Oriental Shorthair Care Guide

Oriental Shorthairs are one of the easier breeds to care for day to day — short coat means minimal grooming, sturdy general health means routine vet visits, and high social needs mean you get a devoted companion in exchange for daily attention. This guide draws directly from TICA's official breed care documentation plus our experience raising Royal Oriental kittens.

Grooming — Coat, Nails, Eyes, Ears, Teeth

Coat. TICA's official protocol calls for combing "every couple of weeks with a stainless steel comb." No daily brushing required like with long-haired breeds. Additional technique TICA recommends: "dampen your hands with water and stroke your hands down the cat's body from head to tail. This also removes any loose hair."

Nails. TICA recommends weekly nail trimming. Use a standard human nail clipper to tip just the white portion of the claw — never go back into the pink/red area (the "quick"). If you accidentally clip the quick, styptic powder stops bleeding quickly.

Eyes. Clean weekly with a warm, damp washcloth or cotton square. Wipe gently from the inner corner outward.

Ears. TICA's protocol: "Clean their ears with a warm, damp washcloth or cotton square." Only clean what you can see — never insert anything into the ear canal.

Teeth. Per TICA: "Brush their teeth with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath and schedule regular veterinary dental cleanings." Never use human toothpaste — fluoride is toxic to cats.

Feeding Schedule and Food Type

TICA's feeding guidance is specific: adult Oriental Shorthair cats should be fed at least twice a day. Kittens need more frequent meals — "at least three or four times per day, as they burn off calories more quickly."

Wet vs. dry food. TICA states: "Canned foods are often the preferred method for feedings. Not only are they more convenient, but they are higher protein and lower carbohydrates than dry food. Canned food has a higher-water content so increases the cat's overall fluid intake, which keeps the kidneys and bladder healthy."

Many Royal Oriental owners feed a mix: canned (wet) food as the primary diet, plus a small amount of high-quality dry food. We do not recommend a 100% dry food diet for Orientals.

Water — The 3-Foot Rule

TICA tip: "Place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats' noses are sensitive and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less."

Practical setup: place water bowls in multiple locations — kitchen (away from food bowl), bedroom, hallway. Filtered drinking fountains often increase water intake significantly. TICA recommends "Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl."

Environment Setup

Per TICA, "No cupboard or high shelf is safe from these inquisitive, high jumping cats."

Vertical space. At least one tall (6+ ft) cat tree positioned near a window. Window perches give Orientals "bird TV."

Scratching surfaces. Sisal-wrapped posts, horizontal cardboard scratchers. Place one scratcher per room.

Litter. One litter box per cat plus one extra. Unscented clumping clay litter is widely tolerated. Scoop daily, full change weekly.

Hiding spaces. A covered bed under a side table, a cat condo, or a simple cardboard box. Per TICA, Orientals "can amuse themselves for hours with an empty cardboard box."

Daily Play and Enrichment

Per TICA: "They do not grow out of their love of play, remaining kitten-like all their lives."

Daily minimum: 15-30 minutes of interactive play with a wand toy, laser pointer, or fetch. Split into 2-3 short sessions throughout the day. Best timing: morning and evening.

Agility: TICA notes that Orientals "excel at the feline sport Agility."

Vet Care and the Anesthesia Warning

Annual: Comprehensive physical exam, vaccinations, dental cleaning after age 3, fecal parasite screening.

Bi-annual senior care (age 8+): Bloodwork, urinalysis, blood pressure measurement.

🚨 CRITICAL — Anesthesia. Always tell the vet "this is an Oriental Shorthair, Siamese breed group — please use breed-appropriate anesthesia protocols."

Temperature — Why Orientals Get Cold

Orientals have minimal body fat and short coats with little undercoat. Keep household temperature at 68°F (20°C) minimum during cold months. Provide soft beds in warm spots. Many Orientals seek out and burrow under blankets — this is heat-seeking behavior, not anxiety.