Along with the Siamese and Persians, the Oriental Shorthair is the ancestor of many current cat breeds, although they do not enjoy the same fame as these. They come from Thailand and are well known in the East. Extroverted and communicative, there is a lot to discover about these felines, which is why PlanèteAnimal has decided to devote an entire article to them.
Origin
- Asia
- Thailand
Physical Characteristics
- Thin tail
- Big ears
- End
Character
- Extrovert
- Affectionate
Hair type
- Short
Origin of the Oriental Shorthair
The Oriental Shorthair breed originated in Thailand, where these cats have been highly esteemed since medieval times, becoming the national cat and enjoying great popularity. Several documents mention the existence of the breed in the Middle Ages.
But it wasn't until the 1950s that international breeders began to take an interest in this breed, spreading all over Europe and the United States, where it was not officially recognized than in the 1970s. We can also talk about Foreign Shorthair.
The breed is considered to be the result of crossing Siamese cats of different breeds, such as British or American, in search of Siamese of different colors and patterns.Additionally, they are the precursors to many other later breeds, many of which are very popular and world famous. It is considered the single-color parent of the Siamese.
Oriental Shorthair Cat Characteristics
Oriental Shorthairs are medium-sized cats, as they usually weigh between 4 and 5 kg. They have a slender and muscular body, their limbs are elongated and slender, which gives them an elegant and graceful appearance. Its tail is long and pointed and its legs are thin and small. The whole thing gives the appearance of a light and agile animal, which looks like it weighs less than it really does.
Its head is medium in size and triangular, wedge-shaped, it is thin at the nose, it is long and straight and widens as it approaches the base of the ears, being proportionally large relative to the head, and wide at base. Their eyes are almond-shaped and oblique to the muzzle, without noticeable protrusions or droops, they are usually bright green in color.
The Oriental Shorthair coat is short, thin and shiny, it does not have a woolly coat. The bristles are solid colors, accepting all color options, can be single-colored, smoky, tabby, tortoiseshell and two-tone patterns.
Oriental Shorthair Cat Character
We are facing a race that stands out for the way they communicate, because their meows are powerful and they will use them to convey what they want or what they feel, because it is a breed with excellent communication skills from an early age.
Oriental Shorthairs love to spend time outdoors, but that doesn't mean they don't adapt to apartment living, it all depends on the hours of playtime and how much attention you give them provide. The Oriental Shorthair does not tolerate loneliness well, which you must consider if you spend a lot of time outside the house, because they are very attached animals to their owners.
Their temperament is stable and playful, they will be excellent playmates for the little ones in the house, as well as for other pets. So if the socialization has been done well, the Oriental Shorthair will be an ideal cat for any family.
Oriental Shorthair Cat Care
Although the Oriental Shorthair has a short coat, you should brush them periodically to avoid tangles, which is especially important during shedding season, which usually coincides with seasonal changes. This will also prevent the formation of hairballs, dangerous for his he alth.
When it comes to exercise, as we said, Oriental Shorthairs are active animals, love to play and exercise, so you need to provide them with toys that stimulate him and allow him to satisfy their desires and their curiosity. They particularly like heights, so the multi-level cat tree is perfect for them!
Finally, you should pay attention to his general he alth, mouth, teeth, hair, nose and behavior.
Oriental Shorthair Cat He alth
Oriental Shorthair cats are generally very he althy animals. Therefore, with basic attention, they usually do not present significant problems. One of the breed's notable pathologies is strabismus, due to a genetic defect that affects the optic nerve. Please note, this is a hereditary disease.
However, this is more of an aesthetic defect, as it will not affect your cat's vision, although veterinary follow-up will be required to detect any alterations. There are even cases in which a thorough diagnosis is necessary to avoid confusing it with other diseases that would affect your pet's vision with varying severity.
At the same time, you will need to follow veterinary guidelines regarding aspects such as vaccinations, microchip implantation or deworming, so that your kitten can enjoy wonderful he alth!
Pictures of Oriental Shorthair
