The gentle Exotic Shorthair is a Persian in its pajamas and is the ideal cat for those who love the look of the Persian but do not have the time or inclination to take care of all that hair. Sometimes called "the lazy man's Persian", the Exotic Shorthair is bred to be just like the Persian-except with a short, dense coat instead of a long flowing one. Exotics have the same pansy-like sweet face and short nose with big eyes and the same short square body giving them a cuddly bear-like look. These affectionate cats have the quiet manners of the Persian but are livelier and more inquisitive thanks to their shorthaired ancestry. 

History

The Exotic Shorthair grew from a different original desire. American Shorthair breeders bred to Persians to obtain their lovely silver color and green eyes. The kittens were pretty to look at but did not meet the true American Shorthair type. Jane Martinke noticed the effect the outcrosses had on the American type and coat as well as the attractiveness of the kittens. She proposed a new breed called the Sterling because of their lovely silver color. These new cats were to look just like Persians but with a short, dense plush coat. Originally intended to be silver only, the new breed changed the name to Exotic Shorthair and accepted all colors. Only a few outcrosses were made to shorthairs because the gene is dominant. In addition to the American Shorthair, some breeders chose to use the Burmese for its stocky body type, moderate head and short coat, while others went to the Russian Blue for the shorthaired gene because of its dense double coat. After the initial outcross to get the short coat, the offspring were bred back to Persians. Early progress was slow and difficult as Exotic Shorthair breeders tried to get Persian breeders to work with them. Gradually as the type on the new breed improved and became more popular, an increasing number of Persian breeders were willing to help and some decided to work with the young breed as well. The goal was to produce a short-coated Persian so as the Persian type changed so did Exotic's type. The early standard did not call for the Exotic to have a break like the Persian because of its shorthaired ancestry, however as the type came ever closer to the Persian this changed and the standards are now identical except for coat length.

Traits and Care

Exotic Shorthairs are heavily boned, massive cats with lines softened by the thick dense coat. They have broad round heads with low set ears and great big round eyes opening up the short face and giving it a sweet expression. Their round heads are set on robust, short, square bodies with short thick legs balanced by a short thick tail. The plush coat adds an impression of soft roundness to these muscular cats making them look like plush toys you want to pick up and cuddle. They come in all the colors of the rainbow and a multitude of patterns including pointed for a shorthaired version of the Himalayan. Grooming is easy with simple combing removing loose dead hair and a wipe of the eyes that can get irritated by dust because of their large surface. Exotics have the look of a Persian without the need to care for the long coat!

Personality

The easy-going Exotic Shorthair is an affectionate, gentle cat with the quiet manners of the Persian. Quietly endearing, Exotics request your attention with an irresistible gaze and then hug you when you pick them up. They will follow you from room to room in order to be near you and then jump in your lap for a nap when you settle down to read a book. Their shorthaired ancestors have given them a love of play and they will jump to catch a toy or sit studying how to get the toy you put out of reach before they were finished playing. Simple things amuse them whether it is chasing paper balls around the house or watching water drip out of a tap. While seen but rarely heard, the Exotic has a soft voice and has a vocabulary of chirping sounds. Although sweet and peaceful, Exotics still have an intelligent curiosity that makes them a joy to be around and since they are so easy-going they get along well with children and other pets.

***source https://tica.org/Breed_Introductions/Exotic_Shorthair_Breed_for_Website.pdf ***

To make the transition and adjustment easier and less stressful for your new Exotic Shorthair or Persian kitten, it is best to have everything prepared in advance. The following is a list of items to have before bringing your new kitty home. I will send you a document with links and images about 4 weeks before your kitten comes home.

• Food and water bowls - I recommend stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls.

• Food - Purchase the same kind of food the kitten is currently eating to avoid stomach upset and possible diarrhea. If you wish to change the brand of food, you may do so slowly over a period of weeks by adding more of the new food to less of the old food. Begin by mixing approximately one part new food to about five parts current food. Slowly increase the ratio of new food over the next several weeks until you eventually are feeding only the new food. 

• Cat litter box and litter - covered or uncovered are both fine, but we prefer to use uncovered litter boxes and have found that this is a much easier way to litter box train! If asked, we will share which brand/type of litter we recommend in order to ease the transition. If you wish to change the type and/or brand of cat litter, do so slowly over a few weeks time by adding less of the old and more of the new each time you change the litter box. When transitioning to a new home it's best to keep your new kitten in a small room with 1-2 litter boxes until they show you that they know how to find the litter box you have placed for them. Too much space all at once may overwhelm them leading to accidents. Starting slow, and keeping them in a bedroom or bathroom for the first few days will ensure a successful transition before they get the run of your house.

• Cat carrier- Bring a cat carrier with you when you pick up your kitten.

• Toys - You will be sent home with a few goodies that includes a variety of cat toys to get you started.

• Scratching post and cat tree - Try not to get deep, plushy type carpeting as the cat's claws will get stuck in this type of carpeting. Our cats love the posts and trees that have a natural fiber rope twisted around the posts and smoother fabric/carpeting.

• Quarantine- Please keep your new kitten quarantined far from other household pets for a minimum of two weeks, ideally 30 days. Begin with slow introductions after the quarantine is over. Make sure to "baby" proof your house until you feel comfortable enough for your kitten to explore his/her new home.

Probiotics are highly beneficial for cats! I add a scoop to their food everyday.

What are Probiotics & How Do They Work?

Your first question is probably “are probiotics good for cats?” The answer is yes. Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that promote balance in the intestines.  

The intestines contain billions of bacteria that make up the microbiome. An imbalance in the microbiome can cause digestive upset.  

“Among other effects, probiotics decrease the pH in the gut and help the good bacteria thrive which supports overall digestive health,” says Dr. Emily Cross, DVM, DABVP. 

To read more about the benefits of probiotics for cats you can start with clicking this link.

One of the advantages of buying a Persian kitten from a reputable breeder is that he will be accustomed to regular bathing.  Grooming is not the terrible chore some people believe, and can be soothing and enjoyable to both cat and owner. When a cat is kept bathed and clean, there is need for only minimal combing or brushing in between baths.  Also, a clean cat does not have problems with hairballs. Clean cats do not shed the dander that causes many people to have allergic reactions.  Most Persians need baths every 4-6 weeks to look their finest, but some can go longer intervals.

The absolute first thing to do before a bath is clip the cat's claws!

1. Start a bath with wetting the whole cat.  It is recommended you bathe him in a laundry room type sink, or in the kitchen sink, where a sprayer type hose is available.  DO NOT dunk the cat in water – it does not adequately rinse him, and it will scare him.

2. After he is wet all over, slather a water-less mechanic’s hand soap (such as GOOP which can be found in the automotive section of most Wal-Marts - DO NOT USE any product that contains "orange") liberally all over him, excepting the area immediately around his eyes, nose, and mouth.  Concentrate on the chin, the ears, “ruff” area, and in and around the front legs.  Be sure to use enough all over him until his coat feels slimy or “gooey.”  We usually use 7-10 ounces of GOOP on each cat.  Groomer's Goop is even better if you can find it (we order online from Revival Animal).   Note: for cats that are bathed once a week, this step can often been skipped after the first few baths.  

3. Rinse the water-less mechanic's hand soap off the cat until the water runs clear. Now shampoo him with liquid dish soap such as Dawn (keep out of the eyes!)  Rinse the dish soap out.  Repeat & rinse well. If you feel he is still greasy, you can repeat either or both until you are satisfied with the condition of his coat. A clean coat will feel soft and silky as the rinse water flows through it.

4. Proceed by sudsing with a “human” shampoo for oily hair or a PH balanced pet shampoo or your choice. Rinse very well. Wash face and eyes with a tearless baby shampoo on a washrag.

5. A conditioner at the end of the bath will help keep his coat from tangling and makes it easier to comb out.  You might find it helpful to dilute about 2 tablespoons of conditioner in a quart of warm water & pour it over him, or you can spread it on full strength.  Rinse the conditioner out.  It can take a while to rinse conditioner out, but getting it out is important for getting the cat dry.

6. Towel dry the cat (blot dry), then proceed to blow drying.  The cat is accustomed to this process, but don’t be surprised if he tries to test you the first few times to see what he can get away with.  Use a hand-held pistol-style hair dryer propped up in a coffee can that can be weighted with cat litter. You will need probably two combs, one medium, one large, and a slicker brush.  Comb and brush with the dryer blowing on the cat. You will need to dry him until he is thoroughly dry, excepting only some of the face area.  Never point the hair dryer at any one area for too long, as it can burn the skin. Leaving him wet can cause the hair to dry curly and mat, not to mention getting chilled.

7. Finally, use a Q-tip dipped in Boric Acid Powder (found at most drugstores) to clean and dry out his ears.  The boric acid powder is a powerful drying agent that will dry up any water that you might have gotten in his ears during the bath, and thus prevent ear infections.  Do not insert the Q-tip into any part of the ear you cannot easily see, as you can damage his ear.

In worst-case situations, if your Persian should become badly matted, do not try to comb or cut out mats. Either take him to a professional groomer or your veterinarian to be clipped down into a “lion” cut. The cats don’t mind, and it is much better to save them and you the pain and aggravation of trying to remove mats. Some Persian owners routinely have all or part of their cats clipped for summer.