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Exotic Shorthair vs Siamese
The opposite ends of the voice scale. The Exotic is a plush, flat-faced, quiet lap cat; the Siamese is a slender, vocal, devoted shadow.
Verdict
These two differ on almost every score. The Exotic Shorthair is medium, plush and quiet, scores low for energy, and tolerates a quiet day alone better. The Siamese is slender, scores top marks for talkativeness and intelligence, and scores lowest for independence, so it wants someone home all day. The Exotic's flat face brings breathing and eye problems that need vet checks. The Siamese needs almost no grooming. Choose the Exotic for a calm lap cat, and the Siamese for a conversational, active companion.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want a quiet, placid cat.
- You live in a small home.
- You are ready for face cleaning and vet checks.
- You can accept some time alone for the cat.
Choose the Siamese if
- You want a cat that talks and follows you around.
- You are home often and can give it a lot of attention.
- You want a short coat that needs almost no grooming.
- You will ask your vet about progressive retinal atrophy and amyloidosis.
Where they are alike
Both are Common CFA championship breeds with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Both rate well with children and other pets and are affectionate.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Siamese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States | Thailand (formerly Siam) |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Short, fine, glossy coat that lies close to the body, with no undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 2 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 1 |
| Trainability | 3 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | — |
| Suits | A calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | A person or family at home often who enjoys a cat that talks, follows them about and wants to be involved in everything. |
| Less suited to | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. | Anyone out all day, anyone who wants a quiet cat, or a household that cannot give a lot of attention. |
| 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