Questions & Answers Asked Often
Do All Males Spray?
No. Males generally spray to mark territory and out of anxiety, but it's not true that all males spray. It's also not true that having an adult male that is already spraying neutered will stop the habit. Sometimes it might, but in some cases it might not since it has become "habit". Neutering a male kitten before it reaches sexual maturity is a better option. However, if you have a male cat that sprays, there is hope. There is a product called Comfort Zone. It's available in pet stores and online. It works like a normal room air freshener only the content is cat pheromones. We can't smell anything, but the cat does and the product calms the cat. It comes with a starter kit and you can buy refills.
PLEASE BE AWARE FEMALE CATS CAN ALSO MARK TERRITORY!!
How Do I Groom This Long Haired Breed?
It is commonly stated that Persians and Himalayans are a high-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. This really isn't the case. The problem is that most people brush their cats and still get mats. The problem is the "brushing". Brushing only removes the loose top hairs that would otherwise shed onto your clothes and furniture. So, brushing is good for that. BUT to avoid mats in your cat's coat, you need a good metal comb. You can find a comb at any Petsmart or Petco. If you use a metal comb and comb from the base of the fur out twice a week, you should not have matting in your cat's beautiful coat.
How Do I Introduce Our New Kitten To Our Other Cat?
Many people are afraid that bringing in a new kitten can negatively affect the older pet. However, it is possible to introduce your cats so that they will learn to get along in harmony. When you are ready to add a new kitten to your household, there will be a period of adjustment for both your new pet and any pets already living in your home. Despite the popular belief that you cannot introduce pets to one another and expect them to get along, this is not true. Older cats can learn to adjust and eventually befriend new pets in the home.
The key to introducing an older pet with a new pet is time and patience. You cannot expect the older cat to want to be best friends with the new cat on the first day or even in the first week. Older pets will need to get used to the idea of having another pet in the house. This is especially true for a pet that is used to being the only one. Both animals will need time to feel each other out and get used to each other. While it may take weeks to make an adjustment, over time, your pets can learn to tolerate each other and live in peace.
When you bring a new cat into your home, your old pet may resent having to share their space. They may see the new pet as an intruder. You can expect some hissing and slapping at each other if you have cats. Generally, a young kitten will take to your older cat right away, but the older cat will not be very happy. The best way to integrate your new cat is to slowly introduce your pets. It is always a good idea to keep your new cat in a separate room for several days. Not only will this give your older cat the time to understand that there is a new pet in the house, it will give your new pet a chance to get used to the sounds and smells of your home without feeling intimidated.
After a couple of days, you can allow your two pets to smell each other through the doorway. Most of the time, the cats will probably hiss at each other. This is to be expected and you should not give up if this happens. How your older cat reacts will depend a lot on the cat's personality. More outgoing cats may hiss a couple of times and be fine. Others will want to stay completely away. Some cats may even hiss every time he or she smells the new kitty, but will be so curious that they return to the door.
You can now introduce your cats paying close attention to their behavior. You may find the older cat will continue to hiss and possibly raise his paw in attempt to hit your new kitty. It would be a good idea to keep all the cats nails cut short if they have not been de-clawed. One cat will ALWAYS dominate acting as the ALPHA cat in the home. That cat will always make it known to the others of his/her position.
Once everyone knows their place it should be smooth sailing from there.
The Nose Knows Best
Most people have a preference as to whether they prefer a doll-faced Persian, one with a "moderate" face, or the extreme-faced Persian. And some people don't think it's a Persian if it doesn't have an extremely flat face, but this isn't true. The original Persian did NOT have the flat faces seen on Persians today. In fact, until a couple of decades ago the Grand Champions in the CFA Yearbook were doll-faced. In England, to this day, the extreme-faced Persian isn't allowed in a cat show, as they consider the face we've developed in the US to be an abnormal face for the breed. Touchy subject. So, the breed comes with a variety of faces and not even the two main registries for CFA - US and Great Britain - agree on what the perfect face is. In purchasing a kitten as your pet, the only guideline that truly matters is the type of face that YOU love and will enjoy looking at day after day for many happy years. Since we live in the US, the face does make a difference if you plan to show - whether showing your pet feline or as a show breeder. Just keep in mind - the face that wouldn't be allowed to show in the US might be a Grand Champion in Great Britain! So if it's a doll-faced look you love, you may very well have a pet feline that in another country would be a show cat!