The Basics
A Persian needs more help than most cats. International Cat Care says Persians require commitment to grooming: many cannot keep their coat free of mats on their own, the corners of the eyes and the sides of the nose often need regular cleaning, and the back end can get stained and needs keeping clean. A flat face can also make breathing harder. So a Persian’s day is: a brush, a wipe of the eyes, a check of the back end, and a cool room.
Brushing
International Cat Care says longhaired cats need to be groomed at least daily, for as long as the cat is comfortable. Pick a time when your cat is relaxed, and end on a positive note with praise and a treat.
- Rub the skin gently with your fingers, against the way the hair grows, from tail to head, and look for flea dirt.
- With a wide-toothed comb, groom from head to tail to remove dead hair. Take extra care under the “armpits” and between the hind legs: the skin is thin and sensitive there, and knots form easily.
- If you find a mat, tease it apart gently with your fingers, from the root to the end of the hair. Never use scissors: it is hard to see where the skin ends, and you could cut your cat.
- Check between the toes and pads for knots and debris.
- Finish with a rubber mitten or pad, and a damp cotton or rubber glove to lift loose hair.
If grooming is a struggle, stop and try again later with a smaller goal. A badly matted coat is uncomfortable, and severe mats often have to be shaved off by a vet, sometimes under sedation. Regular grooming also reduces hairballs.
The tools International Cat Care names are a wide-toothed comb and a rubber mitten. It also mentions slickers and rakes. We sell the Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush (₹249 on 31 October 2026); see health and grooming. We do not offer grooming ourselves.
Eyes
Most cats do not need their eyes cleaned, but International Cat Care says a very flat-faced cat such as a Persian may have watering eyes that need wiping regularly. The reason is the shape of the face: short tear ducts do not drain the tears into the nose, so tears spill over and stain the face.
- Use a cotton wool ball dampened with clean water, and wipe from the corner of the eye outwards.
- Use a separate ball for each eye, and dry with a soft tissue.
- Do not touch the eyeball: it hurts, and your cat will learn to avoid being wiped.
- If the eyes change, look sore or stay red, see a vet. Eye problems should be looked at as soon as possible.
The Back End
International Cat Care says the bottom and the underside of the tail are prone to staining with faeces, and need keeping clean to stop uncomfortable clumps of fur and faeces from forming. Look at this area every time you brush. If your cat cannot keep it clean, ask your vet to show you how to help.
Do Persians Need a Bath?
International Cat Care says that if your cat is healthy there is no reason to bath it, and that most cats do not tolerate it well. Brushing does the work.
Heat and Breathing
The same flat face that waters the eyes can narrow a Persian’s nose and airways. International Cat Care says breathing difficulty is common in these cats and can be severe in some. In Delhi NCR summers keep your cat in a cool, shaded room with an AC or a good cooler, fresh water in two places and no time on a hot balcony. If your cat pants, drools or breathes noisily, move it somewhere cool and call a vet straight away.
Vet Visits
International Cat Care recommends veterinary check-ups at least once a year for breed cats such as Persians, because they are more likely to have physical health problems. Book a first visit in your kitten’s first week, as our kitten page suggests, and talk to the vet about vaccines and your Persian’s face type.
If you are still choosing, see the Persians at our farm on the Persian kittens for sale page, and what they cost in our Persian cat price guide. Going away? Persians can stay with us: see cat boarding.
Persian Care Questions
How often should I brush a Persian?
At least once a day, says International Cat Care, for as long as your cat is comfortable. Daily brushing keeps mats from forming and reduces hairballs.
Should I bathe my Persian?
Not if it is healthy. International Cat Care says there is no reason to bath a healthy cat and that most do not tolerate it. Brush instead.
How do I clean a Persian’s eyes?
Wipe from the corner of the eye outwards with a cotton wool ball dampened with clean water, a separate ball for each eye, then dry with a soft tissue. Never touch the eyeball.
Why do Persian cats have watery eyes?
Their flat face gives them short tear ducts that cannot drain tears into the nose, so tears spill over and cause staining. If the eyes change or look sore, see a vet.
Do you groom Persian cats?
No, we do not offer grooming. We sell a slicker brush and grooming supplies, and we are happy to talk you through brushing when your kitten comes home.
Can a Persian live in Delhi heat?
Yes, indoors, in a cool and shaded room with an AC or a good cooler. Flat faces can make breathing harder, so call a vet at the first sign of panting or noisy breathing.
Sources
- International Cat Care, Persian cats and brachycephaly: grooming, eye and back-end care, breathing, and yearly check-ups.
- International Cat Care, grooming your cat: daily grooming for longhaired cats, mats, tools, and baths.
- International Cat Care, caring for your cat’s eyes: how to wipe a flat-faced cat’s eyes.
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