Oriental LonghairCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The Oriental Longhair comes from the same group of cats as the Oriental Shorthair and the Siamese, with roots in the cats of Siam (Thailand). The gene for long hair is recessive.

In Britain the variety was called the “British Angora”, but in 2002 it was renamed, so it would not be confused with the Turkish Angora. It is also known as the Foreign Longhair, Javanese or Mandarin. FIFe has recognised it since 1985.

How the breed developed

• Late 1800s – cats from Siam reach Britain.
• 1985 – recognised by FIFe.
• 2002 – the name “British Angora” is changed to Oriental Longhair.

• People who spend a lot of time at home. It is not made for a solitary life.
• Homes with another cat. It gets on well with other cats.
• People who want a cat that “talks”. It is very talkative.
• Experienced owners. The Oriental group is often recommended for people who have had cats before.

It has a long, tubular, Oriental-type body. French Wikipedia gives 3–5 kg. It is agile and elegant: it jumps a lot and well, usually without knocking anything over.

General appearance

The head is a long wedge, with very large ears. The eyes are almond-shaped and usually green; in white cats they can also be blue or odd-coloured. The body is long, like a tube, with long legs and tail.

The colours can be solid (black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, caramel, fawn, red, cream, apricot), tortie, smoke, silver, tabby or white. If an Oriental Longhair is mated with an Oriental Shorthair or a Siamese, all the kittens have short hair, but carry the gene for long hair.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Oriental Shorthair differs only in its coat. The Balinese also has semi-long hair and an Oriental body, but a point pattern and blue eyes. It is not related to the Turkish Angora, although in Britain it was called the “British Angora”.

Wikipedia says it is an active cat that loves to play; if its owner has no time, it finds a toy by itself. It is very intelligent and an ideal companion for anyone who wants a cat always close by. Like the Siamese, it has a loud, expressive voice that it uses often. Many quickly learn to walk on a lead if they start young, and some open cupboards, doors and even the fridge.

Socialisation

It is loyal and gets on well with other cats, especially from the same group of breeds. It is not made to live alone.

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 very active and athletic: it jumps onto high places. It needs daily play, cat trees and, ideally, another cat.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

The semi-long, silky coat has no thick undercoat, so it rarely tangles. Brushing once a week is enough.

Common health problems

For the Oriental group, Wikipedia mentions amyloidosis (abnormal protein deposits that can affect the liver and kidneys), cancer and, in some kittens, flat-chested kitten syndrome, which can make breathing difficult. The Oriental Longhair usually lives about 15 years.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test for amyloidosis. Ask the breeder about the health of the line and have the kitten checked by a vet.

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.

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.
• 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.

• Formerly the “British Angora”. The name was changed in 2002, so it would not be confused with the Turkish Angora.
• It opens the fridge. Some Orientals learn to open cupboards, doors and even the fridge.
• A hidden gene. Shorthaired kittens can carry the gene for long hair.
• It plays by itself. If its owner has no time, it finds a toy by itself.

How is it different from the Oriental Shorthair?

Only in its coat, which is semi-long and silky.

Does it meow a lot?

Yes, it is very talkative.

Can it be left alone?

It does not like it; it prefers to live with another cat and with people.

How long does it live?

Usually about 15 years.