Similar to the Persians both in the physical and in their personality, exotic short-haired cats are a peculiar breed of felines that are characterized by being very calm and friendly, being the perfect animals to adopt as pets.

If you want to know more about this particular and lovely breed of felines, in this article we tell you everything you need to know about the exotic shorthair cat and why it should become the next member of your family.

The exotic cat: a calm and playful pet

Exotic shorthair cats are the result of the mix between Persians, Americans and British shorthair. Their race was obtained from a hybrid between these three races, which is why they are so similar to the Persians, but with the peculiarity of having short hair.

Jane Martinke, a judge of feline breeds, was the first person to make the cross between an American shorthair and a Persian cat and got the CFA to consider a special category for these animals and stop being considered only a variation of the Persians

Although it began to become popular in the 60’s, until 1986 it was not recognized as a race and its particular characteristics were determined. Exotic cats are increasingly requested as pets because they are very easy care, docile and very playful.

Characteristics of the exotic shorthair cat

Physically, the exotic shorthair cat is very similar to Persian. It has a flattened and rounded head, flat snout and wide skull. Its nose is wide and short and has the largest and most open holes.

The traditional exotic cat has a more flat snout compared to the most extreme species, which usually has similar health problems as the Persians. The eyes of the exotic cat are of an intense light color, usually green, although they can also have blue eyes.

Its height is around 30cm and its weight ranges between 3.5 and 6kg. Its fur is short and soft and has the same colors as the Persians, being able to find specimens in black, white, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, gold, silver, tabby, smoked, shaded, bicolor, calico and Himalayas.

It has short, wide and robust legs, and its tail is also short and thick. His body is rounded and his muscles are very marked. The ears are small and rounded tips.

Exotic cat health

The life expectancy of the exotic shorthair cat is between 10 and 15 years. Although it is usually a very healthy animal, due to its flattened face it is very prone to certain pathologies similar to those of Persian, such as dental malocclusions, polycystic kidney disease, oily seborrhea and ringworm, among others.

Another very common health problem in exotic cats is excessive tearing of their eyes, which can cause serious infections in the eye area. That is why it is convenient to observe and clean your eyes frequently.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is another frequent pathology in exotic cats, due to an incorrect development of their heart. Therefore, it is essential to schedule regular visits to the veterinarian and fully comply with your vaccination schedule.

Exotic cat care with short hair

Thanks to the fact that it has a less lush coat than that of Persian, the care of the exotic shorthair cat is not so complicated or thorough, although regular brushing is always necessary to avoid the formation of specks. The care of your fur should be done about three times a week with a special brush; This routine represents a very pleasant moment for the cat.

The feeding of the exotic shorthair cat should consist of a balanced diet, since it has a tendency to gain weight easily. The reason is that it is usually a very calm and calm race, although certain genetic and hereditary factors also influence.

It is advisable to provide a diet rich in animal protein and very low in cereals, in order to ensure its proper growth.

The exotic cat is a very sociable animal both with people and with other animals and pets, and is usually very demanding in terms of attention and pampering. In addition, he is calm and curious and adapts very well to changes and family life.

Particularities of the exotic cat

Exotic cats do not like to be alone at home, so it is advisable to avoid leaving them alone for a long time and provide them with more frequent contact. It is recommended to leave them in the care of an acquaintance in case it is necessary to leave home for a long time.

Due to their particular temperament, if left alone for a long time, the feeling of loneliness they experience can lead to various diseases.

Caring for your eyes is a very important issue, due to excessive tearing. This happens because they can’t hold back the tears, which oxidize when in contact with the air. It is advisable to clean your eyes frequently with a sterile gauze moistened with serum.

They are accustomed to a mild climate, so it is necessary to protect them from excessive cold and heat. Its outgoing, intelligent, affectionate and calm character makes it a very homely animal, so it is easy to educate it.

Providing them with adequate environmental enrichment is essential to improve the quality of life of exotic cats. In the market, there is a wide variety of toys that stimulate your psychic and physical development.

Because of its calm and friendly nature, the exotic shorthair cat is an ideal breed to have as a pet. If you are thinking of adopting a feline for the home, consider having one of these specimens to care for and pamper it with your family.