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FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Persian

Persians are the plush, flat-faced aristocrats of the cat world — calm, sedentary indoor companions with a famously low energy level and a dense double coat that needs every bit of nutritional support it can get. That quiet lifestyle and that show-stopping coat are exactly what should shape their bowl.

As obligate carnivores, Persians are built to run on meat, organ, taurine and moisture — not carbohydrate filler. Their low activity means calories must be controlled, while their long coat and brachycephalic (flat) face make protein quality, omega-3s and easy-to-eat textures matter more than for most breeds. Freeze-dried raw is built for precisely this.

  • Adult weight7–12 lb
  • Lifespan12-17 years
  • TemperamentCalm, gentle, quiet, affectionate, indoor
  • CoatLong, dense, silky double coat

One of the most popular and recognizable long-haired breeds (CFA)

A healthy Persian cat
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What your Persian actually needs

Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

  • Long, dense double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein for skin & coat

    Fish-based freeze-dried raw delivers the omega-3s and meat-first protein that keep a Persian's luxurious coat plush, glossy and less prone to matting.

  • Calm, sedentary indoor lifestyle

    Needs: Strict calorie control to prevent weight gain

    Protein-dense raw portions keep a low-energy Persian full and satisfied on fewer calories, so they stay lean without feeling deprived.

  • Flat (brachycephalic) face

    Needs: Food that's easy to pick up and chew

    Small, rehydrated raw morsels are soft and easy for a snub-nosed Persian to eat, unlike large or hard dry kibble that can be awkward for their facial structure.

  • Low thirst drive

    Needs: Moisture built into the meal

    Rehydrated freeze-dried raw adds the water a Persian won't drink on its own, supporting urinary and kidney health from the bowl.

  • Heavy coat shedding & grooming

    Needs: Nutrients that support healthy skin and reduce hairball load

    Omega-rich, highly digestible raw nutrition supports skin and coat condition and a smoother coat that's easier to groom and sheds less into hairballs.

How much to feed your Persian

Quick answer: a healthy adult (7–12 lb) needs about 0.9–1.6 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two or more small meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean body and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
7 lb 0.9 oz 0.5 oz
8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
9 lb typical 1.2 oz 0.6 oz
10 lb 1.3 oz 0.7 oz
12 lb 1.6 oz 0.8 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

What to feed your Persian

Build a Persian's bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw, rotating between poultry and fish recipes to support lean muscle and that signature coat. Rehydrate the food to add the moisture this low-thirst, indoor breed needs and to soften morsels for an easy-to-eat texture.

Land Animal's cat recipes are high in animal protein and taurine and low in carbohydrate — a strong everyday match for a calm, indoor, coat-proud breed like the Persian. Fish recipes add extra omega-3s for the skin and coat, while measured portions keep a sedentary cat lean.

Feeding by life stage

  • Kitten: Persian kittens need generous animal protein and calories to build a healthy frame and coat — feed 3-4 small meals a day and keep moisture high.
  • Adult: Shift to measured, lean maintenance; calorie control is critical for a low-activity indoor breed that gains weight easily. Lean on protein density and omega-3s for the coat.
  • Senior: Prioritize highly digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle, kidneys and urinary health, and to keep the coat condition up in later years.

Common concerns — and the diet connection

  • Weight gain & obesityPersians are among the least active cats and gain weight easily; measured, protein-dense meals help maintain a lean body condition without leaving them hungry.
  • Skin & coat conditionA long double coat depends on quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids; fish-based raw nutrition helps support a plush, glossy, less-matted coat.
  • HairballsHeavy shedding means more swallowed hair; highly digestible, moisture-rich nutrition helps support smooth digestion and coat condition that can reduce hairball load.
  • Urinary & kidney healthAs a low-thirst breed, Persians benefit from the moisture in rehydrated raw, which helps keep urine dilute and supports urinary and kidney health.
  • Easy-to-eat texture (flat face)A brachycephalic face can make large or hard food awkward; soft, small rehydrated raw morsels are easier for a Persian to pick up and chew.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding your Persian: what to know

Persians are one of the least active cat breeds, so calorie control is the whole game — measure every meal and feed to a lean body condition rather than to appetite. You should be able to feel the ribs under that thick coat with light pressure; a heavy coat can hide creeping weight gain, so check by feel, not by eye.

Two or more small daily meals suit their gentle, grazing pace. A little warm water on freeze-dried raw boosts moisture and aroma, which helps a fussy Persian engage with the food and makes each small morsel easy for a flat-faced cat to pick up.

Cat feeding questions

How much should I feed a Persian?
A healthy adult Persian (7-12 lb) needs roughly 0.9-1.6 oz of freeze-dried raw per day - about 0.13 oz per pound of ideal weight - split across two or more small meals. Feed to a lean body condition, not to appetite, and check ribs by feel under the thick coat.
Are Persians prone to weight gain?
Yes. Persians are one of the least active cat breeds and gain weight easily, especially indoors. Measure every meal and use protein-dense food to keep them full on fewer calories, since a heavy coat can hide extra pounds.
What's the best food for a Persian's coat?
A long double coat thrives on high-quality animal protein plus omega-3 fatty acids. Fish-based freeze-dried raw recipes supply the omega-3s that help keep a Persian's coat plush, glossy and less prone to matting.
Why does my Persian have so many hairballs?
Heavy shedding means more swallowed hair. Highly digestible, moisture-rich nutrition supports smooth digestion and healthier coat condition, which can help reduce hairball load - pair it with regular grooming and consider a hairball-support supplement.
Is freeze-dried raw easy for a flat-faced Persian to eat?
Yes. Rehydrated freeze-dried raw forms small, soft morsels that are easy for a snub-nosed Persian to pick up and chew, unlike large or hard dry kibble that can be awkward for their facial structure.
How do I add moisture to a Persian's diet?
Persians have a low thirst drive, so build water into the meal. Rehydrate freeze-dried raw with warm water before serving - it adds moisture for urinary and kidney health and boosts aroma to tempt a picky eater.

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  • Obligate-carnivore formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch
  • "My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she's drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it."

    — Dana & Miso
  • "Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He's more playful and his coat looks incredible."

    — Theo & Pepper
Build my cat's meal plan →

Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.