Exotic Cat

The Exotic (or Exotic Shorthair) is a breed of cat that was created by crossbreeding Persians and British Shorthairs and American Shorthairs. They have nearly the same body as the Persian, but a thick, dense short coat. They appeal to people who like the look of a Persian but do not want the hassle of grooming a long-haired cat.

Appearance

The Exotic has a compact, rounded, powerfully-built body with a short, thick "linebacker" neck. Its large round eyes, short snub nose, sweet facial expression, and small ears give it a highly neotenic appearance that many people consider cute.

Temperament

Exotics have a placid, friendly personality reminiscent of the Persian. They tend to show more affection and loyalty than most breeds and make excellent lap cats. Their calm, steady nature and limited appetite for exercise makes them ideal apartment cats for city dwellers. Nonetheless, Exotics retain some of the energetic spark of their American Shorthair forbears and they are often capable mouse hunters.

Care and grooming

Unlike the high-maintenance Persian, the Exotic is able to keep its own fur tidy with little human assistance. Occasional brushing and bathing is recommended to remove loose hair and reduce shedding and hairballs.

As with other flat-faced animals, the Exotic's tears are prone to overflowing the nasolacrimal duct, dampening and staining the face. This can be relieved by periodically wiping the cat's face with a cloth moistened with water or one of the commercial preparations made expressly for the purpose.