| The name 'Oriental' does not refer to a specific | | | | They make an excellent family pet and are good |
| breed of cat, but a group of cats originating from | | | | with children, provided the children play gently. |
| Southeast Asia. Siamese is the most familiar | | | | Orientals are 'people cats' and need lots of love and |
| (specifically, a Siamese without points), but Oriental | | | | attention from them. Failure to provide adequate |
| can also refer to Japanese Bobtail, Burmese, and | | | | attention will result in boredom, which will result in |
| Balinese to name a few. Oriental cats are either | | | | trouble. |
| longhaired or shorthaired and come in nearly 300 | | | | Because Orientals have a large gene pool, they are |
| varieties of colors and markings. Longhairs do not | | | | less likely to suffer from genetic problems, but since |
| require much brushing of the coat and it does not | | | | many of them have Siamese in them, Orientals are |
| tend to mat making it one of the lower maintenance | | | | more likely to have issues with nystagmus (crossed |
| longhaired breeds. However, longhair varies are | | | | eyes) which is not serious and will not medically |
| known to have problems with fleas so it is important | | | | affect the cat. Some Orientals are also prone to |
| to introduce baths early on in case a flea bath | | | | heart defects and some have issues with obesity if |
| becomes necessary. Shorthairs have a coat that lies | | | | they do not get adequate exercise. |
| close to the skin and is described as silky. | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| Other than occasional brushings, it is a low | | | | Oriental Cats and most other breeds of cats. It has |
| maintenance coat. Orientals are small and lean cats | | | | details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, |
| (some can be three feet long), living approximately | | | | living conditions, best food choices and more, the |
| fifteen years. Mature males will weigh between nine | | | | website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be |
| and twelve pounds and females, four to eight | | | | found at this url: |
| pounds. They are described as loud and talkative, as | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| well as curious and intelligent. | | | | Copyright © 2006 |
| Orientals are playful, and have been known to use | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter |
| almost anything include breakables and valuables as | | | | on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its |
| toys. They enjoy heights and jumping so they would | | | | entirety and without modification except for |
| enjoy a cat condo, but do not enjoy the outdoors. | | | | formatting needs or grammar corrections. |