Exotic Shorthair

Temperament

The Exotic has a gentle, easygoing nature. It likes to be close to people, follows them around the home and happily falls asleep in a lap, but it is not pushy and doesn’t demand constant attention. It rarely uses its voice: it purrs more often than it meows, and when it does speak up, it is with a soft, squeaky meow. Breeders note that males tend to be more affectionate than females, which more often keep their distance. Compared with the Persian, it has a little more curiosity and playfulness, inherited from the American Shorthair, but it is still more of a couch potato than an acrobat. It watches strangers warily. It copes well with a few hours alone and a quiet apartment life, less well with a loud, chaotic household.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Exotic Shorthair for?

The Exotic suits calm people and families living in apartments who want a gentle cat for cuddling and are ready to look after its eyes every day. It copes well with a household that is out at work during the day. It is not a good choice for someone who wants an active cat, or for people who can’t accept the risk of breathing, eye and dental problems and the higher vet bills that come with them.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, dense coat takes less work than a Persian’s: combing once a week is usually enough, more often during shedding. The eyes, on the other hand, need daily attention. Tears run down the face, leave rusty stains and irritate the skin, so the corners of the eyes and the fold above the nose should be gently wiped with a damp cotton pad. Cleaning the area under the tail is also recommended. Exotics handle heat and exertion poorly, so in summer they need a cool spot, and play should be short and gentle. Because of the jaw shape, some do better with food in flat pieces that are easy to pick up. They gain weight easily, so portions need to be controlled. Regular vet visits help catch eye and dental problems early.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Exotic is a brachycephalic breed, and its shortened skull has real health consequences. International Cat Care describes a range of problems in flat-faced cats: airway obstruction syndrome (narrow nostrils, an overlong soft palate), chronic tear overflow, keratitis and corneal sequestrum, bite problems and skin fold infections. The flatter the face, the higher the risk, so it is worth choosing kittens of a moderate type with well-open nostrils. The second major issue is polycystic kidney disease: in the 1990s, it affected more than a third of Persians and Exotics. A DNA test lets breeders eliminate the disease, so ask for the parents’ results before buying. Breed profiles give a lifespan of 8–15 years.

• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)Narrow nostrils and an overlong soft palate make breathing harder, especially in hot weather and during exertion.
• tear overflow and corneal diseaseBulging eyes and misshapen tear ducts make staining, keratitis and corneal sequestrum more likely.
• polycystic kidney disease (PKD)In the 1990s, PKD was found in more than a third of Persians and Exotics; a DNA test is available.
• bite problems and dental diseaseShortened jaws cause misaligned teeth and difficulty biting.
• facial skin fold dermatitisThe folds around the nose are prone to bacterial and fungal infections.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

In the 1950s, American Shorthair breeders on the US West Coast began crossing their cats with Persians to get a heavier build. Kittens with a Persian body and short coat were controversial at first, but in 1966 the CFA recognized them as a new breed. The name Exotic Shorthair came from the fact that many of the first kittens were silver and chinchilla; the CFA later dropped the word “Shorthair.” Since 1987, the Persian has been the only permitted outcross in the CFA, which is why the two breeds are now built almost identically. FIFe recognized the Exotic in 1986.

Fun facts

• The Exotic is sometimes called “the Persian in pajamas,” since its body standard is almost identical to the Persian’s.
• The first Exotics came from crossing Persians with American Shorthairs in the 1950s.
• In 1991, the Exotic was the CFA’s Cat of the Year.
• Exotics communicate mainly by purring and meow rarely and softly.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Calmest cat breeds

Sources

1. 1CFA – Exotic breed profilecfa.org
2. 2Purina UK – Exotic Shorthairpurina.co.uk
3. 3VCA Animal Hospitals – Exotic Shorthairvcahospitals.com
4. 4International Cat Care – Persian cats and brachycephalyicatcare.org
5. 5Wikipedia – Exotic Shorthairen.wikipedia.org
6. 6FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
7. 7WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.