Anything you wanno know just shout!
The main thing of course is grooming. Persians have a double coat, undercoat and top coat. Its the undercoat that can cause the problems of matting, especially at moulting times, so regular combing of loose undercoat fur will help prevent mats. A small metal comb is ideal, with medium/fine spaced teeth, combing from the root of the hairs to the tip - helps to part the fur as you go. Grooming needs to be done every day really, also a bath and blow dry will help prevent knots, but no bathing if the coat is already knotty - wet+knots = big mats LOL!
Some grooming tips on my website
http://scruffyjoe.mysite.orange.co.uk Some persians suffer with runny eyes, so need wiping every day too, to prevent horrible stained 'gutter's that run from the tear duct down each side of the nose.
Food, avoid dry, especially if its a male (not enough moisture in dry food). A little dry food as perhaps treats each day is ok, but shouldnt be the only food. Wet food should be high meat content (Natures Menu, almo nature, applaws etc) - persians in particular can be intolerant to the ingredients in the low meat content wet foods.
Anything else they want to know - I'll be happy to help.