Exotic Shorthair

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Everyone loves to call it the “Garfield cat” — its goofy, adorable look is simply irresistible. Garfield was created by Jim Davis and first appeared in American newspapers on June 19, 1978: a wisecracking, food-loving, sleep-loving, mischief-making chubby cat that wins over both adults and children alike.

The Exotic Shorthair (Garfield cat) looks strikingly like the Persian, differing only in its short, thick, plush coat. If you adore Persians but dread the grooming, the Exotic Shorthair is the perfect choice.

Overall: the ideal Exotic Shorthair gives an impression of sturdy bone, a soft sweet expression, and rounded lines — large, round eyes set wide apart, emphasizing a spherical appearance.

Head: large and round with a broad skull and a short, thick neck. Nose: short, upturned and broad, with a dip between the eyes at the center of the face. Cheeks: full. Jaw: broad and powerful. Chin: full, well-developed, thick, round, with a normal bite.

Ears: small, round-tipped and forward-tilted, set wide apart and low on the head to suit the round head. Eyes: large, round, full, and vividly colored. Because their tear ducts are short, Exotics tear more easily than other cats and need daily cleaning.

Body: short-coupled with short legs and a broad chest; shoulders equally broad, level back, mid-body kept full. Size: medium to large — quality matters more than size. Legs: thick and strong. Paws: large, round, firm; five toes in front, four behind. Tail: short but proportionate, with no abnormal kinks.

Coat: dense, thick, soft and lively, in rich, vivid colors with a plush short coat of moderate length. Longer fur on the neck or tail may place a cat in the AOV class. Available in many colors and patterns — solid, smoke, tabby, bicolor, pointed, and more.

The Exotic Shorthair arguably has the best temperament of all cats — no biting, no scratching, no fear of strangers. If you can imagine a cat that is both sweet and adorable, this is it.

They are independent and quiet, content to watch their owner without pestering, and most of the time they entertain themselves. At the same time they are highly curious, lively and intelligent, never nervous, and adapt to new environments quickly — which makes them very easy to keep.

Like the Persian, they have a flat nose and are prone to tear-duct inflammation, so the face needs frequent cleaning. With daily grooming and good health, they can live to about thirteen years.

Use vet-recommended flea, tick and deworming treatments on a regular schedule, and keep a nutritional paste and hairball remedy on hand as needed.

When your cat first arrives home: disinfect the space beforehand, since a kitten’s immune system is fragile in a new environment — keep things clean. Place the litter box somewhere easy to find, and gently teach your cat where it is. Let the cat explore quietly with doors and windows closed to adjust. For the first week, offer cooled boiled or purified water rather than tap water, and feed small amounts of food.

Important: wait a full week after arrival before bathing, and only bathe when the cat is fully healthy; then proceed with vaccinations and deworming. When switching foods, always mix the new kibble with the old for about a week — sudden changes cause diarrhea. Keep a probiotic on hand for mild upset stomachs.

Dietary cautions: some cats love liver but refuse other foods. Liver is rich in vitamin A, yet too much causes stiff muscles, neck pain, bone and joint deformities, and liver disease. A diet high in fatty fish or spoiled meat leads to vitamin E deficiency and painful fat inflammation. Certain raw fish contain an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 (deficiency can be fatal) — always cook fish before feeding. An all-meat diet causes mineral and vitamin imbalance and serious bone-metabolism problems, and dog food cannot meet a cat’s nutritional needs.

Before bringing an Exotic Shorthair home, prepare the essentials beyond food: one bed, one food bowl, one water bowl, a litter box with litter, ear cleaner, nail clippers, and a scratching post.

Choosing a food: widely available, safe mainstream brands (e.g. Royal Canin, with lines such as K36, BC34, and Persian formulas) are reliable and palatable, though a small number of cats are sensitive to K36. Natural brands such as Nutro are also popular and suit sensitive stomachs. Higher-end natural lines (Orijen, Organix, EVO) are more nutritious but vary in palatability, so introduce any new food gradually.

Routine care: deworm internally every 3–4 months and vaccinate with the FVRCP triple yearly. Trim nails and clean ears every 7–10 days, and bathe about once a month (no more than every two weeks). For soft stools or mild diarrhea, a probiotic helps; for severe diarrhea, see a veterinarian.