‘Oriental cats’ are often used as an umbrella term for cats that originate from Asia. They’re some of the most well-known and beloved breeds in the world. Oriental cats are incredibly unique and beautiful, and there is plenty to explore when wanting to welcome one into your home. Some oriental cats were even considered royalty once upon a time, so be prepared to host a regal kitten in your home!
An oriental cat is characterised by a sleek and elegant appearance and a bright and friendly personality. It often has long and lean bodies with oversized ears and almond-shaped eyes. These breeds come from or are inspired by Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Oriental cats share a few traits, like their social natures and loud vocalisations, but there are also plenty of differences between them – which makes them such an enigmatic breed group! Some are even associated with royalty and temples, making them elegant cats to keep and love.
Many oriental cat breeds are completely different from each other, so there are plenty of options to choose from if you want to welcome one into your family. We can’t walk you through all oriental cat breeds today, but here are ten of the most popular in Australia today:
Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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The Oriental Cat is a relatively new breed that came when a group of New York breeders decided to save Siamese cats after their population declined after World War II. They bred Siamese cats with Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, American Shorthairs, and domestic shorthairs to create hybrid breeds with Siamese traits. They were crossed again to create the Oriental Cat, which is a super sociable and playful feline. They’re also intelligent and can learn tricks, but they can start to show mischievous behaviours if they’re left alone for too long.
Weight: 4 to 6 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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Speaking of Siamese cats, this breed is considered one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. They’re incredibly renowned and beloved all over the world, and many cat lovers will go to extreme lengths to protect them. These cats are characterised by their classic white and black colouring with blue eyes. They’re extremely affectionate and outgoing, and they’ll take as much human interaction as you can give them. Siamese cats aren’t the best for being left alone for too long though, so they’re not the best if you’re out for a lot of the day.
Weight: 3.5 to 5.5 kg
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years
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The Oriental Bicolour cat is an absolutely gorgeous breed, very similar to other Oriental cats like Oriental Longhairs and Oriental Shorthairs. They originated when Siamese cats were bred with American Shorthairs, then mated back with either Siamese or Offspring cats. Oriental Bicolour cats are very social and love nothing more than spending time with their family, and they are known for being excellent cuddlers. However, they’re also very intelligent and can be trained more easily than other cats, so make sure you give them enough mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
Weight: 4 to 6 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 17 years
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The Persian cat is a super old breed that originates in Persia, which is in the Middle East. Their longhaired coats are most likely caused by a natural mutation, and it quickly became their signature characteristic which most cat lovers seek out. They’re the perfect lap cats and much prefer lounging with their owners than hunting or playing, so if you want a little best friend who’ll dote on you and show you plenty of respect, a Persian cat might be the ideal breed to welcome into your family.
Weight: 4 to 6 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
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Bengal cats look similar to the traditional Oriental cat, but their main characteristic is their gorgeous spotted coat. They’re affectionate with plenty of energy, and they love nothing more than playing with their owners. They originated in Asia, with one of their ancestors being the small wild Asian leopard cat! Thanks to their wild roots, they need plenty of exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation, so they’re best for families with plenty of time on their hands to accommodate these needs.
Weight: 2.7 to 4.5 kg
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
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The Korat is known to be a lucky breed, dating back to the 1300s, when it was included in a collection of ancient cat book poems. Thanks to their lucky nature, they were often gifted to brides and loved ones. You might even know them as the ‘Blue Siamese’ due to their similar appearances, but a defining difference is that they have longer fur. Korats love being the centre of attention, so expect them to seek approval and affection throughout the day. They’re excellent lap cats – but they also love to play with other pets and children.
Weight: 1.8 to 2.7 kg
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
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There’s a lot of conflict surrounding the origins of the Singapura, but one thing’s for sure – they’re a big deal in Singapore! They can still be seen all over the country as a cultural symbol and tourist mascot. In terms of personality, the Singapura has seemingly limitless energy and never really seems to grow out of the kitten phase. They’re super extroverted and love making friends, but they can also curl up in your lap and sleep for hours. They have so much energy to get out that they’ll even enjoy a walk in the park.
Weight: 2.7 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
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The Tonkinese cat is a cross between Burmese and Siamese cats, making them a blend of two of the most beloved oriental cats in the world! Considering they’re the ideal blend of two breeds, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Tonkinese is considered a ‘happy medium’ cat. They like communicating with their families, but they’re not too loud. They love entertaining with their cheeky personalities, but they also love a good cuddle. They shouldn’t be left alone for too long, though.
Weight: 3.5 to 5.4 kg
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years
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Like most other oriental cats, Javanese cats are lean and strong with plenty of energy to burn every single day. They’re very energetic so you’ll need to devote a lot of time to mentally stimulating them and helping them get their zoomies out. They’re known for their impressive social lives, so they’re good for families with other pets and young kids – as long as they know how to pet cats properly! The Javanese cat is very caring and loves to give attention just as much as they enjoy receiving it.
Weight: 3.6 to 6.8 kg
Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
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The Balinese cat breed is essentially the same as the Siamese, but they have a genetic mutation that gives them much longer hair than the Siamese breed. Thanks to them being so similar to the popular breed, you can expect them to have very similar personality traits. They’re intelligent, friendly, and somewhat demanding, but they make amazingly loyal companions. Most cat lovers decide whether they want to adopt a Siamese or Balinese purely on whether they want a short or long-haired cat.
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