The oriental longhair cat is an excellent choice if you want one that embodies both the Siamese and the oriental in terms of beauty and personality. Despite being a newcomer to the cat world, this species has quickly become a fan favorite due to its stunning beauty and charming demeanor. In this post, Canvas Personalized will provide an overview of this cat, including its background, care requirements, and general health. Continue reading to learn what makes this breed unique and if it fits you well.
1. History and Origin of the Oriental Longhair Cat
The oriental cat comes in two varieties: the sleek and common shorthair and the rare and fluffy longhair. The origins of the oriental longhair harken back to the 19th century, with whispers of its early development in Turkey. Yet, the rise of the ever-popular Persian cat dimmed the spotlight on these long-haired felines.
Midway through the 20th century, breeders sought to create Siamese-type cats with more color and pattern variation in their coats. Russian blues, British shorthairs, and Abyssinian cats were among those used in the Siamese hybridization project. The original oriental cat was born in this way, and by the 1970s, people were importing them to the United States.
The oriental longhair had to wait longer for recognition. It was not accepted as a separate breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) until 1995, even though the International Cat Association (ICA) had done so in 1979. The longhair has a more luxurious, silky coat and a stunning plumed tail. It was also known as the British Angora until the early 2000s.
2. Personality and Temperament of This Oriental Cat
Oriental Longhair cats are known for being talkative, clever, and friendly. They don’t like to be alone for long, so they do best in homes with always people around. They get along with people and other animals just as well. Even though they will always choose human friends first, having cat friends will keep them from getting anxious when alone.
In terms of companionship, this breed of cat is on par with dogs. They form strong bonds with their owners and essentially become extensions of them. Orientals may be quite the chatterboxes. Cats have a variety of meows and cries to indicate when they are hungry, bored, or in need of attention.
Oriental cats are smart and active, so they often get into trouble. They get bored quickly and find ways to keep themselves busy, often in ways that make their owners unhappy. These mischievous behaviors can be tamed with regular play and exercise, but this breed needs regular care. The good news is that they are smart, easy to train, and most of their energy can be used well.
>>> The Oriental is an intelligent breed, but did you know that this cat is also very sensitive and can feel embarrassed?
3. Physical Characteristics of the Oriental Longhair
With a slender body and a plumed tail, the Oriental Longhair is a graceful and elegant cat. It weighs between 6 and 12 pounds and has a small-boned and muscular frame. Its legs are long and thin, and its paws are oval-shaped. The head is shaped like a wedge, and the big ears are far apart. The eyes are almond-shaped, and their hue varies with the coat.
The Oriental Longhair has a medium-long length smooth, and silky coat. It has no undercoat, which makes grooming easier. Except for the Balinese, the coat may be whatever color or design you want. The most prevalent coat colors are black, white, blue, red, cream, cinnamon, fawn, lilac, chocolate, silver, smoky, tabby, tortoiseshell, bi-color, and parti-color.
The Oriental Longhair cat is not hypoallergenic like the Shorthair. If you have allergies, you should exercise caution.
4. Common Health Issues
Although the Oriental Longhair is mostly a healthy breed, it is prone to a few hereditary diseases:
- Kinked tails and crossed eyes: These peculiarities come straight from their Siamese ancestors. While neither condition is dangerous, a cat with crossed eyes may be more at risk of damage, particularly if it ventures outside.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: This progressive eye disease causes blindness in the long run.
- Liver amyloidosis: Deposition of amyloid proteins in the liver causes impairment of liver function and sometimes results in liver failure.
5. Oriental Longhair Care and Training
Diet and Nutrition
Despite the fact that the Oriental Longhair cat has no specific dietary requirements, it still needs to be fed balanced food. Oriental Longhair cats do best on a diet high in protein and fat, so look for a brand that features meat or fish as its main ingredient. Cat food should also have omega fatty acids to help maintain the fur and skin.
Probably because of their long, skinny faces and jaws, this breed is prone to periodontal disease. High-quality food, ideally dry food in addition to canned food, can aid in removing buildup and should be fed regularly. If your cat would let it, brushing his teeth can help, as will regular visits to the doctor for a professional cleaning.
>>> Find out if your Oriental Longhair cat can eat some of the popular human foods.
Grooming
Unlike other long-haired breeds, such as the Persian, Oriental kittens have a single coat that does not require much grooming. A weekly brush is all they need to keep their fur smooth and shiny. They adore being petted and stroked by their owners, and they will happily join you for a grooming session. The earlier you introduce them to this routine, the more they will get used to it and enjoy it.
Training
If you are looking for a cat that is full of energy and loves to learn new things, the Oriental Longhair is the perfect breed for you. This cat is always up for an adventure, whether it is exploring new places, playing with challenging toys, or learning new tricks. Training your Oriental Longhair is a fun and rewarding way to bond with your cat and keep its mind sharp. Unlike other cats, they are quick to learn new commands and strongly desire to please their master.
If you have the time and dedication, you can teach your Oriental Longhair to do everything, from walking on a leash to playing fetch. Take advantage of the fact that they view training sessions as quality time spent with their favorite human.
This particular breed of cat responds well to litter box training. Kittens are frequently already potty-trained by the time they are introduced to the litter box, having been taught by their mothers.
6. Are These Cats Good for Families?
Yes! Oriental Longhairs thrive in active households; the more people and activity, the better. The Orientals will enthusiastically engage in the commotion and bustle and play with and chase the youngsters.
It’s crucial that these cats find permanent homes since they form deep bonds with their human caregivers. They have a hard time adjusting to new situations and find disruptions to be quite unpleasant. Although happy to have people pay attention to them, they often only have a close relationship with one individual.
7. Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The oriental kitten is one of the most sociable cats and works well in a home with other animals. Having another cat around, whether an Oriental or not, will give them someone to play with when you can’t. If the dog and the Oriental Longhair are socialized at a young age, they will get along fine.
8. Purchasing An Oriental Longhair Kitty
The Oriental longhair cat price varies depending on the breeder, the quality, and the color of the cat. If you’re looking for this cat, you can spend anywhere from $400 to $2,000. Check out some of the websites that offer oriental longhair kittens for sale below:
| Name | Contact | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Heaven Orientals | https://www.7thheavencats.com/ | A CFA-registered cattery located in the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. |
| Kokiri Cats | https://kokiricats.com/index.html | A small, in-home, CFA-registered cattery located in Western New York. |
| North America Oriental Cat Breeders Directory | https://www.okitty.com/cat-breeds/oriental/breeders/region/north-america/page/1/ | A directory of Oriental Longhair cat breeders in North America, organized by region and state. |
| Shelterapet | https://shelterapet.com/cat-breeder/oriental-kittens-for-sale-in-ohio-2022-best-reviewed-oriental-cat-breeders-in-oh/ | A website with information and reviews on different cat breeds and breeders. Based on their reputation, experience, health assurances, and client happiness, they have compiled a list of the finest Oriental cat breeders in Ohio for 2023. |
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In conclusion, the Oriental Longhair Cat is a beautiful animal with a fascinating character. An Oriental Longhair kitten might be the right pet if you want a devoted friend full of life and beauty. Having a cat as a pet is a long-term commitment that needs constant care and attention. If you want to know more about how to take care of your cat, check out the articles over at Canvas Personalized.
