Exotic cat

Many animal lovers have fallen in love with exotic cats because of their captivating personalities and distinctive looks. These cats are available in many different breeds, each with unique characteristics and personalities. There is an exotic cat to suit every taste, from the eye-catching Bengal to the energetic Sphynx.

Despite their wild appearance, the majority of exotic cats are happy living in homes, which makes them excellent companions. Giving these amazing pets a happy and fulfilling life requires an understanding of their needs and behaviors.

This post will discuss some of the most well-liked exotic cat breeds, how to take care of them, and what makes them unique. Here you’ll find insightful information to help you appreciate these fascinating animals, whether you’re thinking about adopting an exotic cat or you just want to learn more about them.

Characteristic	Description
Breed	Exotic Shorthair
Origin	United States
Coat	Short, dense, plush
Temperament	Calm, affectionate, playful
Size	Medium
Colors	Various, including white, black, and tabby
Care	Low-maintenance grooming
Health	Prone to respiratory issues
Lifespan	12-15 years

Breed characteristics

* Features of the breed Exotic cat based on owner reviews and expert evaluations from Usatik.ru. Since the data is average, it might not accurately reflect an individual’s behavior. It is regrettable that it is impossible to consider every single unique feature of a specific pet.

The allure of domestic life combined with the beauty of wild cats makes exotic cats fascinating pets. Cat lovers adore certain breeds, such as the Bengal or Savannah, because of their distinctive appearances and lively dispositions. But because exotic cats frequently have unique needs and behaviors, owning one calls for extra care and attention. Any prospective owner must comprehend what it takes to give these exceptional pets a loving and appropriate environment.

Brief description of the breed

What is the actual country of origin?

When the breed appeared?

Lifespan?

How much does a cat weigh?

How much does a female cat weigh?

How tall is the animal?

What is the length of the animal with the tail?

How much does a kitten cost with documents?

What is the price of a kitten without documents?

One of the most popular cat breeds worldwide, the exotic cat leads the list of household pets. This breed is common indoors and is perfect for apartment living in cities. One cannot help but like these cats, who have personified the fantasy of a fluffy Persian. Their odd faces and round eyes, which resemble the cat from "Shrek" and convey innocent surprise, are frequently turned into internet memes.

Video

Exotic cat

• History of the origin of exotic cats
• Exotic – breed description
• Popular colors of exotic cats
• Character and habits of exotic cats
• Interesting facts about exotic cats
• Pros and cons of exotic cats
• Breeding exotic cats
• Care of exotic cats
• Diet of exotic cats
• Diseases and health problems
• Exotic cat – price and how to buy correctly

History of the origin of exotic cats

American breeders worked hard to create the exotic breed in the 1960s of the previous century. The Exotic Shorthaired Cat is its full name. Parent breeds include American, Burmese, and Russian blue shorthair cats, as well as Persians. The first Exotics were brought to Russia from Germany and Canada in the 80s of the last century.

Fascinating fact: It all began when American breeders chose to expand the color range of the American shorthair by crossing it with a Persian kitten that had chinchilla markings, producing silver kittens. These kittens completely adopted the Persian form and muzzle structure, bearing no resemblance to American characteristics at all. However, they had a unique and endearing quality: thick, luxurious wool.

The breed standard and regulations governing CFA’s participation in exhibitions were adopted in 1966. Wool was not included in the evaluation criteria; instead, the Persian standard was used. First champion exotics were raised by Persian breeders from "Docia-Dao" and "Kalamar," whose nurseries "New Dawn" and "Grayfire" laid the best lines of the new breed. A characteristic known as "nose with a stop" was added to the breed standard description in 1973, helping to set exotics apart from Persians.

Initially, the American shorthair breed as well as the Burmese and Russian blue were included in the breeding programs for the new breed as sources of the short hair gene. These crossbreeds did not result in abuse, but they did draw shorthaired breeds only in the beginning phases of breeding. Before the early 1980s, it was legal to cross with Americans; however, after that, Persians were the only breeders permitted to outcross since they believed the short wool gene to be largely fixed.

Long-haired people occasionally show up in the children of exotics. since 2009. CFA has established a separate show category for long-haired Exotics born from short-haired ones, and allowed them to participate in exhibitions, receiving their own awards. Maybe they will still be acknowledged as independent of their breed.

Exotic cat – breed description

An exotic should ideally resemble a dense teddy bear with the face of a wounded child and rounded figure outlines. Female cats can weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 kg at the withers, while male cats can weigh up to 7 kg.

The body parts appear as follows when viewed closely:

• The head is round and large, set on a short neck;
• The face is round and flat, with full cheeks, wide jaws and a rounded well-developed chin;
• The nose is small and wide, the so-called “stop” is well defined – a dent on the bridge of the nose, located between the eyes;
• The ears are small and rounded, widely placed and tilted forward;
• The eyes are round and large, like a doll"s, set wide apart. The color is dark orange, copper or blue, depending on the color of the coat;
• The body is massive and strong, with a wide chest;
• The legs are short and straight, thick, muscular;
• The paws are large and round, the front ones have 5 toes, the back ones have 4.;
• The tail is relatively short and straight, it is desirable that the cat does not lift it up like a "pipe";
• The coat is an important feature of the Exotic. It should be very dense and plush (protruding) with a thick undercoat. The permissible length of the awns is 5-6 cm.

Exotics cannot apply for:

• Various skeletal deformities, including the wrong number of toes;
• Bite defects, which is visible from the asymmetry of the muzzle and the protruding tongue;
• Strabismus;
• Weak hind legs;
• Narrow nostrils, which cause the cat to constantly snore, as if he has a cold;
• White fingers and non-blue eyes in colorpoints.

The so-called "long-haired" exotics, also known as exotic Persians, are a breed that is generally classified as Persians but is not recognized by all felinological organizations. They are also known as extreme Persians, and the primary distinction between them and typical Persian breed members is a noticeable stop. There is no such breed as the "exotic extreme."

Popular colors of exotic cats

Exotics can have fur in any color or pattern that is typical of Persians.

A vast array of genes determine the many different colors:

• Tabby – patterns in the form of dark patterns (marble), stripes or spots. Colors – brown, silver-black, blue and silver-blue;
• Bicolor – spotted two-color coat. One of the colors is white, the other is any in a one-to-one ratio. If there is more than 70%white, then the color is called “harlequin”, if the dark only ears and tail are “van”. Eyes of different colors are acceptable;
• Tortoiseshell – a combination of two contrasting colors (black and red, blue and cream, brown and cream, etc.p.) often in combination with white. Three -color cats (Kaliko) are especially beautiful and valuable, as they bring multi -colored kittens. The male cats are sterile;
• Solid (monochrome) – the fur coats are colored the same on all sides. Colors range from snow-white to jet-black. Such varieties of solid as fawn (beige), lilac and chocolate are rare. White cats can have eyes of different colors;
• Colorpoints are colored like the Siamese breed: they have a dark muzzle, ears, limbs, tail. Despite the fact that the whole body is light. There are seal-point (cream with dark brown), blue-point (white with bluish-gray), red-point (white with red), cream-point (white with cream). Eyes are blue;
• Chinchilla – colors caused by tipping, i.e. each guard hair has a dark tip. The color can be black, red (golden), cream, etc. Silver chinchillas, which have black tips, are especially beautiful;
• Smoke – caused by tipping. The undercoat and the lower half of the guard hair are light, the upper half of the guard hair is dark. Smoke can be black or blue. The color is clearly visible only when moving, and when the cat lies quietly, it seems monochromatic.

Often there are more complex colors, combining all of the above in different proportions. For instance, golden tabby, chinchillas with a deep pattern, or silver-black marble, one of the most exquisite and uncommon hues.

Character and habits of exotic cats

The exotic breed is a true domestic, "sofa" breed that thrives in cozy environments. Breed representatives are identified by their good manners and serene demeanor. They play without forgetting and without displaying the sadistic tendencies that cats have. Despite this, some characteristics of this tribe, like curiosity and a propensity for capturing mice, have persisted.

Fascinating fact: You shouldn’t rely too much on your hunting prowess. Of course, given the muzzle’s nature, they are capable of catching and biting mice, but for them, this is more of a game than a real job. Furthermore, it is not a good idea to put them at risk of contracting worms.

Exotics enjoy the company of people, are playful and loving, and become bored when left alone. They blend in with family life with ease. Although this breed of cat prefers to be indoors, it is not recommended for them to go outside because of their low resistance to bacterial and other infections. Their favorite pastimes are playing video games on the computer or watching TV with the owner. or simply doing nothing but lying on the couch.

Exotic animals are highly obedient and intelligent. Easily adapt to the routine at home and make an effort not to alter it. When they’re being examined, anyway. They can be trained several basic commands, such as "go to your place" or "no." If they sense that the owner is close by, they will feel comfortable enough to tolerate even unpleasant procedures like transportation.

Because they are relatively silent, exotics make useful housemates. They do not scream loudly in protest or demand food. Due to the unique structure of the nasopharynx, they often snore, grunt, and purr like a tractor.

Interesting facts about exotic cats

1. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) annually calculates breed ratings based on the number of registrations of purebred cats. According to this organization, in 1999. exotics came in fourth place in the world in popularity, in 2012. they took second place, second only to their ancestors – Persians. Since 2014, they have confidently led. However, in Russia the situation is different and here exotics hardly get into the top ten breeds in terms of demand;
2. The life of show exotic cats is hard. To improve their fur, they are constantly bathed – once or twice a week for two or three months before the show. And kittens who need to make a career have to take a bath 2 times a week, starting from the age of 3 months;
3. Cats make a career not only at exhibitions. They acquire millions of fans in the virtual space, of course, with the help of loving owners. Among them is the cutie exotic Snoopy, red van color. His name has become a household word for the entire breed. Snoopy was born and has lived in China since 2011., and his owner diligently promotes her pet. He does not have any talents, he just advertises his breed and demonstrates how a well-groomed exotic should look;
4. Initially, they planned to call the breed "sterling" – silver, since the kittens proposed to CFA as a sample were obtained from Persians – chinchillas and had a silver color. But since this name narrowed the idea of ​​the new breed, the association"s council preferred a more capacious one: "exotic shorthair", allowing in the breed standard a variety of colors characteristic of Persians;
5. After the recognition of the breed in 1966,. exotics made a rapid career. In 1971, the Exotic was awarded the title of CFA Grand Champion. A black smoke cat named Docia Dao Triby has received the CFA award – National Winner three times. In 1991,. the exotic brown tabby Jovanthe Legend was recognized as the best cat of the year.

Pros and cons of exotic cats

A cute cat, a toy cat, or a pillow cat—all about exotic. An animal with soul that is kind and loving and makes any space feel cozier.

• He can safely be left with children – he will not scratch;
• He can be left alone in the house and the order will not suffer;
• He will not wake you up in the middle of the night, loudly demanding food and spectacles;
• He does not rush out into the street, but patiently waits for someone to start entertaining him;
• Always ready to play without self-harm and bloodletting;
• Is friendly with other animals, even small ones;
• Obedient and easily learns the rules: what is allowed and what is not;
• Prestigious, popular, photogenic.

But we must not forget that this is a living animal and this breed has no less disadvantages than advantages. Even though the exotic—at least the shorthaired variety—is thought of as a Persian for the indolent, it actually needs a lot of maintenance. First of all, because of its thick undercoat, its renowned fur can become matted and needs to be washed and combed. An additional annoyance associated with hygiene practices is cleaning your nose and wiping your eyes.

Important information: This breed of cat can contract a wide range of illnesses, and the cost of medications and medical care can add up over time for the owner. The price of food is another factor that needs to be considered; pick a price that fits your pet’s physiology.

It is impossible to leave an exotic cat in the nation, granting it autonomy. You shouldn’t count on it to get rid of rats in particular or mice in general. It needs love, care, and the comforts of a well-equipped home because it is not suited to living in the wild. It will wither away without this.

Breeding exotic cats

The genetics of exotics and the mechanism of inheritance of traits, in particular color, are well studied because the breed was bred with the collaboration of professionals, on purpose, and according to established programs. Breeders can choose appropriate pairs for crossing to produce any desired phenotype.

Many breeders feel that it is not worth involving other breeds when breeding exotics, now that the breed has finally come of age. However, as past experiences demonstrate, the fur of the progeny starts to deteriorate after several generations of pure Exotics. The only thing that can help rectify the situation is the infusion of Persian "blood" and the subsequent culling of offspring that clearly display Persian traits. Nevertheless, it is still evident that Persians are essential to Exotics.

The primary issue encountered when breeding KS Exotics is the production of long-haired kittens, which exhibit signs of Persian ancestry. Felinological organizations have not yet come to an agreement on what to do with such relapses. While some, like the Professional Cat Club (PCA) system, think they should be registered as "longhaired exotics," others think they belong in the Persian breed category. Such LH exotics are permitted to show in their own class by the CFA, but mating with Persians or other exotics is forbidden.

Male cats can start breeding a little later than female cats, who can start at 16 months of age. A male cat’s regalia, which include his genetic potential and the honors and titles he and his ancestors have won at exhibitions, are especially significant. The cost of mating is decided by these indicators. Like other cats, exotics have an average gestation period of 9.5 weeks. No more than twice a year should you force a cat to give birth. Four to six kittens typically make up a litter. Exotics typically live between 13 and 15 years.

Care of exotic cats

The features of this breed – thick fur, the structure of the nasopharynx and a tendency to lacrimation determine the main points of care. Not to mention show cats, even a typical pet needs ongoing care and attention. If hygiene issues are not addressed, they may escalate into medical issues.

The primary component of care is to comb out exotics. Some people are naturally fortunate to have a nice fur coat that hardly ever tangles or climbs. However, the majority require comb treatments two to three times per week, and more frequently during shedding. Ideally, you should have two combs: one for uncommon teeth and one for frequent teeth. While some owners prefer using a slicker brush, cats might think otherwise.

Additionally, the owner of this "lazy Persian" will require:

• Regular bathing – once every 2 – 3 months, which is included in the care of the coat. For this, buy shampoo with conditioner. The procedure is also performed before the exhibition or mating;
• To care for the ears once every two to three weeks, you will need cotton swabs and a special lotion;
• Claw clippers or scissors for shortening claws once a week;
• A brush and special toothpaste once a week, although you can use gauze wrapped around your finger;
• Napkins or soft cloth for wiping the nose and eyes.

Generally speaking, you can pass time while relaxing on the couch in front of the TV and doing something productive, like cleaning up your exotic. However, these are insignificant in comparison to the assortment of cosmetics and equipment that a driven show cat owner would need to purchase in order to take his animal to the championships.

Diet of exotic cats

A propensity for food allergies compels you to choose your foods wisely. Furthermore, the absence of allergic reactions—such as eczema or inflammation of the ears, eyes, or skin—does not imply eating a high-quality diet. Not only are the food’s ingredients essential, but also their proportions and any extra ingredients that are unique to each manufacturer. Therefore, you can only empirically determine which is best for your pet. Exotics tend to be finicky eaters, reacting negatively to inappropriate foods with upset stomachs.

Significant fact: Cats raised artificially are fed artificial food. Although natural food is not advised, you can occasionally give meat (turkey), liver, and fermented milk products, such as cottage cheese, for fun. Cats who are pregnant or nursing benefit greatly from a varied diet. They require food that is higher in calories and higher in vitamins and minerals during this time.

Food of a high caliber typically has all the ingredients and is properly balanced. Diets that support healthy skin, strengthen the coat, and are hypoallergenic should receive particular attention. They ought to be made with the pet’s age and lifestyle in mind. sedentary, in most cases, if we are discussing exotics. However, every living thing is different, so if the cat doesn’t seem very bright, it won’t harm it to give it taurine-containing treats and stomach hair removal products.

Three times a day, exotic animals are fed, and fresh water is always added. Dishes must be spotless; this is a necessity due to the unique susceptibility of exotic foods to bacterial infections rather than a matter of order. Revision of the diet may be necessary if there are any of the following symptoms: sores on the skin, sudden hair loss, refusal to eat, or digestive disorders.

Diseases and health problems

Persians and exotics are susceptible to the same illnesses. These comprise diseases inherited from selection as well as those brought on by thick fur and structural traits like big eyes and short noses.

• Colds and overheating;
• Lacrimation, which occurs due to obstruction of the nasolacrimal canal;
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes – conjunctivitis;
• Nasal congestion;
• Dental problems, including periodontal disease and gingivitis;
• Papillomatosis – a disease caused by a viral infection, manifested in the form of warts. Papillomas in the nose can complicate the already difficult breathing of an exotic.

The most common genetic illness that causes kidney failure is polycystic kidney disease. A homozygous state of the gene mutation causing this disease results in kitten death. It is very common among domestic Exotics and Persians and can be detected in a genetic test.

They are also susceptible to additional Persian inherited issues:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a heart disease that can cause sudden death. Identified by ECG;
• Progressive retinal atrophy, leading to blindness;
• A tendency to food allergies, atopic dermatitis and other allergic manifestations.

Many diseases, most of which are acquired, can be avoided with the right care and immunizations. Animals are castrated between the ages of nine and twelve months if they are not going to reproduce. They will be freed from diseases brought on by hormonal imbalances in addition to the agony of unfulfilled desires.

Those looking for a peaceful and loving companion will find that exotic cats make excellent pets. Their round faces and fluffy coats give them a distinctive look that makes them stand out from other breeds.

They are excellent for both individuals and families because they are easy to care for and have a laid-back personality. Also, they are easily able to adjust to a variety of living situations due to their laid-back and playful nature.

An exotic cat can be the best option for you if you’re searching for a devoted companion that doesn’t require a lot of upkeep.

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