Oriental Shorthair
Overview
A slender, elegant relative of the Siamese — intelligent, intensely bonded to its people and very talkative.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Oriental Shorthair is devoted lap cat and good with children. They tend to be extremely talkative and needs constant company. As with any cat, give them space to retreat, teach children to handle them gently, and introduce them to a new home calmly.
Energy & play
A Oriental Shorthair is generally high energy. They need plenty of daily play, climbing and enrichment — wand toys, puzzle feeders and tall cat trees help burn off that energy and prevent boredom.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is wash-and-go and shedding is low. The coat is generally easy to care for; an occasional brush keeps it tidy and cuts down loose hair. All cats benefit from regular nail checks and a clean, quiet place to groom themselves.
Feeding considerations
Cats are obligate carnivores, so a Oriental Shorthair should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced cat food appropriate for its life stage — this provides essential nutrients like taurine that cats can only get from animal products. Portion to your cat’s ideal body weight and activity level to avoid weight gain, and provide plenty of fresh water. Treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Devoted and interactive, forming an exceptionally close bond with its owner
- +Sleek coat is wash-and-go with almost no grooming needed
Things to consider
- –Very vocal and opinionated — it will let you know how it feels
- –Strongly dislikes being alone and needs lots of company and play
Is a Oriental Shorthair right for you?
A Oriental Shorthair tends to be needs constant company and devoted lap cat. That makes them best suited to a home where they won’t be left alone for long stretches — a companion cat or a busier household can help. If you want a cuddly, people-focused companion, this could be a good match.
Kit that suits a Oriental Shorthair
Everyday essentials for a happy cat:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Oriental Shorthairs good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide they are tolerant and sociable in a family home. Always teach children to handle cats gently and give the cat space to retreat.
Are Oriental Shorthairs affectionate?
Devoted lap cat. Oriental Shorthairs typically love close company and lap time.
Are Oriental Shorthairs vocal?
Extremely talkative. They like to "talk" and will often let you know how they feel.
How much grooming does a Oriental Shorthair need?
Wash-and-go; shedding is low. The coat is generally easy to care for with the occasional brush.
Can Oriental Shorthairs be left alone?
Needs constant company. They strongly prefer company and can become stressed or lonely if left for long periods — a feline companion or a less empty house suits them better.
Are Oriental Shorthairs energetic or playful?
High energy. They need plenty of daily play, climbing and enrichment to stay happy.