Oriental Longhair
Oriental Longhairs are a relatively new and unique cat breed. This affectionate, friendly, and intelligent feline is the ideal pet for anyone looking for a fun cat with a lot of personality. They don't have the same lengthy and dense coats as Persians; instead, it's soft and silky, with a lovely plumed tail and a medium length. This cat is far from autonomous, preferring to be the focus of attention, making it ideal for houses with multiple cats. Once you've fallen in love with an Oriental Longhair, you'll never look at cats the same way again.
Weight
- Male: 8-12 lbs
- Female: 5-8 lbs
Height
- Male: 9-11 inches
- Female: 9-11 inches
Lifespan
- 12-15 years
Appearance
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When an Oriental Longhair is fully grown, expect a cat that weighs between 6 and 12 pounds and is about 9 to 11 inches tall, and lives between 12 to 15 years. Their coats come in a variety of patterns, making them attractive companions.
Oriental Longhairs have triangular-shaped heads, huge, broad ears, and almond-shaped eyes. Their eyes are usually green or blue, and they occasionally appear to have odd-eyed features. And a physique that is long, slim, and athletic, with a distinctive plumed tail.
This breed is also recognized for its wide range of colors and patterns. It has more varieties than any other breed, with close to 300! They're noted for shedding a fair amount because of their long and silky hair and being joyful and playful.
Temperament
The Oriental Long Hair, like their Siamese relative, is a lively, elegant, and intellectual cat with a lot of energy and curiosity. They form strong bonds with their family members and thrive on praise and affection. This is a highly active cat who enjoys supervising and assisting in getting into your business! They are significantly less chaotic and loud than Siamese, but this is still a large cat to handle and not one that likes being left alone for lengthy periods. If you work during the day, getting two of them to keep each other company is good. If you want to spend time with and connect with a cat, go for an Oriental Longhair. This loyal and affectionate cat will pout and pine if given little or no attention. He thrives for years in the correct environment.
Living Conditions
Oriental Longhairs and their Siamese ancestors share several characteristics. They are extremely intelligent and can get up to mischief unless they are suitably stimulated.
They prefer to live in a home where other people will be around them. They are a very friendly cat breed that enjoys being the center of attention. Your Oriental Longhair is likely to be close by your side wherever you are in the house.
They frequently do well in a multi-pet family due to their loving and affable attitude. It's fairly uncommon for your Oriental Longhair and the family dog to become fast friends if introductions are done properly.
Their outgoing personalities make them ideal for your children. If kids respect the cat's space, they can be fun-loving, compassionate, and adventurous playmates.
This breed is remarkably trainable in comparison to other cat breeds. They're incredibly bright, inquisitive, and react well to positive reinforcement. Even non-cat lovers will admire your feline if you practice some tricks. It will also keep them busy and entertained, strengthening your bond.
The majority of Oriental Longhairs are great communicators and entertainers. Because they are quickly bored, they flourish when you connect with them frequently. Their athletic ability and jumping prowess can make them a threat when they're upset. As a result, any breakable ornaments should be kept inside display cabinets rather than on exposed shelves.
Providing a variety of activities will also assist in keeping your Oriental Longhair occupied. Cat trees, cozy cat beds near windows, and various toys are all beneficial to them. You can even set them riddles to keep their brains occupied while you finish your duties.
Care
The Oriental Longhair has a short, smooth coat that is easy to groom with a rubber curry brush once a week. Comb longhairs with a stainless steel comb twice a week to prevent or eliminate mats or tangles. A quick and easy approach to removing loose hairs from both coat types is to massage them down with a damp cloth. His coat will be sparkling with your hands or a soft cloth after the last shine.
The only additional upkeep he requires is nail trimming and ear cleaning regularly. Trim your nails as needed, normally once every 10 to two weeks. Because he's prone to periodontal disease, brushing his teeth at home with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and scheduling veterinarian cleanings as needed are essential.
Oriental Longhairs are very active cats. They need to burn off their surplus energy. Get them outside if you can. Most Oriental Longhairs like tail chasing and yard running. They love to play and need to burn off some steam. So, please give them a cause to run all day, and they will! Get them a toy that will keep them occupied for hours. They may play for hours with a little ball. Your Longhair will adore you for it.
Oriental Longhairs are very active cats. They need to burn off their surplus energy. Get them outside if you can. Most Oriental Longhairs like tail chasing and yard running. They love to play and need to burn off some steam. So, please give them a cause to run all day, and they will! Get them a toy that will keep them occupied for hours. They may play for hours with a little ball. Your Longhair will adore you for it.
Health
In general, Oriental Longhair cats are in good health. Their Siamese ancestry does put them at a higher risk for some problems, such as mast cell cancer which is nodules that can grow on the skin, intestines, and organs due to these tumors. Heart problems such as congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy are two heart disorders that these cats are susceptible to. Also, need to look out for bladder stones, and deposits crystallize and pass through the bladder due to this disease. Liver amyloidosis causes amyloid proteins to build up in the liver, reducing function and liver failure; finally, it would help if you looked out for progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This degenerative disorder eventually results in blindness.
And a small fraction of Oriental Longhairs are born with crossed eyes, which isn't a big health risk but is a show fault.
History
Oriental Longhairs, also known as Javanese, British Angora, Foreign Longhair, and Mandarin cats, are the Oriental cat family members. These cats were produced with Siamese cats as important foundation members to produce Siamese-like cats in various coat colors and patterns.
In the 1950s, the Oriental tale began in England. During the Second World War, when food shortages and continual bombardment put a great strain on society, many cat species were nearly extinct. New colors and patterns arose as breeders attempted to strengthen their foundations.
The Oriental Shorthair and the Oriental Longhair have Siamese ancestors, Russian Blue, Abyssinian, British Shorthair, and other domestic bloodlines that have helped expand and strengthen the Siamese gene pool. After all, the only difference between an Oriental and a modern Siamese cat is color.
Initially, breeders attempted to name each colored Oriental cat from diverse pairings as a new breed. As a result, we have the Havana Brown, the Foreign White, and the Oriental Bicolor. Cat breed registries eventually decided that there were too many color and coat combinations.
While the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognized the Oriental Shorthair in 1977, the Oriental Longhair did not receive official CFA recognition until 1995.
The International Cat Association (TICA) received approval in 1979, and cat breed registries now recognize the breed or variant.
The British angora, the breed's original name in the twentieth century, refers to this type of cat.
Final Thoughts
The Oriental Longhair cat could be an ideal addition to your home if you seek a highly social cat that is elegant and appealing. This cat may not be the best choice for your family if you don't enjoy the extra noise in your home since these cats need to express themselves with their voice.
They also require socialization and stimulation regularly. If you aren't going to be around regularly or don't have any other animals in the house, this isn't the cat for you or your family.
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