The Oriental Longhair is the longhaired Oriental type: slender, large-eared and silky-coated with an active, vocal nature; weekly grooming, ear cleaning and consistent company are the care priorities.
Needs company and interaction; think carefully if the home is empty for long hours.
Watch dental health, kidneys and the heart; longhaired cats also need attention to hairballs.
Reference monthly cost is CNY 350–750; grooming tools, puzzle toys and check-ups are the main items, with veterinary care extra.
The Oriental Longhair developed in the 1970s from the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair breeding programmes, with breeders in the United Kingdom and the United States shaping the type. TICA and other bodies maintain standards for it.
Slender with visible muscle, a wedge-shaped head and large ears, the breed has a long, silky coat with almost no undercoat. Colours and patterns are very varied, from solid to pointed and tabby.
Active, curious and vocal, the Oriental Longhair is affectionate and needs interaction; it is a poor match for homes where it is left alone for long periods. Like Siamese-related breeds, it joins in family activity and uses its voice to ask for attention.
Care focuses on brushing two to three times a week, ear cleaning and dental checks. With little undercoat it feels the cold more than most longhairs, so provide a warm bed in winter.
It is the longhaired branch of the Oriental type, sharing a bloodline base with the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair but differing in coat length and registration standard.
It has almost no undercoat, so shedding is moderate, but the long coat mats easily and needs brushing two to three times a week.
Yes. With little undercoat it feels the cold, so provide a warm bed in winter and avoid cold draughts.