Meet the Sleek and Slender Oriental Cat Why This Breed of Siamese is so Special

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Oriental cat photo
Small Breed Gingivitis Cardiomyopathy Heart Disease Oriental

Is The Oriental Cat Good For You?

  • 1 Oriental cats are keen on human emotions and can find true love with a human friend or feel hurt if they are ignored.
  • 2 The Oriental cat is available in over 300 color and pattern combinations.
  • 3 The Oriental cat is generally healthy but there is a more than common risk of endocardial fibroelastosis.

HISTORY

Coming about as the result of breeders looking to add some color to the otherwise monochromatic palette of the Siamese, the Oriental cat is the genetic combination of Siamese, American Shorthairs, Russian Blues, Burmese, and Abyssinians. First registered with the CFC in 1972, and granted championship status in 1976, they didnโ€™t earn their current moniker of โ€œOrientalโ€ until 1995.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Small, Medium

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    Lifespan

    16 - 18 years

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    Hair Length

    Short, Medium

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    Litter Size

    6 - 8 kittens

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    Male Weight

    7 - 10 pounds

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    Female Weight

    5 - 8 pounds

Personality

While the goal when breeding this cat was to add some color to their fur, a coincidental byproduct of this was creating one of the most colorful personalities in the domestic cat family. A very smart, intuitive breed, these cats not only require, but demand the attention of their people, nudging them and meowing at them until they get the object of their desire. They grow very close bonds to their family, love playing, and are exceptionally good travelers. What they do not like is being left alone. They are loving, affectionate, attention hogs that promise to give their family a lifetime of hijinks and hugs. .

Color

Coming in around 300 different colors and patterns, the Oriental can be found in just about any color you can imagine.

Health Concerns

Though the Orientals are normally a healthy breed, they share some common diseases with the Siamese variety because of their common heritage, such as:

Appearance

Thanks to the hereditary hodge podge that is the Oriental breed, they can be found in over 300 different colors and patterns, making them the most visually diverse breed on Earth. They have the same long, slender body as their Siamese grandparents, with the same slanted, almond shaped eyes, and large, pointy ears. Despite their sleek appearance, they are deceptively heavy. They traditionally have a short, glossy coat, but can also be found with medium length fur.

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