Oriental Shorthair

Also known as: Orientale

The Oriental Shorthair has the Siamese-type body, lean, graceful and long-legged, with a wedge-shaped head and large ears, but its coat is short, smooth and close-lying, and it lacks the Siamese points. The breed was developed in the United Kingdom, and it comes in a great many colours and patterns. It needs the least grooming of the pair, as an occasional stroke with a hand or a rubber brush is enough. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 5 kilograms. Orientals are usually very talkative, active and seeking human attention, so they dislike being left alone for long. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Oriental Shorthair: how old in human years?

2.5–5 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Don Sphynx

FIFe category: Category IV — Siamese and Oriental
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: OSH
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

5/5
Playfulness

5/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 3–5 kg

Females 2.5–4 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

smooth (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Oriental Shorthair: average score for sociability and trainability is high.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 4/5
Intelligence 5/5
Trainability 4/5

Activity & Living Space

Oriental Shorthair: average score for activity and living space is high.

Energy level 5/5
Playfulness 5/5
Hunting instinct 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5

Personality & Communication

Oriental Shorthair: average score for personality and communication is high.

Affection 5/5
Independence 2/5
Vocality 5/5

Grooming & Shedding

Oriental Shorthair: grooming and shedding demands are low.

Shedding 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the Oriental Shorthair

The Oriental Shorthair talks. Not the odd meow, but real conversation: it meets you at the door with a full report on the day, argues about the closed wardrobe and answers when you call its name. If you dream of a silent housemate, look elsewhere; if you enjoy a chat, you will have a partner for life.

It has enough energy and curiosity for two: it races about, leaps onto the tallest wardrobe, learns to open drawers and to fetch a thrown toy. A cat this clever gets bored fast, so wand play, puzzle feeders that hide a morsel and short training sessions matter as much to it as the food bowl. A sturdy scratching post and a floor-to-ceiling climbing tree will help spare the furniture.

Being alone is hard on it: this cat chooses its person, follows them from room to room and likes best to sleep under the duvet. It gets along well with children, other cats and friendly dogs, and a second animal in the house is a real help if you are out during the day. A flat suits it perfectly, as long as there is somewhere to climb and a window for watching the street.

Grooming and coat

The Oriental Shorthair's coat is so short and fine that it looks painted on: smooth, glossy, with almost no undercoat, so it sheds little and never mats. Once a week, run a damp palm or a rubber grooming glove over the cat; it will most likely take this as one more chance to be the centre of attention.

The huge ears are the first thing visitors notice and the first thing to check each week: wax and dirt show straight away, and you can wipe them gently from the outer part. Clean the corners of the eyes with a damp cotton pad. The skin is easy to see through the thin coat, so redness, small scabs or thinning patches are quick to spot and show to a vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The slender, light-boned Oriental Shorthair lives twelve to sixteen years, and the health questions worth knowing about concern its internal organs, its eyes and an odd habit of chewing things that are not food. None of them means your cat will fall ill, but it pays to know the signs. Before you take a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Amyloidosis

An abnormal protein builds up in organs such as the liver or kidneys and slowly disturbs their work. The signs are vague: an Oriental Shorthair that normally gives you no peace may turn listless, eat less or drink more. If it suddenly goes weak or its gums look pale, it needs a vet immediately; otherwise, book a check-up.
Pica

The cat chews and swallows things that are not food: woollen jumpers, plastic bags, cables, hair ties. For a curious Oriental Shorthair such things can become a favourite pastime, so notice what goes missing from the table or the floor. If a cat vomits, stops eating or seems to have a sore belly after swallowing something, it needs a vet immediately, and talk the habit itself over with a vet.
Progressive retinal atrophy

An inherited disease in which the light-sensing cells of the retina slowly break down and sight fades. An Oriental Shorthair loves catching toys in mid-air, so the first sign may be that it starts to miss, or moves hesitantly in dim light with wide pupils. Show such a change to a vet, and when you take a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 57 g of dry food a day, from €3,28 a month For a neutered, normally active 3,6 kg cat. Calculate for your cat