Oriental Shorthair Cat: Colors, Voice, Energy and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Imagine a Siamese that put on a different coat for every day of the week. That is the Oriental Shorthair, a lean, large-eared cat that shares the Siamese's body, charm and loud opinions but arrives in more than 300 color and pattern combinations. It is a showy breed with a very devoted personality.

Origins

The Oriental grew out of efforts in Britain and the United States in the 1950s and 1960s to preserve colored Siamese-type cats that were not accepted as pointed Siamese. Breeders crossed Siamese with other shorthairs, including British Shorthairs and Russian Blues, and selected for the Siamese body in solid, tabby, smoke and other colors. It was recognized by registries in the 1970s.

Appearance

Orientals are long, lean and elegant, with a wedge-shaped head, enormous ears set low and wide, and almond eyes that are usually green, though white cats may have blue eyes. The coat is very short and satin-like. Patterns include solid, shaded, smoke, tabby and bicolor, and the breed includes the exotic-sounding ebony, lavender and cinnamon in the solid range.

Temperament

Orientals are intensely attached to their people. They are extroverted, mischievous and talkative, and they demand to be part of the household. Their voices are loud and expressive, and they use them freely. They are clever, will learn tricks and love fetch, and they are agile climbers.

They need interaction. A lonely Oriental can become noisy, destructive or depressed. They do well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, and a companion helps when owners are out.

Care and grooming

The coat needs little care. Rub with a rubber glove weekly to remove loose hair. Orientals feel the cold, so give them warm resting spots. Trim nails, clean ears and brush teeth often, since gum disease is common.

Exercise and enrichment

Provide tall cat trees, shelves and puzzle toys. Aim for two play sessions a day, with wand toys and chasing games, and add training sessions. Rotate toys. See our indoor cat enrichment ideas.

Health

Because of the Siamese background, Orientals share some health concerns.

• Dental disease and gingivitis.
• Amyloidosis, a liver condition reported in some lines.
• Progressive retinal atrophy, with DNA tests available.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so ask about screening.
• Asthma and respiratory disease.
• Lymphoma, reported in Siamese-type cats.

Ask breeders about testing and see our cat health guides and emergency warning signs guide. Weigh regularly, and use how much should I feed my cat to plan meals.

Is an Oriental right for you?

An Oriental suits people who want a vocal, devoted and active cat and are home often. It does not suit a quiet household or someone away all day. Compare the Siamese and the Abyssinian, and use the cat breed finder.

A day with an Oriental

Orientals wake early and let you know. Expect a loud good morning, an escort to the kitchen and constant commentary. They nap in warm spots, often under blankets, and become very active in the afternoon and evening. Many sleep touching their person, usually on or under the covers, and they notice immediately if you leave.

Questions to ask an Oriental breeder

• Which DNA tests have you run on the parents, including PRA?
• Have the parents been screened for heart disease?
• Are the kittens socialized in a home, with other cats and people?
• Will you take back the cat if my circumstances change?

Mistakes to avoid

Avoid getting an Oriental if you work long hours and cannot offer a companion. Avoid punishing vocalization, since it is part of the breed and punishment increases stress. Avoid skipping dental care, which is a particular concern. Provide climbing space, and see how much should I feed my cat to keep weight steady.

Colors and patterns

The Oriental's color range is one of its great attractions. Solid colors include ebony, blue, chestnut, lavender, cinnamon and white. Patterns include tabby, spotted, ticked, shaded, smoke and bicolor. Because the breed standard allows so many combinations, colors alone say little about temperament, so choose based on the individual cat. Longhaired Orientals, sometimes called Oriental Longhairs, share the body type with a silky coat.

Ownership and costs

Orientals live a long time when well cared for, so plan for veterinary care across a decade or more, including dental cleanings and regular screening for heart and kidney conditions. See cat vet visit costs for typical ranges, and use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Finding one

Look for breeders who test for known conditions. Rescues sometimes have Oriental and Siamese mixes. Our guide to cat vet visit costs helps you plan.