Representatives of an exotic breed of cats can not boast a long and rich history - they did not have a chance to live in palaces, they were not favorites of royalty. The breed is very young, nevertheless, these cute animals have already won thousands of hearts of cat lovers around the world.
Breed history
A short-haired exotic cat was bred in the 60s of the XX century by crossing an American shorthair and a Persian cat. The aim of the breeders was to get an American cat with a Persian coat. As a result of the experiment, an incredibly charming, fat-footed cat with large eyes and a flattened muzzle was born. Outwardly, he looked little like shorthair Americans.
Breeders were unsatisfied with the result, however, these plush, toy-like creatures, to the surprise of the owners, immediately conquered not only breeders, but also the judges' team at the very first exhibition.
In 1966, cats with big eyes got their first standard. The breed was named Exotic Shorthair. According to this document, animals should be similar to Persians, but with a shortened fur coat. In 1967, exotics were officially recognized.
In our country, these handsome men first appeared in 1991. Domestic breeders immediately fell in love with this breed. For breeding, they purchased animals of the highest class from the most famous nurseries in the world.
Appearance
A beautiful and unusual cat with big eyes will never go unnoticed. The appearance of these animals is really outstanding. Compact and dense body, strong and short neck, thick round paws. The head is large, with a cheeky and flat muzzle, huge eyes and very small ears. The nose is located at eye level. The coat is thick, there are a huge number of colors.
Character
According to experts, which is confirmed by the reviews of the owners, the exot - a cat with big eyes - today confidently takes its place in the top ten favorite pets. This is largely due to its soft and accommodating nature. These are affectionate, playful animals. They are ideal for keeping in an apartment. Exotic cats, photos of which you can see in our article, are not at all worried if they are pets in a large family. Interestingly, like dogs, an exot will necessarily choose one member of the family, which it will consider its "real" master. It is difficult to understand what this spectacular cat with big eyes is guided by when choosing the only person to whom he will obey implicitly and give his love.
Despite the great desire to soak up, which was transmitted to the exotics from the Persians, these beauties are much more sociable than their relatives. They will gladly jump onto your lap, not wanting to be alone in the designated place. Exotics with amazing patience and great joy allow very young children to play with them, while many other feline representatives turn away and snort with displeasure.
Care
Often, exotics are called "Persians for the lazy." This is due to the fact that their coat needs less maintenance. But this is only compared to the Persians. Luxurious fur coat of exotics is very soft, dense. It has an average length (shorthaired these animals are called again in comparison with the Persians), a very thick undercoat and a bit of outer hair. Thanks to him, she does not lie smoothly, but as if a little raised. Many “cat owners" know that wool of a similar texture is prone to the appearance of warlocks. That is why she needs regular care. Exotic cats, whose photos often adorn animal magazines, look so impressive only when combed daily with single-row metal combs with rounded teeth. First, rare, and then frequent combs are used that will remove dead hair. Experts do not recommend the use of shutters for these purposes.
Due to the special structure of the muzzle, this cute cat with big eyes cannot independently conduct its own hygiene. It is difficult for him to even lick, like other cats do. Therefore, this procedure is the responsibility of the owner.
The most problematic places are the lacrimal grooves. Exotics are characterized by increased lacrimation, so dirty paths appear in the corners of the eyes.
The luxurious collar of exotism is constantly stained with food, because these cats do not eat and drink very carefully. Especially such pollution is visible among the owners of a white fur coat. Because of these features, a cat with big eyes needs to be washed more often than animals of other breeds. Water procedures for such a pet are recommended not less than once a month, but before exhibitions and weekly. After washing, apply conditioner to the coat.
Eye care
Do you like a cat with big eyes? The future owner should know that they require special care. It should be daily. The inside corners of the eyes should be wiped with a soft cloth made of cloth, which is moistened with eye lotion or boiled water. When the discharge from the eyes is too plentiful, an antiseptic (chlorhexidine or iodinol) can be used.