Instructions
Study the cat's face. Traditional Persians have "doll faces," which distinguish them from the Ultra or flat face of later breeds. You can identify the Ultra breeds by their "bulldog" face, which makes the cat look as though he's frowning.
Look at the eyes. Persian cats have round, full eyes, unlike Oriental types that have almond-shaped eyes. Eye color may be bright or gold-flecked with prominent pupils.
Check out the cat's ears. Persians have short, pointed ears that tend to tilt forward. Look for fur protruding from the hollow of the ears.
Watch the cat walk and check if he has short legs. Persians are heavy cats with thick bones, unlike the lithe Siamese. This makes them great comfort cats.
Pet the cat and feel how soft and silky the coat is. A clear identifying mark of a Persian is its long fur. It's a delight to rub your face against this cat's back, if you're a cat lover.
Assess the colors of the coat. While Persians can be any color, they're generally grouped by solid colors, silver (white), golden, smoked, tabby, tortoiseshell, two-colored and Himalayan, which have the cream base, color points and blue eyes like the Siamese cat.
Feel the cat's tail. It should be long and particularly thick with fur. It looks like a heavy feather and it's difficult to feel the end of it.
Notice how the cat interacts with you. You can identify a Persian by its laid-back, mild manner. They can be provoked but generally don't take an interest in active play for very long, especially in their later years.
How to Identify a Persian Cat
Also called a long haired cat, Persian cats add elegance to any house. You'll deal with a lot of cat hairs, but hold a Persian in your lap when you watch TV and he'll warm you in winter. Conversely, he'll suffer more in hot, clammy weather. They've undergone some change in the course of breeding after the '80s. Here's how to identify a Persian cat.