Oriental Shorthair vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The first thing to know is that a Bicolor cat isn’t in fact a breed. Bicolor is just a term that describes a certain look that a cat has with its coat. It’s a cat with two colors such as red and white or black and white.

A popular name for bi-color cats is also Piebald or Tuxedo, and in fact many cat breeds can produce bicolor kittens, or black and white kittens such as Cornish Rex, Maine Coon, Manx, and others.

There are different coat color combinations when it comes to bicolor cats and the black and white markings may be more common but there are other color combinations too such as orange and white.

Nobody seems to know the origins of the Bicolor cats so we are going to assume they come from the USA.

This domestic cat is also related to the Siamese Cat. Orientals come from a diverse group of cats, but they have their foundation in the Siamese breed.

The cat was imported from Thailand to the UK during the 1800s. This particular cat was accepted as an actual breed in 1977. Quite a few of the top cat organizations recognize the Oriental Shorthair but as a Siamese.

Regardless of the breed they belong to, information on these cats suggests that they can have many different looks. Look at the amazing Turkish Van cat for instance – each of these cats is recognizable for its long, luxurious fur. You’ll find a few touches of color on the cat's ears and tail, making in a Bicolor. They also have an interesting characteristic – being fond of water!

These Bicolor cats weigh in the region of 3 – 7kg, and can tend towards the smaller or larger size. Some of them can have short or long hair, larger or smaller ears and green or yellow eyes.

Temperament:

Coming from different cat breeds, the bicolor cat can have a mix of wonderful characteristics – they can be vocal or quiet or confident or shy.

They’re always wonderful though and can be curious, intelligent, playful, loving and loyal. They make great companions who just love the interaction they have with their human owners.

The Oriental Shorthair has a longish head with a slender neck and large ears. The legs are long and slender. The medium-sized cat weighs in the region of 3 – 5kg.

The eyes can be blue or green. Sometimes the cat will have one blue eye and one green eye. The coat is short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors.

Temperament:

The Oriental Shorthair is a curious, intelligent cat and they’re talkative too, loving to have conversations with their human family. They are cats that absolutely want to be part of the family. They don’t want to be left alone for too long either and get on well with children and pets in the home.

The Bicolor cat is such a steady, reliable cat-friend to have. When you start looking as these cats as your companion, you're going to get a smart, funny, adoring, playful family member who will be there for you whether you go to work each day or stay at home.

They’re such easygoing cats, with no airs and graces. They’re happy, relaxed, and uncomplicated cats and when you make a Bicolor your pet and friend, your life just becomes that much more meaningful.

The Oriental Shorthair promises to be an active companion in your life. It’s a cat that likes to involve itself with all the activities that its human family takes part in.

He is a great entertainer too, and he loves all the attention he gets, thriving on being the center of attention.

The Oriental Shorthair cat is slightly more quieter than the Siamese cat but he will still want to tell you what he’s doing and what he wants.

It’s a cat that has many many colors and shades, but the color extends to the cat’s personality. It has a colorful, interesting, inquisitive personality.

The cat is lively and social and will fit in best with a lively, active home where there are also animals to keep him company. By having this loving cat in your home and life, you bring in joy and happiness.

By providing your kitty cat with a loving home, you can ensure that he stays as healthy as possible. Unfortunately though, cats can get sick, regardless of how well you take care of them and then as a responsible pet owner, you will be able to take your pet to your local vet.

Some of the common cat problems you get can be kidney disease, ear infections, dental disease, parasites such as heartworm, cancer or something like feline immunodeficiency virus.

Whether your cat has a virus or an infection, remember that getting your cat to the vet can mean nipping the problem in the bud before it gets more serious.

Oriental Shorthairs share some of the same health issues as Siamese cats. Make sure, if your cat shows signs of illness that you have pinpointed a vet in your area.

Things such as asthma, bronchial disease, lymphoma, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal problems will need to be seen by the vet.

Think about having your cat spayed or neutered. Not only is this surgery important for preventing unwanted pregnancies, but it can also remove the urge for the cat to roam. The procedure has health benefits for your cat too.

Ensure that your Oriental shorthair has his vaccines up to date. These vaccines are important for preventing your cat from getting some deadly feline diseases. Kittens usually get the first vaccines between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks. Certainly, if you decide to go on holiday and you want to board your cat, the boarding kennels will require that the vet’s card and vaccines are 100% up to date.

Prevent parasites by using a treatment subscribed for your pet by the vet.

Caring for your Bicolor cat is much the same as with any other cat. Your Bicolor will shed, so brushing him will tickle him pink, especially if you do it lovingly and gently – it’s like a bonding session. The weekly brushing will get rid of loose hairs and dust and keep the coat healthy and shiny.

Spay or neuter your pet to avoid unwanted kittens. Stay up to date on veterinary visits and vaccinations.

Provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as all the equipment he needs to be comfortable – food and water bowls, litter box, grooming equipment, bedding, climbing- and scratching equipment.

All cat owners, whether their cats eat homemade food or wet- or dry food should read cat food labels and understand the nutrients content.

Certainly, as a carnivore, cats require certain vitamins, minerals, and proteins that only meat can provide.

Understand how to work out if the cat food is balanced or not and not packed with too many grains and carbohydrates.

How much your Bicolor eats will depend on his age and his activity levels. Be careful not to overfeed your cat as overfeeding is dangerous. When cats put on too much weight, it leads to problems such as diabetes, heart- and joint disease.

The short glossy coat doesn't shed much and the cat is considered low maintenance. A brush once a week will be adequate. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep the cat dust-free and shiny.

Just doing this for your cat is good for the cat’s morale as he thrives on attention, relishing the human interaction he gets during grooming.

Trim his nails, particularly if he is an indoor cat.

Keep your Oriental Shorthair lean and mean by not overfeeding him. The cat’s build is designed for slimness and he won't do at all well with the extra weight. The extra weight can lead to lots of health problems, one of which is diabetes.

If in any doubt as to how much to feed your cat, consult your vet about portion sizes. There are excellent commercially manufactured cat foods on the market, and the manufacturers know that cats are carnivores and that the best cat goods are high in protein.

Avoid giving your cat any kind of human food. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep the box free of cat droppings. You can invest in small rakes from the pet shop and they make it easy to rake up the feces and dispose of them. Change the litter regularly too.