The Oriental shorthair is a man-made breed of cat with origins in England. In the 1950s, breeders worked to rebuild their programs. As a result of this increased breeding effort, several new breeds were created. Of these, the Oriental shorthair is one of the most popular. Introduced to the United States in the 70's, more colors were developed in the breed. The Oriental shorthair remains a favorite among cat fanciers today.
The Oriental Shorthair is the result of cross-breeding Siamese cats with other domestic cat breeds. It is a medium-sized, muscular cat with a short or long coat. The Oriental shorthair is a slim cat. If you know what a Siamese cat looks like, you know what this breed looks like. Sleek with a small head, these cats look incredibly regal no matter what they are doing. Every part of an Oriental shorthair is long and slender. These cats should be kept thin and muscular in order to maintain optimal health.
Personality
Orientals are very athletic and have strong legs that enable them to jump and climb. They are known to sit on their owner's shoulders to get a good overview of what's going on. The Oriental is a friendly breed that demands a lot of attention. It is always up for a game and is very attached to its family. Orientals are good with kids and dogs. These cats, like their Siamese cousins, are intelligent, lively and sociable. It’s not uncommon to find an Oriental shorthair playing fetch with its owner. Give one of these cats a paper bag or a cardboard box and it entertains itself for hours. Potential owners should know that no shelf or cupboard is too high for these inquisitive creatures. It’s also good to know that this breed of cat is a talker. If you want a quiet lap cat, this is not the breed for you. Oriental shorthairs are great family cats. This breed is a social one, happily jumping from lap to lap during family gatherings. If you plan on getting one of these cats, plan on getting two; they do not typically do well as an only cat. These cats crave company and do not do well when left to their own devices.
Breed Characteristics
| Origin: | US, 1960s |
| Life Span: | 12-18 years |
Oriental Build Information
The Oriental Shorthair is the result of cross-breeding Siamese cats with other domestic cat breeds. It is a medium-sized, muscular cat with a short or long coat. The Oriental shorthair is a slim cat. If you know what a Siamese cat looks like, you know what this breed looks like. Sleek with a small head, these cats look incredibly regal no matter what they are doing. Every part of an Oriental shorthair is long and slender. These cats should be kept thin and muscular in order to maintain optimal health.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Orientals are very athletic and have strong legs that enable them to jump and climb. They are known to sit on their owner's shoulders to get a good overview of what's going on. The Oriental is a friendly breed that demands a lot of attention. It is always up for a game and is very attached to its family. Orientals are good with kids and dogs. These cats, like their Siamese cousins, are intelligent, lively and sociable. It’s not uncommon to find an Oriental shorthair playing fetch with its owner. Give one of these cats a paper bag or a cardboard box and it entertains itself for hours. Potential owners should know that no shelf or cupboard is too high for these inquisitive creatures. It’s also good to know that this breed of cat is a talker. If you want a quiet lap cat, this is not the breed for you. Oriental shorthairs are great family cats. This breed is a social one, happily jumping from lap to lap during family gatherings. If you plan on getting one of these cats, plan on getting two; they do not typically do well as an only cat. These cats crave company and do not do well when left to their own devices.
| Activity Level: | High |
| Affection Level: | High |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
Like most cats with short hair, the Oriental shorthair does not need excessive grooming. In the spring and the fall, your cat should be brushed daily to remove shedding hair. This prevents your cat from ingesting loose hair and having hairballs form in the gut.
| Grooming: | Minimal (Weeklybrushing, nail trimming, ear and tooth cleaning) |
Oriental Common Health Conditions
Oriental shorthairs are not prone to any disease specific to the breed. They are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy like any other breed of cat. Like any cat, this breed is prone to weight gain. A proper diet is essential for the Oriental shorthair.
Oriental Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
These cats typically rule the roost, holding their own among other cats and dogs. Oriental shorthairs are devoted to their people. Natural athletes, members of this breed should be given an activity to tire their minds and bodies. Breeds most similar to the Oriental shorthair include the Siamese and other Oriental breeds. There are 281 different colors and color combinations within the breed, and each color pattern can be found in a shorthair and a longhair variety.