Elegant ‘n’ lovable: Oriental Shorthairs
I’m pretty…
Oriental Shorthair is a medium-sized cat, with a long, tubular and tapering body, with fine bones and firm muscles. Her legs are long and slim, with small and oval paws, while her tail is long and tapering. The head, set on a long and slender neck, is a tapering wedge with a “banana-profile” and a strong chin. The large ears are wide at the base, and continue the line of the wedge. Their slanted, almond-shaped eyes are a vivid green colour. The fine-textured coat is very short, glossy, silky, close to the body, with no undercoat, which confers it smoothness and a glass-like sheen.
Orientals come in over 300 colours and patterns: solids (white, black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, cinnamon, fawn), tabbies (blotched, mackerel, spotted, ticked), silvers, bicolours… thus, out of such diversity of colours, you will certainly find a cat who suits your taste.
I’m social ‘n’ playful…
The Oriental cats have a strong personality – they are extrovert, hyper-social and playful, and remain so all through their lifetime. They are talkative and display a wide range of sounds, from the softest ones to those that remind you of an opera diva’s shrill note. Naughty, untiring and sometimes turbulent, they are always ready to frolic. Their lively curiosity combined with their keen intelligence make them natural mischief-makers, especially when there is nobody around to entertain them. The only thing they crave for is affection. They become extremely attached to their owners and when they get the required amount of attention, they return it with interest: companionship, amusing “conversation” and undying loyalty.
Groom me little…
The short coat requires little grooming. Brushing it carefully, once a week, is sufficient to remove loose, dead hair. After that, wiping the coat with a piece of either silk or natural chamois will give it a gorgeous high-gloss glow. It is also advisable to trim the claws and clean the ears once a fortnight.
I love to be around you…
The Orientals are a shining example of an interactive cat. When you come back home, they will eagerly meet you at the door either to show you how happy they feel or to scold you for being so late. They want to be with you every minute of every day. They will invariably follow you all over the house because they want to see everything, experiment everything, and share… everything! “Privacy” is a word that does not exist in the “Oriental cats’ dictionary.” They will be devoted and sensitive friends and they will fill your life with unconditional love.
I’m healthy…
This breed is generally healthy. Some bloodlines, however, can be prone to certain diseases such as gingivitis, cardio-myopathy, and liver and kidney amyloidosis.
So, if you are looking for a companion cat, both loyal and affectionate, the Oriental is the perfect breed for you.