Personality and Temperament
If you love Siamese cats, then you'll probably adore Oriental Shorthair cats just as much! These amazing kitties are sized and shaped like their close cousins, but they display an incredible variety of colors and patterns.
Not only is The Oriental Shorthair a visually stunning cat, members of this breed tend to be exceptionally friendly and outgoing, with a fondness for nearly everyone they meet including other felines and even well-behaved dogs. The more friends, the better – in fact, while some breeds prefer solitary life, Oriental Shorthair cats enjoy living in groups!
These amazing kitties are well-suited to most families, but they do require lots of attention. Oriental Shorthair cats are highly social, and they can become depressed if left alone too often. The good news is that furry companions stave off loneliness in this breed just as well as human family members, so those who must often spend more time away at work than at home can enjoy sharing life with one of these delightful cats so long as there's a compatible pet in the home.
While Oriental Shorthair cats develop friendly feelings for multiple people, they have a tendency to choose a favorite person and spend most of their time in close contact.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
Oriental Shorthair cats have no special nutritional needs, however they benefit from a high-protein diet that includes real meat or fish as the main ingredient. Choosing a high-quality brand, offering fresh food, or providing a combination of the two is an excellent way to promote good health and longevity.
The Oriental Shorthair does an outstanding job of keeping its beautiful single layer coat neat and tidy, but you can reduce shedding even more by grooming your cat with a soft brush once or twice per week to remove any dead hairs. Afterward, polish their coat with a chamois or a silk scarf to bring out the shine.
Since Oriental Shorthair cats are extremely active, you may wish to minimize damage to your furniture by keeping your cat's claws trimmed. Teach your cat to accept trimming and toothbrushing from a young age to make these grooming processes fuss-free when they reach adulthood.
Oriental Shorthair cats are extreme athletes, with the ability to make extraordinary leaps and high jumps. They're speedy, too: these cats love to race around the house, either alone or with their favorite furry friend. If you have two Oriental Shorthair cats, you'll enjoy watching them compete!
Be sure to offer your cat at least one tall cat tree that offers a good view of the room where everyone spends the most time. Of course, they'll appreciate multiple cat trees if your home will accommodate them – otherwise, they're likely to find the highest perches they can in each room!
Scratching posts and toys are other essentials: These will help keep your cat occupied when you are not able to offer interactive play and they'll help save your belongings from becoming playthings
Oriental Shorthair cats are generally very healthy but some individuals are at an elevated risk for complications including asthma, megaesophagus, mast cell cancer, dilated cardiomyopathy, feline lower urinary tract disease, and liver amyloidosis. They can also suffer from some eye issues including progressive retinal atrophy and crossed eyes.
History
Oriental Shorthair cat history begins with the Siamese. It's a connection that is easy to see since the two breeds share so many similarities.
A group of New York cat breeders including Vicki and Peter Markstein, Angela Sayers, and Patricia White developed the Oriental Shorthair cat between 1971 and 1972, after noting the many beautiful and intriguing colors and patterns displayed by these cats. This small group of enthusiasts led the way for the formation of the Oriental Shorthair's International group, which was formed in 1973.
In 1976, Peter Markstein introduced the, Oriental Shorthair cat to the Cat Fanciers Association, which granted acceptance for championship status in 1977. Since then, Oriental Shorthair cats have gained recognition with a number of registries worldwide.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
The Breed Standard
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
FAQ
How much does a Oriental Shorthair cat cost?
Oriental Shorthair cats cost between $400-$2000.
How big does this breed cat's cat get?
Oriental Shorthair cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown Oriental Shorthair cat might weigh between 3 - 5 kg or more and range in height anywhere from about 20 - 25 cm inches tall.
How long do Oriental Shorthair cats live?
The Average lifespan for Oriental Shorthair is 12-15 years.
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