Oriental Cats: Breed Profile

History: In the mid-twentieth century, a handful of North American Siamese breeders set out to explore developing a Siamese type cat with diverse colorings and patterns. They initially experimented with different cross breeds but settled on the Colorpoint Shorthair. The resulting breed was named the Oriental. Oriental cats come in over three hundred different color/pattern variations. Experimenting further, breeders used the Balinese and Javanese for cross breeds eventually perfecting a longhaired version of the Oriental cat breed.

The shorthair Oriental cats were accepted for the Cat Fancier's Association championship class in 1977. The longhair addition to the breed was accepted in 1995.

Appearance: The Oriental cat breed has a long, lithe body, which is heavily muscled and sturdy in contrast to its more fragile appearance. The head is wedge shaped with large ears and close set eyes. The legs are long and slender with the hind legs being longer than the front. The tail is long and narrow tapering slightly to a point.

The coat of the Oriental cat comes in over three hundred color and pattern variations. Eye color varies with coat color. The shorthair's coat is very short and lies close to the body. The longhair's coat also lies close to the body because the longhaired Oriental does not have an undercoat. The medium length coat often appears shorter than it really is except for on the tail were the hair plumes out in all its glory.

Personality: The Oriental breed of cat is a people centered breed. Your pet will want to be with you all the time. It will greet you at the door and follow you throughout your daily tasks showing curiosity in everything that you do. When you sit to rest, it will curl up next to you or on your lap. The Oriental is a talkative cat, enjoying conversations with humans and purring loudly while enjoying your company. When you are not around, the cat will explore. They are known to open drawers and doors getting into anything not one hundred percent cat proofed. This breed of cat needs a lot of attention to stay happy. If you don't give it enough of your time, it will pout and let you know that something is wrong.

Care: Like all cats, Oriental cats need a continual supply of fresh water, a high quality cat food, and a clean litter box. They also need adequate veterinary care and safe, cat-proofed areas to explore and scratch. The grooming needs of shorthairs are minimal. It is best to brush them a couple of times a week with a rubber, "curry-comb" type brush. If they need bathing, be sure not to blow dry their smooth sleek fur, or it will fluff in an unbecoming manner.

Longhaired Orientals need combing with a metal comb on a regular basis to keep their hair at its best. They also need occasional baths. Blow drying should be avoided with the exception of the beautiful plume-like tail.

Probably the most important thing to remember when thinking about what kind of care an Oriental cat needs is remembering that they need plenty of attention. Lavish your cat with plenty of affection and time, and you will be well on your way to having a happy and healthy Oriental cat.