The Oriental Shorthair cat has a lifespan of around 12-15 years but can sometimes live well past that milestone. That being said, they can still suffer from certain health conditions that owners should keep an eye out for:

Amyloidosis - One of the most serious conditions that can affect an Oriental Shorthair is Amyloidosis, which is when amyloid (an abnormal protein) forms deposits in tissues and organs, this can eventually lead for organ failure or death.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Another inherited condition affecting Oriental Shorthairs is progressive retinal atrophy, which is a gradual form of vision loss that leads to blindness. Cats with this condition will begin developing symptoms at around 7 months, and completely lose their sight between the ages of 3 and 5.

Oriental Shorthairs may also struggle with obesity and dental issues, so ensure they get plenty of exercise, control their treats intake, brush their teeth regularly and take them for dental exams to ensure they live a happiest and healthiest life possible.

One of the Oriental Shorthair’s most attractive features is their fine, silky coat which requires very little grooming. Combing or brushing it every week or even every other week is enough to remove dead hair and evenly distribute oils to keep their coat looking healthy.

Oriental Shorthairs need a little extra attention when it comes to their teeth as they are prone to developing dental problems, so owners should brush their cats teeth with pet-safe toothpaste and a brush every so often.

Oriental Shorthair cats will most likely get majority of the exercise they require on their own as they are quite active and playful, but they will welcome any time spent together playing games and exercising to stay active.

Oriental Shorthair cats can be prone to obesity, so it’s important for owners to keep an eye on them and make sure they stay active and give them lots of playtime to keep them happy and healthy.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of an Oriental Shorthair cat, but they are basically the offspring of a Siamese cat that has been bred with another cat – commonly Russian Blues, Abyssinians, American Shorthairs or the Polycat.

Oriental Shorthair cats come in a very wide range of colours. In fact, they come in more variations than any other breed with more than 300 colours and patterns recorded in them. This is due to the many different cat breeds their ancestors were crossed with.

There are a number of common health issues that Oriental Shorthair Cats are prone to, and as a pet owner it’s worth considering insurance to help protect against unexpected vet bills. Take a look at Asda Money Pet Insurance to see the kind of cover you could get for your cat.