Introducing the Oriental Shorthair
Discover everything there is to know about the Oriental Shorthair: its characteristics, its behaviour, its training and how much one costs.
The Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair, an audacious elegance
Rooted in the United Kingdom, this breed emerged from a creative blend of various shorthair cats, designed to capture a range of vibrant coat colors and patterns. With a svelte, athletic build and an almond-shaped pair of glistening eyes, the Oriental Shorthair boasts a sleek, glossy coat that accentuates its lithe frame.
Not just a feast for the eyes, this breed is known for its vivacious and inquisitive nature, often showing a playful side that belies a deep-seated intelligence. Despite their high energy levels and a propensity for interactive play, they maintain an affable and sociable demeanor, becoming a source of enduring joy for their owners.
ORIENTAL SHORTHAIR FACT FILE
This section is dedicated to the distinctive attributes of the Oriental Shorthair breed.
Size
The Oriental Shorthair is a svelte, medium-sized feline, generally standing up to 11 inches tall and weighing between 5 to 10 pounds.
Coat length
This breed features a fine, short coat that is satiny to the touch, reflecting its sleek physique.
Allergies
Known for being hypoallergenic, the Oriental Shorthair is an excellent option for allergy sufferers due to its minimal shedding.
Coat Colour
Oriental Shorthairs present a rainbow of color options, with coat colors ranging from pure white to ebony, and various shades in between.
Living Environment
These cats thrive in a stimulating environment that balances play with relaxation, and they adapt well to indoor living.
Sociability
Oriental Shorthairs are social butterflies, displaying affection towards family, including children, and usually welcoming the company of other pets.
Health
Typically robust, Oriental Shorthairs may have genetic predispositions to certain conditions, yet they are generally known for their good health.
Training
Oriental Shorthairs are intelligent and receptive, responding well to training that incorporates gentle guidance and patience.
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Oriental Shorthair, slender sophistication
The Oriental Shorthair is known for its svelte elegance. Its slender body is like a finely tuned instrument, expressing grace with every move.
Size and weight of the Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair boasts a lithe and refined stature. Males typically showcase a larger frame than females, with weights ranging from 8 to 12 pounds, while females grace the scales at 5 to 8 pounds.
These cats mature slowly, reaching their sophisticated physique fully by 3 to 4 years, adorned with a sleek coat, a long, whip-like tail, and an athletic build that speaks of their agility and strength.
The Oriental Shorthair coat
Coat length
The Oriental Shorthair's coat is notably fine and short, lying sleekly against its lithe body. The texture is silky, often compared to the finest satin, and it may feature a subtle gloss that accentuates its contours without the presence of waves or fringes.
The Oriental Shorthair is considered to be a hypoallergenic breed.
Coat colour
The Oriental Shorthair's color palette is extensive, with a spectrum that includes solid hues, shaded varieties, and a plethora of patterns, such as bi-color, tabby, and pointed, among others.
Other characteristics of the Oriental Shorthair
Other physical characteristics
The Oriental Shorthair captivates with its distinct physical attributes, from the graceful elongation of its body to the characteristic agile gait. Ears are strikingly large, wide at the base, and pointed at the tip, giving it an alert and intelligent expression.
The breed's frame is svelte with fine bones and a well-toned musculature, embodying an elegant silhouette. Its muzzle is fine and wedge-shaped, seamlessly blending with the overall head structure. The eyes of an Oriental Shorthair are large and almond-shaped, ranging in vibrant colors from green to blue. These features, combined, define the breed's unique and exquisite appearance.
Grooming
Despite the Oriental Shorthair's short hair, regular grooming is essential; a weekly brush is ideal to maintain its lustrous coat. During shedding seasons, more frequent brushing may be required to manage loose hair.
Bathing should be infrequent, as the cat's natural grooming is typically sufficient, but an occasional bath with a feline-appropriate shampoo can be beneficial, ensuring the coat remains in pristine condition.
TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOUR
What is the temperament of the Oriental Shorthair ?
The Oriental Shorthair is recognized for its gentle, sweet, and playful disposition. They're an excellent choice for a calm, loving pet.
Oriental Shorthair sociability
The engaging companion
The Oriental Shorthair is a gregarious and engaging cat, known for its exceptional sociability and adaptability. They seek out human interaction and form strong bonds with their owners, often shadowing them from room to room.
While they crave attention and interactive play, they equally cherish times of extended cuddling, communicating with a range of vocalizations that are distinct to their breed. A present and attentive owner is the ideal match for this breed's desire for companionship.
The graceful socialite
The Oriental Shorthair is a harmonious blend of tranquility and sociability, exuding patience and a calm demeanor. They integrate seamlessly into families and coexist peacefully with children, dogs, and other cats. When overwhelmed, they prefer to retreat quietly rather than show aggression, seeking solitude to recharge and relax.
Living environment of the Oriental Shorthair
The adaptable explorer
Oriental Shorthairs are remarkably adaptable to various living situations, thriving in both spacious homes and cozy apartments. While they enjoy the company of their owners, they also value their independence.
Ideally, they should live in an environment that balances quiet retreats with areas for exploration and play to cater to their active nature and intelligence.
If you're worried about losing track of him, you can fit him with a GPS collar so you can track his movements and locate him if he escapes.
The intellectual player
Known for their energetic and inquisitive behavior, Oriental Shorthairs need stimulation through play and interaction to satisfy their high intellect and prevent boredom.
Engaging playtime with their owners not only supports their emotional well-being but also prevents the development of undesirable behaviors. To ensure their serenity, providing them with a peaceful sanctuary for rest is just as crucial as play.
Training the Oriental Shorthair
Initiating education early is vital for Oriental Shorthairs, as delaying training can lead to challenges in modifying behavior later on. Their education should be grounded in patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency to harness their natural behaviors positively.
Incorporating play into training sessions can effectively engage their sharp minds and encourage good behavior patterns.
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HEALTH & NUTRITION
How to take care of the Oriental Shorthair ?
The Oriental Shorthair is a charming cat breed known for its serene and relaxed temperament. While they are generally healthy and robust, this breed does have a few health considerations to be aware of.
Health of the Oriental Shorthair
Vigorous vitality
The Oriental Shorthair is celebrated for its robust health and vitality. Generally, they are a hearty breed with few health complications. However, like all cats, they can be predisposed to certain hereditary conditions, including feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and crossed eyes.
Proactive DNA testing can aid in identifying these issues early on. Regular veterinary visits for vaccinations and check-ups are essential to protect against common feline diseases and ensure long-term health.
Feeding the Oriental Shorthair
The sleek gourmet
The Oriental Shorthair, with its sleek and elegant musculature, requires a quality diet to maintain its lithe figure and overall health. High-quality kibble should be the foundation of their diet, supplemented with water-rich green vegetables to support their renal health and provide variety.
Consistent growth, consistent diet
The Oriental Shorthair matures at a moderate pace, reaching full size around 2 years of age. A consistent and measured diet is crucial during their growth phase to avoid overfeeding. Sticking to a trusted kibble brand and providing meals at regular times helps maintain digestive regularity and optimal health.
The active lounger
While the Oriental Shorthair enjoys a good play session, they also love their moments of repose. To prevent weight gain, which they are prone to if overfed and under-exercised, it's important to encourage daily playtime.
Engaging the cat in interactive play not only prevents weight issues but also promotes a strong bond between the cat and its owner.
BREEDING OR ADOPTION & COST
How much does an Oriental Shorthair cost?
The Oriental Shorthair is a highly valued breed, with numerous breeders across the UK. It is important to consider a few factors before adoption.
Choosing the right Oriental Shorthair
How to choose your Oriental Shorthair
Purebred Oriental Shorthairs are typically bred by professional breeders or in specialized catteries. Prospective owners should visit the breeding facilities to assess the conditions and welfare of the cats.
From June 10, 2024 you must have your cat microchipped by the age of 20 weeks old and register its details in a relevant database such as Petlog or The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). This is a legal requirement in Britain, and failure to comply could result in a fine of
.
Health screenings and DNA tests for the kitten and its parents are crucial to identify potential hereditary health issues.
The price of an Oriental Shorthair
The cost of an Oriental Shorthair kitten can vary based on factors such as pedigree, breeder reputation, age, and whether the cat has show potential. Prices can range from
to
for a kitten.
Adopting an adult Oriental Shorthair may be less costly. Ongoing expenses for care, nutrition, and health can average between
to
annually, so future owners should be prepared for this long-term financial responsibility.
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