The Persian is one of the world’s best-loved breeds, with a long, luxurious coat, a sweet face and a calm, gentle personality. Its flat face and long coat bring some special considerations at mealtimes. Here’s how to feed a Persian kitten and adult.
Does a Persian Cat Need Special Food?
No cat breed needs a special food to be healthy. Like any cat, a Persian needs a complete and balanced food (labeled as meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles in the US, or as a “complete” food under FEDIAF guidelines in the UK) that suits its age, weight, activity and health. Some brands make breed-specific foods, and they can be a convenient choice, but a good-quality complete food for the right life stage works just as well. Some foods for Persians use a specially shaped kibble that’s easier for flat-faced cats to pick up, and many Persians do well on pâté-style wet food. A food that helps with hairballs and supports skin and coat health can also be useful.
Feeding a Persian Kitten
Persian kittens need a complete kitten food. With their short noses and jaws, some find small, hard kibble hard to pick up, so softened kibble or wet food can help.
- when you bring your kitten home, keep feeding the food it ate at the breeder or shelter for the first week or two, then switch gradually;
- feed a complete kitten food (or an “all life stages” food) until about 12 months old;
- kittens under 6 months usually need three to four meals a day; from 6 months, two to three meals a day is usually enough;
- always provide fresh water;
- don’t give cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhea.
Read more about feeding a kitten.
Feeding an Adult Persian
Adult Persians are usually calm and not very active, so they gain weight easily. Use wide, shallow bowls or flat plates, and gently wipe your cat’s face after meals so food doesn’t collect in the fur and skin folds. Daily brushing reduces hairballs and prevents mats.
- feed measured portions, using the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight (you should be able to feel the ribs easily);
- include some wet food every day to help with hydration and urinary health;
- keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories;
- weigh your cat regularly and see your vet for an annual checkup;
- if your cat has been spayed or neutered, its calorie needs will be lower. Read more about feeding a spayed cat and a neutered male cat.
Health Issues and Diet
- Hairballs, because of the long coat. Read more about hairball cat food.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited condition; reputable breeders DNA-test for it.
- Dental, breathing and eye problems linked to the flat face, including tear staining. Read more about watery eyes in cats.
- Obesity. Read more about obesity in cats.
If your cat has a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific or prescription diet. Don’t give supplements or change to a prescription diet without your vet’s advice, and see your vet if your cat’s appetite, weight, thirst, stools or coat change.
What About Homemade Food?
Homemade diets are very difficult to balance and are often missing essential nutrients, such as taurine and calcium. If you want to feed homemade food, use a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Never feed your cat foods that are toxic to cats. Read more: foods cats should never eat.
Read more about the Persian breed and what to feed a cat.
