Oriental Shorthair: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The Oriental shorthair is a svelte cat with elegant features and a coat that comes in a rainbow of 300 color variations. Part of the Siamese family of cat breeds (which also includes the Balinese and Oriental longhair), this beautiful "rainbow cat" is intelligent, athletic, and vocal—and not shy about demanding attention. The Oriental shorthair craves affectionate interaction with their family, both the human members and other pets.

Learn more abut the appearance, care, history, temperament, and health of the Oriental shorthair.

Oriental Shorthair Characteristics

Considered an excellent pet, the Oriental shorthair is outgoing and fun. This cat is gregarious by nature and, unlike many other breeds, can become withdrawn and depressed when left alone for more than a few hours at a time.

Most Orientals enjoy meeting new people. Occasionally, a cat may become fixated on one person and be more evasive with other people, but this is more of an exception than the rule.

It should be noted that vocalization is a key part of the Oriental shorthair’s personality—a trait shared among most cats of the Siamese family. An Oriental will express excitement, interest, despair, or other emotions with a wide range of vocal sounds. Many Oriental owners report that their cats carry on "conversations" with various meows and chirps. This breed is even referred to as the “honking cat” because one of their vocalizations is similar to the sound that geese make.

History of the Oriental Shorthair

The Oriental shorthair resulted from the crossbreeding of several other cat breeds. In the wake of World War II, many domestic cat breeds were in jeopardy. To revive the Siamese, English breeders introduced Russian blues, Abyssinians, and British shorthairs into their lines.

At first, each non-pointed hybrid received a unique breed distinction, but breeders soon realized that the gene pool of these cats harbored a vast array of color combinations. To simplify classification, all non-pointed kittens became known as Orientals.

The Oriental was introduced to the United States in the 1970s and quickly gained championship status from the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1977. Initially, the breed was only a shorthaired variety, but further crossbreeding in the U.S. led to both the Oriental shorthair and Oriental longhair breed varieties. The Oriental longhair received championship status from the CFA in 1995.

Crossbreeding in the United States further expanded the breed's coat color combinations, leading to the approximate 300 varieties of colors and patterns existing today. The Oriental is sometimes called the "rainbow cat" for their colorful coat.

Oriental Shorthair Care

Caring for an Oriental shorthair is not complicated. Though these cats need a lot of attention when it comes to exercise, they are easy when it comes to grooming.

Grooming

The Oriental's short, silky coat is low-maintenance, and this cat does an excellent job of self-grooming. However, your cat might appreciate an occasional brushing to remove any loose hair and stimulate the skin. 

Regular ear checks are important to ensure they are clean and don’t have a buildup of dirt, excess wax, or signs of infection. You can gently clean the ears weekly using a damp washcloth. At-home dental cleanings can be done with a cat-specific toothpaste and toothbrush at least a few times a week, if not daily. Also, use a high-quality nail clipper for nail trims to keep your cat well-groomed.

Exercise

Oriental shorthairs thrive on interactive stimulation and enjoy learning skills such as walking on a harness, performing tricks, and playing fetch. These cats are considered to be very interactive and enjoy playing with human family members or other cats or even dogs. It’s often recommended that you make sure your Oriental has a furry companion.

Orientals love leaping and climbing to high vantage points—like refrigerators or cabinets—to keep an eye on activities down below. You can encourage safe (and potentially less destructive) climbing by providing a tall cat tree with lots of levels for active play.

Common Health Problems

With a genetic history closely intertwined with the Siamese, Oriental shorthairs are predisposed to the same health problems as their pointed relatives. In general, however, the breed is considered healthy.

Health conditions observed in Oriental shorthairs include:

• Bladder stones: Cats can develop calcium oxalate or struvite stones. Symptoms include blood in the urine, pain during urination, slow urination, and difficulty urinating. Obstructions can also occur, which need emergency treatment.    
• Liver and kidney amyloidosis: This condition develops when amyloid, a misfolded protein, ends up in organs like the liver and kidneys, where it causes damage. 
• Mast cell cancer: Mast cell tumors can occur in the intestine, skin, and spleen. Symptoms depend on where the cancer is located in the body.  
• Crossed eyes: Known as convergent strabismus, crossed eyes in the Oriental shorthair is considered normal. Orientals might be born with one or both eyes crossed, but their vision shouldn’t be impacted. Seek veterinary attention if your cat’s eyes become crossed unexpectedly.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This disease affects the retina and leads to blindness. Night vision usually deteriorates first. 

Appearance

The Oriental shorthair is a medium-sized cat with a long, lean build and somewhat exaggerated features (ears, nose, and eyes). A smooth, silky coat that lies close to the body accentuates their angular face, wide-set ears, and long legs.

Fun fact: Teddy, an Oriental shorthair, went viral on social media for his resemblance to actor Adam Driver.  

Diet and Nutrition

Keeping your Oriental shorthair healthy requires feeding high-quality cat food. Feed the appropriate amount of food at scheduled times to avoid excessive snacking and weight gain. If you aren’t sure how much your cat should be eating daily, consult your veterinarian.

Although you might be tempted to leave out a bowl of dry food all day and night (known as free feeding), it’s best to feed these cats multiple small meals throughout the day so they don’t overeat, gain too much weight, and lose their characteristic lean shape. 

In addition, your Oriental shorthair might enjoy various puzzle feeders. These products can keep your cat mentally stimulated and active while giving them a tasty reward once they’ve solved the puzzle. 

Where to Adopt or Buy an Oriental Shorthair

If you purchase an Oriental shorthair from a breeder, the price might be $500 to $1,000.

The Oriental shorthair gained rapid popularity after being imported to the United States, and today the breed enjoys a healthy fan base. Because of this popularity, there are many Oriental shorthair breeders.

In addition, regional and national groups help re-home displaced Oriental shorthair cats, so if you’d like to adopt one of these beautiful cats, there are many options.

Some resources to check out as you search for an oriental shorthair include:

• CFA Breeder Directory
• TICA Breeder Directory
• Oriental Cat Association Rescue

Oriental Shorthair Overview

The Oriental shorthair looks svelte and elegant while retaining a playful personality. These cats love being with humans—cuddling, walking, playing, and "talking" with their distinctive voice. The only trouble with owning an Oriental is the fact that this cat requires attention. Almost dog-like in personality, the Oriental loves being involved in their owner's daily life and will almost certainly become depressed if ignored or left alone for too long.

Pros of Oriental Shorthairs

• Outgoing and friendly
• Beautiful coat colors
• Generally healthy
  

Cons of Oriental Shorthairs

• Tends to vocalize a lot
• Climbs to high places
• Needs almost constant companionship
  

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Colorpoint Shorthair
• Lynx Point Siamese
• Devon Rex

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.