Oriental Shorthair

Temperament

The Oriental is the extrovert of the cat world. It comments on everything its people do in a loud voice that can sound almost like honking, demands attention and sulks when it doesn’t get it. It bonds very strongly, usually with one or two people, and follows them everywhere. It is as bright as the Siamese: it quickly learns to fetch, open doors and walk on a harness. It loves high places from which to survey the home. It usually gets along with other animals, best of all with a second, equally active cat. It takes a lack of company and stimulation hard and may then destroy things or call out loudly for hours. For someone who likes a chatty, engaging cat, this is a plus; for someone who values quiet, it is a serious drawback.

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 Oriental Shorthair for?

The Oriental suits people who spend a lot of time at home, enjoy chatty animals and want a cat that is involved in family life. It thrives when paired with a second cat. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, work long hours away from home or value peace and quiet, choose a less vocal breed, such as the British Shorthair.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, close-lying coat needs almost no grooming: an occasional rub with a rubber brush or a damp hand is enough. The longhaired variety has fine, silky fur with no undercoat and doesn’t mat easily either. The real “maintenance” for an Oriental is keeping it busy: tall cat trees, shelves near the ceiling, puzzle toys and at least two longer play sessions together every day. The breed tends to chew non-food items, so hair ties, thread, string and cables need to be put away. These cats are lean and burn a lot of energy, so they rarely get fat, but it is worth working out their diet with your vet. Because the coat is so thin, they get cold easily and love warm beds by a radiator or on a sunny windowsill.

Health and breed-related conditions

Orientals are considered fairly healthy cats, but they share a few problems with the Siamese. Amyloidosis, a buildup of abnormal protein in the liver and other organs, can lead to organ failure; signs usually appear between 1 and 7 years of age, and the CFA advises asking the breeder about cases in the line. Inherited retinal atrophy often starts with night blindness at 1–2 years and can end in complete vision loss; fortunately, there is a DNA test. Some cats have pica, the habit of eating non-food items, which risks intestinal blockage. PetMD gives an average lifespan of 12–15 years.

• amyloidosis (liver and other organs)Protein deposits can damage the liver; signs usually appear between 1 and 7 years of age.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)A recessive disease that leads to blindness, often starting with night blindness; a DNA test exists.
• picaEating or chewing non-food items risks intestinal blockage.

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

Breed history

Cats with the slender Siamese build but solid coloring were brought to Britain from Siam as early as the late 19th century. Deliberate breeding, however, began in the 1950s, when Baroness von Ullmann and others mated Siamese-type cats with solid-colored cats. The British GCCF first recognized the solid chestnut, lavender and white cats. In the 1970s, breeders around New York, led by Vicky and Peter Markstein, began developing more colors and patterns. The CFA accepted Oriental Shorthairs for registration in 1974 and granted championship status in 1977. The longhaired variety came later, and the CFA merged the two into a single breed.

Fun facts

• The Oriental comes in more than 150 colors and patterns.
• Genetically, it is a Siamese without the colorpoint pattern; the two breeds are built almost identically.
• The Oriental’s voice is sometimes compared to a goose’s honk.
• The CFA granted Oriental Shorthairs championship status in 1977.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – Oriental breed profilecfa.org
2. 2VCA Animal Hospitals – Orientalvcahospitals.com
3. 3PetMD – Oriental Shorthairpetmd.com
4. 4Wikipedia – Oriental Shorthairen.wikipedia.org
5. 5FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
6. 6WCF – Siamese/Oriental breed standardswcf.de

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