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American Shorthair vs Oriental Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a calm, quiet, independent cat; the Oriental Shorthair is a very talkative, clever, attention-seeking one.
Verdict
These cats sit at opposite ends of the temperament scale. The American Shorthair is calm, quiet and independent, and it copes with a workday alone. The Oriental Shorthair is slender, large-eared and very talkative, with top scores for affection, play and intelligence and the lowest independence. It dislikes being left alone. Both have short coats that need little grooming. Choose the American Shorthair for a steady family cat and the Oriental Shorthair for a chatty, athletic companion if someone is home most of the day.
Choose the American Shorthair if
- You are away for part of the day.
- You want a quiet cat.
- You have young children, as it scores top marks with them.
- You want a sturdier build and a wider choice of colours.
Choose the Oriental Shorthair if
- You enjoy a cat that talks back.
- You want a very affectionate, athletic cat that you will play with daily.
- You like a slim body with big ears and hundreds of colour combinations.
- Someone is home most of the day.
Where they are alike
Both are medium-sized cats with short coats that need only occasional brushing. Both get on well with other pets.
Side by side
| American Shorthair | Oriental Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | North America, from European cats brought by settlers | United States and Europe, from Siamese stock |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-15 lb (2.7-6.8 kg); males are larger | Males about 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg); females under about 8 lb (3.6 kg) |
| Lifespan | — | Often reported as 12-15 years; few studies |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard-textured coat that protects against cold and scratches | Short, fine, close-lying coat on a long, tubular body |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1977 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 3 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 2 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 1 |
| Trainability | 3 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this breed. | — |
| Suits | A family or first-time owner that wants a calm, durable, low-maintenance cat that copes with busy homes. | A person who is home much of the day and wants a talkative, athletic, affectionate cat and will play with it daily. |
| Less suited to | Anyone looking for a very talkative, clingy or highly acrobatic cat. | A quiet home, or anyone who is away for long hours, since this cat dislikes being alone. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026