Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is often called the "lazy man's Persian" — a Persian in every respect except coat length.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
3–6 kg (7–13 lbs)
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Exercise
10 to 15 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet food preferred (supports hydration and kidney health); shallow wide bowls for the flat face.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Exotic Shorthair is often called the "lazy man's Persian" — a Persian in every respect except coat length. Developed in the 1960s by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs, the Exotic has the same flat face, round eyes, stocky body, and gentle calm temperament as the Persian, but with a short, dense, plush coat that requires dramatically less grooming. It is the most popular cat breed in the USA (CFA registrations). The Exotic shares all the health concerns of the Persian — particularly brachycephalic issues and PKD — but is significantly easier to maintain as a pet.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
Identical to the Persian in body, head, and face — flat face, large round eyes, round head, stocky body. The coat is short, dense, and plush — standing away from the body in a teddy bear-like texture. It has more volume than a typical shorthair but far less than a Persian.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
plush
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Calm, gentle, and affectionate — the same as the Persian. Slightly more active and curious than Persians, and slightly more vocal, but fundamentally a quiet, gentle lap cat. Good with children and other pets.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
2/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 15 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 25°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Only
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
20%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
hiding, appetite loss, over-grooming, litter box avoidance
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Same as Persian for face care — daily wiping of eye area, cleaning of facial folds, dental care. The short coat requires brushing 2–3 times weekly rather than daily. Shallow, wide food and water bowls. Annual dental check.
Nutrition Notes
"Lazy man's Persian" — short-coated Persian with same PKD risk. Brachycephalic — flat bowls. Obesity very common. Same health profile as Persian minus some coat-related issues.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
PKD (36-49% prevalence like Persian). HCM. Brachycephalic respiratory issues. Dental disease. Tear overflow. Most popular CFA breed in USA. "Lazy man's Persian." 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
380 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
280 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Same health profile as Persian — PKD (DNA test available), BOAS from flat face, HCM, PRA, tear staining, dental malocclusion. The short coat avoids coat-related skin infections but all brachycephalic concerns remain.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Same PKD risk as Persian. Most popular CFA breed. India: popular.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Exotic Shorthair has been the most registered cat breed with the CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) in the USA for multiple consecutive years — surpassing the Persian it was derived from.
Exotic Shorthairs were originally called "Sterling" when first developed — the name was changed to "Exotic Shorthair" by the CFA in 1966 when the breed gained championship status.
