About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 30-38 cm

Height range  : 20-25cm

Weight range : 2.3-4.5kg

Coat : Longhair|medium length|fine|silky|close-lying|hair longest on tail

Life expectancy years : 10-15

Colors: all colours|solid|tabby|tortie|torbie|silver, smoke|with white|without white|white|blue|ebony|cream|red|brown|frost|platinum|fawn|chocolate|chestnut|cinnamon|lavender|champagne|seal.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: United Kingdom

Similar Breeds : Balinese|Savannah|Snowshoe|British Longhair|Somali|Havana|Ocicat|Tonkinese

 

History

The breed developed in the United Kingdom and Europe from the 1950s after Siamese outcrosses were used to rebuild breeding lines after World War II. Non-pointed offspring from Siamese-related breeding programs became the Oriental type. CFA states Oriental Shorthairs were accepted for registration in 1974 and achieved championship status in 1977 , while Oriental Longhairs were accepted in 1988 when the breed name became simply Oriental with separate coat divisions.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Playful

Personality

lively|intelligent|sociable|vocal|affectionate|interactive|devoted|curious|playful|demanding

Needs

Needs high-level enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play , cat trees , climbing frames , puzzle feeders and lots of owner attention. This breed may not do well if left alone for long periods.

Social Needs

Very sociable and dependent , bonds strongly with people and may shift from lap to lap. Often does well with other cats , cat-friendly dogs and older children but may become unhappy if ignored.

Grooming 

The Oriental Longhair needs a good daily brush through according to Purina while CFA notes minimal shedding and weekly grooming can be enough for many Orientals. Teeth , nails , eyes and ears should also receive regular care.

Nutrition

Feed to maintain ideal body condition because this breed shows weight gain easily. Adults are often fed at least twice daily and kittens three to four times daily. Fresh water should always be available and wet food may help support hydration.

 

Breed Standard

The breed standard describes a svelte , graceful , refined medium-sized cat with long tapering lines , long wedge-shaped head , large broad-based ears , almond eyes , long slender legs and a long tail with a feathery plume in the longhair division. The coat is medium length , fine , silky , without downy undercoat and lies close to the body.

Did you know?

Orientals are sometimes nicknamed Ornamentals because of their huge range of colors and patterns. The longhair division is less common than the shorthair and remains closely tied to Siamese ancestry.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Dental and periodontal disease , Progressive retinal atrophy , Hepatic amyloidosis , Asthma , respiratory conditions

 

Symptoms

1. Halitosis , red , swollen or bleeding gums , visible tartar , dropping food , chewing on one side , reluctance to eat , mouth pawing , loose teeth and poor grooming may occur

1. Night blindness , hesitation in dim light , bumping into furniture , dilated pupils , increased eye shine and worsening day vision may occur

1. Intermittent lethargy , loss of appetite , weight loss , vomiting , diarrhea , jaundice may occur
2. Sudden collapse , pale gums and a swollen painful abdomen may occur in acute crisis

1. Coughing with neck extended , wheezing , rapid or labored breathing may occur
2. Open-mouthed breathing and blue-tinged gums may occur in severe attacks

1. Obsessive sucking or chewing of blankets , sweaters , shoelaces or plastic may occur
2. Vomiting , appetite loss or abdominal pain may occur if blockage develops

Onset of symptoms

 

Dental and periodontal disease

1. Mild gingivitis may start in the first year
2. Significant issues often become apparent by 2-4 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Extremely high
2. The text indicates this is the most predictable breed concern and cats over 2-3 years often warrant intervention

Progressive retinal atrophy

 It is described as late onset and clinical vision loss often begins at 3-5 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low in cats from responsible breeders using DNA testing
2. High if two recessive copies are inherited and affected kittens may occur 25% of the time from two carriers

Hepatic amyloidosis

1. Clinical signs are often seen between 1 and 7 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low but significant because it is a known serious risk in the Siamese , Oriental family and there is no simple DNA test

Asthma

1. Can develop at any age but may first be diagnosed in young adults around 2-8 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate because the breed is frequently cited as predisposed to asthma and bronchial disease

Pica / wool-sucking syndrome

1. Often begins in kittenhood or adolescence shortly after weaning and may wax and wane through life

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate to high because it is a well-known behavioral issue in the Siamese , Oriental family

Reasons

Dental and periodontal disease       

1. This is a mechanical and bacterial issue rather than a chemical deficiency and physical tooth-cleaning abrasion is the main lacking factor

 

Hepatic amyloidosis:

1. This is a genetic protein-folding disease rather than a deficiency and management focuses on liver support

 

Dental and periodontal disease       

1. This is a mechanical and bacterial issue rather than a chemical deficiency and physical tooth-cleaning abrasion is the main lacking factor

Hepatic amyloidosis:

1. This is a genetic protein-folding disease rather than a deficiency and management focuses on liver support

 

Progressive retinal atrophy

 1. This is a genetic disease rather than a nutritional deficiency though antioxidants may support general eye health

Asthma

1. This is an inflammatory condition rather than a deficiency and trigger reduction is important

Pica / wool-sucking syndrome

  1. 1. Exact cause is unknown though theories mention lack of fiber , anxiety , boredom and genetic drive

Normally Treament Methods

Dental and periodontal disease:

  1. 1. Daily tooth brushing , dental home care , scale and polish , root surface debridement , possible extraction and follow-up examinations may be used

 

Progressive retinal atrophy:

  1. 1. Genetic testing of breeding cats may reduce prevalence
    2. There is no cure and management may focus on stable home layout and keeping the cat indoors

 

Hepatic amyloidosis

  1. 1. There is no cure
    2. Supportive management may include liver-support diet , medications , IV fluids , blood transfusions and vitamin K in emergency bleeding situations

 

Asthma:

  1. 1. Trigger reduction may help and dust , smoke , aerosols and strong perfumes are not recommended
    2. Corticosteroids , bronchodilators and weight management may be used

 

respiratory conditions:

  1. 1. Removing unsafe items , high-fiber diet , enrichment , calming support and in severe cases anti-anxiety medication or surgery for blockage may be used. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Dental and periodontal disease :

  • 1. Water additives with enzymes or chlorhexidine can, might be helpful for reducing plaque biofilm
    2. Dental probiotics can, might be helpful for shifting oral bacterial balance
recommend product

Progressive retinal atrophy

  • 1. Lutein can, might be helpful for general retinal support
    2. Vitamin A can, might be helpful for retinal support under veterinary guidance
    3. Vitamin E can, might be helpful for antioxidant support
recommend product

Hepatic amyloidosis

  • 1. S-Adenosylmethionine can, might be helpful for liver cell support
    2. Milk thistle can, might be helpful for liver-protective antioxidant support
    3. Vitamin E and B-vitamins can, might be helpful for metabolic and antioxidant support
recommend product

Asthma

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can, might be helpful for reducing airway inflammation
recommend product

respiratory conditions

  • 1. Fiber can, might be helpful for fullness and dietary support
    2. L-theanine or tryptophan can, might be helpful for calming support
recommend product
[/end of template]