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The Ultimate Oriental Cat Breed Profile: Personality, Physical Traits, and Origins

An Oriental Shorthair cat sitting upright

Short answer: the Oriental is a slender, long-bodied, large-eared cat developed from the Siamese from the 1950s, available in shorthair and longhair coats and in a huge range of colours. It is lively, intelligent, talkative and sociable, and does poorly as an only pet. The GCCF gives a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and lists liver amyloidosis and progressive retinal atrophy among the breed's health concerns, so ask breeders about health testing.

Where the Oriental comes from

The GCCF describes the Oriental as a modern, man-made breed developed from Siamese cats starting in the 1950s, with roots in the UK Havana breeding work of 1951 and 1952. Your Cat adds that the programme began in 1951 to create a self-chocolate cat, which became the Havana, with the first Havana kitten born in October 1952. Breeders later added lilac and white varieties and other colours and patterns, and many were grouped as the Oriental. In other words, the Oriental is essentially a Siamese-type cat in many colours; for the original, read our Siamese guide.

What an Oriental looks like

  • Body: medium-sized, long, svelte and well muscled, with long, slim legs, hind legs set higher than the front, small oval paws and a long, tapering tail (GCCF).
  • Head and ears: a head forming an equilateral triangle on a long, slender neck, with large ears wide at the base that continue the wedge line, and almond-shaped eyes that slant towards the nose (GCCF).
  • Weight: the GCCF gives about 8 to 14 lb, while Your Cat gives roughly 3 to 5 kg for males and about 3 kg for females. Sources differ, so use these as rough guides.
  • Coat: shorthair is very short, fine, glossy and close-lying. Longhair is medium-long and silky with no woolly undercoat, and may have a plume-like tail, tufted ears and a neck frill; the full coat often comes only with maturity (GCCF and Your Cat).
  • Colours: the GCCF lists self colours (black, Havana, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, caramel, red, cream, apricot, usually with green eyes), tortoiseshell, smoke, shaded, tabby (classic, spotted, mackerel, ticked, including silver) and bi-colour patterns. Oriental White has preliminary recognition.

Personality

The GCCF describes the Oriental as lively, intelligent and sociable, playful into adulthood, inquisitive, and an athletic jumper, with many enjoying fetch. Your Cat adds that it is affectionate, active, enjoys climbing and jumping, and can be trained to walk on a harness. Both sources say it does badly as the only pet: it needs company. It generally gets on well with children, cats, dogs and busy households. The GCCF says Orientals are often talkative, narrating their day and commenting on what their owners do. If your Oriental is noisy at night, see why cats meow at night.

Health: what to ask the breeder

The GCCF lists the following concerns:

  • Hepatic (liver) amyloidosis. A familial form has been described in the breed. Your Cat explains that protein deposits build up in organs, especially the liver, kidneys and pancreas, and can cause organ failure. A tissue biopsy is the only definitive diagnosis, and there is no effective cure, though diet and medication can support organ function.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). It causes progressive blindness. The GCCF says DNA tests exist, so ask breeders for clearance. The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists the Oriental Shorthair and Oriental Longhair among breeds for which the rdAc test is appropriate; the form it describes is inherited recessively, so a cat needs two copies to lose vision.
  • Flat-chested kitten syndrome, seen in the breed.

Our guide to genetic health risks in Oriental cats goes into detail on both conditions.

Lifespan

The GCCF gives 12 to 15 years; Your Cat says around 12 years. A regular routine of check-ups, weight management and dental care gives your cat the best chance; see our yearly check-up guide and Oriental dental care guide.

Grooming

The GCCF calls the shorthair coat low-maintenance. The longhair needs regular gentle combing, although the fine coat resists tangles and mats. Your Cat says Orientals enjoy brushing, which also helps bonding.

Is an Oriental right for you?

It suits people who are at home often, want a talkative and affectionate cat, and can give daily play and company. It may not suit a quiet home, or one where the cat will be alone for long hours. If you want something calmer, compare our British Shorthair guide.

Questions to ask a breeder

  • Were both parents tested for PRA, and can I see the results?
  • Is there any history of liver disease or amyloidosis in the lines?
  • How are the kittens socialised, and is the home busy with people and other cats?
  • Are the kittens vet-checked and vaccinated?

Quick checklist

  • Slender, large-eared, Siamese-type cat in many colours.
  • Lively, vocal and sociable; needs company.
  • Ask for PRA test results and about amyloidosis.
  • Low-maintenance coat; brush for bonding.
  • Regular vet care. This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading

Sources

Further reading

Reminder: Kittyslovers (The Best Kitty Corner) is an independent blog. Our authors are not veterinarians and this article has not been reviewed by a veterinary professional. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your cat's health, diet, supplements and medication. Found an error? Let us know.