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Oriental Shorthair vs Siamese
Close cousins of the same build and voice; the Siamese is pointed and blue-eyed, the Oriental Shorthair comes in hundreds of colours.
Verdict
These breeds are close, and the profiles agree on affection, voice, grooming, children, other pets and independence. Both are slender, short-coated, very talkative cats that want someone home. The thing that decides it is the coat colour. The Siamese always has the pointed pattern and blue eyes, while the Oriental Shorthair comes in hundreds of colour and pattern combinations. The Siamese is easier to find and has a slightly shorter watch-list. Choose the Siamese for the classic look and the Oriental Shorthair for colour choice.
Choose the Oriental Shorthair if
- You want a solid, tabby, smoke, shaded, tortoiseshell or bicolour coat.
- You want a more playful cat, scoring 5 for playfulness against 4.
- You accept an uncommon breed rather than a common one.
- You are happy to ask your vet about flat-chested kitten syndrome as well as amyloidosis and eye disease.
Choose the Siamese if
- You want the pointed pattern with vivid blue eyes.
- You want the breed that is easier to find, listed as common.
- You live in a smaller home; it scores 4 for apartments against 3.
- You want the longest-established of the two, a CFA championship breed since 1906.
Where they are alike
Both score 5 for affection, voice and intelligence and 1 for independence and grooming, so each wants a person at home and almost no brushing. Both share a watch-list of progressive retinal atrophy and amyloidosis.
Side by side
| Oriental Shorthair | Siamese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United States and Europe, from Siamese stock | Thailand (formerly Siam) |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | Males about 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg); females under about 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Often reported as 12-15 years; few studies | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, fine, close-lying coat on a long, tubular body | Short, fine, glossy coat that lies close to the body, with no undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1977 | Championship breed since 1906 |
| How common | Uncommon | Common |
| Affection | 5 | 5 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 5 | 5 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 2 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 1 |
| Trainability | 5 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 4 |
| Suits | A person who is home much of the day and wants a talkative, athletic, affectionate cat and will play with it daily. | 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 quiet home, or anyone who is away for long hours, since this cat dislikes being alone. | 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