Oriental Longhair vs Domestic Mediumhair - Breed Comparison

It is unclear as to whether the Domestic Mediumhair comes from Egypt, Europe or the USA.

It is a mixed breed cat that no one can be sure how it's going to look. It is why they are often referred to as mutts and you’ll likely find them in animal shelters.

It was thought they arrived in America with the Pilgrims, who brought them aboard the ships to take care of the rodent population. Mixed breeding between many generations of cats brought about the Domestic Medium Hair.

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.

This is a medium-sized cat that weighs in the region of 3 – 6kg. They stand at about 30cm in height but there is no set standard with these cats and their looks and temperaments can vary.

It's a medium built cat, not too thick-set or not too slight. The medium-length coat is thick and double-coated and can be in every color and pattern, including tabby and tortoiseshell.

The eyes can be different shades and the ears large or small too while the tail can also vary in length and bushiness.

Temperament

Because the Domestic Medium Hair is of mixed ancestry, their temperaments can vary. Some are quiet and docile while other can be very energetic and have a lot to say. Most of them are loving, loyal cats that get on well with childre and other pes in the house. Some are also more independent than others, but a lot can deped on the way you bring your cat up.

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.

Domestic Medium Hairs come in so many different shapes, sizes and personalities. You’ll also find lots of colors, patterns and personalities with this cat as much depends on the cat’s ancestry.

Even when you choose a kitten, you can’t really know what you’re going to get – large or small, lively or quiet, independent or needy – its what makes owning a Domestic Mediumhair so fascinating.

One thing every one of them has in common is that they love their human family and they deserve to all receive unconditional care and companionship.

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.

With the Domestic medium hair cat having a mixed ancestry, they are cats that don’t easily succumb to illness.

You’ll find that the health issues that are common to this cat are typically common to all cat breeds. Some of these typical illnesses are diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, dental problems and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease.

All these illnesses can shorten your cat's life. Gut health is of critical importance so be sure to provide your cat with a top-quality diet.

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.

Grooming:

The Domestic Medium Hair has a thick, double coat, and to avoid hairballs and matting, he will need to be brushed at least once a week. Set aside this brushing time to examine your cat’s eyes, the inside of his ears, inside his mouth for bad teeth, to check the length of his claws and to feel for unusual new lumps.

Diet:

Your cat's diet is as important as life itself. Your cat is a carnivore and should be fed meat. He won’t do well on carbs. Speak to your vet if you’re unsure about how to feed your cat.

Meanwhile, there are some excellent commercially manufactured cat foods on the market and if you choose the best ones with meat at the top of the ingredients list, you can be doing the right thing.

Make sure your kitty kat has constant access to fresh, cool drinking water.

Kittens start with 4 meals a day while the older cat will do well on 2 meals a day. It is most important to feed your kitten the very best food – the correct diet – because their bones, brain, coat and energy all depend on this for the rest of their lives.

Remember too that there are cat foods that cater to the different seasons of your cats life. A kitten, young adult, energetic breed, pregnant cat, a cat with disease, and a senior cat will all have a choice of foods made by the top brand cat food manufacturers. Each food caters specifically for the cat’s unique needs.

Keep your cat's vaccines and de-worming up to date. Parasites left unchecked can make your cat sick.

You can provide your cat with all the best food, toys, comfy bedding and medical care you like, but if you don’t provide him with love and attention, it will all be in vain.

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.