Just reading through some of the threads....Caly you're right....Persians can have respiratory problems....I should know, I've had 6 persians over the years. But if cared for properly can live a long time. My first "brood" of 4 lived to be in their 20's. Leo and Gizzmo are both 13 years old. There's not a sweeter disposition in the world than the "Cobby build Persians" (that's Leo...stockier, less shovel faced).