Oriental Bicolor Cat: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

If you want a furry feline friend that is constantly around and wants to be a part of the family, an Oriental Bicolor may be for you. This breed is much like its Siamese parent in that it is very social and needs to be around people constantly. This makes the breed perfect for families and homes where someone is always home.

Although many people love Oriental Bicolors for their engaging personalities, these cats aren’t right for everyone. For starters, they need a lot of attention, and they are very talkative. If you aren’t home frequently or do not want a talkative cat, you should look elsewhere.

For individuals who simply want a cat best friend, you can’t go wrong with an Oriental shorthair. Not only are they fun, playful, and clingy, but they are easy to care for too. Keep reading to decide if an Oriental Bicolor is right for you.

Oriental Bicolor Kittens

 

Oriental Bicolor kittens can be very expensive. The age and family lineages of the cat will largely determine its price. Make sure to select a reputable breeder to ensure your Oriental Bicolor is healthy.

Remember that you will also have to pay for the cat’s medical bills and needed necessities upon or before the purchase of the kitten. This will further increase the price of your Oriental Bicolor kitten.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Oriental Bicolor Cat

1. The Oriental Bicolor is a remake of a Siamese.

The Oriental Bicolor cat is basically a Siamese cat with a twist. There’s a reason for this. This Oriental was developed by crossing the Siamese with other cats, almost making a color remake of traditional Siamese.

---

2. Oriental Bicolors helped save Siamese cats.

The reason why Oriental Bicolors were developed in the first place was to help with the Siamese gene pool. During World War II, the gene pool was devastated. This was an issue for many breeds, not just Siamese cats. Nevertheless, Siamese cats were crossed with Russian Blues, Abyssinians, British Shorthairs, and Domestic Shorthairs to create the Oriental Bicolor.

---

3. Oriental Bicolors have over 300 coat color combinations.

Above, we listed some of the most common colors for Oriental Bicolors, but we didn’t even mention the vast majority of them. To date, there have been 300 coat colors and combinations reported for the Oriental Bicolor.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Oriental Bicolor

The Oriental Bicolor is a highly intelligent cat. They are very talkative and opinionated. They fit in perfectly with cat-friendly homes, even homes with children and other pets. You can expect the Oriental to be chatty, playful, and a bit stalkerish (in a good way).

On the flip side, Oriental Bicolors do not handle being alone well. If you don’t anticipate being home a lot, you need to select a more independent breed that won’t be as upset when you are away from the house.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Orientals are a great cat to have in a family. They do not like being alone, which means they will appreciate having many people to hang out with. They are also fun and playful, which means they will be a hoot to introduce to your children.

Of course, you need to train the cat how to play with the child and teach your child how to play with the cat. If both parties are taught how to treat the other with respect, you can expect your Oriental Bicolor to be a perfect fit for your family.

One thing to note is that these cats are very talkative. There’s not much you can do to train them otherwise. So, just be prepared for this talkative breed.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Oriental Bicolors even get along with other animals. Because of how playful and fun these cats are, they will try to get along with just about any creature they can, including other cats, dogs, and pets, though the Oriental will still try to be the alpha.

Before you bring an Oriental Bicolor cat home, make sure that the pets you have are cat friendly. For example, don’t introduce the Oriental Bicolor to a dog that is known to attack cats. The Oriental will likely not be able to defend itself. Still, you can expect the Oriental Bicolor to get along great with other animals that are comfortable around cats.

Things to Know When Owning an Oriental Bicolor:

To ensure your Oriental Bicolor gets the best life possible, it’s important to know exactly what you’re in for before you bring the cat home. Luckily, these cats are very easy to take care of. Here are some things you need to know when owning one of these cats.

Food & Diet Requirements

Oriental Bicolors do not eat a lot of food since they are small. Still, make sure to provide your cat with high-quality cat food twice a day. Furthermore, ensure your cat has access to fresh water 24/7 so that they never go thirsty.

Exercise 🐈

The benefit of owning a cat is that they typically exercise themselves. Orientals are especially known to exercise themselves since they are so playful and energetic. Make sure to provide your cat with a cat tree and toys so they stay active, or else they may get into some mischief.

Training 🧶

Because of how intelligent this breed is, you might think that training these cats is super easy. This isn’t always the case because Oriental Bicolors have a mind of their own. They are easy to litter box train, and you can train them to do other things as well, but it will take a lot of determination.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming this breed is fairly easy. Their short, fine coats only need to be brushed out once a week. You will need to brush your cat’s teeth as frequently as possible, though. It’s best to do it once a day, but once a week is fine, too. Wipe down your pet’s eyes daily and inspect their ears weekly.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Even though Oriental cats are relatively healthy, there are some health conditions to be aware of. Most genetic diseases will be prevented if you select a reputable breeder. This further proves just how important it is to select a breeder who knows what they are doing. Otherwise, your Oriental could come out with a lot of problems.

Conclusion

Oriental Bicolors are an excellent breed for active families that want a furry feline friend. These cats will be with you constantly, but they may yell a bit. If you are not prepared to have a clingy cat that needs your attention, look elsewhere.

The good news is that Oriental Bicolors don’t require a lot of work outside of your attention and presence. They are generally healthy and have short, clean coats. As long as you are home frequently enough to give this cat the entertainment it needs, you can expect your Oriental to be happy, healthy, and an active member of the family.

• See also: 10 Interesting Types of Bicolor Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

---

Featured Image Credit: Irina Nedikova, Shutterstock