The Oriental shorthair is a long, lithe, and slim natural athlete. He is lively and full of life, always interested in something. Asians enjoy supervising every family activity and providing ongoing verbal advice on how things should be done.
Using the Siamese as a basis and combining him with other breeds to introduce desirable qualities, such as new colors, patterns, or hair lengths, a variety of cat breeds have been developed.
The Oriental shorthair comes in countless variations of colors and patterns and can have either short hair or long hair. You may get an impression of his variety by picturing a short-haired black-ticked Torbie or a long-haired blue mackerel tabby.
About The Breed
Prepare yourself for a lifetime commitment since Orientals develop very strong attachments to their humans. These cats may find it extremely challenging to cope with the death of a member of their family or other special individuals.
Because of this, it’s a great idea to completely socialize your Oriental kitten to make sure he is comfortable with lots of other people and visiting new and various locations. In the case that he needs to be hospitalized, boarded, or visited by a pet sitter, your efforts could assist him in not responding badly.
An Oriental will divert himself when you are not there to amuse him by climbing on top of the refrigerator, opening drawers, looking for new hiding places to annoy anyone who might be looking for him, and watching television with obvious interest.
He can be trained to walk on a leash, enjoys the game of fetch, and is typically tolerant of other cats, dogs, and kids.
The Siamese and Oriental both have amazing personalities that are talkative, inquisitive, intelligent, and affectionate.
The Oriental has a particular voice, much like the Siamese, and will “speak” to you about everything and everything. This cat genuinely cares about his owners and will get involved in all of their activities.
Prepare yourself for a lifetime commitment since Orientals develop very strong attachments to their humans. These cats may find it extremely challenging to cope with the death of a member of their family or other special individuals.
Because of this, it’s a great idea to completely socialize your Oriental kitten to make sure he is comfortable with lots of other people and visiting new and various locations.
Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed History
A color recreation of the original “black and white” Siamese is how the Oriental is best characterized. The Siamese was used as the foundation breed to create the breed, which was subsequently crossed with other breeds.
The original goal was to increase the Siamese gene pool in Britain because of the extensive damage that World War II had done to breeding efforts.
Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, and domestic shorthairs were used to breed back to Siamese to generate kittens lacking the Siamese pointed pattern.
Breeders created Siamese-like cats in a matter of generations, with the exception of the range of colors and patterns they presented, as well as cats with the classic pointed design.
Siamese-pointed cats were employed in Siamese breeding operations, whereas cats without points served as the foundation for the creation of a new breed, the Oriental. In the 1970s, when the cats were first introduced into the country, crosses with American Shorthairs led to the development of new hues and patterns.
Additionally, a long-haired variant was created. More than 300 different colors and designs, including pointed variations, are now available for Orientals. Not all cat groups allow pointed orientals, and some demand that they be shown as Siamese.
Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Job Card/Overview
Breed Name | Oriental Shorthair |
Origin | England |
Height | 8 – 10 inches |
Weight | 6 – 12 pounds |
Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
Temperament | Curious, affectionate, easygoing, playful |
Colors | Red, cream, ebony, blue, lavender, cinnamon, fawn and white. |
What To Know
• These cats are full of power and love to play. Be prepared to have interaction in interactive playtime to keep them mentally and bodily inspired.
• Oriental Shorthairs are affectionate and enjoy being around their human partners. They regularly form sturdy bonds with their owners and may observe you around the house.
• Despite their quick coat, these cats can shed, so normal brushing is a great idea. They are typically low-protection in terms of grooming.
• Like all cats, ordinary vet check-usage is important. They can be prone to positive health troubles, so stay knowledgeable approximately common Oriental Shorthair cat illnesses and make sure they have a balanced weight loss program and exercise habitually.
Characteristics
They have glossy, slim bodies with huge ears, giving them a stylish and one-of-a-kind look. These felines are rather active and playful, constantly equipped for interactive games and fun with their human companions.
Their affectionate nature makes them loving and dependable pets, often forming strong bonds with their owners.
While their short coat is simple to take care of with minimum grooming needs, it’s critical to provide normal vet check-ups, as they’ll be prone to certain health issues.
Overall, Oriental Shorthair cats are fascinating, lively, and exquisite companions for folks who admire their colorful personalities.
Energy- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sociability – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Shedding level- ⭐⭐⭐
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Stranger friendly- ⭐⭐⭐
Affectionate- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Canine friendly- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intelligence-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personality
Asians have strong feelings for the individuals in their lives. Prepare yourself for a lifetime commitment since they develop profound attachments to their humans. These cats may find it extremely challenging to cope with the death of a member of their family or other special individuals.
An Oriental will divert himself when you are not there to amuse him by climbing on top of the refrigerator, opening drawers, looking for new hiding places to annoy anyone who might be looking for him, and watching television with obvious interest.
He can be trained to walk on a leash, enjoys the game of fetch, and is typically tolerant of other cats, dogs, and kids. In fact, he could even like it better. For this cat, the more activity, the better.
Just make certain that they show him the gentle respect he merits. Play with puzzle toys with him, teach cat tricks, or even teach him feline agility.
Pros And Cons Of The Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed
Pros
- Playful and energetic, great fun!
- Sleek and elegant, beautiful appearance.
- Social and affectionate, loves attention.
- Low grooming needs, easy care.
- Intelligent and quick learners.
Cons
- Can be quite vocal sometimes.
- May demand lots of playtime.
- May not do well alone.
- For some health issues, check breed-specific.
- A rare breed, adoption may be limited.
Appearance
General Appearance
These cats have glossy, slim bodies and elegant functions. They recreate large, expressive ears that upload to their unique charm. With the best coat that lies close to the skin, their fur is brief, making grooming a breeze.
Oriental Shorthairs come in an extensive variety of colors and styles, from strong colorings like ebony and ivory to putting mixtures consisting of bi-color and colorpoint. Their almond-fashioned, shiny eyes entire the look, giving them a curious and sensible expression.
Coat Color And Grooming
The entire cat has the same color coat. From root to tip, every hair shaft should be the same color and devoid of banding and tipping. Colors for this breed that are CFA-acceptable include red, cream, ebony, blue, lavender, cinnamon, fawn, and white.
When compared to Persians and other cats with very long hair, the Oriental Longhair’s single-layer coat, which is more medium length than long, makes these cats appear positively short-haired.
Just give them a quick once-over every day to help remove any loose hair and reduce shedding. You won’t need to brush them very often.
By giving your cat a grooming session, you’re doing yourself, and your cat a favor, as frequent brushing can help lessen the frequency of hairball build-up.
As cute as they are, these kitties are also very active. Trimming your toenails on a regular basis helps protect your furnishings from harm. Last but not least, think about giving your cat a couple of dental cleanings a week, at the very least.
The Oriental Shorthair does a fantastic job of maintaining its lovely single-layer coat sleek and tidy, but you can cut down on shedding even more by giving your cat a gentle brushing once or twice a week to get rid of any dead hairs. After that, they shine up their coat by buffing them with a chamois or a silk scarf.
Oriental Shorthair cats are quite active, so you might want to keep your cat’s claws clipped to prevent damage to your furnishings. To make trimming and tooth brushing your cat’s routine as an adult, teach them to tolerate these grooming procedures from an early age.
Shedding
Due to their simpler coats, Oriental shorthair cats may be more popular than their long-haired counterparts. Regular brushing will highlight that beautiful coat and lessen seasonal shedding. The finest in a cat’s coat is also brought out by the odd wash or wipe-down.
The Oriental Longhair’s coat doesn’t shed much and doesn’t mat easily despite its average length. Typically, brushing your cat once a week is enough to remove any stray hair and keep them looking their best.
Health
Orientals are often in good health. Similar to Siamese, Orientals are susceptible to the same health conditions that can cause crossed eyes, hereditary hepatic amyloidosis, which can cause liver failure, and dilated cardiomyopathy, which impairs the heart’s capacity to contract.
The breed has also been linked to mast cell cancer and bladder stones. Never buy a kitten from a breeder if they don’t provide a health guarantee.
Although a guarantee does not ensure that your kitten won’t ever experience any of these issues, it does demonstrate the breeder’s willingness to stand behind the children she creates.
Maintenance And Care
Despite having long hair, the oriental longhair does not require extensive maintenance as long-haired breeds like the Persian do since it does not have a double coat. To eliminate dead hairs, a thorough brush-out once a week should be sufficient.
The short, silky hair of the oriental cat requires little upkeep, and this cat is quite good at brushing itself. To get rid of any stray hairs and stimulate the skin, your cat could, nevertheless, welcome a brushing every so often.
The other essential components of keeping any cat well-groomed are routine ear examinations, dental cleanings, and nail trimmings.
Food And Nutrition
The oriental longhair is predisposed to periodontal disease, perhaps as a result of the long, narrow face and jaw that allow germs and plaque to build up.
It is essential to provide high-quality food, particularly dry food in addition to canned food, to help with the clearance of build-up. If your cat tolerates it, both veterinary dental cleanings and teeth brushing might be beneficial.
Your Oriental shorthair cat’s health may be preserved by feeding quality cat food. To avoid overeating and weight gain, provide the proper amount of food at the right times.
Exercise And Activity Level
The oriental longhair likes playing games, investigating, and attacking toys because of its high level of energy. Training is an excellent way to interact with this curious cat (and keep its mind occupied). In the world of cats, this breed of cat is highly trainable.
The longhair is extremely clever and inquisitive and responds well to positive reinforcement training methods. This will strengthen your bond with your cat while keeping it engaged and busy.
Oriental shorthairs like learning new tasks, playing fetch, and walking on a harness because they thrive on interactive stimuli.
These felines are regarded as being quite social and like playing with humans, other cats, and even dogs. You should often make sure your Oriental has a furry friend.
Orientals like leaping and climbing to high vantage places, such as cupboards or refrigerators, to see events below. A tall cat tree with plenty of levels for active play can promote safe (and possibly less destructive) climbing.
Little Known Facts
Here is a list of the amazing facts about this breed-
- Depending on the registry, the Oriental Longhair cat may be considered a distinct breed or a subset of another breed. As an illustration, the CFA describes the longhair as a subset of the Oriental breed.
- Within the family of Oriental Longhairs, there are more than 300 different coat hues and patterns.
- Even as they age, Oriental Longhair cats still exhibit their curious, kitten-like characteristics. Their humorous nature makes them the perfect choice for anybody looking for a companion who yearns for games, fun, and a lot of everyday interaction.
- It’s conceivable that you may locate an Oriental Shorthair in your favorite cat’s color: The breed standard for Oriental Shorthairs lists more than 300 distinct color combinations. The Oriental Shorthair has earned the moniker “Rainbow Cat” as a result.
- The Oriental Shorthair cat comes close to being totally hypoallergenic despite the fact that it generates less of the Fel D1 protein that triggers responses in people with cat allergies.
- Oriental Shorthair cats vocalize regularly and have a large vocabulary, just like Siamese cats. The Oriental Shorthair cat should be on your shortlist if you’re seeking a chatty feline.
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FAQs On oriental shorthair Cat Breed…
How much does a short-haired oriental cat cost?
Depending on the cat’s quality, an oriental shorthair might cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000. (pet or breeding quality).
Asian shorthair cats grow to what size?
When fully grown, these cats weigh around 12 pounds.
Where was the genesis of the oriental shorthair?
In the 1950s, Siamese cats were crossed with other breeds, including the Russian blue and British shorthair in England, to create Oriental shorthairs.
What is the price of an oriental longhair cat?
Depending on whether it is considered pet grade or breeding quality, an oriental longhair cat can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000.
Where does the Asian longhair originate?
The breed was developed further in the US after beginning in the UK.
Talk a lot, do Oriental Longhairs?
These cats are exceedingly talkative, and the majority of their demands wants, and “opinions” are communicated through loud, deep meows.
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.