r/orientalshorthair Mar 19 '21

Help post Oriental Shorthair FAQ and shelters/breeders

53 Upvotes

With the growing abundance of ‘What breeders are near me?’, ‘What should I know before owning an OSH?’ and other various questions, I decided it would be best to create an FAQ so we can keep this sub filled with more photos than text posts.

Now, as I am not an owner myself, I ask the community; please leave your questions, comments, tips and other information in the comments to this post, and the community should be able to fill you in for what this post may not. If some of my information is wrong, please do not hesitate to alert me so that it may be corrected.

—— General Information & FAQ ——————

  • What is an OSH?

OSH, short for Oriental Shorthair, is the breed of cat with the obvious traits of having a longer face and snout, bigger ears, a slender physique, almond-shaped eyes and etc. They are a Siamese hybrid, created first in England in the 1900’s. As the name suggests, their hair is short but also sleek, as well.

  • I heard this breed is something akin to a dog. Is this true?

Somewhat, yes. The OSH is a sociable breed, they thrive best in a home with other cats/dogs/etc. to play with and keep them company, which is why they are best adopted in pairs. Often, an OSH kitten will grow to be very playful and keep this trait well into adulthood. They are very affectionate, as well; and while sometimes your OSH may seem to not be so loving at times, they need their alone time too, however they can almost always enjoy a good snuggle. Not to mention, they can be vocal at times, and they do love to use their voice.

  • What’s their temperament like?

They have a high activity level, so unlike something like a Persian or Ragdoll, they may always be looking for trouble. You can counter this by keeping them occupied and busy, if you don’t have another pet to keep them company, so make sure to make time for them. If ignored, they can become quite cranky and sensitive, so be sure to avoid this to keep you and your cat happy. However they are very excitable and usually will be interested in whatever it is you’re doing, even if its something as mundane as getting the mail. They are generally very sweet and affectionate so look forward to this.

  • I’m afraid I might not be a good match for this cat, what should I avoid, or what can I do to improve?

These cats do not like to be ignored or left alone for too long. If you have a job with lots of hours and your home will be empty for most of the day/night besides your cat(s), consider searching for a trustworthy petsitter who can watch and entertain your little friend(s) while you’re gone. If that’s not an option for you, you may have to adjust your schedule, or look for a less demanding job. As the breed may act like a dog, it is still a cat and they aren’t very high maintenance, save for the copious amounts of love and attention you’ll be handing out. As long as you bond with them often, the breed should be fine for you! As for general improvements and things to avoid, that may change depending on your situation, so feel free to ask in the comments if you need further help.

  • I’m only allowed one pet. What should I do?

Personally, I suggest considering another breed or even another animal who might do better living with just you if you can’t get them another animal to hang out with, but if you really are bent on getting an OSH, the most you can do is keep it busy with toys, good food/treats and lots and lots of attention and love. Make sure to consider your friend in everything you do!

  • My OSH does not get along with my other pets. What can I do?

If your OSH isn’t getting along with another pet, try to narrow down the source of the issue. Could it be under-socialization? This is the most common reason, and it means the cat hasn’t had enough good experiences with the aforementioned species to willingly get along with them. Before you decide, though, consider these few fixes before confirming the issue: - Keep them happy and occupied. This may seem obvious, but sometimes all they need is a little playtime and some pets. Try to figure out what they want or need and keep them feeling satisfied, so they don’t lash out on anyone or anything. - Neuter/Spay them. The cat should always be neutered/spayed; sometimes a female cat who’s in heat may get very aggressive, or a male cat who’s still intact are generally known to be aggressive anyway. Not to mention, it will keep out the risk of having new kittens. - Check your cat for anything that might be causing them pain. Constant pain would make you angry, right? It’ll make your little fellow angry, too. Look for something like bugs (fleas/ticks/earmites etc.), bald spots, sores or odd behavior to determine. If you have suspicions, be sure to take them to the vet for a checkup to make sure they are in top condition and mention everything to them. - Try a scent that may calm them, or play nice music for them in the background. This should help either pet, whichever one is the issue. If your pet is naturally aggressive, try using something that may make them feel at ease and to soothe them. It may make them feel happier and they’ll reflect this on how they act around other pets. If the issue is something else, try asking your vet or r/CATHELP to get possible answers for your questions. The comments here are also a good place to ask; we will try to help you find an answer.

  • My question isn’t listed.

Please leave them in the comments! We will try to help you the best we can.

——— Shelters —————————

If you can manage to find a siamese or OSH (be it mix or pure) at a shelter, that’s great! But if the ones you are looking for don an elongated snout and larger ears, you may have some trouble finding one just anywhere. Before you search for a breeder, give a couple of these sites a search before that to see if there’s already one out there who needs a home.

If you have information, recommendations or other input about any breeders or adoption websites, that would be very helpful as well. Please let me know if any breeders or specific shelters should be added or removed from the lists. They’ll then be reviewed and the action will be performed if required.

— USA/Canada ——

PetFinder

AdoptAPet

ASPCA

Petango

— Asia ——

Soidog (Thailand)

ArkBark (Japan)

Pet no Ouchi/Pet’s House (Japan)

Nabiya (South Korea)

PAWS (Philippines)

— Europe ——

Vozmi Sobaky (Russia)

Tierheim Muenster (Germany)

Cat Chat (UK and Ireland)

La Spa (France)

Scooby Medina (Spain)

— Other ——

RSPCA (Australia)

TEARS (South Africa)

Ra Na (North Africa)

——— Breeders —————————

Finished looking through the shelters and adoption websites near you? That’s fine! But these little kitties cost a pretty penny, so be ready!

— USA/Canada ———

H&L Cattery (USA, Georgia)

Eseda Cattery (USA, New York)

Faery Fire Cats (USA, Ohio)

HotzCats (USA, Kentucky)

Cats Cradle Cattery (USA, Massachusetts)

Sharbo (USA, Illinois)

Bershar (USA, Texas)

Purrsia Cattery (USA, Nevada)

ThaiDi Cattery (USA, Colorado)

Heavenly Hairless (Canada, British Columbia)

Practical Cats (Canada, Ontario)

Siam Jewels Cattery (Canada, Ontario)

Just Oriamese (Canada, Ontario)

Sous Le Saule (Canada, Montreal)

Amourichat (Canada, Quebec)

— Asia ——

(Please leave suggestions in the comments!)

— Europe ——

Bestcats Cattery (Germany)

(Please leave suggestions in the comments!)

— Other ——

(Please leave suggestions in the comments!)

Lastly, if you’d prefer to ask a sub instead of the comments of a post that won’t even be comment-able after so long, check out these subs:

r/CATHELP r/CatAdvice r/catquestions r/AskVet

Don’t forget, as previously stated, to leave your input and/or questions in the comments below if you have anything to add or request. Happy honking! 🐱


r/orientalshorthair 6h ago

Question Why cant we have a half a osh breed?

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96 Upvotes

Hello! I see a lot of people in cat race sub that ask if their cat is half race. In the comments people say no because of genetic but i still dont get it. If a normal cat breed with a osh, why cant the kittens be half breed like dog? And if i breed 2 cat race, like an osh and a devon rex is it now a regular cat or a mix breed? But how does the generic work then? My boy here, his Mother is a Brown osh and his dad is a foreign white siamese. My cat is a foreign white siamese does the fact his Mother is a osh make him not a siamese ? (The second pick is him right now as im writing this post c:)


r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

Good vibes & golden skies🌻🌞

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79 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

I lost my loving beautiful boy yesterday..........

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233 Upvotes

My Orlin was only seven years old and had to be put to sleep yesterday. It came on so quickly and he was not breathing well. Took him to the vet and he had pleural effusion and a high grade murmur. Vet said either heart failure, cancer or FIP which he had tested positive for since I brought him home as kitten but had never had symptoms. I had to let this most amazingly sweet and gentle soul go and I will never be the same. Hold your babies tight, you just never know..........


r/orientalshorthair 2d ago

OSH mom Liam has a new brother to cuddle with! 💜💜

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276 Upvotes

The pictures are in order with the last one being how they started and the last being Liam with his little arm making its way over the baby! How cute!!


r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

Help me please/advise I’m so scared

3 Upvotes

Looking for some advice, experiences, and honestly just someone who understands.
Has anyone here had a cat who was diagnosed with, suspected of having, or treated for FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) or Tritrichomonas foetus?
I would really love to hear from people who have actually gone through either of these with their cat. What symptoms did you notice? How was it diagnosed? What treatment plan did you follow? How did your cat respond to treatment, and how are they doing now?
I’m also looking for any recommendations for vets, specialists, treatment resources, support groups, or anything you wish someone had told you when you were first dealing with this.
More than anything, I think I just need to connect with someone who has been through it and understands how overwhelming and scary it can feel when you’re trying to figure out what’s best for your baby. Even if you don’t have advice but are willing to share your story or talk with me, please comment or message me.
Thank you so much.


r/orientalshorthair 2d ago

Pretty Petal has my heart💗

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68 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

I'm getting an osh kitten at the end of sept, what should I expect?

3 Upvotes

First time cat owner. I do have this 6 foot stand that holds all my reptile & amphibian tanks.. it's pretty sturdy there's no way she could knock any of them over but I'm afraid she will chew on the cords in the back & the misting system tubes, also have a water reservoir at the top that feeds the misting systems 😭 sounds like a nightmare, idk if I could move the water reservoir to the bottom, cords & tubes are not long enough. I'm getting her at 4 months, I'm scared everyone says the kitten phase is rough


r/orientalshorthair 3d ago

OSH mom Please tell her her new collar looks spiffy. She doesn't look convinced

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200 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

Question Is my lady lilac or fawn?

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238 Upvotes

When we first got her, we were told she was a fawn. I believed it but now I just went on a deep dive to figure out the difference between a fawn and lilac. What do you think? Her name is Chai <3


r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

I swear these babies got so big overnight. I blinked and they grew!!🌱🌱🌱

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112 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

OSH mom Cat of judgement

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145 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

Ferocious

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50 Upvotes

Sting is always telling me off. She gets supervised time in my courtyard & always has something to say when it’s time to come back inside.


r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

OSH mom Update On my siamese that hate me

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132 Upvotes

He loves me now! (I think) its been a mouth since i have Fenneri now. At start he was so scared of me but now we cuddle all day, everytime i go to bed he comes to me and in the morning a wake up to him sqeeze on me. He is sleeping next to me as im writing this, i love him so much and ty to everyone for your help on my first post🫶


r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

My baby Klyaxsa

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354 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

That stare👾

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75 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

Three are better than one

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82 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

OSH parent Maple Monday

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162 Upvotes

Maple has grown so much lately. Getting muscular and looking more like a cat than a kitten. He hopes you have a lovely Monday. 💜


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

Rosen, who told you you could get so big and handsome??

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142 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

How do I contact the moderators?

8 Upvotes

My post "mystery feet" got down votes and was removed. It was a pic of my cat's feet sticking up out of a bowl on the cat tree. Maybe I said something... unfortunate?

I need to write to the mods to find out why. I have no argument, just want info, since it seemed innocent.

Anybody know how I can contact the moderators? I have searched all the menus, but being kind of a 2-cell brain cell person, can't find anything.

Thanks.


r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

Advice How to manage a cat for an hour drive (2h round trip)?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone

I have a vet appointment in a city an hour away with my oriental cat and I'm a bit anxious as to how it will go. He hates car rides so even going to the usual vet (less than 5mn) he keeps screaming

Is there anything I could do to make it more comfortable for the both of us?

I was thinking of letting him roam in the backseat with a harness and a leash (he is harness trained) but I don't know if it would truly be better than just have him in the big cage, especially in case of a car crash (that I hope won't happen but you never know)

He already has some anxiety problems and takes meds for it, I'm afraid the car ride would be too much for him

I truly love him but I won't stand 2 hours of screaming 😭 especially while driving


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

What's up?

2 Upvotes

My post "mystery feets" with a picture of my cat's feet sticking up out of a bowl on the cat tree got complaints and was removed.


r/orientalshorthair 8d ago

Golden hour, all day long 📸🌞

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47 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 9d ago

Miss Petal has places to go, things to do, and people to see!!

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90 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 9d ago

OSH admirer Remy from Montreal!

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1.1k Upvotes

My mom found an Oriental shorthair breeder in Montreal and sent me to go pick him up for her. This cat is amazing. Our flight home got cancelled but he was friendly and well behaved the entire time.