How much does an Exotic Shorthair cat cost?

While there is no set Exotic Shorthair price, most reputable breeders will quote Exotic Shorthair kittens at around $2,000–$3,500.

Are Exotic Shorthair cats good pets?

Yes, many Exotic Shorthair cats make great pets due to their laid-back, affectionate personality and uniquely sweet appearance. Because most Exotic Shorthair cats get along well with pets, kids, and adults, they tend to fit in with all kinds of households.

What is the lifespan of an Exotic Shorthair cat?

Exotic Shorthairs typically live between 10–15 years, and sometimes much longer.

Exotic Shorthair

Updated October 20, 2026

Beloved for their flat, round face and dense, fluffy coat, Exotic Shorthairs are affectionate companions who love to be in your company. They are related to Persians, but their shorter coat is less demanding when it comes to grooming.

Temperament

Sweet, Cuddly, Laid-Back

Weight

10–12 pounds

Life Expectancy

10–15 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

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If you want a loving, devoted sidekick with an impossibly cute appearance, it may be time to bring home an Exotic Shorthair cat.

This breed is part of the Persian family; they share the same adorable flat face, round head shape, and big eyes, but their shorter coat only needs a quick daily combing.

Known for their playful, affectionate personality, your Exotic Shorthair will follow you around from room to room. They’re always eager to be in the company of a loved one, whether it’s a child, adult, cat, or dog.

Exotic Shorthair Characteristics

Remember: Cats are individuals and not all cats, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Vocal Level

Likes to be Picked Up

Likes to be Pet

Exotic Shorthair Appearance

Exotic Shorthairs are adored for their large, affectionate eyes; flat faces; and thick, plush coats. This is a medium-sized cat, but their fluffy coat often makes them look larger.

Exotic Shorthairs share the same short nose and round face as their Persian siblings, but with shorter hair (and less maintenance!).

Ears
The Exotic Shorthair has small, rounded ears. Their ears sit far apart and close to their head, adding to the overall rounded look of their face.
Eyes
They have large, round eyes that come in different colors, including copper, green, or blue. Their eyes are wide-set with a sweet expression.
Nose
This breed has a short, broad muzzle with a flat, broad nose.
Coat Length
While the Exotic Shorthair cat has a shorter coat than their Persian siblings, their coat is still plush and dense, and longer than most other shorthair cat breeds.
Coat Color
Their coat comes in many colors, including black, blue, blue-cream, brown, calico, chocolate, cream, golden, lilac, red, seal, silver, tortoiseshell, and white. They may also come in patterns, including bicolor, Himalayan, shaded, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell, and tricolor.
Tail
They have a short, thick tail covered in their plush coat.

Exotic Shorthair Temperament

It’s easy to fall in love with the Exotic Shorthair’s affectionate and playful personality. Generally a friend to all, this breed gets along well with both people and pets. In fact, they adore company of any kind.

“They don’t necessarily all love to be carried around,” says Lynn Cooke, Exotic Breed Council Secretary of the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and owner of Callyn Cattery. “But they will love to be near you, sit on you, or follow you around.”

Some Exotic Shorthair parents find this cat breed to be particularly doglike. “Some of them even fetch,” Cooke says. They are friendly, outgoing, and curious—especially as kittens. And while they can be relaxed and happy lounging around, this breed is often slightly spunkier than their Persian relatives.

“I think, in some ways, they seem to be smarter than the Persians,” says Lori Normand, who owns Sagewynd, an Exotic Shorthair cattery in Victoria, British Columbia. “They’re a little more active than a Persian, and I think they’re a little more loving than a Persian.”

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Exotic Shorthair

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How to Care for a Exotic Shorthair

Exotic Shorthairs are easygoing cats who don’t have many demanding needs. You’ll spend most of your time feeding them a balanced diet, combing them daily, and giving them plenty of love and attention.

While they are a shorthair breed, they’re still heavy shedders, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring one home.

Although the Exotic Shorthair is easier to care for than their long-haired Persian cousin, this breed still has some daily grooming requirements that will need attention. And contrary to popular belief, the Exotic Shorthair can actually shed more than the Persian breed.

“They have the double coat,” Cooke says. “Twice a year [in spring and fall], they usually molt it.”

Brushing: Pet parents should comb their Exotic Shorthair once a day using a metal comb. This will help remove loose hairs from the undercoat and reduce the amount of fur that winds up on your furniture.
Bathing: Cooke also suggests giving your Exotic cat a bath every so often to remove dirt and oil from the coat. Baths can happen every one to three months, depending on the cat and their lifestyle. “Every cat is different,” Cooke says. “Some are more oily. You’ll know by the molting and by just looking at them. They shouldn’t look greasy or unkempt.”
- Cooke recommends starting with a vet-approved clarifying shampoo, then finishing with something gentle and cat-safe. Rinse really well, then dry their coat using a pet-safe grooming blow dryer.
Eye care: Because of their flat face, Exotic Shorthairs are prone to watery eyes. Pet parents can gently clean around the eyes using pet-safe eye wipes, such as Optixcare. This can help prevent discomfort and staining.
Nail care: Like all cats, Exotics need to have their nails trimmed regularly, typically every three or four weeks.
Dental care: Cats need regular dental care to prevent periodontal disease. The best way to protect your kitty’s teeth is by brushing them every day and keeping up with annual dental cleanings.

You should feed your Exotic Shorthair a diet designed for their current life stage. Normand suggests Royal Canin’s Persian food, which comes in a shape designed to accommodate the breed’s shortened jaw. Your vet can help you choose the best food for your individual cat.

Free-feeding cats can lead to obesity, so stick to scheduled mealtimes. Most Exotic Shorthairs do best with twice-daily feedings: once in the morning and again in the evening.

It’s important to keep Exotic Shorthairs at a healthy weight, as being overweight can make breathing more difficult for this breed because of their flat-faced anatomy.

Exotic Shorthairs are not the most active cat breed, but they do enjoy a little playtime, which helps them stay fit and healthy.

“They usually play for shorter periods of time rather than longer periods,” Normand says.

That said, Exotic Shorthair cats tend to be more active than their Persian counterparts, and they might be the better choice for families with young kids who will enjoy playing with them.

“They like interactive play,” Normand says. “But as far as playing with a toy on the floor, after a few minutes, they’ve had enough of it.”

A few short play sessions each day will help keep your cat’s mind and body in good shape and build a stronger bond between you and your pet.

For the most part, Exotic Shorthairs are adaptable cats who can thrive in both active and calm households.

They get along well with other pets and kids—as long as they’re properly introduced—and may even require that extra company if a family is too busy or away often. They are social enough that being alone for too long can affect their overall wellness.

“They hate to be alone,” Cooke says. “I don’t sell to people who work nine-to-fives and don’t have another cat. [The cat] would literally be miserable.”

Because Exotic Shorthairs prefer lounging over high activity, pet parents should furnish their home with plenty of cozy nap spaces. Most of the time, though, your Exotic Shorthair will just want to share whatever surface you’re on.

Exotic Shorthair Health

Because the Exotic Shorthair was originally a hybrid breed, “the gene pool is quite vast,” says Cooke, making this a generally hardy breed. Most Exotic Shorthairs will live between 10–15 years, although some may live up to 18 years, Cooke says.

While reputable breeders will selectively breed out any genetic health concerns, these cats are still prone to issues that are common in cats and brachycephalic breeds.

Polycystic kidney disease: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition in which multiple cysts (pockets of fluid) build up in the kidneys. Over time, the cysts can grow and multiply, damaging the kidney tissue and leading to potentially fatal kidney failure. The Persian breed group—which includes the Exotic Shorthair—is the most susceptible to PKD of any cat breed. Exotic Shorthair parents should have their cats screened for this at an early age.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: The Exotic Shorthair is considered a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have shorter skulls and flat faces. This look only adds to their charm, but it can come with a few health risks. One such condition is called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), where the brachycephalic anatomy limits normal breathing.
Watery eyes: Because of their flat faces, Exotic Shorthairs may have watery eyes, which can cause symptoms such as wetness and tear staining. When caused by facial structure as opposed to infection or injury, there is no treatment necessary for watery eyes. Pet parents should instead focus on cleaning their cat’s eyes as part of the grooming process.
- However, if the watery eyes are accompanied by symptoms like swelling, redness, or pawing at the eyes, have your cat checked by a veterinarian to ensure there is no other underlying cause.

Exotic Shorthair History

The Exotic Shorthair breed’s origin traces back to the West Coast in the 1950s, when several breeders decided to cross Persians with American Shorthairs. Because the short-hair gene is dominant over the long-hair gene, the crossbreeding resulted in shorthaired kittens with the faces and bodies of Persian cats.

It took the Exotic Shorthair breed a little time to gain traction and interest. By 1966, the breed had gained enough popularity that the CFA decided to officially recognize it.

When the breed was first getting started, breeders intended for kittens to be silver only, according to The International Cat Association. The breed was called Sterling to match the color. But as more kittens were born with more colors, the name changed to Exotic Shorthair.

Because their coat is not as short as many shorthair breeds, the CFA has since dropped the word “Shorthair” and now refers to the breed as the Exotic.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Angela Beal, DVM.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Exotic Shorthair

Exotic Shorthair