Long, slim and elegant-looking, Oriental Shorthair cats are recognised by their cartoonishly large ears and wide-set nose, which can be wonderful to capture in a photo. As a member of the Siamese breed group, they are curious, extremely intelligent and vocal – they love to 'talk' and have a range of sounds to suit their every need!
Facts & advice
Oriental Shorthair
A natural chatterbox who adores human company
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Short and silky |
| Life span: | 12 – 15 years |
| Temperament: | Extroverted, affectionate, intelligent |
Oriental Shorthair personality & temperament
This friendly and outgoing cat makes for a loving and loyal family pet that loves to cuddle, play, and be around their humans.
- Whilst they make great family pets, this breed can be a little sensitive meaning they’re not the best choice for families with very young children and will do best with children who are aware of their pet’s needs and body language.
- This breed makes for a good companion and can be a lovely first-time cat, but they do need lots of play opportunities to prevent boredom and don’t like being left alone.
- The Oriental Shorthair cat personality is sociable and attention-seeking. They don’t hold back when they want something and will be very vocal about their needs, much like Siamese cats, to whom they are closely related.
- This is a very sociable, loving and loyal breed, and despite their elegant looks, they are extremely cuddly. They love to snuggle on laps and sleep in their owner’s bed.
- The Oriental Shorthair gets along with just about everyone, from older children to other animals, as long as they are well socialised, introduced slowly and their needs are respected. This is generally considered one of the cats with the best temperaments.
- These cats do not like to be left on their own so company is essential - if you plan to be out of the house a lot, this may not be the cat for you.
Oriental Shorthair food & diet
Keep your Oriental Shorthair healthy with a high-protein diet and look out for any symptoms of nutritional issues which they can be prone to.
- Like that of most cats, Oriental Shorthair cat food should be mostly meat-based. The best cat diet is a combination of both wet and dry cat food; a cat’s diet should provide all the nutrition they need to be healthy.
- Always ensure there’s plenty of fresh water available for your Oriental Shorthair that is placed away from their food bowl.
- Your pet may struggle with weight management and can be prone to diabetes. Keep an eye on how much you feed them when planning your cat’s diet and portion size. Always ask your vet if you’re worried your cat is overweight or is exhibiting symptoms of diabetes.
- Feed your Oriental Shorthair good quality kitten food for the first year of its life and move onto adult food gradually.
Oriental Shorthair grooming & coat care
The Oriental Shorthair cat is often referred to as a “rainbow cat” for its range of beautiful coat colours.
- There are over 300 Oriental Shorthair cat coats in the world - that’s some variety!
- One big advantage of Oriental Shorthair cats is their beautiful silky coat, which requires little grooming compared with other breeds
- They also shed much less than other breeds and are very good at looking after their own coats, so you don’t need to intervene too much and don’t need to buy a specialist cat grooming brush.
- This also means they are considered to be one of the better cats for allergy sufferers, although no cat is truly hypoallergenic.
- To groom Oriental Shorthair cats, you just need to brush the coat once a week to remove any dead skin, and stroke with a soft cloth. It’s a good idea to get cats used to grooming while they are young kittens.
- These cats are very hygienic and self-groom regularly, but it’s generally a good idea to groom your pet so you can spot bites, stings, scratches, skin infections, lumps and bumps or signs of a greasy or unhealthy coat.
- Like all other breeds you may want to keep an eye on dental health to prevent infection and disease.
Oriental Shorthair training & behaviour
This is a smart cat that can be easy to train but needs a good amount of stimulation.
- Oriental Shorthair cats are agile and active, and don’t like being left alone for too long. If you are out of the house a lot, consider getting another cat so they won’t get too lonely.
- They’re also one of the most intelligent cat breeds and love to interact, and this not only makes them highly trainable, but also very entertaining when playing cat games with their human.
- They love to cuddle on your lap or beside you, and will often follow you to bed at night time!
- They love to play so regular interaction with a range of cat toys and games are essential for you and your cat to keep boredom at bay.
- The Oriental Shorthair cat can walk with a harness if necessary and this can be easily achieved with a bit of patience.
- They also love climbing and leaping so make sure their daily environment has lots of high perches and places to jump to. Access to outdoor space would be great for these cats.
Common Oriental Shorthair health conditions
As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Oriental Shorthairs are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Oriental Shorthairs.
Like all cats, the Oriental Shorthair can suffer from eye problems such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the insides of a cat’s eyelids); glaucoma (caused by increased pressure inside the eyeball); cataracts (opacity of the lens); and entropion (inward rolling of the eyelids). Oriental Shortairs may also experience problems with their retinas (the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye). These include progressive retinal atrophy, when cells of the retina begin to decline in function, thereby leading to impaired vision or even blindness. Retinal atrophy can be hereditary or caused by glaucoma, trauma, cancer or vitamin deficiencies, among other things. Treating any primary cause of retinal atrophy is important, but unfortunately there is nothing that can be done for the inherited form. However, as it is not painful, many cats can adapt and live a happy life.
Oriental Shorthairs, like other cats, can suffer from problems in the lower respiratory tract (the trachea and the lungs). Feline asthma, for example, occurs when allergies and irritants cause the lower airways (bronchi) and lungs to become inflamed and sensitive. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing. While asthma is not curable, it is manageable with various longterm medications including tablets, injections and even inhalers
There are several causes of liver disease in cats, and it is something the Oriental Shorthair can be prone to. Liver disease can be caused by direct infection of the organ, inflammation of the gall bladder, the pancreas, the kidney tissue, or inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment involves various medicines depending on the cause and is likely to include antibiotics, antiinflammatories, vitamins, fluids and liver protectants. With these treatments, a cat may be able to lead a relatively normal life.
Cats’ kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from their blood into their urine. Oriental Shorthairs may be affected by kidney disease caused by infections, blockages, tumours or toxins (especially licking anti-freeze) as well as age related changes. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidney function deteriorates gradually over a period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and the extent of damage, but usually begins by flushing the kidneys using intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications. Unfortunately kidney disease is irreversible, but with the right support many cats can enjoy a reasonably normal life.
Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Oriental Shorthairs can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.
What to know before you buy or rehome an Oriental Shorthair cat
Oriental Shorthair cats are lovely pets but what do you need to know before bringing home your new cat?
- Oriental Shorthairs adore human contact - so if you’re away from home a lot, for work or travel, this may not be the best breed for you.
- They are also adorable cuddle-bugs - so be prepared for your personal space to be invaded by your furry friend often!
- This is one of the cat breeds which can often get along with dogs, if properly socialised and introduced slowly, so if you already have pets this may be a good breed to look into.
- Oriental Shorthairs are great family pets, but their sensitive side means they’re best suited to households with older children.
- As far as allergies go, Oriental Shorthairs are generally considered to be a good breed for allergy sufferers but it’s worth noting that no cat is truly hypoallergenic.
Oriental Shorthair frequently asked questions
Oriental Shorthair cats can live to around 15 years, though some can live longer.
Well-socialised Oriental Shorthair cats get on well with all people, including older children and especially if they have lots of time to play with them. They may be a bit wary or skittish around younger children who aren’t used to a cat’s need for some personal space.
Oriental Shorthair cats can live happily alongside other cats and dogs, but it is best to socialise them early on, match them carefully and always take introductions slowly. Many seem to actively enjoy the company of dogs.
Oriental Shorthair cats, like some other cat breeds, can be prone to disorders, particularly eye disorders. These conditions are similar across the Siamese breed group, pet insurance can impact the veterinary care you can afford for your pet.
While no breed of cat is 100% hypoallergenic, the Oriental Shorthair is often considered one due to the fact the breed produces less Fel d1, which triggers allergic responses in humans. Please seek medical advice or spend time with an Oriental Shorthair before committing to one as a pet.
Oriental Shorthair insurance considerations
Oriental Shorthairs sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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