Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Characteristics & Information

Oriental Shorthair cats are a breed known for their intelligence and elegance. These cats are good pets and are perfect for individuals looking to add a feline companion to their family. With their sleek bodies and expressive eyes, Oriental Shorthair cats are truly a sight to behold. 

In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the world of Oriental Shorthair cats and explore their characteristics, associated health problems, training, and care.

Oriental Shorthair cats are a domestic cat breed similar to Siamese cats with ancestors from Thailand and England. Throughout the 1890s, the blue-eyed, Siamese-like cats became popular in Europe, and by the 1920s, these Siamese-looking cats came to be known as Oriental Shorthair cats. 

Oriental Cats have almond-shaped eyes, large ears, and a wedge-shaped head. These cats are considered a social breed and easily fit into any family.

The unique characteristics of Oriental Shorthair Cats differ from other breeds of cats. Their different attributes include:

• Lifespan: The Oriental Shorthair cats are also known as healthy cats. On average, the life span of Oriental Shorthair cats is around 13-15 years.
• Height: Oriental Shorthair cats have an average height of 20cm-25cm and average length of 30cm-38cm.
• Colour: Oriental Shorthair cats feature different colours, such as ebony, blue, cinnamon, etc., and different patterns, including tortoiseshell, tabby, etc.
• Weight: The average weight of male Oriental cats is around 3.6- 5.4 kg, and the average weight of female Oriental Shorthair cats is 3.6 kg.
• Behaviour and Personality: They are natural conversationalists with high locomotion levels. Adult Oriental cats are more active and more interested in their surroundings.
• Temperament: This cat breed is loyal, sociable, and loving. Also, they love to sleep on their owner’s bed and snuggle on their lap.
• Coat: The Oriental Short Hair boasts a sleek and shiny fur that is extremely short and lies close to the body.
• Breed Group: Oriental cats belong to the Oriental Breed Group, which includes the Siamese and the Balinese.

Training an Oriental Shorthair cat is not tough. However, here are a few tips to train them:

• Behavioural Training: Do their training with positive augmentation. Use praises, treats, and affection to reward desired behaviours during their training session. 
• Teach Basic Commands: Start training oriental cats with basic commands, such as “sit”, “come”, “run”, etc. Break down each command into small steps. 
• Scratching Training: At an early age, give them scratching posts to satisfy their natural instinct of scratching and prevent furniture from scratching.
  
• Mental Stimulation: Oriental Shorthair cats are curious cats and need mental stimulation. Use interactive feeders, puzzle toys, etc., to keep them mentally engaged.
  
• Leash Walking: You can train them to walk on a leash. Start by getting them comfortable and gradually introduce them to outdoor walks.
  
• Litter Training: It is easy to give litter training to Oriental cats. Train them from a young age to use and understand the location of their litter box.

Although Oriental Shorthair Cats are considered healthy cats, they may face several health problems. Here are six common health issues:

• Dental Problem: Sometimes Oriental cats can face dental problems, such as periodontal disease, due to irregular dental care. This might hurt their teeth and can even cause tooth loss, infection, etc. 
• Liver Disease: Oriental Shorthair cats are prone to several liver diseases, such as amyloidosis. It can be caused due to inflammatory bowel disease, infection of the organ, etc.
  
• Eye Problem: Like every cat, these cats can also face eye problems, such as cataracts, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and entropion. They can also experience retinal problems. 
  
• Cystitis: It is also known as FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). This disease mainly affects the urethra and bladder of a cat and can be caused by bladder stones, stress, infection, etc.
  
• Respiratory Problem: Oriental cats can face several respiratory issues such as Feline Asthma, due to their shorter nasal passage. It can include problems, such as wheezing, coughing, etc.
• Diabetes: It is caused by increased sugar levels in the body. Oriental Shorthair cats may also experience diabetes due to obesity and several other problems. Generally, it is common in older Oriental cats.

Oriental Shorthair cats are not high-maintenance cats and are easy to take care of. However, you must look after their basic care to keep them healthy. Following are a few tips:

• Diet and Nutrition: Feed them high-quality food, such as fish, chicken, meat, etc., that meets their nutritional needs. These foods will help them to sustain healthy muscle growth.
• Feeding: An adult Oriental Shorthair cat of 6 months and older needs to consume an average of around 200-300 calories per day, divided into two meals per day. However, it may vary depending on the cat’s weight.
• Eye Care: Keep their eyes clean and clear of dust by wiping their eyes gently with a soft cloth and a saline solution suggested by a vet. It will prevent potential eye infections and other vision problems.
• Grooming: Brush their fur regularly to maintain a healthy coat, minimise shedding, and prevent hairballs and matting. However, Oriental cats have short coats and require less grooming. 
• Dental Care: Brush their teeth at least once a week to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent the building up of plaque. Use cat-specific toothpaste and toothbrush for cleaning their teeth.
• Ear Care: Oriental Shorthair cats have long ears, and they may be prone to several ear infections. Clean their ears regularly with cotton buds or balls to prevent wax and other infections.

Oriental Shorthair cats are truly graceful and intelligent creatures. Their playful personality, striking appearance, and social nature make them a wonderful option to consider adding to any family. By understanding their characteristics, training methods, health problems, and methods to care for them properly, you can ensure your Oriental Shorthair cat’s healthy life.