Oriental Shorthair

By 1000 Ventures · Last reviewed

A Siamese in every color but points: very slim, huge ears and a loud voice.

A Oriental Shorthair cat sitting, full body
Size
Medium
Weight
5 to 10 lb (2.3 to 4.5 kg)
Lifespan
12 to 15 years
Coat
Short, fine and glossy
Colors
Hundreds of colors and patterns, without points
Origin
Britain and the United States, developed from the Siamese
90% of the time, our scanner puts a Oriental Shorthair in its top three. It names it first 73% of the time. How we tested

What does a Oriental Shorthair look like?

Oriental Shorthairs share the modern Siamese build: a long, tubular body, long legs, a long wedge-shaped head and very large ears. The difference is the coat. Instead of points, Orientals come in solids, tabbies, smokes and bicolors, usually with green eyes.

Oriental Shorthair personality

Orientals are talkative, social and demanding. They want to be involved in everything and do not like being alone.

How to care for a Oriental Shorthair

The coat needs almost no grooming. Company and play matter more.

How do I know if my cat is a Oriental Shorthair?

A very slim cat with huge ears and a long wedge head, but no points, is an Oriental. With points and blue eyes, it would be a Siamese.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.

Curious which breed your own cat looks like? Upload one photo to the free cat breed identifier and see the three closest matches in seconds.

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Breeds that look like the Oriental Shorthair

Siamese SiameseA slim, talkative cat with a pale body, dark points and striking blue eyes. Cornish Rex Cornish RexA slender, greyhound-shaped cat with a coat of tight, soft waves and huge ears. House cat House catA mixed-breed cat, called a domestic shorthair or longhair. Most pet cats in the world are house cats, not purebreds.

Or browse all 31 cat breeds side by side.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an Oriental Shorthair and a Siamese?
Same body and head. The Siamese is always pointed with blue eyes. The Oriental comes in every other color, usually with green eyes.
Are Oriental Shorthairs loud?
Yes. Like the Siamese, they are among the most vocal cats.

What breed is your cat?

Upload one photo and the free cat breed identifier shows the three closest breeds in seconds, or tells you it is a classic house cat.

Identify my cat