Sophisticated Charm: The Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Fumipets

Cats

---

An exotic shorthair cat could be right for you if you’ve always desired a Persian cat but were worried about the time required to care for their lengthy coats. This adorable and affectionate breed has the appearance and temperament of a Persian but has an easy-to-care-for, short, thick coat. An exotic shorthair really only needs to be brushed once each week to maintain the health of her fur. Similar to Persian cats, exotic shorthair cats come in a variety of hues and patterns. 

Appearance

Medium-sized exotic shorthair cats have lovely round heads, eyes, and bodies. The majority will weigh between 10 and 12 pounds. Compared to their long-haired relatives, exotic shorthairs are a calm, inquisitive breed that is somewhat more active. 

When you own one of these cats, you won’t need to convert your living room into a cat salon. Exotic shorthairs are known for their velvety, thick coats even though they are Persian cats’ near relatives. However, they share the same round heads and flat faces as Persians. 

White, blue, black, red, and lilac are just a few of the many hues and patterns that exotic shorthairs come in. Depending on the animal’s coat color, its eyes might be blue, blue-green, or copper in hue. Exotic shorthair cats have huge paws, short, thick tails, and a short, sturdy build, similar to Persians.

Temperament

It’s a wonderful pleasure to live with an unusual shorthair. These friendly, affectionate cats are easy-to-please pets that are entertaining to be around. 

“Exotic shorthairs have a personality that is a blend of the Persian and American shorthair,” claims Chyrle Bonk, DVM at Pet Keen. “They are lively, but they won’t exhaust themselves. They love to be active in all they do and are devoted to their family. They are very easygoing and can tolerate kids and other animals, but they also want to spend time with their humans alone.

While Persians are thought to be couch potatoes, exotic shorthairs are active and enjoy playing “chase the ball.” However, when the activities are over, they are equally happy to join you for movie night on the couch. Exotic shorthairs are reserved, silent cats that only speak out when necessary (like at mealtime). 

Exotic shorthairs are comfortable with sharing their space with other cats or dogs if they get early training and socialization. They are a devoted breed and may give their family all of their attention, but if a stranger enters the house, she may turn her back on them. Due to their temperament, exotic shorthairs are particularly suitable pets for households with older kids who are used to interacting with animals and elderly citizens.

Living Needs

Anywhere you are, exotic shorthair cats will be content living there. They don’t give much thought to square footage since they are primarily concerned about their owners. These cats are an easy-care breed that doesn’t need a lot of room and will be content in either an apartment or a large house. If you travel often, it’s a good idea to provide your exotic shorthair with cat-engaging toys and perhaps a playmate since sociable cats don’t like being alone too much.

A cat tree is a terrific technique to keep exotic shorthair cats interested since they are a breed that is fairly active. They also like toys, so give your cat a variety and consider switching them out every few weeks to prevent boredom.

Your exotic shorthair cat will also like having at least one cushioned window perch where they can observe the outside world and chatter at birds, much like the majority of breeds. Additionally, you can give them a cat bed of their own, but given how affectionate they are, it’s more likely that your exotic shorthair will choose to sleep next to you.

Care

It’s simple to maintain your exotic shorthair, particularly when compared to the Persian’s meticulous grooming regimen. Only a weekly brushing is necessary to remove dirt and shedding hair from their short, dense coats. 

“The exotic shorthair has the plush haircoat, without the upkeep,” claims Bonk. “Their hair often only has to be brushed once a week and does not mat or tangle as a Persian’s does. Additionally, more frequent brushing in the spring will aid in reducing their seasonal shedding.

Cat groomer Ingrid Johnson, who is also the author of Fundamentally Feline, employs three grooming tools on cats:

a shedding comb with broad teeth of different lengths to remove undercoat, also known as a de-matting comb. 

A wide-bristled brush called a “slicker” is used to clean up dust and pet dander. 

a FURminator, which removes flyaway hairs, or a flea comb. 

Johnson advises beginning cat grooming sessions while the cats are still kittens. “Pleasure brushing teaches a cat to learn to love grooming,” she claims. Additionally, since they like to sit on your lap a lot, you can brush them while you watch TV. To reduce stains from the accumulation of tears, you should also clean their faces with a warm, moist dishcloth on a frequent basis.

Given that they are a breed with a medium level of activity, exotic shorthairs can amuse themselves rather effectively. Your exotic shorthair cat won’t be scaling the curtains; instead, you’ll probably find them batting a ball down the hallway or dozing on the couch. 

Health

Exotic shorthairs are generally a healthy breed overall. But because they and Persian cats share so much genetic material, they can experience some of the same health problems. These include polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), both of which affect the heart. By getting your kitten from a reliable exotic shorthair breeder, the majority of these issues may be somewhat avoided.

According to Bonk, exotic shorthairs sometimes have respiratory problems because of their flat noses, much like Persian cats. This is a particular issue with cats whose faces have been selectively bred to be very flat. Before purchasing a cat, it’s crucial to speak with the breeder to ensure that your new exotic shorthair kitten will be able to breathe normally throughout its life.

Exotic shorthairs are particularly susceptible to obesity, which may exacerbate their respiratory problems. For this reason, it’s crucial to monitor your cat’s nutrition and get advice from your doctor on how much and how often to feed your pet.

Exotic shorthairs, according to Bonk, don’t do well in the heat because of their flat faces and luxurious coats.

Since they might have trouble panting enough to cool themselves off, she claims that they aren’t very heat-tolerant. “Make sure they always have a cool retreat to go to because their thick haircoat can also cause them to overheat.” 

Additionally, exotic shorthairs must be neutered and spayed, kept inside at all times, and given routine dental and nail care. The average lifetime of an exotic shorthair is 15 years. 

History

A relatively recent breed, the exotic shorthair, was created in the 1950s by mating Persian cats with American shorthairs, as well as some Burmese and Russian blue cats. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the objective was to produce an American shorthair cat with a silver coat that looked Persian-like. 

Breeder Jane Martinke saw the potential of the new breed by the middle of the 1960s and asked the American Cat Fanciers’ Association to officially recognize it in 1967. In 1979, the International Cat Association followed suit. Other Persian cats were utilized to produce the breed, and as a result, other coat colors, such as tabby and orange exotic shorthairs, started to show up. The breed of cat in question is now one of the most well-liked short-haired cat breeds worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G16HNelW7A0

---