Exotic Shorthair
USA · 1960s · Flat faceA Persian in pajamas — calm and easier to groom
Exotics are Persians with a short, thick, plush coat. They have the same round, flat face and gentle nature, with far less grooming.
At a glance
Life with an Exotic Shorthair
They are calm and affectionate, and a bit more playful than Persians. Many like laps or sit close by. Daily eye and face wiping is still part of life with a flat-faced cat.
- People who love the Persian look but not the grooming
- Apartments and quiet homes
- First-time cat owners
- Your home gets hot without air conditioning
- You couldn’t afford possible breathing or eye treatment
- You want an athletic, high-energy cat
Very flat faces are linked to lifelong breathing, eye and dental problems. Look for a breeder who breeds open nostrils and a less extreme face, and watch the parents breathe at rest.
- Comb once or twice a week, more when shedding.
- Wipe the eyes and face daily.
- Keep them lean and cool.
Health
Same as the Persian: breathing problems from the flat face, runny eyes, crowded teeth and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in untested lines.
- PKD DNA test for both parents
- Vet check of nostrils, breathing and eyes
- Heart scan (echocardiogram) of the parents
Prices are rough ranges from registered breeders and vary by line, color and region. A much cheaper “purebred” kitten is a common scam sign.
See Exotic Shorthair kittensSimilar breeds
Sources: breed standards and profiles from CFA and TICA, DNA tests listed by the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, and veterinary breed profiles.