Exotic Shorthair vs Calico - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Exotic Shorthair vs Calico - Breed ComparisonCalico is originated from Egypt but Exotic Shorthair is originated from United States. Both Calico and Exotic Shorthair are having almost same weight. Both Calico and Exotic Shorthair has almost same life span. Both Calico and Exotic Shorthair has same litter size. Both Calico and Exotic Shorthair requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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Egypt
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
10 - 17 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
The Lazy Man's Persian
Colors Available:
White, black and orange
Lots of colors and patterns - chinchilla silver, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell
Coat:
Long or short
Shortish and plush
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

calicoNobody can say with certainty where Calico cats originate from, but it is thought they they hail from Egypt, and that they later came to port cities in Spain, Italy and France.

Today these cats are found all over the world. Wherever these cats come from, they are 99.9% female and this is because of the cat’s unique chromosomal makeup. Most of the calico or tortoiseshell male cats are because of the chromosome abnormality.

The weird aspect with these amazing cats is because of their unique genetic makeup, and also because of the fact that the males are born sterile, these cats can’t be bred and they can emerge in different litters.

Since 2001 this cat has been Maryland's state cat. An interesting fact is that the Calico became the official cat of the state of Maryland because of its amazing colors of its fur which happen to be fairly similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.

exotic shorthairThe Exotic Shorthair cat is such a sweet-faced cat that it is often referred to as the ‘lazy man’s Persian. This is because the face is also flat and pushed in like the Persian cat.

The Exotic Shorthair was in fact developed as a short-haired version of the Persian. It was in the 1950s that the Persian was used to mate with other breeds such as the Burmese.

The crossbreed gained recognition but some American Shorthair breeders produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed any signs of crossbreeding.

It was in 1966 that the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the cat as a new breed and under the name Exotic Shorthair.

Description

calico kitten - descriptionCalico cats are known for their jaunty tri-colored coats with color such as white, black and orange. In fact, to be known as a Calico cat, these 3 colors need to be present, Calico isn’t a breed of cat as such, but is actually referring to the cat’s color variations.

Some of the most distinctive breeds of cars such a the Cornish Rex and Persians have these calico coats. One odd spec with these cats is that nearly all calico cats are female and this is because of the chromosomal makeup.

Size, coat texture, shade of coat, coat length and ear shapes can all vary with the type of calico cats you get so their weight can be anything from 3 to 7kg.

Temperament:

As mentioned, Calico cats aren’t a specific breed, and that is why it is actually difficult to describe the personality of a calico cat.

You’ll find certain calico cat owners describing their cat’s behavior but you won’t find any particular scientific studies of the cat’s personality. You could have a calm cat, one that is laid-back, a very vocal cat or a very active cat. In other words, these cats can be quiet, calm, excitable, friendly, shy, or mellow – their personality is formed from the way they are brought up and socialized.

exotic shorthair kitten - descriptionDeveloped through crosses between Persians and American Shorthairs as well as other cat breeds, the Exotic Shorthair looks like the Persian but he has a short coat.

The coat is found in the same colors as the Persian cat – patterns and solid colors, ranging from chinchilla silver to tabby, tortoiseshell, black and white and bicolor. The eyes are large and round, the ears small and round and the tail fairly short and thick.

Temperament:

The Exotic Shorthair is a sweet, gentle, calm cat but a bit livelier than the Persian. They’re lively, friendly, and playful, but are also cats that like to sit in your lap and be stroked.

They get on well with children and other pets, being a loyal friend to the entire family. He quietly communicates with his human family with a soft voice. He is also quite adaptable to living conditions so long as his human family provides him with lots of attention.

He won’t want to be left for long periods of time on his own so he won’t suit living in a home where he is left alone all day.

Characteristics

calico cat - characteristicsThe Calico is such an amazing type of cat and because it comes from so many cat breeds, the personality will vary, although having said that, there are a few characteristics that seem to be specifically attributed to the Calico cat.

One thing is for sure, these are intelligent, sweet, appealing, warm-hearted, loving cats that are good with children too. Perhaps in keeping with the quirky, jaunty coat, there is some quirkiness in the personality too, but that is precisely what makes these amazing cats the interesting characters they are.

To add to that, when you do research, you find that some have acted in bravey and saved their humans from harm in one way or the other.

exotic shorthair cat - characteristicsYour Exotic Shorthair is a loving cat and for those who prefer, it is a cat that is livelier than the Persian. While the Exotic Shorthair also has a mellow personality, because of its shorthair ancestors, it's more active.

This Exotic cat can live to be 15, 16, or 17 if you care for him well and that means you have 15 years to share with a most wonderful feline companion.

Health Problems

calico kittens - health problemsThe lifespan of the Calico cat be anything really and if you provide your calico with a wonderful home it will be able to reach 15 years of age.

Sometimes Klinefelteris Syndrome is a threat with this cat as a result of the XXY chromosomes. Their health is impacted because the disease can cause problems such as increased body fat and reduced bone mineral content.

exotic shorthair kittens - health problemsWith the Exotic Shorthair, some of the diseases are genetic while others can be encouraged by poor diet and lifestyle.

Obesity for instance is a major disease of cats and it contributes to many serious illnesses in cats. Excess weight shortens your cat’s life and contributes to arthritis and diabetes. The extra weight puts a strain on the cat's joints. Shedding just a little bit of weight can result in improved mobility.

Dental disease is a common chronic problem in pets. Make sure to check inside your cat’s mouth from time to time as serious dental problems can cause pain and interfere with the health of your cat’s important organs such as heart and kidneys.

All kinds of parasites can invade your Exotic Shorthair's body, internally and externally – worms, fleas, and ticks - and cause your pet a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort.

Brachycephalic Syndrome is a respiratory distress syndrome and it mostly affects what is known as brachycephalic cats – those cat with snub faces like the Exotic Shorthair.

The flattened features of the face make it that there is less space for the tissue to grow. The soft area at the back of the roof of the mouth hangs into the airway, obstructing it, and they can’t breathe normally. Sometimes the cats will require surgery to allow for more regular breathing.

Caring The Pet

calico cats - caringGently brush the Calico’s fur from time to time to ensure the jaunty colored coat is always shiny and healthy. It helps with the removal of dead hair as well and the cat enjoys the attention.

Every cat requires vaccines to prevent him from getting the deadly cat viruses there are, and to keep the cat free from parasites.

If there are any warning signs that there’s something wrong with your Calico, get him to the vet immediately.

Your Calico kitten will need to receive 3 meals a day. As your cat matures, two smaller meals a day will be good for your cat. You’ll find both canned- and dry packaged foods and your cat will let you know which one he prefers.

Your adorable Calico may beg for treats in between but as a responsible pet owner, make sure you don’t allow your Calico to overeat as obesity brings its own set of health issues.

Diet:

exotic shorthair cats - caringIt is important to understand the type of foods available to your pet and how often and how much to feed him.

Most cats prefer to eat several small meals a day as opposed to a couple of large ones. Make feed times interesting and provide food puzzles to have your cat ‘prey’ for food.

Always read and understand the labels on the cat food packaging and be sure to always feed your Exotic Shorthair with the very best food there is and to follow the portion guides.

If you’re in any doubt or your cat doesn’t want to eat his food, try something else or speak to your vet about how to be sure your cat is getting fed the best food there is.

Make sure to have your kitten vaccinated as required. Also, when you take your kitten in to be vaccinated, the vet will also perform a check-up to make sure your kitten is healthy as these cats are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

Your cat has a short, low maintenance coat. A brush once a week can get rid of loose hairs and you and your cat will both enjoy the therapeutic bonding between the two of you.

Check your cat’s inner ears for wax and debris as well as for signs of any infection, and if you don’t want to do that, professional cat groomers can do it for you.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Exotic Shorthair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Exotic Shorthair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Exotic Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Exotic Shorthair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Exotic Shorthair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Exotic Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Exotic Shorthair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Exotic Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Exotic Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Exotic Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Exotic Shorthair vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Exotic Shorthair vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Exotic Shorthair vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Exotic Shorthair vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Exotic Shorthair vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Exotic Shorthair vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Exotic Shorthair vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Exotic Shorthair vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Exotic Shorthair vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Exotic Shorthair vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Exotic Shorthair vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Exotic Shorthair vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Exotic Shorthair vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Exotic Shorthair vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Calico vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Calico vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Calico vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Calico vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Calico vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Calico vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Calico vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Calico vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Calico vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Calico vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Calico vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Calico vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Calico vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Calico vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Calico vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Calico vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Calico vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Calico vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Calico vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Calico vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Calico vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Calico vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Calico vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Calico vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Calico vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison