Exotic Shorthair health, grooming, and kitten care.

This GC Casanova Father to some of my cats

The Exotic Shorthair

What is an Exotic Shorthair?

I think the Cat Fanciers Association captures the essence,
"They are bred to meet the Persian standard in every way with one very special exception: the coat has a thick, dense, plush, short coat. The Exotic coat is unique to the breed and gives them a soft, rounded, teddy bear look. Their wonderful coat requires much less combing than a Persian’s and will not mat or tangle. Because of the ease of grooming for this special breed, Exotics are sometimes affectionately referred to as the lazy man’s Persian. "

Absolutely gorgeous. Honestly everyone that is around one will notice their unique, look. Couple that with a sweet demeanor that was bred to literally be a lap cat. They are worth the effort to find one!

Health

All kittens will have a once over and vaccinations. The kittens will need up to 2 more shots before they are done, 3 -4 weeks after their last vaccination.

Annual vaccinations plus a spay or nueter sometime after 6 months of age preferably before they cycle, but have been allowed to mature.

Persians are house cats. Don't let them outside. They have not been bred to survive the wilds of your backyard.

They require daily grooming... I am not joking! Exotics are Persian like their plush coat requires minimal grooming.

Male or Female

It is often thought that a female is a better pet than a male cat. This I believe is linked to our childhood and some old wives tales about spraying Tom Cats. It is a relatively new development that we care for our cats like cherished members of the household. In the past people allowed feral cats, intact males and females, to roam about unvaccinated, and unwormed. This made a population of howling, and territory marking cats, preparing for the next litter of kittens located in the wood pile. It was mostly an awful situation. A lot of the blame was placed on the poor Tom Cat. He indeed fought and scrapped howled and peed, all in the name of LOVE.
So I am here to tell you when you neuter your male kitten, he will indeed Love he will love YOU! The territorial marking is driven from the testosterone. He wont think of spraying. Intact female cats are not a lot more fun, with their howling and silly desperation and litter after litter of unhomed kittens. However spay them and they concentrate on their lovely people.
Males are usually a little bigger, but after that the individual cats personality takes over. Some are complacent, some active, some quiet, but most all are interested in you and what interesting things you are doing today.

Food

Food, use a good one, balanced preferably from your Vet. Less poop volume, better coat quality, less smell, and calorie appropriate for your easy keeper or the skinny minny. I like Science Diet, Iams, and Purina. Royal Canin actually produces a Persian Cat food with easy to eat kibble.

I always feed my babies some dry and some wet. Cats are very tactile in their eating nature and can become obsessed with one form of food only. If later your vet prescribes a wet food and she will only eat dry it can be hard.

Persian and Exotic Kittens 101

So I will tell you up front kittens are the best pets ever. But here a few hints that will

help with your ultimate success.

First off potty habits. 1 1/2 cat litter box per cat, and 1 per floor of your house. So 2

cats should have 3 litter boxes at their access. Confine your new kitten close to the

litter box at first. Remember they are babies and forget where they left it:] I have

found some awesome litter boxes disguised as plants and furniture at wayfair.com

They dont have to be ugly or smelly.

Baths and brushing. Do it! They are Persian they need to get used to it. I like the eye

wipe pads pre-moistened with a safe for the eye anti bacterial which removes the

gunk, and stain. I clean daily for some cats. I use boric acid powder after I clean the

around the eye. Gently patting the powder to the skin. There are also comercially

available eye powders. Not meant for in the eye but safe and anti bacterial. I bath

when their coats become heavy, I also use dry shampoo or powder to fluff and

absorb the oils in between.

I also use the wash the bum technique. Long haired cats sometimes have issues with

potty accidentally getting attached,so no problem just washing off the hind quarters.

I blow dry on low.

How often you may ask? Not as often as you think but often enough.

There is a price for beauty.

Vaccinate, easy enough! Cats do die from Luekemia, they get upper respiratories. Please vaccinate. FVRCP + Luekemia and Rabies. I do not believe in FIP vaccine. It is not now recognized by the Feline Veterinary Practioners as a core vaccine. It has a very sketchy application in the real world.

Brush yor persian everyday! probably 10 minutes everyday would keep the groomer away.

I love 2 kittens at one time, a great way for you and them. Older cats however may totally hate other cats or a new kitten. I mean hate them. Others are fine. Dont believe all cats want friends. Some will show their displeasure with unappropriate potty behavior.

Spay and Nueter around 6 months, after their body is mostly grown but hormones have not really kicked in fully. Your Vet will be your guide.