oriental-shorthair
Curious, affectionate, easygoing, playful
Overview
Origin
United Kingdom
Life Span
12-15 years
Height
8"- 10"
Weight
6 - 12 pounds
Group
Medium-sized short-haired
Price
$400-$2000
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.
Care
Nutrition
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.
Grooming
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.
Exercise
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!
Health
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.
Breed Standard
Body
The body is long, slim, and tube shaped. Oriental Shorthair cats should display sleek muscles and present an athletic appearance.
Head
The head is triangular, with an elongated profile. The muzzle is wedge-shaped, while the nose is long and straight.
Eyes
The eyes are medium size, with an almond shape. They slant towards those following the lines of the head and ears. Many Oriental Shorthair cats have green eyes rather than blue.
Ears
The Oriental Shorthair cat has very large ears that continue the lines of the head. The ears’ bases should be exceptionally wide and their tips should be finely pointed.
Color
Many coat colors and patterns are accepted for show including solid, shaded, smoke, bicolor, parti color, pointed, and tabby. Certain breed registries have different categories for different colors and bicolor oriental shorthair cats are considered a distinct, separate breed by the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
Coat
The coat should be short, with a fine texture. Hair should lie close to the body and should have a glossy appearance.
Tail
The tail should be long and thin, tapering to a fine point at the end.
Legs & Paws
The Oriental Shorthair cat should have long, slim legs. The hind legs should be longer than the forelegs. The paws should be dainty and small, with an oval shape.
Personality & 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.