The Exotic Shorthair cat is the short-haired version of the Persian cat. This cat breed is comparable to the Persian cat in many aspects, including its temperament, the shape of the nose, and its flat face.
This breed is the consequence of selective breeding using the best American short hairs and the best Persian long hairs. The Exotic Shorthair first appeared in the 1960s and became a beloved cat.
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure HERE
EXOTIC SHORTHAIR CAT BREED PROFILE SUMMARY
- Country of Origin: United States.
- Weight: 10 to 12 pounds.
- Height:10 to 12 inches.
- Lifespan: 8 to 15 years.
- Coat: Short.
- Colors: Beige, black, blue, brown chocolate, cinnamon, cream, ebony, fawn, gray, lavender, lilac, orange, red, sable, silver, tan, and white
- Tendency to shed: Low
- Grooming needs: High
- Attention needs
EXOTIC SHORTHAIR APPEARANCE
The Exotic Shorthair has all the requirements of the Persian cat breed except for the coat.
- Head: The head is oval, solid, and with a very broad skull. The forehead is round, and its cheeks are round and full, with a short muzzle. The nose is short and wide with a pronounced stop. The chin is strong, and the jaws powerful.
- Ears: The ears are small, rounded at the tip, and not too open at the base.
- Eyes: The eyes are large, round, and well separated, with pure and deep color.
- Neck: Short and thick.
- Body: The body is medium in size and compact against the ground. The chest is broad, and the shoulders are massive. Its weight ranges between 3.5 – 6 kilograms.
- Legs: The legs are short, straight, and large.
- Tail: The tail is short and thick with a rounded tip.
TEMPERAMENT
The Exotic Shorthair cat breed has a soft, calm personality similar to Persians but is generally more active than their long-haired ancestors. These cats are curious, playful, and friendly with children, other cats, and dogs, but they do not like to be left alone and need the presence of their owner. They are very affectionate and loyal and make excellent lap cats. Due to their calm nature, they are ideal apartment cats.
HISTORY
The Exotic is a cat breed developed as a short-haired version of the Persian. It was developed in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s by crossing Persian cats with American Shorthair cats.
The crossing was done with Burmese and Russian Blue cats to improve their body type.
The goal from the beginning has been to create a Persian with short hair, and the breeders succeeded in their mission.
The Cat Fancier Association recognized The Exotic shorthair cat in 1967.
Since then, the breed has become increasingly popular. Today The International Cat Association and American Cat Fanciers Association recognize this breed.
HEALTH
The Exotic Shorthair cat; is a robust and healthy cat and does not have specific health problems. However, it is advisable to have an annual health checkup starting at the age of eight or nine to check the function of the teeth, liver, and kidneys.
They may suffer from
- Calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
- Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease.
DIET
The Exotic Shorthair is not particularly active and can be prone to obesity, so she needs special attention to its diet.
The ideal to maintain your ideal weight condition is approximately 70 calories of food per kg of body weight.
CARE AND GROOMING
Unlike the high-maintenance Persian cat, the Exotic can keep its coat tidy with little human help, although weekly brushing and combing are necessary to remove loose hair and reduce shedding and hairballs.
As with other flat-faced animals, the tear ducts of exotics are prone to overflowing and can moisten and stain the face. Cleaning the cat’s face with a cloth dampened in water or with one of the commercial preparations made expressly for this purpose will prevent the stains.
This breed reaches maturity around two years and enters puberty quite late.