Exotic ShorthairCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

In the late 1950s, some American Shorthair breeders secretly used Persian cats to improve their cats' body shape. Russian Blue and Burmese cats were also used.

The American Shorthair breeders changed their standard to rule out these crosses, but other breeders saw in them a new breed. In 1966, CFA recognised it under the name Exotic Shorthair. Since 1987, CFA has accepted only crosses with the Persian.

How the breed developed

• Late 1950s – the first crosses between Persians and American Shorthairs.
• 1966 – CFA recognises it as a new breed.
• 1983 – recognised by FIFe.
• 1991 – an Exotic becomes CFA's “Cat of the Year”.

• Apartments. French Wikipedia says it adapts well.
• People who want the look of a Persian without daily brushing.
• Families who spend a lot of time at home. It wants to be close to its family.
• Watch its health. The flat face can bring breathing and eye problems.

It has the same body as the Persian: short and stocky, with a broad chest, short, thick legs and round paws. The tail is short, with a rounded tip. French Wikipedia gives 3.5–7 kg.

General appearance

The head is large and round, with full cheeks. The eyes are large, round and set wide apart, and the nose is short and broad; in profile, the forehead, nose and chin are in line. The ears are small, rounded and set low.

The FIFe profile says the short, plush coat comes in over 400 colours and patterns, with copper, green or blue eyes depending on the colour.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Persian has the same shape, but long hair; FIFe covers both in the same standard. The British Shorthair also has a plush coat, but a less flat face and a longer nose.

The FIFe profile describes it as sweet and loving: it adores its owner and wants to stay close to its family. It is described as livelier than the Persian, curious and playful. It greets you at the door every time, even if you have only been gone 5 minutes.

Socialisation

French Wikipedia describes it as quiet, affectionate and easy to live with.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is a quiet cat with low exercise needs. Daily play helps it avoid putting on weight. In hot weather it must be kept from exertion, because of its short nose.

Tips for a balanced life

• Keep it away from great heat and humidity: it breathes with more difficulty.
• Wipe the corners of its eyes daily if they water.
• Play with it in short sessions.

Coat care

The short coat does not need complicated care: French Wikipedia says regular combing is enough. The eyes should be checked and cleaned often, because they water easily.

Common health problems

Like the Persian, it has a flat face (it is brachycephalic), so the nose and eyes are very close together. This can cause brachycephalic syndrome, with narrowed airways, corneal sequestrum (a dead area on the cornea) and difficult births, because of the kittens' large heads. Cats from the Persian line also have a high risk of polycystic kidney disease.

Recommended genetic tests

For polycystic kidney disease there is a genetic test and an ultrasound scan. Ask for the parents' results.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

French Wikipedia says it is quite greedy, so its owner must watch its food to keep it from putting on weight.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Ask for the parents' polycystic kidney disease test and choose a kitten with open nostrils and quiet breathing.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• The first Grand Champion in 1971. Four years after recognition, an Exotic was awarded the title of Grand Champion at CFA.
• Over 400 colours. The FIFe profile says it comes in over 400 colours and patterns.
• It waits for you at the door. It greets you even if you have only been gone 5 minutes.
• Cat of the Year. In 1991, an Exotic was CFA's “Cat of the Year”, and in 1992 its “Best Kitten”.

The likeness to Garfield

The FIFe profile says the Exotic is often called a “teddy bear that looks like Garfield”, the cartoon cat, because of its round face and full cheeks.

How is it different from the Persian?

Only in its coat, which is short and dense; the body and face are the same.

Is it easy to groom?

The coat is, with regular combing. The eyes, however, need frequent cleaning.

Does it have breathing problems?

It can, because of its flat face; keep it away from heat and hard exertion.

How much does it weigh?

Usually 3.5–7 kg.