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Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed Introduction
Exotic Shorthair is a medium to large-sized cat breed developed from a mix of American Shorthair and Persian. These cats were bred in the 1960s in the United States. This cat looks similar to the parent Persian apart from its short dense coat. They have a round, broad head, somewhat large and appropriate to their body, with big round eyes and a short muzzle that offer them a diverse and somewhat irritable expression.
Exotic Shorthairs’ ears are small and set wide which further highlights the size and roundness of their face. Their body is rigid, with short athletic legs, large round paws with crested toes, and a short, bushy tail. Their coat is short, and very thick, with a soft, dense undercoat. They are known for being affectionate, sweet-natured, and intelligent. These cats are friendly and are specifically good with kids and other people in the family.
They are also known to be excellent around children and enjoy playtime with them – they are just as active and playful already. Besides, these cats can sometimes also indulge in rough play without intending to. Parents should be watchful of the smallest kids around this cat to make sure that they build better habits in their socialization.
Origin
In the early 1960s, this cat was created after American Shorthairs were mated with Persians. Exotic Shorthairs are originally from the United States. The initial name chosen for this cat was Sterling because of their nice silver color but the name Exotic was regarded as the best. The parent Persian has been—and still is—some of the most desired cats in records. Inspired by the fame of the breed, American shorthair breeders started to mix Persians, Burmese, and Russian blues into their American shorthair lines sometime in the 1950s.
Breeders hoped to recreate the nice looks of the Persians in American Shorthairs. However the debut litters of Persian-American shorthair kittens didn’t appear exactly like Persians, they detained some of the key characteristics—such as round faces, short noses, and large, round eyes. But the cats had shorter, more plush coats. Several breeders then bred these kittens with Persians to further create the exotic shorthair breed.
As this cat grew in prominence—and the gene pool broadened—some breeders incorporated Burmese and Russian blues into their breeding programs to get shorter, plusher coats. Exotic Shorthairs outcrosses were forbidden in 1987 allowing them to be bred with Persians only.
Lifespan
The lifespan of Exotic Shorthairs is 8 to 15 years.
Grooming
Their coat needs a low-maintenance grooming routine. They have short, plush coats that are less susceptible to matting than their Persian parent, these cats still benefit from weekly brushing. A slicker brush is needed for brushing. Exotic Shorthairs should be brushed more in the spring when shedding tends to be higher. Brush the coat to remove loose hair, debris, and promote a healthy coat.
Pay much attention to cleaning around their face and eyes daily, and under the tail following each trip to the litter box. It is also good to trim the fur under their tail and around the genital area if these cats are regularly getting dirty in this area. Always clean their ears mostly for buildups of dirt or wax. Clean Exotic Shorthairs’ ears with a pet-safe ear cleaner if they look dirty. If you detect excessive dirt or redness in Exotic Shorthairs’ ears, or if your Exotic Shorthairs’ is shaking its head or scratching at the ears, plan a veterinary visit.
Teeth cleaning should be done twice a week using a finger toothbrush and a feline-formulated toothpaste. Exotic Shorthairs should bathe once every 4-6 weeks unless they roll in something messy. A hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner is also used to bath them.
If the owners don’t have the time or energy, consider routine grooming visits for Exotic Shorthairs; they should likely have a few visits a year anyway for routine grooming. As with all cat breeds, owners should trim Exotic Shorthairs’ nails every other week.
Shedding
Because of their plush, thick coat, Exotic Shorthairs tend to shed more than most cats with the same coats. To lower their shedding, weekly brushings are needed.
Shedding Season
These cats shed seasonally which means that they shed more during the summer to keep cool, and in the fall to grow in their new winter coat.
Hypoallergenic
These cats are not hypoallergenic. Exotic Shorthairs’ short, dense coats produce more dander which harbors the protein allergen Fel d 1, which triggers cat allergies. These cats are not suitable pets for people who have severe cat allergies but may be the best option for those with mild allergies.
Coat Type
Their coat is short, and very thick, with a soft, dense undercoat.
Training
These cats are intelligent and, thus easily trainable. Exotic Shorthairs respond best to positive reinforcement techniques like praise, petting, and treats. Without proper training, Exotic Shorthairs can become incorrigible and destructive. Start by establishing clear boundaries and rules within your home to create a structured routine for your cat. Normalize the use of a clicker, hand signals, voice cues, or a mixture of all three.
Concentrate on basic obedience commands like “come”, “in”, “stop”, and “eat”. Meowing-related training commands such as “hush” or “shut up” are also crucial. This training helps manage your cat’s behavior both indoors and outdoors.
Socialization training also exposes Exotic Shorthairs to different people, places, situations, smells, sights, and sounds like sirens, baby crying sounds, washing machines, and many more. Use positive reinforcement methods like giving them treats, toys, and verbal praise to encourage good behavior. Owners should keep the training moments fun, upbeat, and challenging for like 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom.
Effectively, housebreak Exotic Shorthairs by creating a feeding guide, litter training, and crate training. In addition, space may be limited depending on the measurement of your apartment, prioritize leash training to ensure your cat walks calmly and obediently, especially in communal areas. Crate training can also assist your cat to feel safe and secure while you’re not around your home. This may assist your kitten avoid anxiety, which could lead to meowing habits.
Exotic Shorthair Cat Characteristics
– Quite.
– Gentle.
– Friendly.
– Loyal.
– Loving.
– Highly Active.
– Affectionate.
– Intelligent.
– Calm.
Exercise
These cats do enjoy playtime, but they are not overly active and typically play in a gentler, slower motion than the average cat. Exotic Shorthairs should be exercised for at least 30 minutes daily. To keep their energy needs met, owners can take them on a few short walks or run in a day. Besides, the Exotic Shorthairs can get mentally and physically stimulated via cuddling, playing with toys, and climbing.
Meowing
Exotic Shorthairs are quiet cats although they tend to meow a bit when they want something. They also communicate what they want by climbing onto their owners’ lap. However, illness can make them feel thirsty, or pain hence meow excessively.
Exotic Shorthair Size
They have a height of 10 to 12 inches ( approx. 25 to 30 cm ) and weigh 10 to 12 pounds ( approx. 5 to 5.5 kg ).
Apart from Exotic Shorthair, another cat breed include:
Height
Mature Exotic Shorthairs have a height of 10 to 12 inches ( approx. 25 to 30 cm ).
Weight
The Exotic Shorthairs have a weight of 10 to 12 pounds ( approx. 5 to 5.5 kg ).
Exotic Shorthair Health Issues
If these cats come from a responsible breeder, they are often healthy. Still, there are some genetic predispositions toward health issues to be aware of with Exotic Shorthairs. Many of these problems spring up later on in these cats’ lives. Exotic Shorthair can be at risk of health problems such as:
– Hydrocephalus.
– Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.
– Polycystic Kidney Disease.
– Obesity.
– Progressive retinal atrophy.
Eye Infection
Exotic Shorthairs can suffer from eye infections like Conjunctivitis, and Bacterial eye infections which cause pain, itching, redness, and discharge. Cat infections can also be caused by Glaucoma and allergies. Physical injuries, such as scratches can also cause Exotic Shorthairs eye infections. One can use Oral antibiotics, Eye drops, and other topical solutions such as lubricants for treatment.
Allergies
Exotic Shorthairs can be prone to allergies such as:
Flea Allergies – Most Exotic Shorthairs can have allergies once infested with fleas. They may itch their bodies and manifest licking and scratching themselves to ease itching.
Pollen Allergies – Most Exotic Shorthairs can be allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollens. Exotic Shorthairs that are allergic to pollen can show signs such as watery eyes and regular sneezing.
Food Allergies – Some Exotic Shorthairs can have allergies to specific ingredients present in most cat foods. Exotic Shorthairs with food allergies mostly display gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, gassiness, and diarrhea.
Names
Exotic Shorthairs’ parents may decide to get a name for the pet before it leaves the shelter or a few days after the pet joins them at home in order to understand better the personality of the cat. They may get name inspirations from the personality of the cat, coat color, movies, books, songs, and celebrities. Parents should make sure the name chosen does not rhyme with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that parents give to their Exotic Shorthairs include:
- Bella.
- Charlie.
- Chloe.
- Daisy.
- Sabrina.
- Luna.
- Ginger.
- Moon.
- Scary.
- Shadow.
Litter Size
After conception, Exotic Shorthairs have a gestation period of 63 to 65 days before kittening a litter size of 4 to 5 kittens per litter.
Food
The amount of food Exotic Shorthairs feed on depends on their age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. Exotic Shorthair thrives on either commercial cat food, homemade, or raw food. On overage, the kitten feeds on a lean protein diet which supports the growth of muscles, tendons, and tissue. Kittens eat three times a day while adult Exotic Shorthairs eat twice a day.
Also, one can opt for free feeding, leaving food out for the kittens to eat throughout the day. Although, as these cats grow into adulthood, free-feeding can result in weight gain. Some cats may be prone to getting overweight. Therefore, parents should watch the weight level and calorie intake as well as treats that aid in training.
Food Bowl
Always feed Exotic Shorthairs in a stainless steel bowl, not anywhere else. Their bowls should be washed after the cat has completed eating to prevent the risk of taint from insects and plant debris.
Exotic Shorthair Colors
These cats come in many colors and patterns such as white, blue, black, red, and lilac.
Blue
The Exotic Shorthairs have a blue coat that may be described as grey.
Orange
The Exotic Shorthairs that are orange have a mix of white color.
Grey
Grey Exotic Shorthairs have a grey coat color with grey stripes that may be prominent or faint.
White
White Exotic Shorthairs have blue eyes.
Silver
Silver Exotic Shorthairs have a very “cold” and “metallic” color, contrary to non-silver tabby.
Black
They can come in a pure black color. The black coat is very common.
Exotic Shorthair Persian
These cats looks like the parent Persian in appearance excluding their short dense coat. Persians were used during the 1950s by some American Shorthair breeders as an outcross. They are medium to large sized cats just like the Persians.
Eyes
The Exotic Shorthairs have large and round eyes. These cats’ eyes contribute to tearing and staining the nearby fur.
Tail
These cats have a short tail.
Teeth
Exotic Shorthairs that are full-grown contain 30 permanent teeth. However, Exotic Shorthairs kittens have 26 milk teeth which start to show up two to four weeks after birth and start falling out at the age of 12 weeks.
Nose
They have distinct, flattened noses which are short.
Nose Problems
These cats are at risk of some breathing issues because of their very short noses. Exotic Shorthairs’ narrow nostrils and always small windpipes increase the effort of their breathing. However, any upper respiratory tract infection, like cat flu, can be even more unpleasant for Exotic Shorthairs.
Tabby Exotic Shorthair
Some of these cats have a tabby coat pattern which can be accompanied by many colors such as red tabbies, black tabbies, and brown tabbies.
Exotic Shorthair Kitty
Exotic Shorthairs Kittens are created from the cross of Persians with American Shorthairs as well as other shorthaired cats. The kittens are a short-haired version of the Persian. They are medium-sized cats with gorgeous round heads, eyes, and bodies.
British Shorthair Vs Exotic Shorthair
– British Shorthairs are originally from the United Kingdom (England) while Exotic Shorthairs are originally from the United States.
– Exotic Shorthairs have average energy levels while British Shorthairs have lower energy levels.
– British Shorthairs are common while Exotic Shorthairs are rare.
– British Shorthairs are more prone to Obesity, dental disease, and heart disease while Exotic Shorthairs are more prone to respiratory problems, and eye conditions.
Exotic Shorthair Cats Price
The price of Exotic Shorthairs is $1200 to $2500 depending on the age of the cat and the location of the breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Long Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Live
Exotic Shorthairs that are in good health can have a lifespan of up to 15 years.
How Much Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Cost
The cost of Exotic Shorthairs ranges from $1200 to $2500 depending on the pedigree of the cat, age, location of the breeder, and how famous the breed is at the time of purchase.
Is Exotic Shorthair Hypoallergenic
No, these cats are not hypoallergenic because they shed and produce dander thus not suitable for people with cat allergies.
What Is Exotic Shorthair Cat
Exotic Shorthairs are medium-sized cats that are available in many colors and patterns. They are a mix of the American Shorthair and Persian cats. These cats can stand 10 to 12 inches tall, weigh 10 to 12 pounds, and have a life expectancy of 8 to 15 years.
Are Exotic Shorthairs Friendly
Yes, Exotic Shorthairs are friendly and are specifically good with kids and other people in the family.
Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Have Health Problems
Yes, Exotic Shorthairs can be prone to health problems such as eye problems, polycystic kidney disease, and respiratory issues because of their flat faces
Exotic Shorthair Quick Facts
- These cats are suitable for those living in a small apartment.
- Exotic Shorthairs make great family companion cats.
- These cats are fond of cuddling.
