Pets
In reply to the discussion: I picked up a 10 month old foster cat today. I have never seen a cat like this [View all]wnylib
(21,341 posts)has traits of a "foreign" type breed. That's just a general term applied to cats that have wedge-shaped heads, small and narrow faces with large ears. Their body type is slimmer and often longer than the usual domestic shorthair cat. Included in that type of cat are Siamese, Abyssinian, Egyptian Mau, Burmese, and the various breeds that have been created by crossing Siamese with other breeds.
A mixed breed cat does not always have the coat you expect. I once adopted a gray and black tabby from the Humane Society and later discovered from the vet that it was half Siamese. It had Samese personality, meow, face shape, body type, etc., but a domestic shorthair coat with no points.
The cats that fit into the "foreign" category are usually very active and playful, but if frightened or abused, they get very withdrawn and passive. They take longer to adjust to changes than other cats and are usually not lap cats, although they like being around people. One thing I am sure of from the pic. That cat is not Persian. The face and coat are all wrong for a Persian.
You could try this to gain the cat's trust. Get its attention so that it is looking at you. Then slowly blink your eyes at it. Do that a couple times. In cat language, you are saying that you are a friend and not a threat. If the cat blinks back at you it is acknowledging your message and returning it.
Let the cat have its space and come to you on its own terms. When it feels comfortable, I have a hunch that this cat will be playful and more active.