Exotic Shorthair
Also known as: Exotic, Shorthaired Persian
A Persian in a wash-and-wear coat — the same round face, a fraction of the brushing.
- Placid
- Affectionate
- Quiet
- Undemanding
- Sweet-natured
The Exotic Shorthair was created by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs, producing a cat with the Persian's flat, round face and placid temperament but a short, dense plush coat. Often called "the lazy man's Persian", they are calm, undemanding and affectionate. They also inherit the Persian's flat-faced health problems in full, which is the part prospective owners most often underestimate.
At a glance
- Origin
- United States
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 7–14 lb (3.2–6.4 kg)
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Short, very dense, plush double coat
- Colours
- All Persian colours and patterns
- Average cost
- $75–$90 / month
Breed ratings
Rated 1–5 on the same scale as every other entry, so scores are comparable between breeds. Amber stars mark things that cost you effort rather than things that benefit you.
Temperament
Exotics are among the calmest cats available — happy to sit near you for hours and rarely destructive. They are more playful than Persians, inheriting a streak of the American Shorthair's curiosity, but the baseline is still a very relaxed cat.
Care & upkeep
Exercise
Two gentle 10-minute play sessions a day. Exotics will not exercise themselves, so movement has to be actively encouraged to keep weight off.
Grooming
The dense coat needs brushing 2–3 times a week — far less than a Persian, but more than most shorthairs because of the undercoat density. The facial folds need daily wiping.
Training
Placid and easy to handle. They accept grooming, nail trims and carriers with minimal fuss, which makes routine care straightforward.
Feeding & diet
- Typical diet
- High-protein wet-led diet
- Daily amount
- 180–260 g wet food, or equivalent
- Meals per day
- 2 meals a day
Use a shallow, wide bowl — a flat face makes deep bowls genuinely difficult to eat from. Exotics are sedentary and gain weight readily, which worsens the breathing problems inherent to the face shape.
Foods to avoid
- Onion and garlic
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Raw dough
- Free-fed dry food
Who this breed suits
A good match for
- Apartments
- Families with children
- Quiet households
- First-time cat owners
Probably not for
- Hot climates without air conditioning
- Owners wanting an active cat
- Anyone unwilling to manage daily face care
Common health problems
This section describes conditions the breed is known to be predisposed to, so you know what to ask about. It is not veterinary advice and is not a diagnosis — always speak to a vet about your own animal.
- Brachycephalic airway syndromeThe flat face restricts airflow. Noisy breathing at rest is not "normal for the breed" — it warrants veterinary assessment.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)Inherited from Persian lines and DNA-testable. Insist on a negative certificate.
- Eye conditionsProminent eyes and blocked tear ducts cause chronic weeping, staining and ulcer risk.
- Dental crowdingA shortened jaw with full dentition leads to early dental disease.
- Heat intoleranceFlat-faced cats cool themselves poorly and need a temperature-controlled home in summer.
Face shape determines quality of life in this breed. Choose breeders producing cats with visible nostrils and a less extreme profile — "doll face" lines are meaningfully healthier than the extreme show type.
Interesting facts
- Created accidentally in the 1950s while breeders were trying to improve the American Shorthair's coat.
- Nicknamed "the lazy man's Persian" for the identical look with far less grooming.
- The dense coat is so plush it stands away from the body rather than lying flat.
Diet & Feeding
Two practical points dominate. First, use a shallow, wide bowl — a flat-faced cat cannot get into a deep dish comfortably and will eat less than it should or make a mess trying. Second, Exotics are sedentary and gain weight easily, and in a brachycephalic breed excess weight directly worsens breathing. Feed a measured 180–260 g of quality wet food across two meals, and do not leave dry food out. Check body condition monthly rather than trusting the plush coat, which hides a great deal.
Exercise & Play
Exotics will not exercise themselves. Two gentle 10-minute sessions daily with a wand toy or a rolling ball is realistic and worthwhile — the goal is weight management as much as entertainment. They are noticeably more playful than Persians, thanks to the American Shorthair in their ancestry, but the baseline is still a cat that would rather watch. Puzzle feeders that make them work slightly for food are one of the more effective tools here.
Grooming
Far easier than a Persian, but not maintenance-free — the coat is short yet extremely dense, so brush 2–3 times a week to clear the undercoat, more during seasonal shedding. The task that must not be skipped is the face: wipe the folds and under the eyes daily with a damp pad and dry thoroughly. Blocked tear ducts are near-universal in the breed and the resulting damp causes staining and skin infection. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks.
Health & Vet Care
Exotics inherit the Persian health burden in full. Brachycephalic airway syndrome is the big one — snoring, snuffling and open-mouth breathing are not breed charm, they are signs of restricted airway and deserve assessment. Also: PKD (DNA-testable — insist on a negative certificate), chronic eye conditions, dental crowding and heat intolerance. The most important decision you make is the breeder: choose lines with visible nostrils and a less extreme profile, which are meaningfully healthier.
Living with an Exotic Shorthair
This is one of the calmest, easiest cats to share a home with — quiet, affectionate, rarely destructive, content to sit near you for hours. They suit apartments, families with children and first-time owners, and they get on with other pets without fuss. The trade-off is honest daily care: face wiping, weight control and a cool home in summer are not optional extras but the core of responsible ownership for a flat-faced breed. Accept that, and an Exotic is a delightful companion.
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