Oriental Shorthair: Cat Breed Health And Care Best Guide

The Oriental Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat that evolved from and is closely related to the Siamese cat. It retains the modern Siamese head and body type but appears in a wide range of coat colors and patterns. Like the Siamese, Orientals have almond-shaped eyes, a triangular head shape, large ears, and an elongated, lean and muscular body. Their personalities are also very similar.

Orientals are social, intelligent, and many are rather vocal. They often remain playful into adulthood, with many enjoying playing. Despite their slender appearance, they are athletic and can jump to high places. They prefer to live in pairs or groups and also seek human interaction. Unlike the blue-eyed Orientals of the breed, Orientals are usually green-eyed. The Oriental Longhair differs only in terms of coat length.

While the lynx’s inheritable roots are in Thailand, it was formally observed in the US by a number of breeders in the state area of York, southern Vicki, and Peter Markstelin( the Pathmark came from Kate, who in 1971- 72 lynx patterned and cortege ) lynx of health. were attracted by the people. Siamese body type colored cats at Angela Sayers Solitaire Cattery and Patricia White.

These were based on solid-colored cats with Siamese bodies bred by Baroness von Ullmann in the 1950s. In 1973 “Oriental Shorthairs International” was formed, and Peter Markstein presented the breed at the 1976 annual Cat Fanciers Association.

At the same time, Havana Brown was introduced by Joe Bittaker. In 1977 the Oriental Shorthair was accepted for championship competition by the Cat Fanciers Association. Since 1997, it has also received recognition from the GCCF and various other cat breeding organizations. This breed is the most popular among CFA members.

• Origin: England
• SIZE: Medium
• Weight: 8-12 pounds
• LifeSpan: 12-15 years

Breed Characteristics

Considered an excellent pet, the Oriental Shorthair is outgoing and fun. This cat is gregarious by nature and, unlike many other breeds, can become withdrawn and depressed when left alone for more than a few hours at a time.

Most Orientals love to meet new people. Occasionally, a cat may fixate on one person and be more avoidant with others, but this is more the exception than the rule.

It should be noted that vocalization is a major part of the Oriental Shorthair’s personality, a trait shared by most cats of the Siamese family. An Oriental will express excitement, interest, frustration, or other emotions with various vocalizations. Many Oriental owners report that their cats “communicate” with various meows and chirps.

History

While it’s easy to imagine these cool, statuesque cats with Cleopatra, the Oriental Shorthair is actually a relatively new breed. They arrived in the 1950s when English breeders began crossing Siamese with other domestic cats (due to the decline of Siamese cats after World War II).

According to the CFA Oriental Breed Council, it is believed that the first Oriental Shorthair cats can be traced back to black hybrids (solid black cats with both Siamese and non-Siamese ancestry) and Russian Blues. Siamese cats continued to mate with different breeds, producing so many interesting colors and patterns that each is considered its own unique breed. However, soon there were so many unique colors and patterns that the cats were grouped into a single breed: the Oriental Shorthair.

The Oriental Shorthair didn’t cross the pond until the 1970s, but it didn’t take long for them to make an impression. A few years after arriving in the US, the Oriental Shorthair exploded in popularity. They were recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1977.

Appearance

While the Oriental Shorthair is technically a medium-sized cat at 8-12 pounds, their long, narrow frame gives them a much taller presence—and it also hints at their history.

“Look closely and you’ll see [its] body structure is almost identical to a Siamese,” says Teresa Keiger, editor of the Cat Fanciers Association.

The big difference between the two species? Incredible variety in color and pattern. The Oriental Shorthair comes in virtually every color, from blue and lavender to ebony, with patterns including tortoiseshell and smoke. And as their name suggests, their coat is short, sleek, and shiny when brushed regularly. And while a completely hypoallergenic cat isn’t a reality, the Oriental Shorthair can be a good choice for some allergy sufferers, relieving sneezing and sniffling problems.

If all that wasn’t attractive enough, the Oriental Shorthair has one of the most unforgettable faces you’ll ever see. Their wedge-shaped head creates an interesting distribution of facial features with long noses, almond eyes, and prominent cheekbones. And at the very top of that noggin? Big, straight ears reminiscent of a chihuahua… or Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter.

Temperament

Ready to chat? The Oriental Shorthair is always in a talkative mood, with an unusual cry commonly known as a honk. “They talk when they want to know something, what’s going on, what you’re doing or where you are,” says Kager.

As you can probably guess, these cats are very social animals. Intelligent and affectionate, Oriental Shorthair cats love being around their families and other pets, especially companion cats. They are total “Velcro cats” and often act as your second shadow.

“Become very attached to you, so they will follow you unconditionally no matter where you go in your house,” says Gonzalez.

While their moderate energy levels don’t make them the lap cat that spends the day watching the world go by, they’ll certainly seek out that lap when the mood hits. These kittens are equal parts tight and on the go.

Personality

Oriental personality is known as a distinctive exterior. They are natural entertainers, full of north, energy, and belief that the world should revolve around them. Opinionated and silent one minute, they are animated and the next Jesus. They are very curious, and question to a great extent for information in your development. If you work by day and lead an active life then this is not the woman for you.

Orientals should be left alone for long periods of time and will need to know others as playmate company for the times you can’t be with them. Oriental demands attention; This gender needs quality time with their chosen ones. They need to play well, and it is essential that it is appropriate for them in infancy. It’s wise for Oriel to screw you all over, or they’ll make a party out of them, electorally making things at home.

Orients are political, social, loving, and loyal, and if you ignore or give in to them, you find yourself in their comfort zone. Orientals don’t just look – they need a woman if they want to live a happy, healthy life. If you provide them with the tender love they need, they will give you some in return. Ignore them, and they become new and they become. However, when questions are given a full share of self-love, Orientals will exchange the conversation with you with this love and understanding.

They bond with them and their choice usually makes a person devoted and dependent on them. Beside you, at your khana and may interrogate you, why you went there and what you brought to “me-or”. This breed is a Siamese police judge tone, however, this classification and judgment may vary from bloodline to bloodline until acceptable.

Health

Oriental Shorthairs typically have a lifespan of 12-15 years, but some can live well past that milestone. However, like all breeds, there are some specific health issues to watch out for.

Like the Abyssinian, Siamese, and Balinese breeds, the Oriental Shorthair can be susceptible to amyloidosis. According to the Oriental Cat Association, this is a serious condition where amyloid builds up in tissues and organs. The deposits then lead to organ failure or death. Symptoms develop before the cat is 5 years old, and it is believed to be an inherited condition. Unfortunately, there are currently no non-invasive or genetic tests to detect amyloidosis.

Another hereditary condition that affects Oriental Shorthairs is progressive retinal atrophy, a gradual form of vision loss that results in blindness. Cats with this condition have no vision problems at birth but begin to show signs of vision loss at seven months and lose their sight completely between 3-5 years of age. Although genetic tests are available, there is no cure.

But the average Oriental Shorthair is usually the most prone to obesity and dental problems. Regular exercise, minimal grooming, brushing your cat’s teeth, and taking him to your vet for regular dental checkups will help your cat live a happy and healthy life.

Oriental Shorthair Cat Care

Oriental shorthair cats may be more popular than their long-haired cousins ​​because they are easier to care for. Regular brushing will show off that attractive coat and help with shedding, which occurs year-round. An occasional cat bath or wipe-down also brings out the best in their coats.

Their biggest grooming need is not their short fur, but their large ears. You’ll want to check weekly for wax and anything unusual. Your vet can guide you through preferred ear cleaning methods, but in general, a few drops of warm water on a cotton ball can be enough to gently swab those bat ears.

Then there’s general cat care that all breeds need: trim their nails regularly and make sure their litter box stays clean. And keep up with regular vet appointments to ensure your Oriental Shorthair kitten stays healthy.

Regular play sessions with interactive cat toys will help stimulate the Oriental Shorthair’s need to explore while keeping boredom at bay. (Remember, these cats are very smart and need to exercise their brains as well as their legs.) Allowing one-on-one Q&A time is also an important social outlet for you and can be a real treat for you. A perk comes with frequent kitty cuddles through these play sessions.

Best Food For Oriental Shorthair

• Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d with Chicken Wet Cat Food
• Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Cat Food
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Ocean Fish Entrée Cat Food

Oriental Shorthair Feeding

A diet high in protein with a good mix of carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins, and minerals is needed. Many low-quality pet food brands add soy and wheat as fillers to the cereal, which lowers the quality of the food and puts your cat at risk of developing health problems. It is important that you buy the right cat food for your Oriental.
Another consideration when bringing home cat food to your Oriental is the balance between raw and dry cat food.

Because many cats have an unfortunate habit of not drinking enough water, your Oriental can develop kidney problems without a proper diet. Wet food contains fluids that will help keep your Oriental hydrated. However, a diet of only wet food can lead to dental problems for your cat. Dry food helps keep your Oriental teeth strong.

We’ll give you a few suggestions of what we consider the best wet and dry foods to use when developing your Oriental diet plan.

A final note when it comes to feeding Orientals is that these large cats can take longer to grow than other breeds. This means you can consider keeping an Oriental on kitten food longer than the average cat.

Oriental Shorthair Grooming

The Oriental’s short, silky coat is low maintenance, and this cat does an excellent job of self-grooming. However, your cat may appreciate an occasional brush to remove any loose hair and stimulate the skin.

Regular ear checks, dental cleanings, and nail trims are also important parts of keeping any cat well-groomed.

Training For Oriental Shorthair

Your kitten learns in two different ways: it begins learning by imitating its mother’s actions and through new experiences and positive reinforcement. While kittens are more independent than puppies, it’s important to train them from an early age to adopt appropriate behaviors and learn the rules of sharing a home with other people and animals.

Oriental Shorthair Exercise

The Oriental Shorthair thrives on interactive stimulation and enjoys learning skills such as walking on a harness, doing tricks, and playing fetch. These pussycats are considered truly interactive and enjoy playing with mortal family members or other pussycats or tykes. It is often recommended that you make sure your Oriental has a furry companion.

Orientals love to jump and climb on high vantage points – such as refrigerators or cabinets – to monitor activities below. You can encourage safe (and potentially less destructive) climbing by providing a tall cat tree with lots of levels for active play.

Where to Adopt or Buy an Oriental Shorthair (oriental shorthair adopt).?

The Oriental Shorthair snappily gained popularity after being imported to the United States, and the moment the strain has a healthy addict base. Because of this popularity, there are many Oriental Shorthair breeders. In addition, regional and national groups help rehome displaced Oriental Shorthair cats.

Some resources to check out when you’re looking for an Oriental Shorthair include:

• CFA Breeder Directory
• TICA Breeder Directory
• Oriental Cat Association Rescue

Oriental Shorthair video

See More Cat Breeds For Further Research

• European shorthair
• Birman
• Toyger Cat
• Shorkie Dog Breed
• Arabian Horse Breed
• Thoroughbred Horse
• Sheepadoodle Dog

Oriental Shorthair FAQs

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