Exotic Shorthair Cat: Temperament, Size, Care & Health

The Exotic Shorthair is a Persian that doesn't require daily combing. It has all the traits of a Persian cat: a round massive head, a short flat face, large round eyes, a cobby body, and a calm temperament, but the coat is short, dense, and stands away from the body, making the cat resemble a fluffy plush teddy bear. In the cat breeds catalog, you will find its history, temperament, care, and health risks.

Origin	US, Persian × American Shorthair
Recognition	CFA in 1966 (champion status in 1967); FIFe in 1986
Body	medium to large, cobby, short sturdy legs
Head	large, round, short nose with a deep break
Coat	short to medium, dense, plush, thick undercoat
Colors	all Persian colors
Eyes	large, round; color depends on coat
Temperament	calm, loyal, undemanding
Hereditary risks	brachycephaly, PKD

The Exotic Shorthair – A Persian Type with a Short Coat

In the 1950s in the US, some American Shorthair breeders secretly crossed their cats with Persians to improve body type; crosses were also made with Russian Blues and Burmese cats. Since the short hair gene is dominant, short-haired kittens were born with the Persian's round head, round eyes, and cobby body. American Shorthair breeders were unhappy with this and changed the standard to disqualify such cats. However, in 1966, the CFA established a new breed. Because many of the early cats were silver shaded or chinchilla—colors not found in shorthairs at the time—the breed was named the Exotic Shorthair.

After the initial outcrossing, Exotics were regularly bred back to Persians, and in 1987, the CFA banned outcrossing to other shorthairs, leaving only Persians as an acceptable outcross. Therefore, today Exotics and Persians differ only in their coat. The Exotic achieved CFA champion status in 1967, FIFe recognized it in 1986, and in 1991, an Exotic became the CFA Cat of the Year. The CFA notes that it now registers slightly more Exotics than Persians annually.

Appearance: A Plush Teddy Bear with a Persian Face

The Exotic standard is identical to the Persian, except for the coat. The body is short, sturdy, and muscular, the head is round and massive, the cheeks are full, the nose is short with a deep break between the eyes, and the ears are small, rounded at the tips, and set low. The tail is relatively short. The coat is of uniform length, dense, and plush, with a thick undercoat that lifts it away from the body. There are just as many colors as in Persians: in CFA shows, Exotics are divided into the same seven divisions—solid, tabby, silver and golden, particolor, shaded and smoke, calico and bi-color, and pointed.

Longhaired Exotic Kittens

Because Exotics are regularly outcrossed to Persians, some of them carry the recessive longhair gene. When two carriers mate, each kitten has a 1 in 4 chance of being born longhaired. These kittens are registered differently across various organizations: the CFA does not consider them Persians, TICA accepts them as Persians, and some organizations, such as the ACFA, register them as a separate Exotic Longhair breed. For a buyer, this means that an Exotic pairing can produce a longhaired kitten whose coat will require daily combing.

Temperament: Calm, Loyal, and Undemanding

The CFA describes Exotics as quiet, loyal companions: devoted but undemanding, content to be nearby without needing to participate in every activity. Some feel they are slightly more active and playful than Persians—perhaps because they do not need to be trained to sit still for long grooming sessions. Exotics adapt to new homes at any age, are excellent with young children, and although they may be shy with other animals at first, they quickly learn to get along. They communicate with their eyes rather than their voices—you will hear purring often, but meowing rarely.

Health: Consequences of a Flat Face and PKD

• Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome. Narrowed upper airways increase breathing resistance, cause inflammation, and strain the heart. Weight management, surgery, and avoiding hot, humid environments can help.
• Corneal sequestrum – necrosis of corneal tissue of unclear origin.
• Difficult births due to the large, domed skull.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Ultrasound studies in developed countries have shown a prevalence of 40–50%; a PKD1 DNA test is highly recommended for all breeding Exotics.

In a review of urate urinary stones, Exotics, conversely, were found to be very rarely affected. In the US, reputable breeders and veterinary organizations strongly advise against breeding cats with overly extreme, health-compromising physical features. Therefore, it is wise to choose cats with a more moderate type and open nostrils to ensure better respiratory health.

Care: Easier Than a Persian, but Not Brush-Free

• Coat. The CFA notes that Exotics shed more seasonally than Persians. For most of the year, combing once a week with a steel comb is sufficient, but during shedding season, it is beneficial to bathe the cat to help remove the dead undercoat.
• Eyes. Due to the short face, their eyes may tear—clean the corners gently with a damp cloth.
• Heat. Provide a cool place during the summer and avoid strenuous activity.
• Weight. It is important for this calm cat not to gain excess weight, as staying lean makes breathing easier.

Exotic, Persian, and British Shorthair

Trait	Exotic Shorthair	Persian	British Shorthair
Face	short, flat	short, flat	short, but distinct
Coat	short, plush	long	short, crisp
Grooming	once a week, bathing in season	daily	once a week
FIFe kittens in 2025	975	1,825	16,207

How to Choose an Exotic Kitten

Ask for the PKD1 DNA test results of both parents and evaluate the shape of the parents' faces: check if the nostrils are open, if the cat breathes without wheezing, and if the eyes are excessively tearing. Ask how the mother delivered the litter. Keep in mind that longhaired kittens can also be born in the litter. Reputable breeders typically do not let kittens go to their new homes until they are at least 12 to 14 weeks old. Be sure to look for breeders registered with major organizations like the CFA or TICA, and ensure the kitten is microchipped and has received its initial veterinary exams and vaccinations, as outlined in the guide introduction.

You can find its longhaired relative in the Persian profile, and a shorthair with similar roundness but a longer muzzle in the British Shorthair description.