Exotic Shorthair
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to Large (8-15 lbs) |
| Weight | Males: 10-15 lbs, Females: 8-12 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | Calm, Affectionate, Gentle |
| Good with Kids | Excellent |
| Good with Other Pets | Good |
| Grooming Needs | Moderate |
| Vocalization | Low |
| Activity Level | Low to Moderate |
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Recommended for Exotic Shorthairs
Basepaws DNA Test - Genetic health screening for PKD | Spot Insurance - Coverage for brachycephalic conditions | Chewy - Flat-faced cat supplies
Save on Exotic Shorthair Care
Chewy Autoship - 35% off first Autoship order, then 5% off repeat orders | Lemonade Pet - Cat accident & illness plans; prices vary by pet and state | Petco - Eye care supplies
Top Food Choices for Exotic Shorthairs
Royal Canin Persian/Exotic - Breed-specific formula | Hill's Science Diet - Kidney-supporting formulas | Chewy - Premium cat food selection
Persian problems, less hair
Exotic shorthairs weigh about 8 to 15 pounds and often live 12 to 15 years. They are calm and affectionate, and they were built by putting Persian type under a short coat. People buy them to escape the Persian groom and then meet the Persian skull. Tear staining, a wet fold, and a snore are housekeeping plus medicine.
They are usually good with gentle children and with other pets. Exercise is modest. Weight gain is easy, and extra fat makes the breathing worse. Keep the ribs findable. A round face is not supposed to mean a round body with no waist.
Kidneys, cornea, and the palate
PKD1 testing should be in the breeder's folder. Corneal ulcers happen because the eyes are prominent and the face is flat. A squint is the same emergency it is in a Persian. Dental disease hides behind the short muzzle. VCA explains polycystic kidney disease. Drinking more and losing weight is the urinary and kidney page.
Exotic shorthair questions
Is the care easier than a Persian?
The coat is. You can comb an Exotic in minutes. The skull is not easier. Airway noise, tear staining, and dental crowding come with the same flat face.
What is PKD?
Polycystic kidney disease, cysts that replace kidney tissue. Reputable breeders DNA-test for the PKD1 mutation. A kitten from untested parents can look perfect and be in kidney failure years later.
Why does my Exotic breathe loudly?
Stenotic nostrils and a short nose. Some noise is anatomy. Open-mouth breathing, blue gums, or collapse in the heat is an emergency.
Decision Guides for Exotic Shorthair
Persian type, grown a short coat
The Cat Fanciers' Association history of the exotic shorthair is a Persian crossed with an American shorthair so the flat face and the cobby body could sit under a short coat. The airway problem that comes with that face includes stenotic nares, which is the snore and the open-mouth effort an owner should treat as medicine. PKD1 testing is the same folder a Persian breeder is expected to show, and that paper should be in hand before a kitten is chosen. Males are often in the 10 to 15 pound band, with lives around 12 to 15 years. Prominent eyes ulcer easily, and a squint is the same emergency it is in a Persian. Extra fat makes the breathing harder, so the ribs should stay findable.