Oriental

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Weight: 2 - 5kg M | 2 - 5kg F

Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The Oriental cat is a group of felines that all share the same parent breed—the Siamese. It has a sleek and elegant frame and a fiercely people-loving nature. Energetic and very intelligent, this feline is an excellent pet for families who can fulfil its need for companionship.

History

The Oriental has been called the “rainbow cat” as it comes in over 300 colour combinations and markings. It is like the Siamese, but in designer clothing, so to say.

Although this feline is not exactly a new breed, it started to be developed as a distinct breed in the 1950s. It was said to have been first bred in the UK, in the years after the importation of Siamese in the country. The Siamese was crossed with domestic shorthairs, Abyssinians, and Russian Blues. One of the primary motivations reportedly was the exploration of all possibilities of colour and patterns in the resulting kittens.

A number of generations later, some kittens looked very much like the Siamese. However, these kitties had a more varied coat pattern and colour. The long-haired varieties were also later developed after crossing the Oriental with the Balinese.

The Oriental cat was later recognised by the CFA and the GCCF. Today, it is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

Appearance and Grooming

The Oriental cat is elegant and may be long-haired or short-haired. Its sleek and slender body can reach about 3 feet in length. Its head is triangular and proportionate to the rest of its frame. It has large, heart-shaped ears and a narrow face. Its eyes are slanted and may be blue or green, depending on the variation. Its slender neck adds to its graceful appearance.

This cat’s tail is long and tapering. Its legs are long, slender, and firm, with the well-muscled hind legs being longer than those in the front. Its paws are oval-shaped and small.

As for its coat, most have very short and fine fur that lies close to its skin. Some have longer-haired coats as a result of the Birman crossing. The Oriental Longhair cat requires more grooming than the short-haired ones, which are low maintenance. Its coat is silky and glossy, and comes in a wide variety of hues and markings.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Oriental cat personality is people-loving and dog-like. It is full of energy and is highly involved in its family’s activities. It thrives on human companionship and becomes cranky or depressed if left alone. As such, it needs to be in a home that has at least one person left behind to keep it from indulging in separation anxiety. As it can get along with other pets, getting a second animal companion to keep it from being lonely is recommended.

As a very social and curious feline, the Oriental is rather talkative and purrs a lot. It likes interactive games and is playful, remaining kitten-like even in the later years of its life. It is capable of doing so as it is very athletic and strong.

As the progeny of the intelligent Siamese, this kitty is also very smart and can learn quickly. In fact, it has been called the Border Collie of the cat world.

Nutrition and Feeding

The Oriental cat should be provided a nutritious diet that fulfils its daily requirements. It should be consistently given the same food following the same feeding times. If there are changes to its diet, those must be done gradually to prevent tummy problems.

The serving portions should depend on this breed’s weight, age, and activity level. Its meals must include at least 25% protein and just 5% carbohydrates.

Health and Exercise

The Oriental cat has an average lifespan of 10 - 15 years. Having been developed from a large gene pool, this breed is less prone to hereditary health issues. However, some Orientals have been known to suffer from a few health problems like amyloidosis (hepatic or familial), which appears to be inherited, and progressive retinal atrophy. These health conditions can be detected early through genetic testing.

The Oriental cat is extremely agile and playful. She is a naturally curious cat that likes to open drawers to look for her favourite toys or just something interesting. Her exercise needs are easily satisfied as she loves to play with her owners and other household pets. The Oriental will happily play retrieving games because of her doglike qualities.

The Oriental’s athletic body allows her to climb, run fast, and leap on high places. Being an intelligent cat, the Oriental likes games that require her to think. Keep her occupied by providing several mentally stimulating toys like puzzles. Also, make sure to clear a wide play space and instal tall cat towers, so she can avoid climbing on curtains and kitchen worktops.

Cost of Ownership

The price tag for a well-bred Oriental cat ranges between £500–£1,200 if you get her from a reputable breeder. Ideally, she should be fed high-quality cat food that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. The overall monthly food cost may run around £20–£55.

Make sure to buy your Ocicat basic necessities such as a litter tray and cat toys as it helps her adjust quickly to her new home. The total cost for these items can run up to £50–£400.

Ocicat kittens do not have fully developed immune systems, making them highly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Getting your cat vaccinated to safeguard her from this danger will cost around £40–100.

Giving her parasite preventatives helps reduce the risk of developing health issues. You may need to spend around £50–£60 tick and flea treatments whilst £60–£120 for heartworm treatments.

Letting the vet run routine exams on your Ocicat will keep you updated with your pet's health. The fee for each check-up session is anywhere from £30–£60.

Obtaining a pet insurance will help you manage your vet bills. Choosing a time-limited package has a monthly cost of £6–£15. If you opt for a lifetime coverage, prepare to spend over £10 a month.

Oriental Breed Highlights

The short-haired types are easy to groom.
It is a very loyal and people-loving cat that thrives on human companionship.
It cannot tolerate being left alone. A second pet can keep it company if nobody is usually left at home.
The Oriental cat is rather fond of vocalising.
It is very intelligent and energetic—a stimulating companion for families.