Persian cat for the lazy - exotic shorthair

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is not only one exotic cat on the planet. Man himself strives to surround himself with exotic pets, obtaining them through the hybridization of some felines to others. Moreover, the more unusual the “child of a hybrid” looks, the more interesting it is for breeding and the greater the demand for its distribution.

More than one exotic cat has already been bred in a similar way: Savannah, Chausie, Caraquet, Ussuri, Kanaani, etc. Judging by the last two, people can no longer stop, and continue to invent new breeds, mixing already established hybrids.

However, such a thirst for “something new” often has a negative impact on the health or appearance of animals, leading to irreversible consequences, in particular, non-viability.

History of the breed

The first exotic cat appeared due to a spontaneous combination of genes. In an effort to achieve new features of appearance, they were crossed with the American Shorthair and Persian breeds. The goal was the desire to obtain a special physique. The resulting offspring received many traits from Persian cats, namely their doll-like face. In 1966, Jane Martink showed the world a new breed, which was called the Exotic Shorthair. These animals took a long time to achieve their official recognition. were skeptical about it, considering them an encroachment on the purity of the breed. However, there were those who were able to see the prospects of new cats, they took part in its formation and spread. Two of them are especially worth noting: Doris Walkinstick and Caroline Bussey. They put a lot of work and effort into this work. Burmese cats and the Russian Blue breed also took part in the selection. The experiments ended when short-haired offspring were obtained. This feature was successfully fixed in the genome of animals. At this time, this breed can only be crossed with Persian cats. In 1990, felinologists adopted a standard that completely replicates the requirements for “Persians”, except for some characteristics - body length, coat characteristics. All changes that are made to the standards of Persian cats are also relevant for exotics. The exotic shorthair cat has similar appearance characteristics to the Persians.

Description of the breed

The Exotic Shorthair cannot be confused with any other breed. The animals have a unique appearance, giving the impression of a well-balanced cat with strong bones and rounded body lines. The standards even include a special “sweet expression.” The exotic has round, large and widely spaced eyes, plush, thick fur, emphasizing the roundness of the animal’s body.

Appearance

The exotic skull is large and wide, the head is round, proportional, massive, located on a short, strong neck. The nose is wide and short with a neat stop, the cheeks are full, the jaws and chin are strong.

Exotics - large and round cats

The body is massive, stocky, with well-developed muscles, the chest is wide. The limbs are short, strong, muscular, the paws are rounded, it is desirable that there are tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is short, proportional to the length of the body, bushy and rounded at the end.

The fur of an exotic cat resembles plush

The exotic fur is thick, soft, and resembles plush. It is rather medium-length, that is, slightly longer than the hair of ordinary short-haired cats. But at the same time, it cannot be so long as to lie on the body. Any colors are allowed, except fawn (light beige) and cinnamon (reddish brown, cinnamon).

Breeding and price of exotic

To be registered as an Exotic, a cat must have one Persian parent and the other an American Shorthair, or both parents must be Exotic.

Exotic cats of any color and any coat pattern are allowed for mating.

The most interesting in terms of color range are kittens that have black, red and white colors - “harlequin”, “calico” or “tortoiseshell and white”. It is worth noting that all three “lucky” colors are carried only by cats (this also applies to other breeds). The tricolor exotic cat is sterile - sterile.

The exotic cat has excellent “endurance” and produces healthy, strong bear cubs that are not susceptible to disease and illness.

Don’t be alarmed if a pair of pure red exotics gives birth to pure black babies - the genes of other cats, you know!

The type of exotic cat and exotic cat must be exactly the same as the standard set for Persian cats and cats, but with a short, velvety, plush coat.

The coat is soft, elastic, and in no way adheres to the body.

Close-fitting, non-losing coat is disqualifying.

All this splendor costs only 50,000 rubles maximum!

Appearance

After the official recognition of the breed, the American Exotic underwent some changes in its appearance. He became more like a Persian, and a distinctive feature was added - a clearly defined sharp transition from the forehead to the nose, the so-called “stop”. This characteristic feature gave rise to some cat lovers calling him an Exotic Persian. However, this is fundamentally wrong. Exotics are a completely new breed in which the shorthair gene is firmly attached. At the same time, in order to improve exotics, it is still allowed to use Persians, and the standards of these breeds have become almost identical for some time.

Generally accepted standard

So, let's find out what characteristic features exotic cats and cats have. The characteristics of this breed have the following distinctive features:

• a rounded head with a flattened muzzle;
• short, snub nose with a “stop”;
• full cheeks;
• small ears with a slope;
• large round eyes;
• thick, strong paws;
• plush, soft short coat with a thick undercoat;
• strong bones and a small, fluffy tail.

Cats are slightly inferior to male cats in body size and weight. The average weight of animals of this breed ranges from 4 to 7 kg. Below you can see what the American exotic looks like in the photo.

The most prominent representative of the breed is the world famous exotic cat Snoopy

The popularity of the breed can be judged by the degree of fame acquired by the exotic cat named Snoopy. He received public recognition thanks to the publication of his photographs on one of the Chinese social networks. The cute, pop-eyed face of this funny plush cat has conquered millions of hearts around the world. Currently, the exotic Snoopy has his own channel on YouTube, pages on all popular social networks and the generally recognized status of the most famous cat on the Internet.

Acceptable colors

Exotic cats are allowed to have the same colors as Persians. Currently, the most popular color shades of their fur are:

• tabby
• bicolor
• color point
• white
• blue
• red
• cream.

Very rarely there is an exotic shorthair with a lynx point color, which is one of the tabby variations. There are also completely black cats and smoky ones.

Tabby color is considered one of the most popular among exotics.

Character of exotics

The exotic cat in the photo looks like a clumsy teddy bear, but don’t be fooled by its appearance. By nature, they are quite active, playful animals, sociable and friendly. At the same time, they are calm and patient. They get along easily with other pets and often become attached to their owners.

From its American ancestors, the exotic inherited cheerfulness and curiosity. He has no sense of danger at all. That is why you should not leave him alone for a long time. He may find himself in an unpleasant situation from which he himself will not be able to extricate himself.

For lonely people, an exotic cat is a companion cat. He can patiently listen to your monologue for hours and not express a single bit of displeasure. Exotic kittens love to play noisy games, and an adult cat is always ready to run after a rustling candy wrapper. Some of them are good rat catchers.

Exotic animals often experience lacrimation: in this case, the mucus is carefully removed with a sterile napkin

Character of an exotic cat

The main qualities of an exotic cat are friendliness, moderate playfulness, and curiosity. They have proven themselves well in large families, but have many positive reviews from single people. They quickly and strongly become attached to their owner, but are not particularly intrusive. The pet will calmly wait for its person to come home from work, and then sit comfortably on his lap.

Question to the expert

Is it easy for exotic kittens to get used to their new home?

Exotic kittens have good adaptive skills. They quickly get used to new conditions and do not experience much stress. The main thing is that he gets to know his surroundings.

They have the ability to react sensitively to a person’s mood. If he has difficulties at work, the pet will make every attempt to calm and comfort his owner. These cats are playful and active.

They enjoy running and catching balls or imaginary prey, exercising their hunter instincts. The most popular activity for them can be called catching their own tail. You can safely leave children with these animals without fear of consequences, but with strangers, they are cautious and wary.

Interesting read: all the information about British cats.

Cats for breeding in Moscow

Mating Burmese cat Grand Inter Champion Moscow 7,200 ₽ 8,000 ₽ 1 month ago The price is adequate for the conditions - this is a home environment and the only cat.
Are you looking for the best groom for your Burma? Please come visit us. And remember, a cage is a bad place to breed. The beloved GRAND INTER CHAMPION of the Burmese breed in a wonderful sable fur coat invites his friends to mating. OUR PRINCIPLE IS INTEGRITY, CLEANITY and RESPONSIBILITY. Those who are looking for “cheaper” prices sometimes have to pay dearly, but later. Please read ALL information to the end. Unlike other offers - your cat moves FREELY. People came to us who tried to save money by going to the “Ramensky district”, but ended up losing time and money. the cat's health, her psyche was disturbed. ‍If you come to us once, you will definitely come back; regular customers will get a discount. Please contact us in advance, the mating plan is loaded. ABOUT THE MATING PROCESS: Before leaving, be sure to cut the cat’s claws. Take with you: - a bed (pillow, towel, sheet) from her owner’s house. — feed supply for 3 days. - a handful of litter from her toilet. On the second or third day, the kitty is carefully delivered to the cat. It is advisable to use car or railway transport (air, metro have a stronger effect on the animal’s stress. The first half of the amount of money is transferred when the cat is transferred to us. Girl, if the mating is successful, we keep it for 48-60 hours (and ONLY after I I will be SURE that the cats have "walked up". In case the cat loses the desire to breed, then after 36 hours it will be necessary to take it out. The first payment of money is considered an advance and when the desire arises again, we will accept it AGAIN. Interaction policy: 1) If the cat it is necessary to meet/accompany, or pick up from the client for mating/bring after mating - the cost of the service is 700 rubles within the Moscow Ring Road, 1000 rubles at Moscow airports (the cost is indicated one way). 2) For girls transferred from other regions, it is necessary in advance send scans of your veterinary passport and pedigree. And also clearly indicate who will bring/take away the animal, indicating the full name and current telephone numbers. 3) In the absence of documents and information about the animal/carriers provided in advance upon request, requests to accept the animal will not be considered. 4) To ensure the quality of mating, we accept cats from the THIRD day of sexual desire; if you insist on accepting earlier, there is a risk that you will have to go again. BRIEFLY ABOUT THE CAT: A gentleman, but persistent. Photos of the “results” are attached! The record of results is 7, the average is -4.5. Colors - from “chocolate” and “lilac” to “sable”. Copes with any temperament of her friends in 2 - 2.5 days! All awards and certificates are genuine, the character is truly Burmese, moderately sociable, playful, high intelligence. Girls must have manicures, be vaccinated and healthy. Proposals for maintenance kittens are interesting in the case of a well-deserved mother. I guarantee decency. There are contacts and recommendations for kittens from my pet! Let me remind you that there is a discount for repeated matings. The starting price is for . Alexander L. 2 views in the last week

Character traits and features

Exotics, unfortunately, did not adopt anything from their second American ancestor; for the most part, the entire character was similar to the Persians. The cats are quiet, not capricious, and calm in character. Their voice is also soft, gentle and quiet, even pleasant to the soul. The voice appears only at certain moments, when the cat is worried about something or needs something. The voice especially manifests itself when the cat needs to eat, or the reason was due to an unexpected move, which he will not be happy about.

He also gained popularity among children thanks to his cute face. Exotics are quiet, affectionate and patient pets, with a rather docile character. They are very smart and stand out for their cheerfulness, cheerfulness and activity. As you know, they have a calm character, so you can safely get this wonderful domestic cat, both for yourself and for small children. Thanks to their kindness, they get along well with other pets. They love to be petted and cared for, encouraged, cared for, and given special attention. Then the cat will get along well with its owner and will respond with kindness and love.

Exotics are loyal animals and do not like to be left alone. These cats are relaxed about traveling with their owners, the main thing is that you are always close to the pet.

Territory and timing

Mating of Persian cats can occur both in the territory of the female and in the territory of the male. Some owners prefer neutral territory, and this choice also has a right to exist. It is important that both participants in the process are healthy and do not show aggression or fear, and that the heat occurs without complications.

It is not difficult to discern the time of mating. With the onset of heat, the cat becomes affectionate, constantly rubs against her legs, makes inviting sounds, rolls on the floor and does some unusual things for her. Estrus lasts plus or minus a week and has external signs that are not difficult to notice. If the mating was successful and fertilization has occurred, all signs of estrus will simply disappear the next day.

Education and training

Raising or training this cat is quite easy. These are smart animals that respect their owner, observing the rules of behavior established by him. They quickly get used to the tray and are not inclined to misbehave, especially if their upbringing began in childhood.

With enough attention and time, they can be taught simple tricks and commands. This requires patience. If the animal fulfills the command correctly, it must be rewarded. Rudeness or physical force can destroy the trust between a person and an animal.

Shorthair exotic.

Estrus

Birth planning does not depend on the season and other factors. The owner of the animal can be guided by his own requirements, including the convenience of nursing and subsequent sale of kittens. The female is ready to reproduce offspring quite early. Already on the third heat you can plan mating. By this time the cat is already one year old and becoming mature. For a good result, experienced breeders recommend not mating a female before 16-20 months of age.

If there is the slightest doubt, the mating must be rescheduled for a later period.

Hybrid and wild tailless cats

Hybrid tailless animals are the result of crossing several breeds. They have not yet received recognition, so little is known about them. The list of hybrids is small:

• Alaskan snow cat, or snow bob, is a white variation of the American bobtail;
• Scythian-toy-bob is a Russian breed of miniature cats, a descendant of the Mekong Bobtail and cats with the miniature gene, distinguished by its color-point color;
• oohee-bob - the result of crossing a Siamese and a Manxam - as a result, the color-point Manx was obtained;
• The Highlander is the most unusual short-tailed cat, obtained from crossing an American Curl and an American Bobtail, and inherited a short tail and curled ears from its parents.

Photo gallery: hybrid short-tailed cats

Snowbeans are born quite rarely. Compared to an ordinary cat, the Scythian-toy-bob is a real baby.

The Oohee Bob is a type of American Bobtail. The Highlander cat is distinguished by a short tail and “Curl” ears.
The wild family of short-tailed cats is limited to lynxes and caracals. There are the following types of lynx:

• Iberian (Pyrenean) lynx;
• Canadian lynx;
• red lynx;
• common lynx.

Photo gallery: wild short-tailed cats

The second name for the caracal is the steppe lynx. The Iberian lynx is one of the rarest mammals on the planet.

The common lynx is listed in the Red Book of Russia. The Latin name for the red lynx is Lynx Rufus.

The Canadian lynx has a silver coat with a reddish tint.

Video: facts about lynxes

Proper organization of mating

The rules for mating Scottish cats consist of the following points:

• Mandatory vaccinations and treatment against parasites are carried out at least 15 days before mating.
• Cats must be healthy, free from infectious foci and open wounds.
• It is necessary to trim the animals' claws so that they will not be able to inflict deep scratches on each other.
• You should not pre-bathe your pets so as not to disturb their natural scent.
• At least a week before the intended mating, cats are not given medications (especially hormonal ones).

Pet owners also need to decide on whose territory the Scottish breeding will take place in order to prepare the premises. Traditionally, the cat plays the role of “master,” but this issue can be discussed.

If the “groom” is already untied and has experience, then he almost doesn’t care in what territory the mating will take place. The same rule applies to cats - at first they do not yet know what to do, but later they cope with the task perfectly in any room.

Important! The mating process lasts for several days. At this time, the owner of the apartment must control the behavior of the cats and ensure that they do not harm each other.

Basics of a healthy diet

Breeders usually use premium ready-made food for feeding. They already have a balanced composition, all the necessary substances - vitamins, minerals, proteins, normal fat content. Exotic kittens quickly get used to a certain diet; any changes in it can lead to problems with the digestive system. It is convenient to monitor proper weight gain using a table of exotic weights by month in the first 2 years of life.

Table of weight of exotic kittens in the first 2 years of life.

These cats have a good appetite, which means they have a high risk of gaining excess weight if they are not properly active. The food portion is 150 grams of food per day, for a girl – 130-140 grams. Food should be given 2-3 times a day, small kittens are fed more often - 4-5 times.

Long-haired exotic cat.

How to organize natural nutrition

An exotic cat, as natural food, should have a diet consisting of:

• rabbit, veal, chicken, turkey;
• fermented milk products – kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk;
• oatmeal and rice porridge cooked in water;
• low-fat cheese.

Prohibited foods for them are: whole milk, fatty meat, potatoes, any bones, especially small fish.

Basics of proper nutrition for exotics

From infancy, exotics must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals so that the body develops correctly and the coat is smooth, healthy and silky. Only the owner decides what kind of food will be - natural, home-cooked or commercial from the store.

How to properly organize natural nutrition

Owners of exotic cats who decide to feed their pets natural food must remember that it is forbidden to give food from the human table to the animal. No matter how pleadingly the exotic eyes look at the owner during dinner, you need to be adamant.

You can't overfeed cats. A fat exotic will not lose its external charm, but there will be problems with health.

The diet that a cat requires for the proper development of the body may seem rather meager and unappetizing to some owners, but deviation from it can cause irreparable harm to the pet’s health.

Table 3. Products that should be present in the daily diet of an exotic cat\

At least 75% of a cat's daily diet should consist of meat, fish and offal. You also need to add a side dish that is mixed with the main dish - it can be porridge, fresh vegetables, herbs, sometimes you can add egg yolk. There is no need to feed your pet tenderloin every day, as such a diet will negatively affect your pet’s health.

Exotic cats are far from omnivores: they will only eat what they like.

Digestion of dairy products is best in kittens; in adult cats, flatulence is possible. Products that were produced 2-3 days before the date of use are best absorbed.

How to choose the right industrial feed

In order to feel good and develop normally, your pet must receive all the products necessary for the full functioning of the body:

• vitamins and microelements;
• amino acids;
• saturated fats.

Dry food classes: pros and cons

All these elements are found in vegetables, meat, fish and cottage cheese. However, if the owner does not have time to prepare food specifically for the pet, you can choose a more practical option: buying dry food

It is important to consider that the popular inexpensive canned food sold in supermarkets has a bad effect on your pet’s body. It contains a lot of salt and seasonings, which significantly reduces the lifespan of a cat.

You should pay attention to balanced dry food that is sold in pet stores. When choosing food, you need to pay attention to reviews from breeders and the composition, which should list all the necessary microelements

Some felines like dry food more than fresh meat or fish.

Appearance and color

A real exotic must have a pretty face, as this is an immutable law of breeders. If an exotic kitten is born with an angry face, it means the breeder made a mistake in breeding. There are many factors that can cause a face to become unhappy.

The most important thing is the position and shape of the nose, but the general proportions of the muzzle are also important: the shape of the eyes, the distance between them, the structure of the cheeks and chin. The ideal nose should be small and in line with the middle of the animal's round, wide-set eyes.

Despite the presence of American genes, exotics are not at all similar to them. They are more similar to their Persian ancestors, the only difference is in the fur. In terms of the beauty of their coloring and the thickness of their short plush coat, the kittens are unlike any other breed.

The structure of the head is similar in structure to the Persians. She is massive, round with a short, thick neck. The eyes are widely spaced, and the nose is wide and snub-nosed. The ears should be small and widely spaced.

The expression of the face should be kind and sweet, with padded cheeks. The fur of exotic cats is short, soft and plush. The most common colors are white and blue, cream and tabby. They can also be medium and large in size. The back is straight, the legs are short, thick and strong.

Standard and description of the modern breed

Cynologists distinguish three breeds, the representatives of which are especially similar to each other in appearance: the Persian, the exotic cat and the extreme cat (a subspecies of the exotic). But there are also inconsistencies between them. For example, in extreme sports, the noses are very noticeably pressed into the skull, and the Persian has much longer hair than the exotic.

In extreme sports, the noses are very noticeably pressed into the skull

If you look at an exotic cat, you can see a dense, squat cat with round, bulging eyes and a large head. Perhaps the most outstanding features of the breed are its muzzle with an innocent, childish expression, thick soft fur and upturned nose. All characteristics according to the standard are presented in the table below.

Table 1. Description of the exotic cat breed standard

The thick paws of exotic cats can take on a very graceful appearance.

Exotic cats are often jokingly considered “Persians for lazy people” due to the fact that visually their appearance completely copies their closest brothers. The difference is only noticeable in the length of the hairs: the short, plush fur of exotics, which makes them look like plush toys, requires less care than the long hair of Persians.

Shorthair exotic cat

Representatives of the breed are recognized as the offspring of cats obtained in the 60s of the 19th century from the union of representatives of the Persians and the American Shorthair. An exotic with short hair can be compared with a British cat - they are the same in body structure, hair structure and color. The Exotic differs from the British in its affectionate character and flattened nose.

Japanese cat Snoopy

Longhaired exotic cat

This variety appeared unexpectedly during the breeding of short-haired individuals. Long-haired exotics received long hair unusual for the breed. They could be mistaken for Persian cats, if not for the characteristic silver shade of their fur.

Long-haired individuals have the same affectionate character as short-haired ones. Both varieties do well in families with small children and can play together for hours. However, long-haired varieties do not participate in competitions and title shows, since in modern times they are still classified as the Persian breed.

The long-haired exotic cat is almost impossible to distinguish from a Persian

Health and disease of the breed

The exotic Persian cat has inherited a number of diseases to which Persians are predisposed.

One of the most common problems is problems with the eyes, namely increased levels of tearfulness. The nasolacrimal duct is shorter in exotics than in other cat breeds. It is necessary to remove these contaminants every day; if this procedure is not carried out, there is a risk of conjunctivitis.

They often suffer from colds, gum inflammation, and kidney problems. Anatomically, they have a curved lower jaw, which makes it difficult for them to eat. From their Persian relatives, exotics acquired a tendency to certain diseases.

Polycystic kidney disease develops with a probability of up to 80% if this disease was diagnosed in one of the kitten's parents. Another disease characteristic of the breed is cardiomyopathy. With this pathology of the heart, the left ventricle suffers. Symptoms of the development of the disease are:

• frequent shortness of breath;
• pallor of mucous membranes;
• fatigue.

Exotic kittens may not show any signs of these diseases at an early age. The lifespan of this breed is on average 13-14 years, but there are individuals that live up to the age of 18 years.

How often can you knit a cat?

Experts have two opinions. Some believe that a cat can be mated after one heat. Others insist on only 3 breedings over a two year period. If you do not plan to breed kittens, be sure to neuter your cat. A suppressed sexual instinct can cause a number of negative consequences for her - from hormonal imbalance to the appearance of oncology and various pathologies. If, after all, the pet has successfully given birth and produced offspring, you need to make sure that she feeds him. There are often situations when a cat refuses kittens and tries to run away in search of a cat. Therefore, pay increased attention to her while raising your kids.

Exotic health

Exotic cats have similar diseases to Persian cats. This includes possible difficulty breathing, problems with the sinuses, sometimes obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct and watery eyes. These diseases have causes only in the anatomical structure of the muzzle, namely due to a shortened and flattened nose.

Eye diseases in representatives of an exotic breed can arise due to neglect of the rules of care, as well as due to a predisposition to this. Alarming symptoms such as brown tears, redness, brown spots, and cloudy eyes are a reason to consult a doctor.

In addition to problems with the nose, there is a possibility of dental diseases: gingivitis, tartar formation, periodontal disease.

It makes sense to check the health of the cat’s kidneys and heart at a young age.

Many health problems in the breed can be easily avoided if all vaccinations are administered on time; a caring owner will not neglect the vaccination of his pet.

If the cat was purchased for breeding, then there are practically no problems: the pregnancy goes smoothly and lasts 63-66 days. When the owner does not want to become a “grandparent” to adorable kittens, the exotic pet should be spayed or neutered. The recommended period for the procedure is 9-12 months.

How long do exotic cats live?

The lifespan of exotic cats at home depends on the genetic health of the pet and the care it receives from an attentive and loving owner. Careful adherence to feeding rules, timely vaccination on schedule and contacting a veterinarian in case of illness significantly increase the chances that a plush cat will live a long life, by cat standards.

Cats of this breed live about 13-15 years, and castrated animals noticeably longer.

How to choose a kitten

Exotic kittens endear you from the very first visit to a breeder or nursery. Little exotics resemble a beautiful plush toy. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the pedigree and parents, the state of his health. It is recommended to choose a reliable nursery that has many positive reviews, recommendations, and many years of experience working with the breed. Often, unscrupulous sellers, under the guise of exotics, offer British dogs with an admixture of the Persian breed. But mixed-breed kittens should cost less. There are different crosses of exotics:

• American exotic;
• exotic extreme;
• lop-eared exotic.

Crossing exotics with third-party breeds is prohibited, and buying such a kitten for the purpose of breeding threatens poor health and future offspring not meeting recognized standards.

How much does an exotic cat cost?

The exotic breed belongs to the middle price segment. The cost of kittens ranges from 15,000 to 70,000 rubles. Pricing is influenced by:

• pedigree;
• parents' title;
• the kitten belongs to a certain class.

The most expensive is the show class. Such cats do not have any appearance flaws. Pet class animals cannot take part in breeding work and are subject to mandatory sterilization. But this does not affect their character, loyalty and love for their owner. An exotic kitten of this class costs up to 7,000 rubles.

Interesting read: everything about the character and habits of Maine Coons.

Nicknames for exotic cats

A kitten of any breed should have a beautiful, understandable, but memorable nickname that will fully characterize it. The most common variants of nicknames for exotics are the following:

Table of popular names for cats and cats.

Description of the breed

Some breeders gave exotics the second name “Persian Exot” due to partial similarities with their ancestors.

According to the breed standard, exotics must meet the following characteristics:

• The animal's head should be round and medium in size.
• The pet's muzzle is flattened.
• The cat's eyes are widely spaced, expressive and very large.
• The nose is snub-nosed.
• The cheeks are plump and drooping.
• Ears – tilted slightly downward and small in size.
• The body is muscular and of medium size, resembling a square shape if you look closely from the side.
• The limbs are strong and of medium length.
• The tail is proportional to the body.
• The coat is short, soft, plush in texture with undercoat.
• The color of the coat can be varied with the presence of spots.
• The weight of an adult exotic does not exceed 7 kg.

Appearance

The body of cats is medium in size, while the neck looks short and muscular. The chest is quite wide. The animal's loin looks strong and compact. The pet's paws are thick and seem quite short.

Some believe that the exotic breed completely copies the Persians. However, this is not at all true. There are several features that clearly highlight the individuality of the breed. These include the presence of thick wool, which resembles plush material to the touch. In addition, animals have an undercoat (quite thick).

Looking through photos of exotic animals, it is impossible not to pay attention to the peculiarity of the animal’s gaze. It is the eyes that convey all the charm of the breed. A submissive look makes you want to hug the handsome plush and protect him from everything in the world.

Care and maintenance

Due to some peculiarities of care and maintenance, the exotic cat is called the lazy Persian. This indicates their unpretentiousness, but not a lack of care at all.

Your pet's thick coat needs regular brushing. It is combed out at least twice a week using a special comb made of metal. Exotics are a very clean breed, so they carefully lick themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly give them medications to remove hairballs from the stomach. Such medications are purchased from veterinary pharmacies and used strictly according to the instructions. They can be replaced with fresh grass.

The exotic needs to be bathed once a month. This is done in a non-slip basin with warm water using a special shampoo for short-haired cats. It is necessary to soap the animal twice, because the thick undercoat does not allow moisture to penetrate its skin well. After washing, the pet is wrapped in a large warm towel and left in a room away from drafts. Before water procedures, cotton wool is inserted into the cat's ears to prevent water from getting into them.

The exotic's eyes and nose need daily wiping. This is due to the unusual structure of its muzzle. The eyes are wiped with a dry cloth or cotton pad soaked in a special lotion. Once a week, the ears are cleaned of accumulated dirt using a cotton swab.

Exotics, like other domestic cats, have their nails trimmed. Do this twice a month, cutting off no more than 2 mm of the nail plate. For cutting, use small nail clippers and a regular nail file. If a cat walks on the street (lives in a private house), then the claws are cut less often, as they grind down on their own.

When an exotic kitten appears in an apartment, he needs to be given a quiet, warm place, equipped with a comfortable soft bed. To prevent the animal from feeling loneliness, it should not be placed far from people. In this case, he will be scared and lonely. Drafts are dangerous for the health of your plush pet, so you should close the vents or windows in a timely manner.

Basics of proper nutrition for exotics

Important! You should not overfeed the animal, since exotic cats, like Persian cats, have a tendency to become obese. Natural food should not be too fatty. The majority of your diet should be lean meat

Beef is best, but rabbit or poultry will work. In addition to meat, you will need cereals - oatmeal, rice, buckwheat and vegetable ingredients. It is recommended to add ready-made vitamins and minerals. You should consult your veterinarian before using them.

The majority of your diet should be lean meat. Beef is best, but rabbit or poultry will work. In addition to meat, you will need cereals - oatmeal, rice, buckwheat and vegetable ingredients. It is recommended to add ready-made vitamins and minerals. You should consult your veterinarian before using them.

Natural food should not be too fatty. The majority of your diet should be lean meat. Beef is best, but rabbit or poultry will work. In addition to meat, you will need cereals - oatmeal, rice, buckwheat and vegetable ingredients. It is recommended to add ready-made vitamins and minerals. Before using them, you should consult your veterinarian.

For your information! In addition to the main diet, it is worth giving your pets special medications that remove hair from the stomach. Despite the fact that cats are smooth-haired, fur residue accumulates inside them and can cause harm.

It is best to buy a cat house for your pet - spacious, with soft bedding, so that the fluffy can stretch out to the full length of its body. The ideal location of the house is closer to the owner.

A thick “fur coat” often leads the purr to cool tiles or windowsills. Do not let your pet lie in the cold for a long time, he is prone to colds.

Important! The windows should have a net (mosquito protection is fine) - a fall from a height can end in disaster for exotics; they have heavy frames. If your baby is often left alone, it is advisable to purchase various toys for him so that he can entertain himself. These can be rubber balls, soft toys, rustling trinkets tied to ribbons

These can be rubber balls, soft toys, rustling trinkets tied to ribbons

If your baby is often left alone, it is advisable to purchase various toys for him so that he can entertain himself. These can be rubber balls, soft toys, rustling trinkets tied to ribbons.

You can bathe your pet once a month, and if he is not afraid of a hairdryer, dry him with it. Otherwise, dry thoroughly with a towel and do not leave in a draft.

The little face requires daily care: it is necessary to wipe the eyes, clean the nose and ears. The veterinary pharmacy has special products for cleaning eyes. The ears need to be inspected and cleaned as they become dirty with a cotton swab, very carefully so as not to damage them.

To care for teeth, there are also special cat bones that both clean and sharpen them. The teeth should be shown to the veterinarian periodically.

Don't forget about vaccinations and preventive examinations at veterinary clinics.

For walking outside, it is recommended to purchase a special leash that wraps straps around your pet’s body. Choose places without obvious crowds of animals, so that the cat is not afraid of noise or someone’s intrusive company.

Breeding Features

To breed this breed, you must have all the necessary documents for this - pedigree, belong to specialized clubs, have breeder documents. The goal is to improve the characteristics and appearance of the breed. Mating can be carried out with exotics and Persians themselves. The cat must meet all standards.

Castration and sterilization

Exotic cats need to be sterilized if they do not meet the breeding criteria of this breed, that is, they belong to the pet class or have signs of disqualification according to the system of recognized standards. This procedure is carried out in the same way as in other breeds, by a veterinarian at the age of 6-8 months. The optimal age for sterilization is selected by a specialist.

Male choice

At first glance, it seems that choosing a male is not such a difficult question. You need to look at the pedigree, choose the desired color, wait for the heat, carry out the mating - and that’s it, the job is done. But in fact, everything is a little different:

1. Free cats are individuals who are mated with almost any cat, if it is not related through the breeding line.
2. Cats that mate with a limited number of cats. They are called limited or breeding, but you will have to wait a long time for such a beauty.
3. Cats that participate in breeding in only one cattery. These individuals are inaccessible to other cats.

In any case, the main task is to choose a cat with a good pedigree, and also not to look for the most ideal male. In the search for the ideal mating, you can overlook good breeding potential.

An ideal purebred male often gives birth to defective offspring

Advantages and disadvantages

The exotic shorthair cat stands out due to such qualities as:

• toy appearance;
• low requirements for living conditions;
• good-natured and calm character;
• lack of aggression;
• suppressed hunting instinct.

Despite all the advantages, the exotic breed has its disadvantages:

• risk of genetic abnormalities;
• it is difficult for a cat to lick the thick plush cover;
• the need for constant eye hygiene.