Cat breed · Oriental
Oriental Shorthair
A Siamese in hundreds of colours: equally talkative, equally social and just as reliant on company.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Oriental
- Origin
- United Kingdom / Thailand lineage
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 2.5–5 kg (5–11 lb)
- Height
- 20–25 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
- Coat
- Very short and close-lying
- Temperament
- VocalCuriousAttachedEnergetic
History
Created in the 1950s by crossing Siamese with other shorthairs to widen the colour range.
Appearance
Long, tubular body with enormous ears and a wedge-shaped head.
Exercise and activity
Several active play sessions daily plus climbing and puzzle feeding.
Care and grooming
Very simple grooming; the real requirement is social contact and stimulation.
Health considerations
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Amyloidosis
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Asthma
- Dental disease
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Oriental Shorthair
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: Several active play sessions daily plus climbing and puzzle feeding. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Progressive retinal atrophy, Amyloidosis, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Asthma, Dental disease), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- International Cat Care — cat health, behaviour and welfare advice