Exotic Longhair Cat: a Breed Guide

Cats come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and furry coats, but few are as memorable-looking as the Exotic Longhair. This pretty kitty is known for its expressive face and bear-like body structure that just screams "Come pet me!" But as fun as this type of cat breed appears, it comes with a lot of misconceptions. Before deciding if this feline is the right choice as your furry family member, it's important to get all the facts. This comprehensive guide on Exotic Longhair cats is here to help!

What is an Exotic Longhair cat?

Depending on who you ask, there are some differing perceptions as to what exactly an Exotic Longhair is. Though it is often referred to as its own cat breed, it remains unrecognized by The International Cat Association (TICA). This cat is likewise classified as a Persian by some organizations, but it has more diverse genetics than other Persian cats. In essence, the Exotic Longhair is a cross between multiple feline breeds — the Persian was crossed with the American Shorthair (plus the Burmese and Russian Blues further back in the gene pool) to create the Exotic Shorthair. Exotic Longhairs are simply the kittens of those litters that express the longer-haired genes.

As a result, it's worth knowing that the average cat classified as an Exotic Longhair is going to have a rich and diverse ancestral history. They can vary greatly in appearance and temperament, so it's important to not choose one of these cats based on breed alone. We'll get into this cat's temperament more in a bit, but know that your own Longhair may have a unique personality. At the end of the day, their behavior and quirks may be no more similar to other Longhairs than they are to cats of other breeds.

Fun facts about Exotic Longhairs

• The Exotic Long Hair cat is almost the same as a Persian and recognized as such for some registries. However, they don’t have purebred Persian lineage.
• Original breeders of the Exotic wanted to name the breed the “Sterling,” as they intended the coat to be a shiny silver color. However, the American Shorthair’s colors kept popping up in the kitten litters and were very popular, so the term “Exotic” was used instead.
• As a flat-faced, or brachycephalic, breed of cat, the Exotic has a harder time keeping itself cool due to those cute flat noses. For this reason, they are prone to overheating and owners should take care to keep their coat brushed out and provide plenty of cool spots to rest.
• A relatively new breed on the scene, this cat was officially developed in the 1950s. But its Persian lineage can be definitively traced back to 1620 when they were imported to Italy from Iran. And it’s believed to have been around for hundreds of years before then, in Mesopotamia.
• According to many breeders and owners of Exotic Longhairs, the males of this breed tend to be on the more affectionate side, while the females act a bit more aloof.
• They live an average of 12 to 15 years and reach a full-grown weights of 7 to 15 lbs.

How to recognize an Exotic Longhair cat

• Round everything. Exotics have round eyes, face, and body.
• Flat face (also called brachycephalic)
• Thick neck — often described as having a “linebacker” body, the Exotic Longhair is thick and big-boned. So while they might look a bit chunky, it’s just the way they’re built.

Naturally, things get a bit more complex when evaluating individual cats listed as Exotic Longhairs. They can range from having the luxurious, flowing coats and distinctive facial features of Persians to a slightly shorter, easier-to-groom coat with a slightly more pointed nose structure.

Breed temperament

All cats are different, and the diversity of an Exotic Longhair's genetics can mean that their temperament is simply a roll of the dice. That said, there are some common patterns many pet owners of this breed have noticed. Many Exotic Longhair cats are sweet and affectionate, with a playful side too. Often you find them entertaining themselves with whatever they can find, like a balled-up piece of paper. But they’ll happily engage in playtime with their people, especially if you have something they can chase.

Their American Shorthair parentage can likewise make them a bit more outgoing and active, while the Persian in them means they’re quite content cuddling on the couch all day. Even so, the Exotic might be a bit reserved when meeting new people and may hide when there’s lots of activity in the home but will warm up if given a bit of time and space to check things out on their own terms.

Exotic Longhair cats (much like Exotic Shorthair and Persian cats) often have a low activity level and are extremely docile but can be very playful and affectionate with their guardians. They also need a fair amount of attention from their favorite people, so expect them to follow you around.

Is an Exotic Longhair right for me?

These kitties bring a calm and relaxed attitude into the home and enjoy plenty of cuddles and lap-time. They have a dense coat that traps heat close to the body, so Exotic Long Hairs enjoy finding cool places to “chill out”, including tile and brick floors; it’s advisable to have a home with air-conditioning. They are great for people who enjoy having an affectionate cat to spend time with, and those who have time to spend on daily grooming. Because they prefer to be around people, they’re best off in a home where their guardians are not frequently away for long periods of time.

Exotic Long Hair cats are often laid-back and easy-going and are tolerant of children and other pets. If younger children are taught how to gently handle cats, and other pets don’t play too roughly with them, this breed should get along with everyone just fine.

Similar cat breeds

• Persian
• American Shorthair
• Exotic Shorthair
• Russian Blue
• British Shorthair

Caring for an Exotic Longhair

The Exotic has a thick, multi-layered coat, just like a Persian. Daily brushing is recommended to keep the fur and skin healthy and to prevent matting and furballs.  The Exotic cat also tends to shed more during seasonal shedding periods and will benefit from more frequent brushing during these times. Some Exotic Long Hair cat owners prefer to have their cat bathed and groomed professionally to help with the grooming upkeep of this breed.

The flat face of the Exotic long hair cat requires frequent cleaning to prevent infections from developing in the skin folds and keep them comfortable.

Brachycephalic cats are less tolerant of upper respiratory infections, in that their respiratory system is already compromised and infection/inflammation worsens it. Be very observant and proactive with keeping your cat's nostrils clear of any discharge should a respiratory infection set in.

As with all cat breeds, Exotic long hair cats also need twice-monthly nail trimming, regular teeth brushing and yearly well pet veterinary checkups to stay happy and healthy. Introduce your kitten to these experiences at a young age, keeping the experience calm and positive.

Exercise needs

The Exotic Long Hair needs exercise to keep from becoming overweight, and their love of play makes it easy. They especially like chasing toys, so using a fishing-pole style toy to entice them to run and pounce will do wonders to keep them in shape.

Mental enrichment

These cats enjoy their lap-time and naps, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a need for entertainment to keep their minds active and healthy. It doesn’t take much to serve as enrichment for this breed, who can be kept busy with catnip mice and other small toys. Kittens have retained the hunting instinct from the American Shorthair so play sessions with a wand toy and prey-like lures will be fun and appreciated. This breed likes to be around their human guardians to see what they are doing, so be sure to provide them with plenty of spots, like stools or shelves, so they can keep an eye on you.

Activities for Exotic Long Hair cats

The Exotic Long Hair cat has the same personality as the Persian - laid-back, docile, playful, and not terribly active. They also have a hunting instinct from their American Shorthair ancestors. Give these activities a try:

• This breed gets hot quickly; a cooling mat will be appreciated on hot days.
• Try putting a few ice cubes in a bowl of water for cats to bat at for a fun game. For a treat, try freezing chicken broth or tuna water in ice cube trays.
• A long wand toy with feathers or mouse/rat lures to “hunt” will satisfy that prey drive.
• Grow a cat-friendly indoor garden with cat grass and catnip.
• Make an easy tent from a blanket draped over a chair or put paper bags and boxes on the floor to create private napping spots.
• Sprinkle catnip on open phone books or on packing paper and watch your cat go crazy.
• Easy food puzzles that your kitten must manipulate with his paws to get a treat item from will be appreciated.
• Provide window perches and beds from which your cat can watch wildlife outside. You can also try playing wildlife videos on your TV for your kitten to enjoy.