Exotic Shorthair: Cat Food and a Description of the Breed
The Exotic Shorthair is a cat breed from the USA. It has the look and the cosy character of the Persian cat. Their coat is much shorter and therefore easier to care for than that of her long-haired relatives.
History of the Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair was developed in the 1950s as a short haired version of the Persian cat. American breeders first crossed the long-haired Persian with the short-haired American Shorthair and later also with the Burmese Shorthair, to get animals with a short coat.
The result caused great enthusiasm, so that the Exotic Shorthair soon became very popular and many Persian breeders bred Exotic Shorthair cats from now on.
In the USA the Exotic Shorthair was already recognized as an independent cat breed in the second half of the 1960s. At the FiFé it shares a breed standard with the Persian cat.
In Germany the breeding of the Exotic Shorthair is partly controversial, because animal welfare activists criticize the often very short nose and the resulting deformation of the skull as torture breeding.
Appearance of the Exotic Shorthair
Basically the Exotic Shorthair is a Persian with a shorter coat. It is medium to large in size and has a stocky body and a large, broad head. Female Exotic Shorthairs weigh between four and seven kilograms, while males can even reach a weight of up to nine kilograms.
The Exotic Shorthair has a conspicuously flat nose, which can lead to problems with breathing and eating in extreme breeding. Her eyes are large and round, which contributes significantly to her teddy-bear-like appearance.
The coat of the Exotic Shorthair
The coat of the Exotic Shorthair is considerably shorter than that of the Persian. But compared to most other shorthair cats it is quite long. It has a plush structure and may appear in all common Persian colours.
The following colours are especially common in the Exotic Shorthair:
- Black
- White
- Red
- Cream
- Blue
- Lilac
- Chocolate
Character of the Exotic Shorthair
Just like her long-haired relative the Exotic Shorthair is a thoroughly cozy cat. Even if the comic character Garfield, of which she is the model, sometimes seems a bit far-fetched, there are some parallels to be found in terms of character.
The Exotic Shorthair is very affectionate and people-oriented. Nevertheless the proud cat always keeps a certain degree of independence and never lets herself be completely absorbed by her two-legged roommate.
Keeping and care of the Exotic Shorthair
Although the Exotic Shorthair appreciates smaller trips outside, it is clearly a classic indoor cat. She prefers a quiet environment and enjoys the attention of her owner to the full.
Thanks to her relaxed nature, she is usually not easily disturbed by children playing around. Living together with a dog usually works out well. However, in this case the Exotic Shorthair should be given some time to get used to.
The Exotic Shorthair has an easy-care coat, which requires much less effort compared to the long-haired Persian cat. As a rule, occasional brushing is sufficient to remove loose hairs and possible impurities.
Exotic Shorthair diseases
The Exotic Shorthair is partly affected by inbreeding, which is usually accompanied by a weakened immune system and an increased susceptibility to various cat diseases.
The efforts to breed a cat with a particularly short nose are associated with various health problems. The Exotic Shorthair quite often have problems with their sensitive cat eyes and breathing difficulties.
The Exotic Shorthair cat suffers genetically conditioned above average from PKD (polycystic kidney disease). The disease leads to the formation of cysts in the kidneys. Its symptoms are similar to those of renal insufficiency in cats. A cure is not possible, so that the therapy measures for affected Exotic Shorthairs are limited to a relief of the existing symptoms.
The life expectancy of Exotic Shorthairs
A healthy Exotic Shorthair from a serious breeder can reach an age of 15 years and more.
Regular medical checks and making sure that vaccinations are up to date is always recommended though.
The right food for the Exotic Shorthair
Due to its cosy nature, the Exotic Shorthair tends to be overweight. To avoid obesity, it is very important that you portion the food of your Exotic Shorthair cat according to its needs.
In addition, avoid cat food containing cereals and other difficult to digest ingredients and instead use cat food that is appropriate for the species, such as you will find in the I love my cat range.
Our tasty wet cat food is particularly suitable for your Exotic Shorthair. Carefully selected ingredients and a high content of animal proteins make this food a very special treat, which optimally meets the natural nutritional needs of your cat.
In addition, the following care products and food supplements can be useful for your Exotic Shorthair:
- Ear care drops for the daily cleaning of the sensitive ears
- Eye care drops for a gentle eye care for your Exotic Shorthair
- Shimmun Skin as nutrient supplier for the coat
- Dental powder for time-saving yet effective dental care
- Kidney power powder with selected herbs to support the kidneys
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