Do Persian Cats Miss Their Owners? (The Reliable Reasons)


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It’s easy to tell when a dog missed you. It rushes to the door at the sound of your footsteps, wags its tail, and practically jumps into your arms. But cats rarely show this kind of excitement or affection. When you come home, your Persian will maybe glance in your direction, then go back to its nap. So…do Persian cats miss their owners?

Research indicates no clear decision on whether Persian cats miss their owners. Additional research suggests that cats, including Persians, love and trust their owners. Persian cats tend to be calm and usually do not suffer from separation anxiety, so they may not miss their owners.

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  • The cat condo/cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Persian Cats – I own this for my cat, and she loves it! (Affiliate Link):  Click Here
  • The cat bed on Amazon that I recommend for Persian cats – It has a place for the cat to sleep inside of it and on top of it (Affiliate Link) – Click Here.

I go into more detail about Persian cats and if they miss their owners below.  Read on!

Do Persian Cats Miss Their Owners?

“Missing” anyone implies a deep level of attachment and emotional dependence, and up to now, animal behaviorists are still figuring out what kind of relationships cats build with their humans.

Insights from Research:

Some studies—like this one from the University of Lincoln—say that cats are generally more independent and don’t think of humans as a source of security. They may meow or vocalize if they can’t find their owner, but that can just be a sign of frustration or boredom.

In layman’s terms, cats are normally fine whether or not you’re there.

But does that mean that cats aren’t attached to their owners and miss them when they’re not around? They may not panic when you leave, but that doesn’t mean they’re not happy when you come back.

An Interesting Opinion from an Animal Behaviorist:

Other animal behaviorists suggest that cats just form different kinds of attachments and show them in different ways. In an interview with NBC, animal behavior expert Kristyn Vitale assures cat owners that their calm reaction can mean that they trust you to care for its needs.

Since you have never starved or abandoned it before, it doesn’t freak out when you leave—and will calmly greet you when you return because that’s what you always do. Secure cats will come to see their owner and say hello, then they might go right back to what they were doing.

I like this opinion because it implies that if your cat comes and greets you nicely that they feel comfortable with you and trust you.

Some Cat Breeds (Like Persians) Are Calmer:

Video: Persian Cat Sleeping

Some breeds are very laidback and chill—and that’s why we love them. For example, Persian cats are known for their very calm and dignified. It’s not snobbish—in fact, it can be very affectionate with the humans that it’s closest to. If it’s in the mood, it will crawl into your lap or sleep at your feet. Persians are masterful at lap napping and are well-known for it!

But you will rarely see a Persian cat running around the house. It gets annoyed in noisy environments or by other frisky pets or kids and may even leave a room if there are too many people. So it would be very out of character for it to show affection in a loud, exciting way. That’s like expecting a Persian cat to be more like a dog.

Do Persian Cats Get Lonely?

It is possible for a Persian cat to get lonely; however, they are less likely to get lonely than other breeds of cats. In general, while Persian cats are independent, and they cansuffer from depression and separation anxiety if you are frequently gone for long periods of time.

Video: Persian Cat Information

Not only do they miss you, but they can get bored from a lack of stimulation and company.

Signs that a Cat is Stressed, Lonely, or Worried

Do Persian Cats Like Other Cats?

Yes, Persian cats are known to like other cats.  A Persian cat’s easy-going temperament lets them get along well with other felines.  Persian cats are not known for being aggressive or energetic, so they normally will not feud with other cats.

Aggressive behavior and depression tend to happen more in high-strung cat breeds like the Siamese or the Burmese cat, or rescue cats who have been rehomed or were abused in the past.

Luckily, Persian cats generally have a more mellow personality and can handle changes well. If you’re occasionally away or just have days when you need to do overtime or leave on trips, Persian cats will adjust.

But remember: this breed is also more social and more affectionate than its feline cousins. It likes being cuddled and petted. If your work takes you away from home for long periods, you may want to get another pet, so it always has company.

Picking a Playmate for your Persian Cat:

Persian cats get along with other cats, although they will need time to get used to each other. Its gentle, docile personality means it won’t pick a fight with its new “roommate” – but it may hiss if it feels threatened. To avoid stressing out both your pets, introduce them gradually. Keep them in separate rooms, and then slowly increase the amount of time they spend together. 

Sometimes it can make sense to have more than one cat tree so that the two cats aren’t fighting over the position on the same one.  That sounds a little far-fetched, but it is not; this can sometimes happen between cats that live together.

Persians can get along with dogs—but it also depends on the dog. It may get stressed out by very noisy, hyper breeds. Their personality is closer to quieter breeds like Shih Tzus. Both will be happy to share a couch and take a long nap together.

Do Persian Cats Love Their Owners?

Yes, Persian cats love their owners. Persian cats are known to bond with their owners and show affection by laying on their laps, rubbing up against their legs, and purring when they are in their owners’ presence. 

Don’t be surprised if your Persian shows you that it loves you by laying on your lap!  That is right up this cat’s alley.

How Do Persian Cats Show Love?

Persians are an especially affectionate cat breed and show love often—just in ways that you may miss. According to Psychology Today, these are some ways your cat says, “I love you.”

  • It purrs when it sees you or when you pet it.
  • It grooms you by licking your skin or face—you’re practically part of the cat family!
  • It rolls over and shows its belly to you. Since the belly is the most vulnerable part of its body, this is one of the ultimate signs of trust and a sense of security.
  • It looks at you and slowly blinks at you. Animal experts say that cats only make eye contact with humans that they like. So, while it can look like it’s glaring at you, it’s letting you know that you’re special. People even call this a “cat kiss.”
  • It rubs its cheek on you. It’s transferring its scent to you and marking you as “my human.” It is also often a sign that it wants your attention and affection. This is your cue to pet and stroke it.
  • It kneads you—which means it needs you! Kittens knead their mother’s chest to stimulate breastmilk. So, when it rubs its paws on you, it recognizes you as its own mother.
  • It leaves “gifts” on your doorstep or by your bed. Unfortunately, you may not always like its gifts, but it is the thought that counts. Your cat cares, and in its feline hunter mind, has even treated you to dinner.

What Do Persian Cats Like?

Persian cats like quality time with their loving owner.  Additionally, Persian cats like feeling secure, which are why they are often extremely happy being indoor cats.  A Persian cat will be happy with having safe options for them to lay around the house, such as sofas, cat beds, and cat trees.

Honestly, one of the reasons why we love cats is that they’re not clingy or demanding. All it needs is food and fresh water, regular grooming (matted fur equals miserable cat), and a few minutes of bonding time every day.

You can treat your cat to a comfortable cat bed and toys, but we would not be surprised if it ignores your gifts and decides it likes your sofa pillow and bedroom slippers more. That said, it’s always good to give it its own bed. The floor can get cold, and a cat bed can be extra warm and cozy.

  • The cat bed on Amazon that I recommend for Persian cats – It has a place for the cat to sleep inside of it and on top of it (Affiliate Link) – Click Here.

Some cats do enjoy cat trees because they enjoy climbing and appreciate a place where they can go to if they need privacy and some peace and quiet.

  • The cat condo/cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Persian Cats – I own this for my cat, and she loves it! (Affiliate Link):  Click Here

This is especially important for Persian cats since they are generally not as energetic as other cat breeds.  If you have any questions about cat nutrition, you should contact your veterinarian.

Persian Cat Behavior Problems

If a Persian cat had behavior problems, it would probably be in the form of separation anxiety due to loneliness from being too attached to their owner and their owner being away from the Persian cat for too long. 

When a cat is unhappy, it shows its distress through changes in appetite, destructive behavior, lethargy, and the other symptoms mentioned earlier in the post.

But you can also look for changes in the way your cat behaves around you. If your cat hides or hisses when you go in the room or scratches you when you pet it or pick it up, then there is something wrong. For some reason, it now feels threatened by you or has become very high-strung and overanxious.

Bring your cat to the veterinarian if you see a strange and sudden change in temperament and behavior. It may be in pain, so the stress is a symptom of a disease or injury. It may be stressed. Your vet can help diagnose the problem and tell you what you can do next.

Otherwise, if your Persian cat is calm and sleeping and playing like usual, you can rest assured that it is happy and content.

Conclusion

Persian cats are fantastic feline friends that bond with their owners.  While there is no specific research saying that Persian cats miss their owners, we can conclude that Persian cats not only love their owners but can also get lonely.  Getting a second cat to keep your Persian cat company might be a good option. 

If you liked this article, check out a couple of other great ones too, such as:

  • Do Persian Cats Scratch Furniture? (The Truth About Why): Click Here.
  • Can Ocicats Go Outside? (The Most Helpful Reasons): Click Here.

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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