Exotic Longhair Cat Breed

History

Exotic Longhairs have been around since the 20th century when American Shorthair breeders bred their cats with Persians to get their stunning silver colour and green eyes. The resulting litter was beautiful to look at; however, it did not meet the true American Shorthair type. Jane Martinke, a breeder, noticed the result of these outcrosses. She then proposed a new breed called the Sterling because of their appealing silver colour.

Some breeders chose the Burmese breed because of their robust body type, medium head and their short coat. Others select the Russian Blue due to their shorthaired gene and dense double coat. After the initial outcross to acquire the short coat, the kittens were bred back to Persian.

Carolyn Bussey, another breeder, outcrossed a Burmese and a red tabby Persian in order to produce a brown Persian. Brown is a receding colour, so all the resulting kittens were all black. So, Ms. Bussey had the impression to continue to develop a short-coated Persian. However, these long-coated cat breeds inserted their genetics. That’s the reason why we have the Exotic Longhair.

In 1966, the new Exotic cat breed was officially recognized by the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) and quickly gained popularity worldwide. Crossing the cat breed with Russian Blue and Burmese were permitted until 1987 when the CFA decided to only permit crossing with Persians. Exotic kittens with a long coat are known as Exotic Longhair cats but are also recognized by many registries as Persian cats.

Appearance

These gentle giants are heavily boned but their solid bodies are softened by their thick, long coats. Exotic Longhairs have wide round heads with ears set low. Their big round eyes open up their short faces and give them a sweet expression.

Their round head is set on their robust, short and square bodies. Their short thick legs are balanced by their short, dense tail. Their luxurious coats make them appear soft and round, like stuffed toys you want to pick up and hug. The Exotic Longhairs have a variety of colours and patterns, including the pointed version of the Himalayan.

These magnificent cats, like their shorthaired counterparts, are distinct because of two features: being brachycephalic and pedomorphic. Brachycephalic means that their skull and face is short and broad, with a flattened muzzle. Pedomorphic, on the other hand, means that their face maintains a kitten-like expression.

Personality

Exotic Longhairs are easy going, relaxed, loving and calm cats that have inherited the quiet demeanour of the Persian. These affectionate cats demand love and attention by staring at you straight in your eyes and hugging you when you pick them up. Because of their loyalty and need to be with their human companion, these cats will follow you around the household just to be near you. They are lap cats and will snuggle with you while you read a book or watch a TV show.

Due to their shorthaired ancestry, these fluffballs love to play and leap around. They will chase their toys like prey or sit and observe how to catch them. Exotic Longhairs are easy to please as simple things amuse them. Whether it is watching the water drip out of the faucet or chasing a crumpled paper ball, these cats can play independently for hours should they want to.

While they are not very vocal, Exotic Longhairs have a soft, gentle voice and make many chirping sounds. They have an intelligent curiosity combined with their sweet and peaceful nature, which made them loved and adored by many cat lovers worldwide, including families with children and other pets.

Exotic Longhairs can be urban dwellers or adjust to country living. Also ensure you have areas in your home with tiles or bricks and uncarpeted floors as they prefer lounging and napping in cool places. This is vital for their health because as a brachycephalic breed, they struggle to cool themselves down and are more susceptible to overheating.

Trainability

While their energy level ranges from low to moderate, you can still encourage these gentle giants to do tricks, commands and games. Start them with simple tasks such as using the scratching post and the litter box. As they grow older and get accustomed to a training session, you can start teaching them more complex tasks such as following commands, playing games and doing tricks. You can also use a clicker to teach them to “sit” and to “wave”.

Encourage their minds to stay active by providing interactive toys such as catnip mice, fishing-pole toys, and other puzzle toys. Remember to give them rewards like their favourite treats or kibbles when they behave during the training session or by following your commands.

When an Exotic Longhair is properly trained and familiarised with various people, pets and environments during kittenhood, they will blossom into a well-rounded, well-bred feline companion. These gentle and calm cats are amicable and affectionate and see each training session as an interaction with their human companion.

Coat & Care

Exotic Longhairs have a dense, multi-layered coat, just like a Persian cat. Daily brushing is best to keep their fur and skin healthy and avoid matting and furballs. The Exotic Longhairs also tend to shed more during seasonal shedding and, therefore, will benefit from even more regular brushing during these times. Some Exotic Longhair cat owners favour having their beloved cat bathed and groomed professionally to support this cat breed's grooming upkeep.

Due to their long coat, it is crucial that you train your Exotic Longhair as early as possible for daily grooming. You can start by using a very soft brush so it won’t pull their glorious kitten hairs or hurt their delicate skin. Remember to gently brush their long coat to help them remain relaxed.

As they grow and mature, they will have a different need for their coat. So, it is best to upgrade your tools to a more age-appropriate brush. Grooming them daily is part of their training, so prepare small rewards such as treats and kibbles to encourage them to behave during each grooming session.

Their flat face needs regular cleaning to prevent infections in their skin folds. Because Exotic Longhairs are brachycephalic cats, they can experience partial obstruction of the upper airway. This means that their respiratory system is already compromised, and inflammation or infection can worsen it. So, make sure to consult your vet regarding this.

Allocate some time each week to check your cat’s ears. If there’s dirt, debris or wax buildup, use a vet-approved ear cleaner and clean cotton balls to eliminate it. Remember not to use cotton swabs because it can cause severe damage to their inner ear. If you notice any funny smell or inflammation, immediately contact your veterinarian for care and treatment.

For their eyes, spare some time each day to check for discharge and stains. Exotic Longhairs are prone to tear stains as the tear ducts cannot follow their natural path and drain properly into the nose. As a result, their eyes run constantly and if the tear stains are not cleaned regularly, they can cause sores. Use a clean and soft fabric to gently clean the corners of their eyes. Make sure to use a different part of the fabric to avoid spreading an infection.

Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly teeth brushing is sufficient enough to keep your cat’s teeth healthy and free from tartar buildup and tooth and gum diseases. Trim your cat’s nails as needed to protect not only your skin but also your furniture. Examine their paws as you trim their nails to make sure they are in good condition and free of injury.

Because your Exotic Longhair has a plush, long coat, you’ll need to keep their litter box clean. Dirt and debris from a dirty litter box can cling to their long silky coats. If not monitored, they may swallow this while self-grooming, which can cause a blockage in their intestines. Plus, like many other cat breeds, they are very picky and detest soiled litter boxes.

Lastly, it is recommended to keep your Exotic Longhair as an indoor cat. If you do permit them to explore the great outdoors, make sure to oversee their activities. This way, you can prevent them from acquiring feline diseases from stray cats or being attacked by other animals they may encounter outdoors.

Health

As a brachycephalic cat, there are several health conditions you should be aware of if considering bringing an Exotic Longhair into your home. They can suffer from chronic respiratory issues like breathing difficulties because of their extraordinarily short, flat faces and small nostrils. They may also have jaw deformities, which can lead to dental disease and problems with eating and drinking.

They also have eyelids that turn in towards their eye, which often leads to eye drainage and ulcers. In some cases, an Exotic Longhair may have eyelids so turned in that they rub against their eyeball. If this is the case, surgery is necessary to correct the issue.

In addition, because they were initially bred from Persian cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a real concern with this cat breed. They can also carry the gene that creates cysts in the kidney and can lead to kidney failure (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease).

Because of all these potential genetic conditions, buying from a reputable and registered breeder is essential. Do not buy an Exotic Longhair if a breeder does not run DNA health checks on all their cats. This is important for checking for inherited disorders, so do not hand any money over until you see these test results.

Children & Other Pets

Because of their playful, relaxed and friendly personality, Exotic Longhairs are ideal for families with older children and other pets. However, they do best in quiet homes so may not be suited to families with lots of young, loud children.

Exotic Longhairs get along well with other pets and can live harmoniously with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. Because of their gentle and calm demeanour, they can quickly become part of the pack as they love companionship very much. Just remember to introduce your pets slowly and in a controlled area to make sure that they learn to get along well together.