Red Point Siamese vs Oriental Longhair - Breed Comparison

Your Oriental Longhair cat has his foundations in the Siamese breed. The Siamese came from Thailand to the UK in the 1800s.

Sometimes a litter of Siamese kittens produced a long-haired variety but in the 1950s breeders started honing in on these longer haired Siamese cats.

Various crossings took place and Oriental Shorthairs came about. By breeding these Shorthairs with Balinese cats, the Oriental Longhair came about in the 1970s.

The Siamese cat remains one of the most famous among the cat breeds. The Red Point is also known as the Flame Point Siamese cat. This breed of Siamese is rare.

It is believed that when the seal point Siamese breed was first introduced to the U.K in the 1930s they were bred with cats that carried these orange genes such as the tabby or tortoiseshell British shorthair cats.

Breeders wanted to produce a Siamese-style pointed cat in colors other than the traditional shades,

The Oriental Longhair is a medium-sized cat with a fairly long, muscular, lean body. The Oriental Longhair actually resembles the Siamese cat.

They also come in an outstanding array of colors and patterns with the coat being long and silky. The coat can be a solid color but you can also find tabby-type coats as well as tipped coats. The cat doesn’t have an undercoat and coat lies fairly flat against the body. You will also hear it being referred to as a semi-longhair.

The tail is attractive and forms quite a bushy plume.

The Oriental Longhair cat has almond-shaped green eyes. If you see the white Orientals, they can have green or blue eyes. They can also be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

These cats are intelligent, curious, and good-natured and they love to talk. Therefore it is important that such a cat breed have a home where there is plenty of company.

They’re active cats too, loving to play and bound and leap. He'll want to willingly join in with some of your games. The cat will certainly need some exciting toys to keep him occupied.

They are loyal cats and become loving and devoted to their human family, getting on well with children in the home as well as other pets.

They don’t like being left alone at all and will prefer to have company, even if it is from another pet.

These cats are medium-sized, muscular cats and can weigh between 3 and 6kg. The neck is fairly long, the legs long and lean too.

These attractive cats have got reddish-gold points and with their sparkling blue almond-shaped eyes they really are a beautiful breed of cat. Like other Siamese kittens, the Redpoint kittens are also white when they are born. Variations of the Red Point Siamese cat should always have creamy-white bodies with the reddish-orange points.

The coat is short, thick, and silky. The points start emerging later on and deepen as the cat matures. You may see reddish freckling over the face, legs and paws as well as the tail.

Temperament:

The Redpoint Siamese is playful, social, friendly and intelligent. They love nothing more than to be around their human family but don’t warm too well to strangers.

They tend to become possessive over what they feel is theirs. They are also very vocal and have a different meow to express their feelings. These are definitely cats that don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They want to be occupied and entertained and will need lots of stimulating toys to keep them occupied and exercised.

Your Oriental Longhair is such a friendly, lively cat and he makes a splendid companion. It is an inquisitive cat and likes to be part of the activity in the household.

He is a social, talkative cat and has always got a lot to say/ They love the attention of their human family and don’t like being separated too long from them.

When you get one of these cats, you get both an entertainer and a friend.

If you’re looking for an exceptionally affectionate cat, then the Red Point Siamese is full of personality and will suit you very well as these cats are remarkably affectionate.

They always take an interest in what their humans are getting up to. They’re capable of forming strong bonds with their human family. They are also curious and intelligent and they can be taught a few tricks too.

They’re good-natured with their own human family but are not friendly with strangers.

They’re also energetic and agile and love to leap up onto a perch or your shoulders and survey his world from there.

If you want a cat that is an involved member of your family and an awesome companion, the Red Point Siamese will fit into this category superbly well.

The Oriental Longhair is generally considered a healthy breed. Because the cat can be prone to some inherited conditions, it is always a wise move to buy a kitten from a reputable breeder.

A couple of these diseases to look out for include Progressive Retinol Atrophy which is a degenerative condition that can lead to blindness.

Also, look out for periodontal disease which is common in many cat breeds.

The Red Point Siamese isn’t going to have any more cat diseases than any other cat. Any cat stands a better chance at good health when they have an exceptionally healthy diet.

Make sure your cat has all his vaccines against deadly cat diseases

Have your cats neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cats.

Watch out for diseases such as Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a genetic eye problem where the cells deteriorate. The disease, though not painful, can lead to blindness.

Obesity in cats, but particularly a slim, athletic cat such as the Red Point Siamese, can bring on a host of health issues. Overfeeding your cat isn’t a form of love but an irresponsible act. There are just too many dangers linked to being overweight to ignore. Excess weight can lead to joint problems as well as diabetes, and just getting rid of a little bit of weight can already result in increased overall good health.

Cat experts tell us that excess weight can shorten your pet’s life by 2 years. Get some tips on feeding your cat and keep him playfully active as well.

This is a slim cat and you can easily tell when he has put on weight. Be very careful with how much you feed your cat and what you feed him.

Cats are carnivores and you need to ensure that his diet is rich in meaty ingredients. These cats have long slim legs and extra weight can put pressure on the cat’s joints. Keep your cat lean and healthy. If in any doubt about diet for your cat, speak to your vet, Always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Prepare to have a cat included in your family. Invest in food and water bowls, a cat bed, grooming brushes, toys, climbing tree, scratching post and litter box. A cat box for transporting your pet to the vet is also a good idea.

The Oriental Longhair loves to leap up into high areas so he will need a climbing tree. Try to get your cat out into the sunshine where possible and allow him to climb into a tree.

They’re playful cats and will require some stimulating toys.

The cat’s medium- to long hair will require brushing once or twice a week. When you brush your pet gently but purposefully, he loves it and it becomes a bonding session.

Provide your cat with a litterbox and make sure to clean out the box every day. You can do that by buying a small plastic rake at the pet shop and it keeps the litter nice and even for your pet.

Have your cat neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.

With good care these cats cat reach 15 – 20 years of age.

The Red Point Siamese cat does shed but because it’s a low shedding cat, it becomes low maintenance. They usually shed in spring and again in the autumn. The short, easy-to-care-for coat can be brushed once a week.

Cats are strict carnivores, and just as a wild cat feeds on animal protein, so it is with a domesticated cat. They require a host of nutrients and only the best, high-quality foods contain these nutrients.

You get dry, semi-moist, and canned cat foods and the best commercial cat food manufacturers ensure that these foods have all the right balances of nutrients a cat needs.