Description
Size: 10-12 pounds
The exotic shorthair and Persian are bred to the same standards, while having quite distinct coats. Exotic shorthairs have short legs, small ears, and flattened features. The exotic’s coat is short, dense, and silky, unlike the Persian’s.
Origin and History
Persian cats have historically been among the most sought-after cats, and they still are. Around the 1950s, American shorthair breeders started blending Persians, Burmese, and Russian blues into their American shorthair lines due to the popularity of the breed. In order to achieve the stunning appearance of the Persian in American shorthairs.
The initial litters of Persian-American shorthair kittens didn’t quite like Persians, but they did preserve some of the essential traits, including round cheeks, short noses, and huge, round eyes. However, their coats were shorter and plusher. The exotic shorthair breed was then developed by many breeders by mating these kittens with Persians.
Less breeds used Burmese and Russian blues in their breeding programmes to produce shorter, plusher coats as the breed’s popularity increased and the gene pool widened. The Cat Fanciers’ Association eventually started putting a cap on the amount of outcrosses permitted in purebred exotic shorthairs. Exotic shorthair outcrosses were fully outlawed in 1987; Persians were the only breeds with which they may be mated.
Behavior
Activity Level: Low
Social Needs: These cats value their alone time and are capable of being independent for a few hours, but they prefer to spend time with other people and pets.
Exotic shorthairs can flourish in a variety of settings and don’t need a lot of active engagement or stimulation because they have less energy than many other cats. The exotic shorthair cat is the ideal choice for calm families and first-time cat owners due to its charming, laid-back, and playful demeanor as well as its low maintenance grooming and exercise requirements.
As Pet
Grooming
Exotic shorthairs are incredibly simple to groom, unlike Persians. While Persians need to be brushed and combed every day, exotic shorthairs just need to have their coats combed with a steel comb once or twice a week. The exotic shorthair rarely mats, knots, or tangles. Seasonal shedding means that the exotic shorthair requires more combing and bathing to eliminate dead hair and skin cells.
The flatter faces of exotic shorthairs make their eyes more prone to tearing and staining the surrounding fur. Washing the face of your exotic every day with a soft, dry cloth will help you avoid stains. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to check for an eye infection if your cat has red, crusty, or excessively discharged eyes.
You should regularly check your cat’s ears as you would with any breed. Use a soft cotton towel to remove waxy buildup and dirt. Cotton swabs should not be used as they can harm the sensitive inner ear components. Consult your veterinarian if your cat’s ears are red, inflamed, or smell strange. These could indicate an infection.
Diet and Nutrition
The food and nutritional requirements for your cat will mostly rely on its sex, age, size, and degree of activity. Your veterinarian can assist you in creating a healthy, balanced diet for your exotic shorthair if you’re unsure of how much or how frequently to feed him. You can also refer to the feeding instructions created by the manufacturer of the cat food you choose.
Obesity in cats can result from overfeeding, which has negative health effects. By giving a cat the right amount of food at set times throughout the day, you can help manage their weight as leaving food out all the time can encourage them to eat excessively.
Exercise
The exotic shorthair has a fairly low energy level and doesn’t require a lot of exercises. It is content to play an occasional low-key game with toys, and then lounge or cuddle for hours.
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