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The Cat’s Meow

Exotic Cats The Third Most Popular Cat Breed The Exotic cat (also called the Exotic shorthair by some cat associations) is a cross between a Persian and an American Shorthair. The Cat Fanciers’ Association, the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, lists the Exotic cat as the third most popular cat breed based on their 2007 registration statistics.

Exotic Look  Exotic cats are bred to meet the Persian standard in almost every way with one exception: their coats. Exotics, unlike their Persian counterparts, have short, thick, dense coats, making them popular among people who enjoy the Persian personality but don’t want the hassle or the time required for daily grooming. Exotics are affectionately referred to as “The Lazy Man’s Persian” because of this.  Exotic cats are available in a rainbow of hues, ranging from solid to tabby to bicolor.  Temperament The Exotic personality tends to mimic that of a Persian: sweet, affectionate and playful. Exotic cats are known to show more affection and loyalty than other feline breeds, and commonly follow their owners throughout the home. Although playful, Exotic cats have a gentle and tame disposition, making them good indoor-only pets. Generally friendly towards other animals, Exotic cats have a gentle and tenderhearted disposition. With their tame, gentle personality and rare meowing,  Exotics make for good indoor-only pets. Medical Concerns Exotic cats are generally healthy; however, they are prone to similar health problems as the Persian, such as sinus and breathing problems caused by the foreshortened face, snub nose and shortened sinus cavities. The most obvious complication of the Exotics conformation is excessive tearing due to shortened tear ducts, often requiring them to have their eyes wiped or face washed daily. Exotics are also susceptible to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), an inherited kidney disease where cysts form in the kidneys at birth, gradually increasing in size as the cat ages. The disease eventually leads to kidney failure, however, it can be managed to help decrease the workload on the kidneys. Does your fuzzy friend have a pet insurance plan?  A Veterinary Pet Insurance policy provides reimbursement coverage for your pet's eligible medical treatments, surgeries, lab fees, X-rays, prescriptions and more. Want to learn more? Click here. Return to the VPI Pet HealthZone >>

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