Garfield is the famous ginger cat from the comic strip that has been around for over 40 years now. However, you can have your own Garfield cat at home. As Garfield is based on the Persian Tabby cat.
In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about this breed of cat, so you can make up your mind whether you want your own Garfield cat at home.
Contents
History Of The Persian Tabby Cat
The Persian Tabby cat has roots as far back as Iran in the 1920s. There are various stories about the development of this breed of cat.
Some stories even claim that wizards created this breed of cat. However, the real story isn’t as interesting as that.
The true story of the creation of this breed of cat is all due to a long period of experimentation.
The aim was to create a beautiful-looking breed of cat, which had a short but wide body. Alongside a cute face and fluffy tail. This cat was created for its aesthetics and appearance.
In the late 19th century, a lot of hybrid versions were being created. This is because purebred Persian cats were being bred with other cat breeds that lived in the nearby areas of Afghanistan and Turkey, these were referred to as Asiatic cats. As a result, the Tabby Persian cat began its life.
The name Tabby Persian cat referred to the pattern on the fur of the cat. It is also an easy way to recognize this cat, by the M shape marking on its forehead.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that this breed of cat became more popular than ever before.
When they were brought into America, they took the focus off the Maine Coon cat, which was another fluffy cat that had caught the attention of so many Americans.
However, it is also due to the fact that cartoonist Jim Davis created the character of Garfield. He was based on a real-life pet named Tiddles.
This breed of cat has a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. This means that you can have your feline friend around for many years, as long as you keep them healthy and loved.
Appearance Of A Persian Tabby Cat
A typical Persian tabby cat will look like a cross between a domestic short hair and a long hair. They usually weigh around 3 pounds and stand around 12 inches tall.
The coat of a typical tabby is very soft and silky. The color varies from white to cream to brownish red.
As mentioned above, you will see an M marking on their forehead, which helps you distinguish this cat from any other ginger cat breed.
The eyes of a typical tabby are big and round. Their ears are large and rounded. They have a medium-length tail that is bushy and fluffy.
Behavior And Personality Of A Persian Tabby
Persian cats are known for their friendly personalities. Garfield may have given people a misconception of the Persian Tabby cat.
We can’t say that Garfield was the nicest cat, but this breed of cat is known for its gentle personality.
Although, where Garfield and the Persian Tabby are similar, these cats are very laid back. Thus, they will easily lie around all day, but they are very affectionate and love to be stroked.
It is known that Persian Tabbies are very selective on who they want to either put their affection on or get affection from.
Garfield only really liked the affections from Jon, his owner, and the same can be said with most Persian Tabbies. However, these cats aren’t needy.
You can easily leave these cats enjoying the sun in their favorite spot and go about your day. These cats are ideal for anyone who wants a simple life.
The Persian Tabby cat is a no-fuss cat that isn’t known to give its owners too many problems of destroying furniture, etc. They enjoy a simple life themselves, in a calm and quiet environment.
In chaotic and loud areas, the Persian Tabby doesn’t do too well in these situations. They will run away and try to hide to find somewhere much calmer and quieter. As this is where they feel safest. However, they are great cats for families or someone who lives alone.
Grooming Needs For The Persian Tabby Cat
The grooming requirements of this breed of cat were overlooked in the Garfield comic. However, you will need to brush your cat regularly. Make sure that you do so using a soft bristle brush. This will keep their fur looking soft and healthy as you will remove dirt and debris.
This breed is known for its thick and fluffy coat. However, as it is so thick, it can easily become matted and knotted if it isn’t looked after. Thus, you must brush your Persian Tabby cat regularly.
However, if you find it too much, take your cat to an experienced groomer who will know exactly what to do. Especially, their fur is matted, and you struggled to de-mat it.
Sometimes the climate you live in, a groomer may suggest shaving your Persian Tabby cat during the hotter month. This is to help stop your cat from overheating, but also makes their fur a lot easier to manage.
Care Requirements
These cats require little care. However, you will need to provide them with regular food and water. If you wish to give them some treats, then make sure you buy those that are made specifically for cats.
Cats are very different from dogs, so they don’t require exercise or lots of playing. Some breeds of cats are known for liking to play, however, the Persian Tabby cat likes a very simple life.
Health Issues With The Tabby Persian Cat Breed
As with any other cat breed, there are certain health issues associated with the tabby cat.
Dental
One of the main problems faced by these cats is dental disease. Tabby Persian cats have flat faces, so their teeth don’t grow in the same way as normal cats. This makes tooth extraction common in them.
Brushing their teeth is an unpleasant experience for them, but it is necessary for their dental health.
Periodontal disease is an illness that affects the gums and bones around the teeth. It can lead to tooth loss and other concerns. This could then lead to other health problems like heart disease.
Kidney Disease
Another health issue associated with the Persian Tabby cat is kidney disease. Tabby Persian cats are prone to developing bladder difficulties. Bladder stones form when bacteria grow in the cat’s urine.
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by infection. PKD causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys. These cysts cause the kidneys to fail over time.
Breathing Issues
It is known that these cats can have breathing issues. This is due to the nature of their facial structure. Flat-faced cats are sensitive to heat. Their flat faces make it difficult for them to breathe properly.
They need fresh air to stay healthy. If they do develop a breathing difficulty that can be life-threatening as not enough oxygen will reach their brains if it is serious.
Obesity
The final common issue is obesity, as these cats won’t move a lot. So it could be easy to overfeed these cats, which could lead to weight gain and obesity.
You need to be aware of what you are feeding your cat and limit how often you give them a treat.
If a cat becomes obese, this can then lead to other health issues and this could then result in shortening the overall lifespan of your beloved cat.
Just like with other cat breeds, the Persian Tabby cat is subject to some of the more common diseases including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, skin conditions, and cancer.
However, these are not common in the breed. It is important that you visit your vet every year to ensure that your cat is being checked out properly.
About Garfield The Cat
We have spoken about the Persian Tabby cat, so we cannot leave without talking about Garfield. The cat who really made this breed so popular today.
Garfield is a cat from the fictional cartoon comic strip of the same name. It is clear that Garfield is an orange Persian Tabby cat, due to its appearance and personality.
The cartoon strip was created by Jim David and debuted in 1978. Thus making Garfield around 44 years old.
This cat has gained so much popularity that live-action movies and TV series were created from the comic strip.
Garfield has touched the lives of many and made the Persian Tabby cat a popular breed of cat to own as a pet.
Final Thoughts
Garfield is one of America’s most loved and well-known fictional cats. However, the cat that inspired Garfield is a Persian Tabby cat, which is a very low-maintenance and loving cat.
They are an excellent choice for any first-time cat owners, although you do need to make sure that you regularly brush their fur to keep it looking fluffy and healthy.
The Persian Tabby cat not only looks beautiful, but they have a calming and friendly personality to match. Thanks to Garfield, this beloved cat will always have a place in our hearts and in many homes.
