Oriental Shorthair — breed guide
Oriental Shorthair — temperament, grooming, exercise, heat tolerance and care, from the Leash Life breed guide.
At a glance
- Group
- oriental
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 3–5 kg (7–11 lb)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Very short and close
Living with a Oriental Shorthair
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Almost no grooming.
- Light shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Very vocal.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with another cat, given a slow introduction and separate resources.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Feels the cold.
Temperament
Extremely vocal · Devoted · Athletic · Nosy
Health to watch
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Amyloidosis
- Dental disease
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Oriental Shorthair good with kids?
Generally yes. Oriental Shorthairs are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Oriental Shorthair good with other cats?
It can work, but take it slowly. Oriental Shorthairs do better when each cat has its own resources and the introduction is done over weeks rather than days.
How much exercise does a Oriental Shorthair need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Oriental Shorthair handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Oriental Shorthair's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.