Persian

The Persian is a calm, quiet and gentle cat with a flat face and a long, thick coat. Adults usually weigh three to five and a half kilograms. Persians enjoy lounging, are not big climbers and rarely demand attention, which makes them a good fit for a quiet apartment. They do best as indoor cats.

The coat needs brushing every day to stop mats, and the face needs gentle wiping because tear marks and skin folds collect dirt. In the UAE summer a Persian can overheat more easily than other cats, so keep the home cool, put fresh water in several spots and never leave the cat in a parked car. Some owners choose a short summer clip, which a professional groomer can do. A flat face can bring breathing, eye and dental problems, so before you buy, ask your vet.

See the kitten in person (and its mother, if you buy from a breeder) and check the vaccination card. Your cat should be microchipped, have its rabies and core vaccinations and be registered with your municipality or emirate. On AnimalMarket24, asking prices have mostly been between AED 1,200 and AED 4,000. Adoption is also worth considering, since cats of every kind are looking for homes, and adoption fees should be modest.