MyCatBreeds
Both Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair are originated from United States. Both Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair are of same weight. Both Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair has almost same life span. Both Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair has same litter size. Both Sokoke and Exotic Shorthair requires Low maintenance.
Compared to other breeds of cat, the rare Sokoke Forest Cat is a fairly new natural breed. It comes from the Sokoke district of eastern Kenya but was developed in the USA.
It is in fact, named after the Arabuko Sokoke National Forest, from where the wild foundation stock came from. Wildlife artist Jeni Slater started breeding these cats in the 1970s. They eventually reached Denmark, where further breeding continued, with the cat becoming popular with local cat fanciers, and laid the foundation of the breed in Europe.
Today, there are just a few breeders registered in the UK and TICA, The International Cat Association lists the Sokoke cat as a New Preliminary Race and it was recognized by FIFe in 1993.
The Exotic Shorthair cat is such a sweet-faced cat that it is often referred to as the ‘lazy man’s Persian. This is because the face is also flat and pushed in like the Persian cat.
The Exotic Shorthair was in fact developed as a short-haired version of the Persian. It was in the 1950s that the Persian was used to mate with other breeds such as the Burmese.
The crossbreed gained recognition but some American Shorthair breeders produced a new breed standard that would disqualify American Shorthairs that showed any signs of crossbreeding.
It was in 1966 that the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the cat as a new breed and under the name Exotic Shorthair.
The Sokoke is a medium-sized cat with a long, lean body and slender legs. The hind legs are somewhat longer than the front legs. The head is smallish and round and he has a constantly alert look to him.
A striking characteristic of the Sokoke cat is its tabby fur, which people say looks like the bark of a tree and it is brindle in coloring.
The tail is medium to long and the ears are also fairly large, The eyes are large and almond-shaped and can be greenish to brown. The coat is short and coarse.
Cat lovers enjoy these playful, curious, intelligent, and family-orientated cats. In spite of their wild side, they adapt easily into different homes.
They’re inquisitive and will follow you, much like a dog. They will even enjoy a leash being put on them and being taken for a walk. They’re very sociable and vocal too and get on with everyone, children and other pets included.
They’re playful cats, loving to jump and climb and then look down at you from their high perches. Easily bored, you will need to provide fun and games continuously.
They enjoy being involved with everything you’re doing and form a strong bond with their owners. Because the Sokoke is social and affectionate, they require quite a lot of attention, and if they don’t get the attention they crave, they meow in anxiety.
Developed through crosses between Persians and American Shorthairs as well as other cat breeds, the Exotic Shorthair looks like the Persian but he has a short coat.
The coat is found in the same colors as the Persian cat – patterns and solid colors, ranging from chinchilla silver to tabby, tortoiseshell, black and white and bicolor. The eyes are large and round, the ears small and round and the tail fairly short and thick.
The Exotic Shorthair is a sweet, gentle, calm cat but a bit livelier than the Persian. They’re lively, friendly, and playful, but are also cats that like to sit in your lap and be stroked.
They get on well with children and other pets, being a loyal friend to the entire family. He quietly communicates with his human family with a soft voice. He is also quite adaptable to living conditions so long as his human family provides him with lots of attention.
He won’t want to be left for long periods of time on his own so he won’t suit living in a home where he is left alone all day.
Your Sokoke is a very social cat and he will get on particularly well in a home with children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.
They are able to adapt well to homes where there are other pets too. They just love exercise and lots of fun. They don’t like being in a home where the owner is out at work all day. The solution to this is to provide him with another cat as a companion.
Sokoke cats are great with people of all ages, and when you bring one of these lively cats into your home, make sure he also receives his share of love and companionship.
Your Exotic Shorthair is a loving cat and for those who prefer, it is a cat that is livelier than the Persian. While the Exotic Shorthair also has a mellow personality, because of its shorthair ancestors, it's more active.
This Exotic cat can live to be 15, 16, or 17 if you care for him well and that means you have 15 years to share with a most wonderful feline companion.
Sokoke cats are generally healthy and have no inherited diseases. To ensure that your Sokoke stands a chance of having a healthy life, you need to have him vaccinated against the life-threatening cat diseases there are.
If your Sokoe cat isn’t his usual self day after day, make a point of getting him to the vet just as soon as possible.
Parasites are a terrible scourge with cats, and in fact, the number one cause of hair loss in cats is fleas. The bite of a flea can cause an allergic reaction. Your cat can become miserable with continuous biting, itching, and scratching and this can all lead to hair loss.
It is a wise move to speak to your vet about a good product to treat your furry friend with.
There can actually be many causes of diarrhea in cats and one of them is parasites, but it can also be caused by a viral infection or food allergy or something else.
You want to get your cat to the vet who can help you bring it under control. You may also have to feed your cat a bland kind of diet to help the cat’s digestive tract recover from the diarrhea.
With the Exotic Shorthair, some of the diseases are genetic while others can be encouraged by poor diet and lifestyle.
Obesity for instance is a major disease of cats and it contributes to many serious illnesses in cats. Excess weight shortens your cat’s life and contributes to arthritis and diabetes. The extra weight puts a strain on the cat's joints. Shedding just a little bit of weight can result in improved mobility.
Dental disease is a common chronic problem in pets. Make sure to check inside your cat’s mouth from time to time as serious dental problems can cause pain and interfere with the health of your cat’s important organs such as heart and kidneys.
All kinds of parasites can invade your Exotic Shorthair's body, internally and externally – worms, fleas, and ticks - and cause your pet a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort.
Brachycephalic Syndrome is a respiratory distress syndrome and it mostly affects what is known as brachycephalic cats – those cat with snub faces like the Exotic Shorthair.
The flattened features of the face make it that there is less space for the tissue to grow. The soft area at the back of the roof of the mouth hangs into the airway, obstructing it, and they can’t breathe normally. Sometimes the cats will require surgery to allow for more regular breathing.
Because the Sokoke’s coat is short and close-lying, with little or no undercoat, brushing once a week will be sufficient.
The Sokoke cat is very energetic, and he will need games, toys, and attention to keep him physically and mentally stimulated. They love climbing so a climbing tree and other kind of equipment will be a good idea.
Provide your cat with a litter box and ensure it is kept scrupulously clean by removing the cat’s feces every single day.
Diet is of critical importance to the health and happiness of a cat. Some people try to feed their cats human foods and wonder why their cat is continuously sick. A cat is a carnivore and he requires meat.
You can speak to your vet about the best kind of commercial cat food there is for your cat. Read the label and feed him portion-sizes as directed.
It is important to understand the type of foods available to your pet and how often and how much to feed him.
Most cats prefer to eat several small meals a day as opposed to a couple of large ones. Make feed times interesting and provide food puzzles to have your cat ‘prey’ for food.
Always read and understand the labels on the cat food packaging and be sure to always feed your Exotic Shorthair with the very best food there is and to follow the portion guides.
If you’re in any doubt or your cat doesn’t want to eat his food, try something else or speak to your vet about how to be sure your cat is getting fed the best food there is.
Make sure to have your kitten vaccinated as required. Also, when you take your kitten in to be vaccinated, the vet will also perform a check-up to make sure your kitten is healthy as these cats are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
Your cat has a short, low maintenance coat. A brush once a week can get rid of loose hairs and you and your cat will both enjoy the therapeutic bonding between the two of you.
Check your cat’s inner ears for wax and debris as well as for signs of any infection, and if you don’t want to do that, professional cat groomers can do it for you.