Oriental Shorthair

Other names of Oriental Shorthair: oriental , orik

The Oriental cat is the closest relative of the Siamese; an elegant beauty with a regal posture and large, fan-like ears.

Characteristics of Oriental Shorthair

Basic moments

• The exotic appearance of the animal is its main trump card. An adult oriental cat is somewhat reminiscent of an alien alien who mistakenly teleported to our planet and is trying to establish contact with its inhabitants.
• Orientals’ favorite place is next to the owner. For their own owner, they follow the shadow and at any moment are ready to entertain him with a good-natured purr.
• Inside each oriental cat is hidden a small “energy reactor”. Usually a pet splashes out an excess of emotions in active games, although walking in the fresh air will not be superfluous for him either.
• Adults are very talkative and like to attract attention with persistent meowing.
• Oriental cats are often called “rainbow pets”, as there are about 300 color options among the representatives of this clan.
• Oriental eared are quite friendly and will calmly accept the neighborhood with other pets, including dogs.
• The breed is not intended for overly busy owners. Left alone, the Oriental will suffer from a lack of communication, which will negatively affect his nervous system.
• For those who dream of a dog, but cannot yet afford to keep one, experts recommend getting an Oriental. His habits are very reminiscent of a dog, not to mention the enthusiastic reverence for the owner, in which the eared “energizer” will surpass any watchdog.

Oriental cats are intellectuals, athletes and, finally, simply beauties, charming with their unique grace and elegance of silhouette. Possessing a playful nature and developed intuition, these green-eyed “Asians” easily gain confidence and are able to fall in love with even the most desperate cat-hater. The owner in the eyes of the animal is a higher being, to whom the pet is obliged to prove his love and devotion around the clock. In exchange for their affection, Orientals expect no less generosity from the owner. Respect, give maximum time and attention, provide personal use of their own knees so that you can lie on them to your heart’s content – all this oriental kitties hope to receive from any person whose house they have made happy with their stay.

History of the Oriental Shorthair cat breed

Genetically, oriental cats are close to Siamese , with whom they began to be exported from Thailand in the 19th century. British breeders did not consider (or did not want to consider) an independent breed in green-eyed cats, therefore they ranked them as a tribe of classic Siamese with a modified type of color. It is worth noting that Orientals were not particularly favored at European exhibitions, systematically disqualifying mustachioed emigrants either for non-standard colors or for the emerald shade of the iris.

The animals also did not arouse much interest among potential owners, therefore, until the beginning of the 20th century, oriental cats were bred only by enthusiasts keen on breeding activities. The real crisis fell on the Thai eared cats in 1923, after the American Siamese Cat Club strictly tabooed the breeding of any variety of pets, with the exception of blue-eyed individuals with a Himalayan color.

For more than 30 years, the Orientals were in limbo: they were excluded from the Siamese clan, but they were not recognized as an independent breed. Cats were remembered only in the 60s by British and American breeders, who were carried away by the extremeization of the appearance of animals. Initially, breeders planned to breed another variety of Siamese cat, which would have a uniform coat color, but would not lose the grace of the lines. To achieve this goal, Orientals began to cross with Abyssinians and other short-haired breeds.

1977 is a landmark year for Orientals, in which the wards of American breeders received their own standard of appearance. By the way, the first set of breed characteristics developed for overseas muroks was almost completely copied from the Siamese standard (with the exception of the items “body” and “colors”). But in Britain, they were in no hurry to honor Asian cats and for a long 20 years they looked closely at them, scrupulously weighing all the pros and cons. As a result, the English eared could only become an independent breed in 1997, after the official recognition of the GCCF.

Video: Oriental cat

The appearance of an Oriental Shorthair cat

Orientals are typical Asians: graceful, lean, with the hypnotic power of a jade look. A distinctive feature of these charismatic kitties is the phenomenal plasticity of movements, thanks to which even the usual sipping in their performance turns into a full-fledged yoga master class. According to the type of wool, oriental cats are divided into short-haired and long-haired. The last variety was born in the 60s of the last century as a result of crossing a short-haired oriental with a Balinese ( Balinese cat ). As an independent breed, the Oriental Longhair was introduced in 1977, but it was only in 1997 that it was able to confirm its viability at exhibition competitions.

Head

According to the standard approved by the WCF (World Cat Federation), the Oriental’s head should have a flat forehead and a relief profile. The muzzle of representatives of this breed should be narrow, and the jaw line clearly defined. A mandatory item is the wedge-shaped shape of the skull.

Nose

Elongated, straight. It is located approximately in line with the chin.

Oriental Shorthair Eyes

Almond-shaped, slightly slanted. The distance between the eyes visually equals the length of one of them. Regardless of coat color, all Orientals have a rich emerald shade of eyes. An exception to the general rule are white-haired individuals, in which the color of the iris may be blue. In some muroks, heterochromia (difference of eyes) occurs.

Ears

In relation to the head, they are quite massive. The ear cloth is thin and wide, continuing the wedge-shaped line of the cat’s muzzle. The tip is slightly rounded. The most intensive growth of the auricles is observed in the first months of the animal’s life, which is why the Oriental kitten resembles a hybrid of Cheburashka and Yoda from Star Wars.

Neck

Graceful, elongated type.

torso

Slender, noticeably elongated in length, with a well-developed muscular corset. The constitution of the body is close to lean: the animals look elegant and graceful.

Oriental Shorthair limbs

Oriental cats have extremely long limbs, giving their silhouette a slight aristocracy and grace. The paws of animals are oval and relatively small.

Tail

Whip-shaped, very long, with a sharp tip. The thickness of the tail is the same along the entire length.

Oriental Shorthair Wool

Oriental cats have almost no undercoat, so the coat gently outlines the contours of the body. The hair of short-haired individuals is shiny, satin type. In long-haired animals, the coat is thin, silky. Since in representatives of the second variety the hair fits snugly to the body, its real length is partially “lost”.

Color

What the tribal experts were most loyal to was the color variants of the Orientals. Today, this is one of the few cat breeds that has the right to almost any shade of all existing ones.

In order to systematize the “colors” of eared cats, felinological associations identified their basic types. In particular, modern oriental cats can have “fur coats” of such colors as:

• lilac (lavender);
• blue;
• red;
• havana (brown);
• cinnamon (cinnamon);
• faun (beige);
• ebony (black);
• cream;
• white.

Of the tabby colors, merle, brindle, ticked and spotted varieties are preferred.

Defects and disqualifying defects of the breed

Serious defects that spoil the aristocratic appearance of oriental cats include strabismus, any shade of the iris other than green, as well as protruding and clearly palpable cartilage in the sternum. As for exhibition events, first of all, polydactyls, very small or too thin individuals and cats with kinks in the tail, will not be allowed to attend them. The list of defective pets includes animals with insufficiently strong hind legs, spots on the coat in the form of medallions, as well as cats that breathe through their mouths. In the long-haired variety of Orientals, a double coat with a well-developed undercoat may be a reason for disqualification.

Photos of Oriental Shorthair cats

The nature of the Oriental Shorthair cat

If buying a baby of an oriental cat, you expect to get an arrogant sofa Buddha in the future, do not hope – the Asian mentality in these cats sleeps soundly. Purebred Orientals are quite contact and playful pets, madly in love with their owner. Eastern arrogance and detachment are absolutely not characteristic of them.

Oriental cats are characterized by dog-like behavior. This means that wherever the owner goes, “woolen Yodas” will surely attach themselves to the side to control his every step. Consider also the fact that you will only dream of peace with these perpetual motion machines, jumpers and runners. Sofas for oriental cats are not a habitat, but a convenient springboard from which it is so convenient to “fly up” onto a closet, chest of drawers or cornice. The conquest of heights, to which cats so selflessly surrender, brings with it inevitable destruction in the interior, therefore, if a vase broken by a pet can seriously spoil your mood, it is better not to start an oriental purr.

Oriental cats are inveterate gamers, and this addiction is not cured, so buy more clockwork mice, teasers and balls for your pet – let him have fun at his pleasure. With age, Orientals do not lose interest in games, so even older individuals are happy to drive candy wrappers and paper balls across the floor. Another characteristic feature of the breed is a burning curiosity. Secrets, no matter how insignificant they may be, oriental cats simply can not stand. The contents of any closed container are subject to thorough inspection, and the slammed doors to another room are generally regarded as a military secret that must be revealed at all costs.

Oriental cats are very dependent on human attention. They endure loneliness with difficulty, so before buying a Thai eared one, you should thoroughly think about who will stay with the pet while you are at work. As for the annoying meow, which many Oriental owners complain about, it really does take place, so the “talkativeness” of the breed will have to be taken for granted. But the timbre of the voice of these kitties is more pleasant than that of the same Siamese.

Most oriental cats have a bright personality. So, for example, some individuals are not very disposed towards children, while others, on the contrary, treat the younger generation with great indulgence. Orientals get along well with other cats. But the dogs may experience a slight mistrust, which eventually passes. According to experts, the green-eyed “Asian” should not be the only pet in the house, because the presence of other animals in the room helps him to endure separation from the owner less painfully.

Oriental Shorthair Training and education

As a legacy from Thai ancestors, the Orientals inherited a lively, sharp mind and excellent learning abilities. In particular, the cat is easy to “train” to fetch objects, as well as to execute simple commands. As for the basics of etiquette, their pet will have to be instilled, because, despite a fairly high level of intelligence, oriental cats are capable of minor dirty tricks. For example, small ears love to swing on the curtains and dig in flower pots. They do this not out of harm, but out of thoughtlessness, so it is very important to immediately point out to the kitten the inadmissibility of such behavior.

To punish, and even more so to beat an animal, is the last thing. An Oriental cat can easily guess about its own mistakes, relying only on the intonation of your voice, so use this quality to the fullest. Strictly shout at the mustachioed bespredelchik walking around the table and expressively hiss at the kitten climbing the curtains. You can be sure that the pet will intuitively understand what they want from him.

A common mistake that can negate the results of all your efforts is periodic exceptions to established rules. As an example: today a kitten jumping on the table is given a serious suggestion, and tomorrow you are shooting a video for YouTube, where a tiny Cheburashka briskly climbs the tablecloth to your encouraging comments.

Maintenance and care

Oriental cats do not require any special and time-consuming care. Thai eared cats prefer to follow the cleanliness of their fur themselves, which, by the way, they do quite well. The owner only needs to buy a rubber mitten in order to clean the falling hairs from the pet’s body during the seasonal molt. The same procedure can be carried out with an ordinary damp cloth: shedding wool easily sticks to wet matter. Bathing orientals is not recommended in principle. An exception can only be made for an animal that is too dirty or for individuals preparing for an exhibition.

No more than once a week, cats have their ears cleaned. No special devices, except for a cotton swab and a disinfectant lotion, which will just as well replace regular petroleum jelly, are required for this procedure. Regularly inspect the pet’s eyes, removing dirt and mucus accumulated in them with a cotton pad dipped in boiled water. Ideally, oriental cats should also brush their teeth, but in practice, few owners are willing to participate in this painstaking process. If for some reason you can’t handle the pet’s oral cavity, try to minimize the risk of plaque and tartar by buying dry food. Tightly pressed “drying” kibbles do a good job of brushing your teeth and are quite capable of replacing a regular brush. Animals that eat wet canned food

Oriental cat claw care begins with the purchase of a scratching post. But since the claw plate of the representatives of this breed grows quite intensively, once a month they should arrange a “pedicure” session. Shorten the claw by no more than 2 mm, otherwise there is a risk of injuring the pet’s skin. If the cat actively resists during the process, it is better to involve an assistant in the matter and stretch the “pleasure” for several days.

Orientals have one not very pleasant feature – they love to taste indoor flowers. If a green-eyed kitten of this breed has appeared in your house, dieffenbachia, azaleas and other plants poisonous to cats should be removed from his field of vision. The same applies to open windows. Falling out of them for the gutta-percha “Asian” is a matter of a few seconds.

Oriental Shorthair Feeding

Saving on the purchase of industrial feed with oriental will not work: the digestive system of lop-eared “Thais” is simply not able to properly digest food from your table. So in the case of nutrition, the owner of an oriental cat has only two options: treat the pet with wet canned food or transfer it to “drying”. By the way, cats themselves prefer the first option, while their owners are more focused on dry food, which is cheaper and lasts longer. If you want to please your own murka, but not at the expense of your own comfort, try alternating canned food and “drying”. The only thing you should not do is mix both types of food in one feeding.

Sometimes eared can be pampered with natural products, such as a piece of lean meat, fish fillet, oatmeal in milk. But too often such holidays of the stomach should not be arranged. Firstly, the pet will quickly get used to the sweets, which is fraught with a loss of interest in industrial feed. Secondly, such gluttony leads to obesity, to which Orientals are already prone. The daily cat menu should not be very diverse, so that the animal is not tempted to eat in reserve. Find the right kind of premium food for your mustachioed buddy (Siamese options are fine) and stay on course.

Note: you can determine how suitable a particular type of food is for a cat by the condition of its coat. Soft, glossy, without signs of dandruff “fur coat” indicates that the diet is chosen correctly.

To wean an Oriental cat from overeating, always leave enough food in her bowl. It is undesirable to feed the animal according to the schedule, as pets regard this as the threshold of a serious hunger strike and absorb more food than they need.

For the normal functioning of all body systems, it is useful to mix vitamin and mineral complexes into the feed of orientals. In particular, calcium and taurine supplements are indicated for young individuals. And of course, do not forget to provide the animal with round-the-clock access to clean water.

Oriental Shorthair Toilet

Orientals are very smart and clean cats. Usually 3-month-old babies from the nursery are already aware of what a tray is and how to use it correctly. If the kitten stubbornly continues to walk past the toilet, it is important to understand that he is not doing this out of harm. The tray might be in the wrong place. For example, if the toilet is located in the bathroom, the animal may be irritated by the smell of household chemicals.

It is better if the tray will stand in a secluded corner where no one will see the baby and where he can truly relax. A kitten that has sat down to relieve itself in the wrong place must be scared, but this should be done in such a way that the animal does not understand that the owner is the source of the threat. For example, you can clap your hands loudly, spray the Oriental cat with water from a spray bottle, or throw some soft toy at it.

Health and disease of Oriental Shorthair cats

Despite the fact that the average life expectancy of Orientals is 15-17 years, you cannot call them real healthy people. By inheritance from Siamese ancestors, a whole set of genetic ailments passed to cats, which significantly complicate their life. Many individuals are diagnosed with liver amyloidosis, which, if not treated promptly, can cause liver failure. Another scourge of the breed is myocardial disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), therefore, at least once every six months, the animal must undergo ultrasound diagnostics.

Eye problems among Oriental cats are also quite common. Most often, “Thais” suffer from strabismus and progressive retinal atrophy. In addition, there is always a risk of giving birth to kittens with flat chest syndrome. If the disease is not recognized and treated in time, the baby’s lungs will not be able to work at full capacity, and he will simply suffocate.

How to choose a kitten

When buying a kitten of an Oriental breed, be sure to ask about its age. Nurseries that value their own reputation do not sell animals that are under 3 months old. Assessing the conditions for keeping babies, pay attention to the presence of cages in which unscrupulous sellers often lock their wards. Experienced professionals who love their work bring up kittens at home: they play with them, they are not put in an aviary and are not limited in communication with other pets. Accordingly, such individuals will be socialized faster.

Assess the state of health of an oriental kitten will help and its appearance. Ears with sticky fur, discharge from the eyes and nose, and swollen bellies will not bring anything but problems. Any kitten purchased from a cattery must have a metric or pedigree. If there are none, then, most likely, under the guise of a purebred Oriental, they are trying to hand you a mestizo. Sometimes breeders explain the absence of documents for a kitten by an unplanned mating, although this is nothing more than excuses and attempts to hide the truth about the true origin of the animal.

Those who plan to knit their pet in the future and get offspring from it should look into catteries where oriental breed-class cats with impressive pedigrees are sold. If you do not intend to breed kittens for sale, visit places where Orientals are engaged without the right to breed. Most of these catteries offer already neutered or sterilized kittens.

Some breeders have a negative attitude towards early sterilization, which can seriously affect the external parameters of the cat, and do not carry out this procedure. In this case, the entire responsibility for the reproductive function of the pet lies with the future owner. Usually, before the sale, the buyer signs an agreement, according to which he undertakes to sterilize / castrate the kitten as soon as he turns 8-12 months old.

Photo of Oriental Shorthair kittens

How much does an Oriental Shorthair cat cost

The cost of oriental kittens is affected by their class, as well as coat color. A pet-class chocolate baby in most domestic nurseries can be bought for 400 – 500$. The same kitten, but already in shades of fawn and cinnamon, will cost 750 – 1000$. The most expensive are individuals intended for breeding. The price tag for the future successor of the genus of image oriental cats can reach 1600$.