The most charming cat is the Exotic Shorthair

The Exotic Shorthair is a great option if you’re looking for a feline friend who combines cuteness with a laid-back attitude. With its cuddly, teddy bear-like appearance and kind disposition, this breed is naturally endearing. They make wonderful companions for both families and individuals, as they are frequently described as the ideal balance of playful and affectionate traits.

Exotic Shorthairs are similar to their Persian cousins in many ways, but they also have the advantage of having shorter coats, which requires less maintenance for owners who lead busy lives. They are simply adorable with their round faces, large eyes, and endearing expressions. Their antics are guaranteed to make you smile, whether they’re snuggling up on your lap or playfully batting at a toy.

We’ll explore the unique qualities of the Exotic Shorthair in this post. Discover the reasons why this breed might be the ideal addition to your house, from their distinct personality traits to advice on training and maintenance. Prepare to explore the delightful Exotic Shorthair world!

History of the origin of exotics

A partially unsuccessful attempt to enhance the American Shorthair breed in the 1950s gave rise to the first examples of cats resembling the modern Exotic Shorthair.

The appearance of these teddy bear-like cats was caused by a failed experiment.

The breeders thought they could cross American shorthaired and Persian cats to increase the color range and slightly weight the skeleton. Consequently, very different but very endearing kittens were born, quite unlike any of the original breed. Despite the surprising outcome, the decision was made to carry on with the breeding of these adorable cats.

The American Shorthair cat was crossed with the Persian cat to enhance its traits.

The CFA Board of Directors was not consulted during the crossbreeding process, and the resulting kittens had a very different appearance from what is considered ideal for an American Shorthair cat. On behalf of the breeders, Jane Martink proposed in 1966 to distinguish hybrid kittens as a distinct breed.

The American Shorthair directly contributed to the creation of the new breed.

Thus emerged a new breed of exotic shorthaired cats, the plush fur being the only deviation from the Persian cat’s nearly exact beauty standards.

On the other hand, Persian breeders started to abruptly stop giving their cats to exotic breeders. They believed that this kind of work directly harmed Persian cats and that this kind of crossing could lead to the loss of the breed’s purity. A very small number of breeders did, however, recognize the allure and beauty of plush cats. They started taking part in the advancement of the novel species.

The combination "with a stop," which denotes a fairly abrupt transition from the forehead to the nose, was added in 1973, bringing the standards for the Exotic Shorthair cat closer to those of the Persians. Back then, it was still legal to cross Persians with other short-haired breeds, but by 1975, it was only allowed to cross Persians with American Shorthair cats, and as of 1980, only with Persian cats. The only distinction between these two breeds is wool; since 1990, the standards for Persians and Exotics have been almost identical. It was soon forbidden for the exotic breed to cross with any other breed, including Persian.

Persians and exotics are similar except for their fur.

Exotic litters can now give birth to kittens with long or short hair. Representatives of exotics with long hair are viewed as a side effect by the CFA (American Cat Fanciers Association) and are allowed to compete in events where spots are filled solely by play, without the need for titles. They are categorized as Persian or Exotic long-haired cats in all other felinological organizations, and they are free to compete. All places except CFA allow crossbreeding between long-haired and short-haired exotic cats.

Breed description

The Exotic shorthair cannot be confused with any other breed. The animals have a unique appearance, creating the impression of a well-balanced cat with a strong skeleton and rounded body lines. The standards even include a special "sweet expression". The Exotic has round, large and wide-set eyes, plush, thick fur that emphasizes the roundness of the animal’s body.

Appearance

The head of the exotic is round, proportionate, massive, and rests on a short, robust neck. Its skull is large and broad. The cheeks are full, the jaws and chin are strong, and the nose is short and wide with a clean "stop."

Cats that are exotic are big and round.

The ears of the exotic animal are small, low, and rounded. Large, round, and expressive eyes. The cat has a sweet expression on its face, which is attributed to its bright and shiny eyes.

The body is large and stocky, with well-defined muscles and a broad chest. The paws are rounded, the limbs are short, powerful, and muscular, and it is ideal that there be fur tufts in between the toes. The tail is rounded at the end, short, and fluffy in relation to the body’s length.

The fur of the exotic cat is like plush.

The exotic has a thick, velvety coat that is similar to plush. It is a little longer than the hair of typical shorthaired cats, with a rather medium length. It cannot, however, be so long that it lies on the body. All hues are acceptable, with the exception of fawn, which is light beige, and cinnamon, which is reddish-brown.

Different eye colors—for instance, one blue and the other yellow—are acceptable for the colors white, harlequin, van, and bicolor.

Character of the exotic

The ability to get along with any member of the family and their extremely friendly nature set representatives of the exotic shorthair breed apart. These animals must, however, have time to get used to having new humans or pets in their lives. Once within the family, the exotic will watch the owners at first. and after that pick the focal point for himself, to whom he will exhibit a nearly dog-like level of loyalty and devotion. He will love everyone, but only the one he personally selects will receive the palm.

Although they enjoy playing games, exotic cats aren’t overly energetic. Although they are capable of running after a ball, they will be happier with quieter activities like idly tossing a paper ball with their paw. As kids, they’ll be far more active.

Cats that are ecosystic prefer to move less.

Even though an exotic pet can communicate with other household animals with ease, it will always be able to defend its own interests. When a plush cat encounters aggression from another pet, it will probably just stop interacting with the bothersome neighbor. However, the cat will react exactly the same way to a friendly demeanor.

In addition to being more silent than other breeds, exotic cats have a relatively quiet voice. Generally speaking, an exotic pet won’t annoy its owner by making loud demands for food or basic care. Instead, the animal will just sit and gaze at the owner until the latter turns to face the pet and realizes what it is trying to say.

However, occasionally, these adorable plush cats may become obstinate and insist on food or attention. It will show up as soft paw strokes or gentle rubs against every accessible part of the owner’s body. If these behaviors go unnoticed, the animal will become more active and may begin to gently lick hands or the face, occasionally biting fingers tenderly.

This cat will stare at its owner for hours on end.

An exotic cat’s primary characteristic is that it detests being alone. As long as its devoted owner is close by, this pet is prepared to travel anywhere. When these cats are with the person they are attached to, they readily adjust to new environments. Male cats are also more likely than female cats to communicate.

Experts agree that exotic cats are very friendly and never show aggression. However, from the experience of communicating with a neighbor’s cat, I can confidently say that there are vivid exceptions to the rules if you buy the animal not from the breeder, but on the street from hand. The neighbor"s cat, having chosen my neighbors" daughter as its mistress, felt a noticeable dislike for all other representatives of the human race, which it demonstrated by sudden attacks on the legs and arms of all family members except its beloved mistress. Attempts to re-educate the cat were unsuccessful, and a consultation with a Persian and Exotic breeder confirmed that unscrupulous breeders do not pay attention to the character of animals when choosing partners for mating.

Purchasing a kitten

Prior to purchasing an exotic shorthair kitten, you should research the breed’s traits, possibly go to specialty shows, speak with breeders, and simply read up on the breed.

How to choose a kitten

A reputable breeder who is reliable and diligent is the only place to buy an exotic kitten. Exotics, like Persians, may have certain health issues because they are members of a breed that was created artificially. Since they are concerned about the wellbeing of their pets as well as their own reputation, ethical breeders will never sell a troublesome or sick animal.

Criteria for selection

It is important to consider the baby’s proportions when selecting an exotic. At three months old, these breed characteristics are already apparent:

1. The kitten should have a large skull, without any depressions or asymmetries.
2. The tail is straight, without any kinks.
3. The fur is of medium length, not lying close to the body, plush in appearance. If the fur is so long that it lies close to the body, the future owner may have a representative of a long-haired exotic, which can be born to the most purebred parents.
4. The kitten"s eyes should be large and expressive. Particular attention should be paid to their cleanliness. If the baby"s eyes are sore, then this may be a sign of illness.

Exotics have big, expressive eyes from an early age.

Age of the kitten

3.5 months is when experts and breeders strongly advise against buying Exotic Shorthair kittens. Little Exotics are now fully immunized, self-sufficient eaters, and trained to use a litter box. Simultaneously, you can tell right away if the Exotic puppy in front of you has long hair or is a short-haired member of the breed.

Purchasing an exotic baby at 3.5 months of age is the ideal time to do so.

However, experts believe that buying kittens at the suggested age of 1.5–2 months is too early. The animal is not yet ready to part from its mother at this point.

Although maintaining an exotic cat isn’t too hard, there are a few subtleties to be aware of beforehand.

Nutrition

The Exotic Shorthair cat has a voracious appetite and is not fussy about its food. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t feed it too frequently because this breed’s members have a tendency to overeat. Exotic animals tend to get dirty when eating and drinking due to their wide muzzles, so bowls for food and water should be elevated and have slightly curved inner edges to protect the animal’s fur from contamination.

Quantity and composition of food

Dry industrial super-premium food (like Yams, Hills, Royal Canin, and Pro Plan) that has the required amount of each and every ingredient should be preferred.

Canned meat from the same manufacturer as the dry food may be added to the dry diet. Based on the animal’s weight and the guidelines found on the food’s packaging, the amount of food in the first and second options should be appropriate.

Because exotic animals have a voracious appetite, it’s crucial to avoid overfeeding them.

If the pet owner chooses to feed their pet naturally, the diet plan should be balanced and approved by the veterinarian. The menu needs to have the following items:

• frozen raw beef;
• boiled chicken;
• fermented milk products, usually fermented baked milk;
• quail – less often chicken – eggs;
• steamed oatmeal or buckwheat;
• boiled vegetables.

Sausage, smoked meats, and fatty meats are off limits. It is not advised to consume milk or fish in the diet. An animal’s consumption of fish, particularly river fish, can result in urolithiasis, while milk can cause digestive issues.

Selecting a pet’s razzon requires caution.

Since the animal will not be able to obtain these nutrients frequently through natural feeding, it is also necessary to give them special vitamins containing the necessary substances. Vitamins don’t need to be added when using ready-made industrial feed because the proper amount is already present.

How many times a day to feed a pet

An adult exotic cat should be fed twice a day, in the morning and the evening. Kittens fed six times a day up to three months, four times up to six months, and then two times starting at nine months. A cat should always have access to clean drinking water.

The role of a balanced diet in the health of a cat

A healthy diet and the availability of all essential vitamins and minerals are essential for an exotic cat’s attractive appearance. A visible indicator of an unbalanced diet in an animal is issues with diarrhea and poor fur condition.

The likelihood of the animal developing gastrointestinal disorders is low when it is fed a regular, balanced diet. Most of the time, there are no issues if the pet’s owner feeds it premium prepared food. When it comes to natural nutrition, speaking with a knowledgeable veterinarian who can determine an animal’s daily requirements for proteins, fats, and carbohydrates while accounting for its weight and age may be the best course of action.

Appearance care

Daily care is necessary for all cats, but for exotics it has its own characteristics.

Behind an exotic’s beauty lies its owner’s labor.

Combing and bathing

Exotic cats typically receive one or more baths every two to four months, or as often as they become dirty, using specialty cat shampoos that ideally include seaweed or herbal extracts. But first, exotics are cleaned with a dishwashing detergent that removes grease. The dishwashing detergent degreases the fur and the shampoo will not penetrate the thick undercoat without double soaping with such a detergent. After completely rinsing the detergent off, the cat is shampooed and then rinsed with conditioner. The front paws, chin, and tail are the areas most frequently contaminated, so extra care is needed when bathing them.

Since exotic animals have dense, short fur, natural drying can take a long time. Therefore, after washing, the animal’s fur must be dried with a hair dryer. This particular grooming powder (available at pet stores) should be used after using a hair dryer to dry the hair. It leaves the fur silky and eliminates any remaining moisture.

Plush fur needs to be handled with extra care.

It is advised not to wash the cat for two weeks following vaccination; a day should elapse after deworming.

Three to four times a week, exotics are combed to help get rid of fur that is dying. Here, the fur is only combed against the sides and belly, leaving the rest of the body untouched.

Eye care

Because of their large, open, and slightly protruding eyes, exotics require daily care. Inflammatory processes may result from a lack of daily routines. After cleaning the eyes with a unique lotion (available at pet stores or veterinary pharmacies), the eyes are patted dry with a cotton swab. Subsequently, a specific powder is carefully applied using a brush or cotton swab to the area beneath the eyes, paying particular attention to the areas where tear duct yellowing has developed. The powder’s antibiotic component lessens ocular discharge and stops inflammation.

Ear care

An exotic cat’s ears should be cleaned after every bath and once every seven to ten days. To help remove dirt, specific lotions are used in cleaning procedures. The inside of the pet’s ear is gently cleaned with a cotton pad after it has been applied. Following that, apply antiseptic powder and dry with a fresh, dry cotton pad. This powder helps get rid of dead hairs inside the ear canal in addition to removing any remaining dirt.

Claw trimming

Although this process is essential to pet care, the cat should become used to it from an early age. Claws are normally clipped once every two weeks using specialized claw scissors, only shaving off the very tip.

These shears are employed for pruning claws.

Oral care

For exotic pets, brushing is also essential because of their susceptibility to gingivitis, or gum inflammation, and tartar buildup. Brushing should be done with a soft children’s toothbrush or a special cat toothbrush at least once a week. Prior to using tooth powder, which is flavor-and fragrance-free, the brush should first be moistened with water during the training process.

From a young age, a kitten should be accustomed to having its teeth brushed.

Necessary purchases

Prior to bringing an exotic kitten home, you should purchase the items the infant needs:

A tray where the baby will go to the toilet. Exotic kittens love to rake, so a tray with a grate is not very suitable for them. The most suitable filler for this breed is pressed sawdust. Exotic breeders do not recommend clumping filler, since the baby can accidentally swallow it, and if the filler gets into the stomach, a fatal outcome is almost inevitable.

These compressed sawdust can be used as an exotic filler.

1. To prevent the cat from sharpening its claws on furniture and corners, you should buy a scratching post, or better yet, several. You should also accustom the kitten to it from a very young age, gently indicating to the pet that it is forbidden to sharpen its claws on furniture and encouraging the use of a special device. There are flat scratching posts and voluminous ones:
2. flat ones are a regular board or plywood covered with a soft cord;
3. it is better to buy large scratching posts that are high enough so that the cat can climb them like a tree; exotics especially like houses located at the top or in the middle of the scratching post – they can rest there and at the same time look around, but exotics usually ignore houses on the floor.

Your pet will like this type of scratching post with a house.

Breed defects

Persians and exotics share a genetic background, which makes them both susceptible to certain illnesses.

Diseases of exotics

The following illnesses can strike exotic cats:

problems with breathing and sinuses, narrowing or obstruction of the nasolacrimal canal and lacrimation – associated with the anatomical features of the structure of the nasolacrimal canal and the shortened and flattened nose of exotics;

The anatomical structure of the nose and jaws is the cause of problems.

You must see a veterinarian on a regular basis to prevent health issues. It is necessary to have a cat doctor examine the animal and look closely at its nose.

Veterinarians advise passing a urine analysis once every four to six months to prevent kidney diseases, provided the animal is healthy and there are no complaints.

Cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease that is diagnosed at a young age; as such, kittens with this pathology are typically not sold.

Exotes are vaccinated and degelmintized in accordance with the schedule, just like cats of other breeds.

Vamples of appearance

Because of the diligent work of breeders, exotic cats are becoming less and less sinful in appearance; nonetheless, felinologists have discovered characteristics that make an animal ineligible for display at exhibitions:

• bends or cutting of the tail;
• incorrect number of toes on the paws (there should be five toes on the front ones, four on the back ones);
• deformation of the spine or skull (asymmetry of the head or muzzle);
• strabismus.

The Exotic Shorthair is the most charming breed there is. This breed combines the best qualities of both worlds—the playful spirit of a cat and the snuggly nature of a cuddly companion—with its round face, plush coat, and gentle personality. They prove that charm does indeed come in soft, furry packages because of their loving disposition and carefree attitude, which make them ideal pets for both individuals and families.

Breeding exotics

It should be mentioned that having the legal right to engage in such activities is just as important as having a love for animals when it comes to breeding a breed. If the owner has made the decision that his pet should have children, he needs to be extremely cautious when selecting a mate.

You must carefully select partners if you want to breed such beauties.

Criteria for choosing a partner and features of breeding

When getting ready to breed cats, the following characteristics are crucial:

1. When choosing a partner for an exotic, it is important to find out from its owner what colors the kittens were when mating his litter: this will help determine the color of the babies that the cat will give birth to.
2. Often, a breeding exotic cat is chosen depending on its pedigree: how many champions and grand champions were among its ancestors.
3. Usually, the female is brought to the chosen male. For mating, it is necessary to find a cat that is characterized not only by a good genealogical tree, but also by health, he should not have missed vaccination periods against dangerous diseases, which are carried out annually.
4. As a rule, breeders make sure that tribal cats are in excellent physical shape. In order not to subject them to excessive overload, the amount of knitting limits.
5. Cutting with a cat must not be allowed if the breeder or owner of the cat has a doubt in the state of the cat’s health so as not to put the cat at the risk of infection with any disease during the coating.
6. It is desirable that the owner of the cat is present when mating and can calm the animal in the event of a sharp aggressive reaction of the female to the coating process.
7. There are times that the cat delivered to the cat’s house has stopped. This is a possible reaction to moving or staying in an unfamiliar place, t. e. A peculiar manifestation of a stressful state.
8. The cat cannot be immediately allowed to the cat, it is necessary to give her the opportunity to get acquainted with the new place and its smells, as well as the smell of the future partner, and then with him by himself.
9. If the cat"s behavior is too aggressive, the cat owner can postpone mating until the next time. In case of aggression or even a fight with a partner, experienced breeders recommend throwing a blanket over the cat or using a tool such as a brush.
10. Acquaintance, courtship and, finally, mating usually take 4-5 days. How easy the mating process will be depends on the individual characteristics of the animals.
11. A washable mat is placed as a support for the couple, which will help the cat"s hind legs to stay stable during mating and prevent slipping.

At what age is the first mating carried out

Male exotic cats reach sexual maturity at 8 to 10 months, while female cats reach sexual maturity at 6 to 8 months. Purebred animal mating is permitted, though, between the ages of 12 and 20 months.

How often can a cat give birth

A pedigree cat may give birth no more than twice a year to protect her health and ensure the birth of robust, healthy offspring, though three births over the course of two years is generally thought to be the ideal number.

How to determine whether exotic kittens were born with long or short hair

Newborn kittens have fur that is impossible to measure right away. The waviness of the fur may reveal the future long-haired kitten if you examine the babies as soon as they have dried off. In addition, a short-haired cat’s fur is marginally stiffer than a long-haired cat’s.

A short-haired cat won’t have hairs sticking out in all directions at two to three weeks old, and a long-haired exotic may have a tail that looks like a broom. At 8 or 9 weeks, the fur’s future length finally shows through. Reps with longer hair will look more put together and polished, while plush exotics will appear unkempt and unkempt.

Castration and sterilization

It is preferable to castrate or sterilize a cat if it is not meant for reproduction. The reproductive organs are removed, either totally or partially, during castration. The testicles of the cat are extracted; in the event of a partial castration, only the ovaries are extracted; in the event of a complete castration, the uterus is removed as well. Partial castration is becoming less and less common, though, as a result of the possibility of uterine pathologies developing that started prior to castration. Nothing is taken out during sterilization; instead, the cat’s spermatic cords or the female cat’s ducts are tied.

In this case, the animals retain the ability to mate without producing offspring. Usually, sterilization is practiced in nurseries.

In their breeding work, professional felinologists and owners of pedigree cat nurseries may occasionally need to perform this procedure. Male cats can demand and mate with female cats almost continuously, and female cats are capable of giving birth multiple times a year. Consequently, a sterilized male or female cat may occasionally be kept in a cat group in order to address such issues. However, castration is required for owners of regular domestic cats; sterilization is not necessary for them. Maria Epifanova "FRIEND," June 2004, Journal No. 06 (08).

Expert breeders and veterinarians advise castrating exotic animals between the ages of seven and nine months.

Pet care after surgery

Taking care of an exotic cat is similar to taking care of other breeds of animals. The pet must be closely observed in the first day following surgery, and it must be given warmth, calm, and isolation from other animals, if any.

After the procedure, the animal needs extra care.

Following surgery, the animal goes through:

1. Dry eyes. When anesthesia is used, cats" eyes do not close, they remain open. During the operation, the veterinarian periodically closes the animal"s eyelids so that the conjunctiva is moistened with tears. Until the cat has recovered from the anesthesia, the owner will have to do this. In order to properly care for your pet"s eyes, you need to buy tetracycline eye ointment or antiseptic drops. After the pet has come out of anesthesia, there is no need to close its eyes, it will do this on its own. There are cases when the animal lies with its eyes open for a long time, then it is necessary to drip saline solution into the eyes, this will save them from dryness.
2. Low body temperature. The usual cat temperature is 37.5 – 39.0 degrees Celsius. In the postoperative period, the temperature can drop to 36.5 – 37.0 degrees. The cat should be placed on a warm bedding and covered with a warm blanket. In extreme cases, you can warm it with a heating pad. To normalize blood circulation, you need to rub the ears and paws.
3. Staggering gait. This is due to muscle relaxation during the use of anesthesia. On the first day, it is better to monitor the pet so that it does not climb to any height, otherwise it may not hold on and fall.
4. At first, the cat needs painkillers. If the pet is silent, this does not mean that it does not feel pain. Most animals silently endure pain. They completely refuse food, are in a motionless position. Their pupils are usually dilated and focused. Their gaze is fixed on one point.

Owner actions during the postoperative phase:

• it is necessary to examine the groin area daily and check for bleeding;
• to help the sutures heal better, they are treated twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green, you can also lubricate the suture site with Levomekol ointment;
• a ​​collar should be put on the cat during the rehabilitation period, which will prevent the animal from licking the wound, since. . this can lead to divergence of the sutures and, accordingly, infection;
• the rehabilitation period is easier in winter, if the operation was performed in summer, then a five-day course of antibiotic therapy may be needed – it is better to be on the safe side than to treat the resulting infection later.

Table: pros and cons of the breed

Pros	Cons
Friendly calm character	Discharge from the nose and eyes is often observed due to their specific structure
Affection for people	A lot of fur, which is difficult to care for
Beautiful appearance	Little physical activity
No aggression	There is a possibility of genetic diseases

Video: exotic shorthair cat

Characteristic	Description
Coat	Short, dense, and plush fur.
Personality	Gentle, affectionate, and playful.
Appearance	Round face with big, expressive eyes.
Care	Regular grooming to maintain coat health.
Exercise	Enjoys playtime but not overly active.

Among cat breeds, the Exotic Shorthair is undoubtedly the most endearing. They win people over with just one glance thanks to their rounded faces and luxurious coats. They are the perfect companions for both individuals and families because of their gentle yet playful nature.

These cats are even more adorable because of their loving disposition. They form a close bond with their owners and bring coziness to any home because they adore cuddling and frequently follow them around. They are a great asset to any home because of their easygoing personality, which allows them to get along with other animals.

In summary, if you’re thinking about getting a cat as a friend, the Exotic Shorthair offers a special combination of character and beauty. Your days can be made happier and your life more joyful by their endearing presence. Adopting one means bringing a devoted friend into your home, not just acquiring a pet.

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