The Pet Atlas

Breed Cats Longhair

Persian

Flat-face profile with a long, high-maintenance coat

At a glance

Basic requirements and commitment level

Daily requirements

Activity
Low
Vocality
Low
Health sensitivity
High
Grooming
High
Shedding
High
Temperature sensitivity
High

Context & compatibility

Size
Medium
Lifespan
12–18 years
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Long

Is this right for you?

Common scenarios where this breed tends to fit well or less well

A good match

  • Want the flat-face Persian-type head and full long coat as the defining identity—and are comfortable with high grooming/maintenance
  • Are comfortable with a higher health-management baseline than standard head types

Not ideal

  • Want a longhair that's low-effort to keep clean, tangle-free, and comfortable

Social & behavior

Temperament and interaction style

Personality & activity

Typically low-key and comfort-oriented—more lounge-and-observe than chase-and-climb.

Handling & social style

Often accepts calm handling when it’s routine; fits best with gentle, predictable contact rather than energetic grabbing.

Care & health

Setup, routines, and health considerations

Care overview

A grooming-centered breed—coat and face care are the ongoing commitment, alongside calm, indoor-only living.

Environment & space

Best in quiet, stable homes with clean resting areas and comfortable temperatures.

Daily routine

Daily coat attention helps prevent mats; keep feeding stations tidy and include gentle play to avoid inactivity.

Health sensitivities

Look for documented health testing and family history transparency, especially around kidney and breathing concerns in some lines.

Background

Origins and how that history shapes what you see today

Origin region

Iran

Background

One of the most influential longhair types in the cat fancy, refined over generations for a very distinctive head type and a full, flowing coat. The modern Persian identity is heavily look-designed, with the coat and face as the central features.