Oriental Shorthair: Cat Breed Profile

Posted in: Cat Breeds - Last Updated: January 14, 2022 - Author: Megan Whittington
Posted in Cat Breeds 
Last Updated: July 27, 2021  
Author:  Megan Whittington
cat-breed-oriental-shorthair

With their friendly demeanor and endearing tendency to ‘chat’ with their humans, Oriental Shorthairs have become a firm-favorite breed for many cat lovers across the globe.

Oriental Shorthairs have the features and personality of the highly popular Siamese breed, but come in over 300 color and pattern variations. These cats are known for being extremely affectionate and enjoy spending as much time with their family as possible. 

While excellent with other pets and children, Oriental Shorthairs require a lot of interaction and would not suit a busy family with not much time to dedicate to their kitty. In fact, Orientals can become withdrawn and depressed if they spend too much time alone.

If you do have time to dedicate and enjoy cuddly, intelligent, and vocal pets; the Oriental will be sure to change your life for the better.

Brief History of the Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed

Oriental Shorthairs are essentially Siamese hybrids that were first bred in the 1910s. The breed was developed in Britain after popular cat breeds were at risk of disappearing as a result of World War II. In an attempt to keep the Siamese breed going, purebreds were bred with British Shorthairs, Russian Blues, and Abyssinians. The resultant kittens had many of the beloved Siamese traits, but were in non-pointed colors. 

Due to the fact that cats of this up-and-coming breed had so many different color combinations, the name ‘Orientals’ was coined to refer to any of the kittens that were not in pointed colors. Pointed cats were used to breed back to true Siamese cats, while the others became what we now know as Orientals after being imported by the United States in the 1970s.

Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Overview

Oriental Shorthair cats are a remake of traditional the Siamese breed with non-pointed colors. In fact, with over 300 variations possible, Oriental cats come in more colors and patterns than any other cat breed.

cat-facts-oriental-shorthair
  • Weight: 5-10lbs
  • Length: 12-15”
  • Coat: short and fine
  • Coat color: over 300 variations
  • Eye color: green, blue, or yellow. Odd eyes are possible too. 
  • Life expectancy: 15-20 years

Oriental Shorthair Cat Personality

Aside from their vast colors and patterns, Orientals are well-loved for their friendliness, affection, and overall good nature. This is an outgoing breed that thrives on activity and play. Orientals also have a high tendency to vocalise and are known to chirp and meow at their owners regularly. They are highly intelligent and have been known to wait at the door for their owners to return from work.

It’s important for potential owners to note that Oriental Shorthair cats require a lot of interaction and attention to thrive. Most Orientals don’t enjoy being left alone and may become withdrawn if they do not get enough interaction. Due to their highly social nature, Orientals often do better with another pet in the home to keep them company. These friendly cats will get along with most pets and family members, including children.

Oriental Shorthair Characteristics & Attitudes

  • Friendliness: High
  • Affection level: High
  • Child friendly: High
  • Pet friendly: High
  • Playfulness: High
  • Energy level: High
  • Exercise requirements: Medium
  • Intelligence: High
  • Tendency to vocalize: High
  • Shedding: Medium

Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Care

TheOriental Shorthair cat is fairly low-maintenance when it comes to breed-specific care. Their coat is fine and short, making it easy to brush and keep clean. A gentle weekly brush should be sufficient to keep your beloved Oriental gleaming. 

A general upkeep of weekly teeth brushing, eye wiping, and ear cleansing can be undertaken to keep your Oriental in excellent condition. 

Much of the special care that your Oriental Shorthair will need comes in the form of stimulation and interaction. Orientals are highly intelligent and have even been known to learn tricks and play fetch. They are an excellent candidate for harness training and although they don’t require high levels of daily exercise, will thrive off occasional walks and outings with the family.

Oriental Shorthairs also enjoy climbing and being high up, so this breed benefits greatly from cat trees and shelving. They are safest when kept indoors, but there are a number of ways that owners can ‘catify’ their space to ensure their Oriental has lots to do without venturing outside.

Common Health Issues in Oriental Shorthair Cats

Although the Oriental is a relatively healthy breed, they do experience certain health issues that owners should keep an eye out for. These include bladder stones, heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy), mast cell cancer and lymphoma. Liver amyloidosis, progressive retinal atrophy and periodontal disease are also conditions to be aware of. As Siamese derivatives, Oriental Shorthair cats can be prone to cross eyes, which may contribute to coordination and eyesight problems.

Because of their susceptibility to periodontal disease, it is important for Oriental Shorthairs to receive regular dental care, which can be in the form of a weekly teeth brushing.

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Recommended Diets for the Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed

The Oriental cats’ diet is typical to that of any other domestic cat. Your Oriental should receive a diet that is high in proteins, but also contains a balance of carbohydrates, amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals. The protein should be a named meat, which can include organs or complex meat sources.

It is important for discerning Oriental Shorthair owners to avoid lower quality foods, as these add filler ingredients such as grains. Being obligate carnivores, these fillers can have a negative impact on your Oriental’s overall long-term health. 

Feeding both raw and dry food can help to ensure your Oriental receives a balanced diet. Wet food is also a good way to ensure your cat is getting enough moisture so as to avoid potential kidney problems and help to keep your Oriental’s teeth strong.

Because Orientals can take longer to grow and reach full maturity, they may benefit from staying on kitten food longer than you would other cats.

Oriental Shorthair Cat Pros & Cons

Oriental-shorthair-cat-breeds

Pros

  • Very talkative and friendly cats.
  • Excellent with other pets and children.
  • Easy to groom and keep clean.
  • Good with new people.
  • Harness trains with relative ease.
  • Affectionate and loyal.
  • Come in many color and pattern variations.
  • Can learn to play fetch and perform tricks.

Cons

  • Orientals don’t enjoy being alone.
  • Fairly active and require stimulation.
  • Need high levels of interaction in order to thrive.

Final Thoughts on Oriental Shorthairs Cats

If you’re looking for an incredibly friendly cat, chock full of character, you can’t go wrong with an Oriental Shorthair. These cats love to be the center of attention and will demand it frequently using their quirky chirps and meows to encourage conversation.

Oriental Shorthair cats are well-known for their affectionate personalities, lovable demeanors, and social dispositions. They’re good with other pets and children and will be sure to make any fun-loving family complete.

This breed thrives off attention and social interaction, so if you spend lots of time out of the house, a pair of Orientals will make your home complete.

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About the author

Megan Whittington is a full-time copywriter and part-time foster mom, based in sunny South Africa. With five of her own beloved rescued felines and having fostered over 100 cats and kittens, Megan is an expert in kitten care and cat fostering. She also loves to drink copious amounts of tea!

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