How To Choose Food for Persian Cats

by Yamini Rai Consultant

The flattened, baby-like faces of Persian cats have given them a huge fan following. But did you know that their facial appearance also affects how they eat? This article will tell you all about the dietary needs of Persian cats, and what you can do to feed your furry, exotic friend, to the best of your ability.

Short, Broad Skulls Mean Difficulty Eating

Persian cats'faces are referred to as brachycephalic. This basically means they have a short, broad skull.

One of the implications of this feature is dental problems. The shortened jaw of a Persian cat still needs to fit in the same number of teeth. This means that their teeth are likely to be overcrowded, rotated, or even impacted into the jaw, and unable to come through. These dental issues make it hard for them to chew. Therefore, cat food that takes this into account, would be ideal.

Long Fur Means Hairballs

Another problem Persian cats have is with hairballs. Their long, soft fur can cause them to have recurrent hairball issues. Food designed to reduce hairballs is another bonus.

Picky Eaters by Nature

Persian cats are well known for being picky eaters. However, this might also have to do with their potential issues around chewing. Some owners also report trouble with picking up smaller pieces or those shaped like an X.

Built for the Wild

While Persian cats are largely kept indoors, they, like all other cats, are supposed to burn off excess energy by chasing after the local wildlife. Being a Persian cat and being an indoor cat, are both risk factors for painful bladder stones.

Dry Food or Wet Food?

Ideally, a balance between both is best. Dry food is crunchy, and can help keep dental plaque away, and wet food is easy to eat while being nutritious and enriched with required fatty acids.

Factors to Consider While Choosing Food for Persian Cats:

- Food shouldn't be too small to pick up for the cat

- It should give them all the daily nutrients they need

- It should be intended to reduce hairballs

- It should contain high quality proteins and natural fibre

- It should be easily digestible

- It should promote urinary health

- It should contain no grain, low carbohydrates and offer high proteins

- It should promote bone and muscle health

- It should take their sedentary lifestyle into account

Therefore, choose food for your Persian cat, basis all these factors, and carefully monitor your cat while it is eating. Monitor the quantity of food, check the hairballs your cat throws up (gross as it sounds), and keep a close eye on your furry friend’s weight.