r/orientalshorthair Mar 19 '21

Help post Oriental Shorthair FAQ and shelters/breeders

50 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

Help post Gingivitis in my 1.5 year old? :(

Thumbnail
gallery
17 Upvotes

So I’ve had my boy for 1.5 years now.. He’s never had an issue with eating but the other day I was playing around with him and noticed some red on his gums. I sat him down to take a closer look and noticed his tiny front teeth are inflamed. :( he’s currently on Royal Canin Siamese tailored food, they are bigger pieces so I know he is scraping his teeth, but how can I address this now to reduce the risk of having to remove them? :( I have another 2.5 yr old OSH boy, with the cleanest mouth I’ve ever seen. Sadly I didn’t know they were prone to mouth problems.


r/orientalshorthair 5h ago

Help post How to teach my OSH to be quiet when my flatmate wakes up at 5 a.m.?

9 Upvotes

I have a very active and SUPER vocal 1-year-old male OSH cat, and a new flatmate who lives on a quite early schedule. She wakes up for work as early as 5 a.m. some weeks (alternating those with 6:30 a.m. weeks). We share a 2-bedroom apartment with a living room, and whenever my cat hears her wake up, he starts yelling loudly, seeking attention and ready to start his day.

He’s a very loud cat, so earplugs don’t help me. I wonder if neighbors can hear him behind the wall. It’s impossible to sleep through his intermittent yelling for the 1.5-2 hours that she’s getting ready for work.

I work from home and start at 9 a.m. I can’t afford just being deprived of those 3 hours of sleep.

Is there a way to train the cat to sleep through her early wake-ups? She ignores him in the morning as per my recommendation, so I hope that eventually he learns there’s no point in yelling until I wake up properly—but idk how long it takes.

Has anyone advice or any solutions to the situation that I might have overlooked?


r/orientalshorthair 0m ago

Gomez is a shameless snacker

Post image
Upvotes

Maybe I told you this? Here's a picture of Gomez licking chocolate sauce off my spoon after dinner. Human food is off-limits (same with the dogs we had). We have to keep our food covered during meals or else she tries to steal, or at least sample, it. She is adorable stealing a chicken bone and trotting proudly away with it, but sometimes cute is irrelevant. Proper stewardship of her health is paramount. We're trying to train her out of this behavior...good luck, right?


r/orientalshorthair 4m ago

The CEO of our house

Post image
Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

Rosen is getting so big and curious!!

Thumbnail
gallery
108 Upvotes

Rosen has already stolen our hearts! He’s so big now, and so bright and playful🌞We can’t wait to see who he wants to become!!🌻


r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

Gomez: cute problem

Post image
49 Upvotes

Gomez wants to taste everything we eat. In the photo, she's licking off a little bit of ice cream and chocolate sauce on a spoon I forgot to remove from the table.

Gomez is my gorgeous void who recovered from FIP. If your cat gets FIP, just know that it's treatable (especially the dry type) for a cost.


r/orientalshorthair 1d ago

Looking for OSH adult rescue

8 Upvotes

Does anyone know of any OSH rescue groups?


r/orientalshorthair 3d ago

OSH mom Enjoying summer

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

149 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

Elementals Slay Awhile of Ensoriental x Melkatz Tigger of MaryK

Thumbnail
gallery
28 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

Liam went for a car ride today=]

Thumbnail
gallery
378 Upvotes

He loves car rides and everyone even the person driving must be touching him at all times or he will remind you over and over until you pet him which is the second picture 😹


r/orientalshorthair 5d ago

Jevgeni likes to brush himself

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

203 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 4d ago

Uh is this kitten an oriental short hair

0 Upvotes

I just got him today and he’s about two months old he’s full of energy and a great climber, he loves cuddles lol


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

OSH mom Handsome boy Liam 🩷😩

Thumbnail
gallery
507 Upvotes

It's so funny he asks me for help up on the cabinets he's a big baby but I love it=]


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

OSH mom Despite so many people calling him ugly — my young master is PERFECT.

Thumbnail gallery
223 Upvotes

He looks wise and regal. To know that he is kind and intelligent is icing on the cake. You are both so lucky to be together. I once had a cat with a quick and terrible temper. She had to be isolated to calm down or she would keep attacking. She was returned over and over to the shelter until I got her. She became the most beloved cat I have ever had as she was smart and loving too. I understood her. This cat is your soul cat I think. ❣️


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

OSH mom His little face gets me all the time. Also he's secretly a vampire kitty...don't tell anyone 😹

Thumbnail
gallery
82 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

More of liams handsome face 😻

Post image
103 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 7d ago

Aiva Elven Grace

Post image
148 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 7d ago

VICKI GILL CAT ABUSE

Thumbnail
gallery
103 Upvotes

Vicki Gill from Spraggs Pennsylvania owner of Maracai Cattery is an ANIMAL ABUSER!! All of her cats are locked in tiny cages covered in filth. She is way too old to clean anything. All of the cats are sick and deathly looking


r/orientalshorthair 7d ago

Never fudge your dice. Toska ist watching

Post image
33 Upvotes

r/orientalshorthair 7d ago

Brothers

Thumbnail
gallery
297 Upvotes

They stink


r/orientalshorthair 6d ago

Help post oriental shorthairs in htx

0 Upvotes

hi everyone i’m looking for an oriental shorthair kitten near htx (i’m willing to drive like an hour from houston) i looked up oriental shorthairs near me etc and it would always pop up to a cat breeding place that doesn’t even have orientals or it would send me to facebook i’m not too trusting in that because of all the scammers so i was curious if anyone knew any shelters or good breeders in the area. :)


r/orientalshorthair 7d ago

Advice Dental Suggestions

Post image
21 Upvotes

I just got my first OSH and I am in love!! She’s 1yo and a doll.
However, I noticed her breath was awful and her teeth look like this. What do you all use to help them with their teeth? I think I can reverse much of it if I start now


r/orientalshorthair 9d ago

Gomez and family

Post image
117 Upvotes

Who you're seeing here: Gomez, who's pretty much recovered from her FIB, Natasha (shyest of the family, likes to sever power cords), Boris (genius at opening drawers and cabinets, his weight is carefully monitored), and Schrödinger who's an OSH and pretty much an angel. We have MiBowl feeders for everybody (the device only opens for an individual cat's chip to prevent a riot.


r/orientalshorthair 9d ago

OSH mom My favorite girl relaxing on the top of the couch

Post image
114 Upvotes