors for safety and health monitoring. Use a giant litter box with low entry sides for easy access. Scoop waste clumps out daily to keep the litter fresh.

Replace the litter entirely every 1-2 weeks or whenever heavily soiled. Position litter boxes in quiet, low-traffic areas and avoid sudden location or litter type changes, which can upset sensitive cats.

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Exercising Your Blue Persian

Blue Persians have modest exercise needs in keeping with their generally laid-back personalities. Kittens are naturally energetic and playful – provide them with safe toys for batting, chasing, and pouncing to burn off excess energy. Grown-up blue Persians are relatively sedentary but still need daily activity for mental stimulation and obesity prevention.

Cat trees, tunnels, and scratching posts encourage play and climbing. Puzzle feeders and treat balls add mental challenges at mealtimes. Set aside 10-15 minutes for daily interactive play sessions using engaging toys like feathers or light beam wands. This allows your blue Persian to tap into their natural hunting instincts.

Of course, the favourite blue Persian exercise remains to snuggle up in a soft lap for pets and pampering. But adding in some active playtime ensures your feline friend stays mentally and physically fit.

Monitor activity levels and adjust based on your cat’s energy and interest. Signs your blue Persian needs more exercise include:

• Destructive behaviours like scratching furniture.
• Begging for constant attention.
• Late-night zoomies racing through the house.

Increase play sessions and puzzle toys to meet their needs.

Conversely, a sudden decrease in average activity levels or interest in play can indicate an underlying health issue requiring veterinary attention. Track any significant changes in temperament or behaviour. Alert your vet about concerns over eating, litter box habits, activity patterns, or sleep disturbances in your cherished blue Persian companion.

Travel and Carriers

The adaptable blue Persian usually travels quite well. Early positive carrier training ensures less stressful vet visits and journeys for your cat. Place a familiar, cosy blanket inside the carrier with treats to create positive associations. Praise your cat for voluntarily entering their carrier and snacking or napping occasionally.

Cover carriers during transit to provide additional security and prevent overstimulation. Prepare essentials like medication, medical records, food, litter box supplies, and favourite toys to help ease transitions to new environments.

Maintain regular routines as much as possible, even during travel or relocations. Cats feel less stressed with consistency. Be patient and offer extra affection to help your blue Persian adjust. Their devoted personality soon has them settled and bonded wherever their beloved human goes.

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Showing Your Blue Persian

The unique blue Persian coat colour remains very popular in the show ring—their bright copper eyes and silvery blue-grey fur contrast elegantly. Temperament and confirmation to the Persian breed standard also factor significantly in judging.

Show Persians must be painstakingly groomed before competitions – bath, blow dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, comb out, and teeth brushing. Their long fur is arranged to accentuate their balanced proportions, small ears, and smooth-flowing coat.

If you are considering showing your blue Persian, start training and socialization early to get them comfortable with travel, crowds, exams, and handling. Work closely with an experienced Persian show mentor well-versed in the intricacies of presenting the breed. Conformation showing requires tremendous dedication of time, energy, and finances from any breed.

While showing may not appeal to all owners, blue Persians still make breathtaking pets for households wanting a beautiful, affectionate forever friend. Their sweet, devoted nature wins them admiration wherever they go!

Bringing Home A Blue Persian Kitten

Once you decide a blue Persian is the right pedigreed cat for your family, thoroughly research breeders to locate a responsible, ethical source for your kitten. Reputable breeders focus on health and temperament while preserving beloved Persian qualities. Avoid pet stores or careless backyard breeders aiming to profit from breeding trends.

Visit potential breeders to meet parent cats and kittens before depositing. Inspect their home environment for cleanliness and proper care standards. Ask about health testing protocols in their breeding program.

COVID precautions may dictate virtual meetings first. A quality breeder will gladly answer all your questions and start building a relationship with your family.

Usually blue Persian kittens can go to new homes safely around 12-16 weeks old after completing an entire vaccination series. Early handling and socialization with children, other pets, etc., help them continue developing into a confident, affectionate Grown-up cat.

Be prepared before your fluffy bundle of joy arrives with all necessary supplies, training tools, and cat-proofing precautions in place well beforehand.

Price Range of Blue Persians

As a purebred pedigreed cat, blue Persians are more expensive than mixed-breed cats adopted from shelters. But the price buys you the predictable temperament, appearance, and often healthier attributes of a responsibly-bred pedigreed kitten.

The average price range for a pet-quality blue Persian kitten is $500 to $1500. Quality blue Persians with breeding rights range from $2000 to $5000 depending on bloodlines and confirmations to the strict Persian standard. Certain champion lines can demand even higher pricing.

Budget more for initial supplies, veterinary care, grooming, training tools, cat furniture, toys, quality food, litter, and other essentials. Properly caring for a long-haired cat like a blue Persian also has higher maintenance costs. Make sure you can commit to providing everything needed to keep your blue Persian healthy and happy throughout its 10-15-year lifespan!

Finding A Reputable Breeder

Avoid purchasing blue Persian kittens from questionable online ads or pet stores. Responsible preservation breeders care tremendously about matching their kittens to suitable families. To locate an ethical breeder, check registries like The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) for member breeders in good standing.

Contact member breeders through cat clubs or Persian associations to inquire about upcoming litters. Attend local cat shows to meet quality breeders and get on their kitten reservation lists. Reputable breeders often have waiting lists of preapproved families eager to give loving forever homes to their exceptional kittens. The extra effort pays off with a healthier, better-socialized kitten and lifelong breeder support.

Working with a breeder invested in their kittens helps ensure your priceless blue Persian receives the utmost care, socialization, and a solid veterinary foundation. Do your homework to find a breeder as devoted to the cats’ welfare as you! Your cherished friendship spanning over a decade depends on it.

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Conclusion

The blue Persian makes an exceptional pet for cat lovers desiring a devoted companion with glamorous good looks. Their sweet face and disposition match beautifully with their long, plush blue-grey fur. At the same time, higher maintenance than some breeds, blue Persians reward their families’ dedicated care with years of unwavering affection. From their big luminous copper eyes to their silver-tipped flowing tails, friendly blue Persians captivate hearts wherever they go!

Frequently Asked Questions

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