Want to know what the best indoor cat is? You’ll end up with the Exotic Shorthair. This cat breed can amuse itself well at home, is independent, and can lounge around. Discover more about these charming cats here.
Here, we’ll tell you:
- What is the character of an Exotic Shorthair cat?
- What does an Exotic Shorthair look like?
- How to care for an Exotic Shorthair?
- How old can an Exotic Shorthair get?
- Health issues of Exotic Shorthair cats
- The origin of the Exotic Shorthair
- How much does an Exotic Shorthair cost?
And we’ll also tell you:
- What is the difference between a Persian and an Exotic Shorthair?
- Which cartoon character resembles an Exotic Shorthair?
- Is the Exotic Shorthair a healthy cat breed?
What is the character of an Exotic Shorthair?
An Exotic Shorthair (also known as Exotic Shorthair) is a crossbreed of a Persian cat and an American Shorthair. Therefore, the character of this cat breed is a real mix of the other two. Exotic Shorthair cats are, like Persians, calm, independent, and friendly. But they can also be very curious, playful, and active. These last three traits are inherited from the American Shorthair breed.
Furthermore, this cat breed adores its owners. They remain loyal to them throughout their lives and prefer to follow them all day long because they enjoy being in their company. Exotic Shorthair cats are also independent. If the owner is away for a day, they entertain themselves just fine – they sleep, play a little, or contentedly watch what’s happening outside. They also love cuddles, even from children, but the kids need to be gentle.
An Exotic Shorthair can live perfectly as an indoor cat. But you should provide an indoor cat with a scratching post because they can scratch on it, climb, and sleep on it.
What does an Exotic Shorthair look like?
The Exotic Shorthair looks exactly like a Persian, but with short fur. The coat is dense in texture and feels very soft. The fur on the short tail is extra hairy and stands out a bit, somewhat like a feather duster. As for coat color, this breed can come in many variations: black, white, red, brown, blue, and silver. The Exotic Shorthair comes in various colors.
The head of the Exotic Shorthair cat is round with a broad and flat skull. The eyes are green, blue, or brown and are large and set a bit to the side of the head, just like in Persians. The ears are small, round, and set far apart. The nose of this cat breed is short, making it a “brachycephalic” breed. This short nose can lead to health problems, which you’ll read more about later in this blog.
Furthermore, this cat breed is robustly built and a bit compact. The cats are muscular and have short legs. The shoulders are broad, just like the chest. The Exotic Shorthair is not a large cat, but certainly not a small one either – male cats can weigh up to 6 kilograms, and females up to 5.
Fun fact: The world-famous cartoon cat Garfield is based on the appearance of the Exotic Shorthair.
All about the care of an Exotic Shorthair
The fur of an Exotic Shorthair is short, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need grooming. On the contrary. The undercoat is thick and should be brushed once or twice a week to prevent knots and matting. The eyes of this cat breed tend to “weep” because of their flat face, so they need regular cleaning. An Exotic Shorthair cat also requires a lot of love and attention. Plus, the same good care as any other cat:
- a safe home with comfortable cat beds
- a suitable scratching post
- care when sick
- pet sitting when you go on vacation
- healthy food and fresh water every day
- clean litter boxes with good cat litter
- cat toys
- treatments against fleas and other parasites
- regular visits to the vet for check-ups
How old does an Exotic Shorthair get?
The life expectancy of an Exotic Shorthair is similar to many other cat breeds. These cats can live to be 12 to 15 years old when well taken care of and free from severe health conditions or diseases.
Conditions and diseases in Exotic Shorthair cats
As we mentioned earlier, the Exotic Shorthair has a flat face, which often causes unpleasant health problems. Unfortunately, this cat breed also frequently suffers from other unfortunate conditions, such as:
Brachycephaly – flat face: The snout of every Exotic Shorthair is too short, even those intended for shows. This results in insufficient space within the skull for airways, teeth, and eye sockets, leading to breathing difficulties, water head, eye ulcers, toothaches, and problems during childbirth (dystocia).
Kidney failure due to PKD: PKD is a chronic kidney condition in cats, where cysts develop, causing the cat to become thin and progressively weaker. This type of kidney failure is unfortunately incurable.
Painful eye ulcers: The eyes of Exotic Shorthair cats protrude slightly, and the eyelids may not close properly. The central part of the cornea often dries out, leading to very painful ulcers resembling splinters. The ulcer can be treated, but the treatment is lengthy and very painful for the cat.
Other conditions: Exotic Shorthairs are also susceptible to hydrocephalus, liver cysts, difficult births, disappearing teeth, inward-turning eyelids, and bladder issues.
(source: dier en recht)
If you want to ensure that you’re getting a healthy (and thus happy) Exotic Shorthair, always go to a recognized breeder and ask for a health guarantee or statement.
So, you now know quite a bit about the Exotic Shorthair. But you still haven’t learned about the breed’s origins. Curious about where the Exotic Shorthair comes from? You’ll find that out below!
The origin of the Exotic Shorthair
In the 1950s, breeders of American Shorthairs noticed that the Persian Longhair was becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, a group of breeders secretly crossed Persians with American Shorthairs, with the goal of creating a rounder and more muscular breed. They succeeded, as kittens were born with a rounder head and a more compact body.
Other American Shorthair breeders were not pleased with this development. They did not want to see the crosses in competitions and did everything they could to establish breed standards that would not allow the new crosses to be shown. And they succeeded. However, something else happened. The CFA recognized the Exotic Shorthair as a new breed and classified it as a champion. And that is the Exotic Shorthair as we know it today: a sweet and fun cat breed. Unfortunately, it is a “torture breed” with many health problems.
How much does an Exotic Shorthair cost?
If you’re fond of this breed and would like to buy an Exotic Shorthair kitten, you’ll need to save up because a kitten from a reputable breeder costs €850 to €1500. Always go to a recognized breeder or a cattery affiliated with a breed association to ensure that all the paperwork is in order.
And always consider the hereditary conditions of this breed. A cat with many ailments is not really happy and also costs a lot of money – after all, you’ll have to visit the vet more often or buy medications. Never buy a pet from Marktplaats, eBay, or a puppy mill, as that’s asking for trouble – for both you and the animal.
Or perhaps you don’t really mind how your cat looks? Then, visit a shelter near you because there are many sweet and lovely cats waiting for a new home. And an owner who will take good care of them. Your new best friend might be among them!
The Exotic Shorthair in a nutshell:
- Exotic Shorthair cats are sweet, calm, and independent.
- The fur of an Exotic Shorthair is soft and short.
- Exotic Shorthair cats shed, just like all other cats.
- An Exotic Shorthair is susceptible to hereditary diseases.
- A healthy Exotic Shorthair lives 12 to 15 years.
- Exotic Shorthair cats originally come from America.
- You can buy an Exotic Shorthair kitten starting at €850 from a reputable breeder.
Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or behavior specialist. All content, information, and tips on this blog are intended to inspire and have an informative nature. If your cat has problems or health issues, and you have doubts about your cat’s health, always consult a veterinarian or a behavior specialist.