Oriental Bicolour Cat Breed Information

Group

Oriental, Short Haired

Weight

3.5-5.5 kg

Length

20-25 cm

Lifespan

8-12 years

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About the Oriental Bicolour Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Oriental Bicolour is an elegant cat breed that’s full of affection and loves to be around its owner and family.

They require a lot of attention from their humans but will give double back in return, and they want to be involved in everything that goes on within the home. They have a striking appearance that makes them stand out and an amazing personality to go with it.

In this guide, we’ve given you all the tips and Oriental Cat information you need to get acquainted with this fascinating breed.

What Is the History & Origin of the Oriental Bicolour Cat?

The origins of the Oriental Bicolour cat can be traced back to the United States in 1979. A breeder named Lindajean Grillo started crossing Siamese cats with American Shorthair cats and then mating the offspring back with either Siamese or Oriental cats.

They were officially recognised as a separate breed officially recognized by the International Cat Association in 1983 and during the 1980s European breeders started their own breeding programmes for Oriental Bicolour Cats.

They aimed to create different lines so that they could mate two Bicolour Cats together and develop a coat that had the right amount of white in it. At first, they tried breeding a Siamese cat with a red and white Moroccan street cat and then mixed a Siamese with a white Cornish Rex cat.

Eventually, more Bicolours were brought over to Europe from the United States to assure genetic diversity. The breed arrived in the United Kingdom in 2004 and its popularity continues to grow around the world.

What Is an Oriental Bicolour Cat Breed?

Oriental Bicolour cats are a stunning breed, and they’re very similar to other Oriental cats like their Oriental Longhair and Oriental Shorthair relatives.

Some organizations have different standards by which they categorize cats within the breed depending on the length of their hair and the patterns of their coats. For example, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy doesn’t class cats that have long hair and colour-pointed genes such as Oriental Bicolour cats.

Their looks aren’t everything though and this breed has a curious, playful and intelligent personality that they seem to have inherited from their Siamese parents.

Who Is an Oriental Bicolour Cat Best For?

The Oriental Bicolour is a very affectionate cat that loves human interaction and therefore makes a great pet for most families.

It requires more attention than some other cat breeds and doesn’t like to be left alone so any prospective owner will have to make sure they can commit to spending lots of time around their feline friend.

Oriental Bicolours are also well suited to owners who have other pets at home as they love having companions to play with and they can become quite close to other animals. They also get on well with kids and can make gentle playmates for young children.

What Does an Oriental Bicolour Cat Look Like?

The Oriental Bicolour Cat has a very distinctive appearance with a triangular head, long nose and muzzle in the shape of a wedge. Their large ears are also triangle-shaped with pointed tips and wide bases and their eyes have an almond shape.

Whilst the eye colour for most Oriental Bicolour cats is bright green, cats belonging to the colourpoint variety will usually have blue eyes.

They have an athletic build with long, slim legs and small, oval-shaped paws, and their tails are long and thin. As you can see, they’re really something to look at!

Coat

Colours

The breed is known for its Oriental Shorthair coat, but the Bicolour can also have a medium-length coat. The colours are a mix of a white base and lots of different shades such as blue, chestnut and cinnamon.

Patterns

The coat pattern for an Oriental Bicolour cat should be a solid, white base with another solid colour. The white base will cover a third of the cat’s body and the face and paws should also be white.

Oriental Bicolour Cat Grooming & Shedding

When it comes to grooming, Oriental Bicolours are pretty self-sufficient and they can keep their coats looking clean and shiny without much help.

However, it’s still best to give them a brush once a week to reduce the amount of shedding and hairballs. It’s also a great way to bond with your cat as it’s something they should enjoy.

If your cat is more similar to an Oriental Longhair then it will need to be brushed daily as it will shed much more heavily than a cat that’s more similar to its Oriental Shorthair relatives.

How Do Oriental Bicolour Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

The Oriental Bicolour cat is incredibly social and loves nothing more than spending time around the humans in its life. It gets on just as well with young children as it does with seniors and it adores a good cuddle which makes it quite a lap cat.

However, Oriental Bicolours are also very intelligent cats with lots of energy and they love to play and explore. This means they relish being in large houses that have lots of space for them to play around in.

Living Needs

An Oriental Bicolor cat requires a lot of attention from their owners and families and don’t react well to being left alone. They need to be in a household that can satisfy their desire for affection and shouldn’t live with owners that will be away from home a lot.

Due to their intelligence, however, they can entertain themselves when provided with interactive toys such as cat trees. So, investing in a cat tree is a good way to keep your feline pal busy when you have other things to do.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Oriental Bicolour Cats?

Habits

Oriental Bicolours are very athletic cats which means they’re good at climbing, and this is a habit they will certainly exhibit around the home. You can avoid any damage to furniture by keeping their claws trimmed and providing them with different toys to climb around on.

Activity Level

Oriental Bicolour cats are fairly energetic when compared to other cat breeds, something which they may have inherited from the Siamese cat, and they do best in homes with plenty of space for them to roam around. Playing games with them is also an excellent way to help them burn off any excess energy.

Vocalness

The Oriental Bicolour is a pretty vocal breed and will be talkative throughout the day. So, be prepared for some adorable noises coming from your feline companion!

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of an Oriental Bicolour Cat?

Height

Oriental Bicolours typically reach between 20cm and 25cm in height.

Weight

Oriental Bicolours will usually weigh between 3.5kg and 5.5kg.

Size

Oriental Bicolours are medium-sized cats with long, slender bodies.

Are Oriental Bicolour Cats Easy to Train?

As with any other cat breed, early socialization is important for the Oriental Bicolour as it will help them to learn how to behave when interacting with other animals and children. They’re very friendly and sociable, so if you start socializing them when they’re young they should get along with everybody!

Does the Oriental Bicolour Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Oriental Bicolour Cats are generally healthy but they are prone to certain health issues, such as:

Asthma – symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing and a persistent cough.
Heart Disease – symptoms include weight loss, lethargy and poor appetite.
Crossed Eyes – a condition where both eyes rotate inwards towards the middle of the face.

What Is the Lifespan of an Oriental Bicolour Cat?

With the right amount of love, care and attention an Oriental Bicolour cat will usually live to between 8 and 12 years old.

How Much Does an Oriental Bicolour Cat Need to Be Fed?

Oriental cats love eating and they can be prone to weight gain if their diet is managed properly. Stick to high-quality food with lots of nutrients and vitamins as this will promote a healthy immune system. You can also give them healthy treats such as tender chicken breast.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for an Oriental Bicolour Cat in Australia?

The average price of an Oriental Bicolour in Australia is between $850 and $1,500.

Oriental Bicolour Cat FAQs

Do Oriental Bicolour cats like to play in water?

Oriental Bicolours are not known for having a particular fondness for water and like most other felines they tend to avoid it. This can differ between each individual cat so you never know, you might end up with an aquatic kitty.

Are Oriental Bicolour cats hypoallergenic?

If your kitty is more similar to Oriental Shorthair cats than its Longhair relatives it will be considered hypoallergenic as its short coat will not shed much and shouldn’t cause a reaction in allergy sufferers.

Do Oriental Bicolour cats get along well with other household pets?

Oriental Bicolours love having other animals to play with and they usually end up becoming best friends with any other pets in their household. It’s still important to socialize them around other animals from an early age to make sure they know how to behave around them.

How can I tell if my cat is an Oriental Bicolour?

Oriental Bicolours do look quite similar to Siamese Cats and other Oriental breeds, so it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. The best way to know is to judge by the appearance of their coat. It should be around one-third white and the paws and face should also be white.