Oriental Shorthair
Siamese build in every conceivable color and pattern.
Oriental Shorthairs share the slim, elegant Siamese build but in over 300 color and pattern combinations. They are vocal, social, and exceptionally bonded to their humans — demanding interaction and following their people everywhere.
Key facts
| Origin | United Kingdom, United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 6–12 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Energy | High |
| Vocality | High |
| Grooming | Brush weekly |
| Shedding | Low |
| With children | ●●●●○ |
|---|---|
| With other pets | ●●●●○ |
| For beginners | ●●●○○ |
| Apartment life | ●●●●● |
Pros & cons
✓ What's great
- Stunning variety of colors
- Long-lived
- Highly intelligent
- Devoted to family
✗ Things to know
- Very vocal
- Demanding social needs
- Not for quiet homes
Ideal owner
A Oriental Shorthair may suit you well if you:
- Have children or a busy, sociable household
- Already have dogs or other cats at home
- Live in an apartment or smaller home
- Enjoy interactive play and can dedicate daily activity time
A Oriental Shorthair may not suit you if you:
- Have a busy schedule with little time for interactive play
- Have significant cat allergies
Health considerations
Oriental Shorthairs are generally considered a robust, healthy breed with no well-documented breed-specific conditions at this time. As with all cats, annual vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and keeping them up to date on vaccinations and parasite prevention are the best health investments you can make.
Is a Oriental Shorthair right for you?
The best way to find out if a Oriental Shorthair suits your lifestyle is to take the What Cat? breed quiz — it weighs your living space, schedule, household, and preferences against all 68 breeds in our encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Oriental Shorthair a good cat for first-time owners?
Oriental Shorthairs can suit first-time owners who do their research. Vocal, social, and intensely involved with their people. Make sure you can meet their specific care needs before committing.
Are Oriental Shorthairs good for apartments?
Yes — Oriental Shorthairs adapt well to apartment living. They don't require a large territory and are content indoors provided they have adequate enrichment and attention.
Are Oriental Shorthairs good with children?
Oriental Shorthairs are generally excellent with children. They are patient, tolerant of handling, and social enough to enjoy the energy of family life including young children.
Are Oriental Shorthairs hypoallergenic?
Oriental Shorthairs are not specifically hypoallergenic and produce standard levels of Fel d 1, the main cat allergen. If allergies are a concern, consider breeds like the Siberian, Balinese, or Devon Rex.
Does a Oriental Shorthair suit your lifestyle?
Take the free 18-question What Cat? quiz to find out — and get a full ranked list of breeds matched to your real life.
Take the free quiz →Further reading: Oriental Shorthair on Wikipedia