Things You Need To Know About The EXOTIC SHORTHAIR CAT

Brown Exotic Shorthair Female Kitten. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cats have been one of mankind's most treasured companions throughout history. They are known as playful and loving pets. The exotic shorthair is a recent cat breed that has been increasingly popular among cat owners everywhere. The breed originated in the United States during the early 1950s. The breed was formally recognized during the 1960s. It is a cross between the Persian cat breed and the American Shorthair. Other crosses between Persians and Shorthair cat breeds like the British Shorthair are also considered by some as Exotic shorthair cats. 

Due to its long-haired Persian heritage, there is a one in four chance that a longhair will result from breeding two Exotic Shorthairs.

The breed has a distinct appearance that sets it apart from its Persian and American Shorthair forebears. The Exotic cat has a large, almost massive head. Its face is flattened, with full cheeks and a pug-like nose. A strong chin and broad, powerful jaws give the cat a distinct look. It has widely spaced ears and large, round eyes. Eye color is dependent on coat color; blue eyes are common in blue and white varieties, green is the norm for chinchilla-coated specimens and golden is the most common among the other varieties. The exotic shorthair exhibits similar coloration found in Persian breeds, though they have shorter and more erect hairs. 

Their coat hair is slightly longer than the American and British Shorthair breeds. They are medium-sized, well-muscled cats with massive chests and broad shoulders. The breed has a short and thick tail. This cute and cuddly appearance makes The Exotic shorthair cat is a favorite among enthusiasts and regular owners alike.

The breed is known to be affectionate and loyal. The exotic shorthair is quick to bond with its owner. They are naturally curious and playful though they tend to be less rambunctious than their Persian ancestors. This makes them good lap cats, perfect for people living in apartments. The cat is friendly to other people as well as towards other cats and even dogs. Their dense and fluffy hair may require weekly combing to help remove matted hair and dirt, though the breed is fully capable of cleaning itself. Their American Shorthair heritage makes them good hunters and mousers especially when offered with treats and other incentives by their owners

Breeders are the only source of certified exotic shorthair kittens. Animal shelters may have adults up for adoption. Adopting an adult is a short process, which usually entails a couple of minutes of paperwork and payment of a standard fee. Obtaining kittens from breeders may take more time. 

Certification, pedigree, and other paperwork may take a while to be processed. It is important to check if the breeder conducts Feline polycystic kidney disease tests on their cats. PKD is a common ailment found in Persian-derived breeds. This disorder can lead to eventual kidney failure. It is highly recommended to test exotic shorthair kittens for PKD. The exotic shorthair price ranges from $100 dollars or so for adults from animal shelters and up to $600 dollars for kittens from reputable breeders. Yearly maintenance costs for the exotic shorthair can reach $1000. These include medical check-ups, cat food costs, and other miscellaneous expenditures.

Article Source: EzineArticles

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EXOCITC SHORTHAIR Kittens

Brown Exotic Shorthair Female Kitten.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Exotic Shorthair cat is a breed that came into being around 30 years ago. They are a cross between the Persian Longhair and the British Shorthair. The resulting breed is a lovely cat with many of the distinctive features of the Persian but obviously with shorter hair. Although their hair is short, it is every bit as thick as the Persian Longhairs coat and is very dense and soft. They are attractive cats with wide-set eyes and distinctive faces. The Exotic Shorthair kittens are probably some of the prettiest kittens that you will see.

In the past, the general ruling for breeding of Exotic Shorthair kittens was to mate a British Shorthair to a Persian Longhair. As the breed has grown in numbers, however, it is now more normal to breed using two Exotics. Occasionally breeders will revert to original to perhaps breeding new colors etc, but this is no longer necessary to swell the gene pool.

There are still only a few hundred Exotic Shorthair kittens being born each year so they are not always easy to source. There are, however, websites full of information including details of how to find a breeder. Always use a reputable breeder and make sure that you have details of the parents. Whenever possible ask to see both mother and father. Often it is not so easy to see the father as he may not be kept at the same home, but make sure that all the paperwork is in place and you have all the information that you can get.

Exotic Shorthair kittens are robust little animals and very playful. They are bright and easily trained. By the time you get your kitten they should have been litter trained by their mother and be vaccinated. There should be no signs or history of disease or parasite and they should be happy and lively. They are naturally inquisitive and affectionate and love to be cuddled and handled. If the kitten is not keen on contact with humans then it may not have been handled sufficiently and may not have learned to interact with people properly. A happy and healthy Exotic kitten will love to be with people and you will be able to establish a loving and affectionate relationship with it as it grows into an adult.

Buying a kitten is never a straightforward business. There are many things which you must consider prior to actually bringing your pet home. You will need to research the best food for example. This is something that you should talk to the breeder about. They will have been providing a particular kind of food and feeding pattern which you should stick to, at least to begin with. If you do want to change the feeding structure and diet it must be done over a period of time so as not to upset the kitten's digestion. The Exotic Shorthair kitten is a lovely pet and given care and love will be an affectionate family member.

By Wendy Pan - Article Source: EzineArticles

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