Oriental Longhair cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Oriental Longhair

The Oriental Longhair is the long-coated twin of the Oriental Shorthair. Both are slender cats of Siamese build with large ears and a wedge-shaped head, but the Oriental Longhair has a silky coat of moderate length with a feathered tail, rather than the short coat of the shorthair. The Oriental type was developed from Siamese cats from the 1950s onwards in Europe and in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, where breeders added colours beyond the pointed pattern.

Names and status vary by registry. TICA lists the Oriental Longhair as a breed in its own right. The CFA treats it as a longhair division of the Oriental, alongside the shorthair. In Britain it was known as the British Angora until 2002, when the name was changed to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. It is also called the Foreign Longhair or the Mandarin, and some registries use the name Javanese for a different cat of related type.

The body is long and tubular, the eyes are almond-shaped, and green is preferred. Colours are many, from solids to tabbies, smokes and tortoiseshells.

Temperament and living with one

Oriental Longhairs are intensely social. They are clever, active and playful, and they talk, often at length, in a loud voice. They want to share your day, follow you around and join in on whatever you are doing, including cooking and work. They usually get on with other cats and with dogs, and do best when someone is at home.

They are bored easily and need puzzle toys, climbing space and games with a person. Breed accounts often say they are not for beginners, because their demands for attention can be high. They bond closely and may be unhappy if left alone daily.

Care: coat, food and play

The coat is fine and does not usually mat. A comb once or twice a week keeps it neat, with more often during a moult. Keep the ears clean and trim the nails. Offer measured meals of a complete diet. This is an active cat, but weight can rise if play drops off.

A window perch, a tall cat tree and daily interactive play are useful. Consider keeping a pair of cats so there is company in the day.

Health

Oriental breeds can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited eye disease with a DNA test, and to amyloidosis, a build-up of protein in organs such as the liver. Some kittens develop flat-chested kitten syndrome, which can cause breathing difficulty. Ask the breeder about testing and about illness in the lines, and ask your vet about screening, since a vet can advise what suits a particular cat.

Is it right for you?

Choose an Oriental Longhair if you want a talkative and affectionate cat that follows you around and you have time for play. It is a poor match for a quiet home or a person out all day. If you prefer a short coat, look at the Oriental Shorthair, and for a pointed longhair, the Balinese.