Exotic Shorthair

As far as cats go, the Exotic Shorthair, or othewise known as the Exotic, is a relatively quiet and peaceful friend. This is a loyal cat that's very relaxed and not fazed by many things. Exotics are friendly and affectionate and will sometimes sit quietly while waiting for you to pay them attention. These cats are also very fond of laps, so be prepared to give up some personal space if you choose to buy or adopt this breed. As far as sleeping arrangements go, this breed might or might not join you in bed. Since they are somewhat sensitive to heat and if your bed is too warm, he or she may opt for a cooler floor instead. While Exotics do love the attention you give them, they won't hound you for it. If you want to be alone, this cat will respect that and leave you be. But when they want to play, they certainly appreciate a partner. These guys really are just as playful and energectic as many other breeds. They like to run and jump and engage in our favorite; the butt wiggle sneak attack.

Cat Breed Description: The Exotic Shorthair Cat certainly is an interesting one. It's appearance is much different than the much more common house cat, or Domestic Shorthair, that we're all so familiar with. The Exotic Shorthair has much shorter legs than its Domestic counterpart and it also comes with a much more stout build. The bones of this animal are fairly heavy when compared to other cats of its size and its head is more round in shape than many others. Overall, this particular cat has a sweet expression and is well known for its large round eyes. With the shorter tail, fluffy "teddy bear" fur, and a short stubby nose, cat enthusiasts far and wide love to snuggle and cuddle with the Exotic Shorthair Cat.

History of the Cat Breed: It's said that the Exotic Shorthair was initially bred by accident. This cat is a cross between the American Shorthair, Persian, Burmese, British Shorthair, and Russian Blue, in varying amounts. This particular breed first began as a mix between the American Shorthair and the Persian and then breeders began including small amounts of the Burmese and Russian Blue to obtain more specific results. Although cross breeding these cats began much earlier, the Exotic Shorthair, or the more widely known "Exotic" has been recognized by most cat associations and registries in the United States by the 1960s.

Cat Traits, Temperament, and Personality: The Exotic Shorthair is a quiet, docile, and generally well behaved cat breed that gets along well with almost all family members, including other cats and dogs that happen to live in the household. These cats are inquisitive and outgoing, which sets them up for lots of fun when playing with small children. If you're looking for a cat that isn't interested in ruining your home by tearing things up and scratching at your furniture, this may be the breed you seek. As a matter of fact, this particular cat breed rarely uses its claws for anything, much less damaging your home. The Exotic can be trained. He can understand verbal commands and will actually respect them into the future, which is a rarity for cats. These cats will come to you if called, will stop a behavior if told no, or will just chill out by himself if given the chance. Don't think these cats sleep all the time though because you'll likely see an energetic one running around the house in the early morning and evening. That's when this breed is most active. Finally, this is a cat that can be almost completely self-entertained, meaning, you won't need to worry about it if you leave it alone for a while. It doesn't usually suffer from separation anxiety.

Health and Grooming: Some Exotic Shorthair Cats may suffer from hereditary health issues, such as polycystic kidney disease and an over abundance of calcium oxylate stones in the urinary tract. These conditions are avoidable though, so if you're interested in purchasing or adopting one of these animals, be sure to do your homework in regards to the health concerns it may be up against. Also remember that because Exotics have flatter faces then most cats, they'll have some difficulty breathing and may be sensitive to heat. You'll need to make sure your cat is living in a cool environment so the cat doesn't overheat.