Oriental ShorthairCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

The Siamese cats brought from Siam (Thailand) to Britain in the late 1800s were both pointed and fully coloured. The “point” gene is recessive, so most cats from Siam were coloured all over. The pointed ones became Siamese, and the others were called “non-blue-eyed Siamese” or “foreign shorthair”.

The breed was developed in the USA by breeders from the New York area, led by Vicky and Peter Markstein, in 1971–1972. CFA accepted it for championship in 1977, and the GCCF in 1997. FIFe has recognised it since as early as 1959.

How the breed developed

• Late 1800s – cats from Siam, with and without points, reach Britain.
• 1959 – recognised by FIFe.
• 1971–1972 – the breeding programme in the USA begins.
• 1977 – championship at CFA.
• 1997 – recognised by the GCCF.

• People who spend a lot of time at home. It always seeks people and does not like being alone.
• Homes with two cats. Wikipedia says it prefers to live in a pair or group.
• 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 is a medium-sized cat, slender but muscular. Wikipedia gives 3.5–5.5 kg for males and under 3.5 kg for females. Although it looks fragile, it is athletic and jumps very high.

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.

In theory, over 300 combinations of colours and patterns are possible: solid colours (black, chocolate, cinnamon, red, white, blue, lilac, fawn, cream), silver, smoke, all four tabby patterns, tortie and bicolour. Not every association accepts them all.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

The Siamese has the same body, but only the point pattern and blue eyes. The Oriental Longhair differs only in its coat. Pointed kittens born to Oriental parents are considered Siamese by many associations.

Wikipedia says it has the personality of the Siamese: it moves around a lot and is a born “talker”. Orientals are sociable and intelligent, and many are very vocal. Breeders and vets describe them as active, curious and interested in everything around them. They stay playful as adults; many fetch toys.

French Wikipedia says it is lively, affectionate and intelligent and wants a relationship with people “as an equal”.

Socialisation

It prefers to live in a pair or group and always seeks human company.

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 short, fine coat is very easy to look after: a weekly polish by hand or with a grooming glove 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. Oriental Longhairs live about 15 years on average.

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.

The Oriental is among the breeds said to cause milder allergic reactions. However, research on whole breeds is not complete, so someone with allergies should spend time with the cat before taking it home.

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.

• Over 300 colours. In theory, over 300 combinations of colours and patterns are possible.
• The “non-blue-eyed Siamese”. That is what the cats from Siam without points were first called.
• Green eyes. Unlike the Siamese, its eyes are usually green.
• One of the most popular at CFA. It is among the breeds favoured by CFA members.

How is it different from the Siamese?

It has the same body, but colours without “points” and usually green eyes.

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 much does it weigh?

Males 3.5–5.5 kg, females under 3.5 kg.