Just like all cat breeds, no two Persians are the same, which is why an insurance provider will consider various factors when calculating your cat insurance premiums:

• How much cover you need
• The excess you agree to
• Your pet's age
• Whether it's been neutered
• Where you live

At Purely Pets, we only provide lifetime cover for Persians, so they can get the best protection in an emergency. Choose from our 15 policy levels to find the right one for you and your cat.

Don't let cat insurance costs put you off protecting your mischievous mog. We've got a few ways you can save money on your premiums:

• Choose to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim.
• Insure more than one pet with us.

Find out how much these steps can help you reduce your premiums by contacting the Purely Pets team today.

Personality-wise, Persians are a wonderful choice for first-time cat owners. They're smart, sociable, very affectionate and great around children.

However, their need for regular grooming to keep them tangle-free can be very time-consuming, so you'll need to make sure you have enough time to care for them properly.

Compared to other cat breeds, Persians are pretty high maintenance. Their long hair requires daily grooming to avoid nasty tangles and hairballs causing your cat pain and warranting vet visits.

Persian cats' true origin is a bit of a mystery, but it's commonly believed they came from Persia to Europe in the 17th century and were instantly prized for their beautiful coat and facial features that set them apart from other felines at the time.

Just like a microchip or pre-existing conditions, vaccinations are never covered by pet insurance. These are routine treatments all Persian owners need to budget for when they first get their pet.

If your cat were to fall ill due to something that could have been prevented by a vaccine, the treatment also won't be covered.

Your playful Persian is the perfect companion, entertaining the family in the day before cuddling up on your lap after dinner. What better way to reciprocate their unconditional love than by giving them everything they need to live each day to the fullest?

Here are the essentials of caring for your pedigree cat.

Food and nutrition

This cat breed needs plenty of protein, a bit of fat and minimal carbs to keep it fit and healthy. Weigh out your pet's meals. Too much food can quickly lead to obesity, especially in indoor cats, causing further health problems down the line.

Make sure the meals you make are also age appropriate. Got a kitten and an older cat? Feed them separately to make sure they don't share food.

Grooming

One of the biggest tasks of owning this favourite breed of Queen Victoria is the daily grooming. Carefully brush their luscious locks with a wide-tooth stainless steel comb or grooming glove to remove matts and tangles for at least 5 minutes. Outdoor cats need even more combing to make sure there's no grime trapped in their thick coat.

Your daily grooming routine doesn't stop there. Carefully wipe eyes and ears with a damp cloth to avoid the build-up of dirt and help your cat get to those hard-to-reach places – this isn't as easy for flat-faced breeds as other cats.

Persians need a bath every two or three months so stop their coat from becoming greasy. If you're not comfortable bathing your pet at home, it's worth taking it to a professional groomer who'll make sure their fur remains tangle-free after getting wet.

Exercise

Although this breed does display the occasional burst of energy by hunting your empty crisp packet or rolling all over the floor, your Persian likes nothing more than chilling about the house. That doesn't mean they don't need plenty of exercise, though. Provide fun toys and climbing opportunities for your feline friend to stay active.

Training

This breed is highly intelligent, so training Persians is fairly straightforward. You can teach them to use the litter tray and cat flap from a young age and they'll soon pick up what is and isn't allowed in your home.

This breed may display some irresistible features, like its gorgeous long hair and squished face, but they can also cause serious health conditions down the line. As a Persian owner, it's your job to be aware of the potential risks and how to spot them to help make your cat's life the best it can be.

Here are a few of the most common medical concerns in the Persian cat breed.

Hip dysplasia

This problem usually arises while your Persian cat is still a kitten and causes the ball and socket to misalign and become loose. Affected cats will experience pain and difficulty moving about but are usually able to live a normal life with proper weight management and pain control.

Brachycephalic airway obstruction

Sometimes known as brachycephalic upper airway obstruction, this condition is caused by your cat's short, flat snout. Their face might look adorable, but it means they suffer from small nostrils, jaw deformities and a small soft palate, leaving your cat struggling to breathe.

Unfortunately, selective breeding over the years is the reason for this condition, but your vet can help you manage it. If your Persian becomes breathless very easily, it might need surgery.

Autosomal dominant polycystic disease

Affecting all mammals, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) causes fluid-filled cysts to develop slowly over time in the kidneys and occasionally other organs, like the pancreas and liver. These Persian cats live a normal life, and the problem can go unnoticed for years until they eventually suffer from kidney failure. If the vet spots polycystic kidney disease during a visit, you may be able to manage it with medication.

Progressive retinal atrophy

This is a genetic eye issue which causes blindness over time. You can get genetic testing to check your Persian's eyes for the disease, but you can also look out for signs of progressive retinal atrophy like your cat being nervous in the dark or bumping into objects when the light is low. Speak to your vet at the first sign of eye issues.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Causing your cat's heart muscle to become unusually thick, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reduces the volume of blood pumped around the body. If you notice extreme tiredness or fainting, get your cat to the vet quickly. The prognosis of Persians with the condition is variable, with many living a full and happy life with frequent vet trips and treatment.

Dental issues

Similar to all felines, Persians are at risk of common oral health conditions, like gingivitis, but this cat breed is more prone to these problems due to dental malocclusion. Your cat's shortened jaw means they often suffer from teeth overcrowding, so daily brushing is essential to stay on top of oral hygiene and prevent costly dental treatment.

Finding the right cat insurance for your beloved mog is important but it can be difficult with all the jargon involved. Need some help understanding the levels of protection? We've got you covered.

• Lifetime pet insurance: Protect your Persian year after year with this comprehensive, ongoing cover. We'll pay your vet fees up to a certain amount and reinstate it every 12 months.
• Maximum benefit cat insurance: Get cover for each health problem or accident up to a fixed figure, and once reached, your pet is no longer protected.
• Time-limited cover: This policy works in the same way as maximum benefit but covers each condition for a specific period and amount.
• Accident-only pet insurance: Cover your pet against injuries from an accident. If they fall ill, you won't be protected and will need to pay the vet bills yourself.

At Purely Pets, we believe all Persians are equal and deserve the best protection to keep them happy and healthy, which is why we only offer lifetime policies. To select the right level for your cat, contact our helpful team on 0330 102 5748 or fill out our online form today.

Cats are agile and great at bouncing back on all paws, but that doesn't mean they can't get injured or suddenly fall ill. As a responsible pet parent, it's your job to make sure it gets the care it deserves in an emergency, which means investing in lifetime cat insurance cover.

Here are three reasons why specialist pet insurance is so important.

1. Veterinary treatment can be costly

Like many pedigree cats, Persians are at risk of various medical conditions, which sometimes need lengthy treatment and even surgery. Across a lifetime, the vet bills can soon mount up, especially if your feline friend suffers from ongoing conditions.

With a cat insurance policy in place, you don't need to worry about unexpected vet fees and ensure your Persian cat gets the medical care it needs to get back to its playful self.

2. Your Persian deserves the best care

Worrying about when and where your cat will get the care it needs is the last thing you want in an emergency. With a Purely Pets lifetime policy, we organise the financial side with your chosen vet, so you can get your pet help fast.

3. Get cover before a problem develops

Whether you keep your cat indoors or let it roam free outside, your Persian longhair can develop an illness at any stage of its life. If your cat falls ill, you'll find it increasingly difficult to find pet insurance cover, and if you do, it won't include any pre-existing medical conditions, meaning you'll still need to pay for the veterinary treatment yourself.

To avoid finding yourself in a tough situation like this, cover your cat with insurance while it's still happy and healthy. Finding it tough to get cover for your cat? Here at Purely Pets, we insure kittens from just 8 weeks old and have no upper age limit for greying mogs.