The Best Cat Food for Orientals: Top 4 Choices

Oriental cats are a unique kind of breed. The Oriental cat is basically a modern descendant of the Siamese cat, having been bred from the original Siamese breed that was very popular in 1920s Britain. In this article, we’re going to determine the best cat food for Orientals and describe their nutritional needs and health concerns as we go along.

Quick Picks: The 4 Best Oriental Cat Foods​

FOOD

TYPE

OUR RECOMMENDATION

Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor

Dry

A good dry food option

Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy Entree

Wet

For the picky eater

Nutro Wet Cat Food

Wet

Oriental kittens

Hill's Science Diet Senior

Wet

To prevent diseases in seniors

About the Oriental

Oriental cats can either be shorthaired or longhaired and have a lot of possible patterns and colors. Essentially, the Oriental Shorthair breed is a hybrid between a Siamese cat and another breed with desirable characteristics such as fur pattern or color. Creation of this breed started between 1910 and 1920 in Britain at the height of the Siamese cat's popularity.

Activity & Physique

The Oriental cat has a unique physique which sets it apart from other house cats. The breed can be described as elegant, svelte, and athletic. Long legs, neck, and tail make up the medium-sized frame of the Oriental cat. Like the Siamese cat, it also has a triangular head, tall ears, and almond-shaped eyes.

Physically, Oriental cats are of medium build with good muscle tone. They can grow up to 8 to 12 pounds for males and around 8 pounds for females, with the latter being considerably smaller than men. Their life expectancy ranges from 8 to 12 years on average.

The Oriental cat is also energetic like the purebred Siamese. They are considered natural athletes and are always up to exploring and exercising themselves, unlike laidback breeds. Moreover, they enjoy playing with toys as well as with other animals, making them a great choice for a family pet. Beware of constant clinginess and chattiness though; Orientals can get quite attached to their owners and like to talk to them often.

Intelligence

Aside from being energetic and elegant-looking, the Oriental cat is also an intelligent breed. They can learn to do tricks and to walk on a leash if you wish to train them. As such, Oriental cats can also find something else to entertain them if their owners aren’t paying attention.

Diet & Nutrition Requirements for Orientals

oriental shorthair kitten food

Oriental cats are energetic and tend to move a lot, so you may assume that they need a lot of food to top up their energy levels. However, responsible pet owners should still carefully compute for portion sizes using online sources that will allow you to input activity level. Amount of feeding would largely depend on whether the cat is an indoor or an outdoor cat.

If you cannot determine the number of calories for yourself, you can consult with the vet for a proper estimation.

Furthermore, in the early stages of feline life, Oriental cats should be offered a variety of choices of cat food. This is to find out if the cat has any food intolerances or food allergies. Oriental cats are also known to refuse food if they don’t like it, so it’s best to let them try little bits of different food at first.

Carbohydrates

Pet owners who own Oriental cats should always carefully pick out their pet's cat food as well as cat treats. They cannot contain large amounts of carbohydrates since Oriental cats cannot digest carbs properly. Moreover, they would not be getting enough of their nutritional requirements if the protein is displaced by carbohydrates instead. This can lead to liver failure and in the worst case scenario, even death.

Protein

Just like most cats, the Oriental cat should be fed with a diet consisting mainly of meats, where they would get their protein and fat needs. Since they have a high activity level, Oriental cats need quality protein to support their muscle growth and maintenance.

It has also been mentioned that Orientals have a lot of muscle tone. Thus, amino acids from proteins are needed for maintenance and repair.

Fat

A great cat food formulation would contain essential fatty acids and healthy sources of fat and oils. Essential fatty acids would help maintain your Oriental cat’s smooth and shiny coat. For long-haired Oriental cats especially, it’s imperative that they get the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need for healthy skin and fur.

Since Oriental cats may be clingy and become interested in your food while you eat, you should always keep in mind that whatever you’re eating may not be good for them. Think twice before you let them scrape off your plate and learn how to refuse. Additionally, if you’re going to give them treats, make sure that they are rich in protein instead of carbohydrates.

Similar to other breeds, Oriental cats’ diets should be adjusted according to their activity level. As they age, their energy level may decrease along with their mobility. Even though an Oriental cat is slender in nature, owners should pay attention to unnecessary weight gain.

Common Health Problems with Orientals

The Oriental cat breed is a descendant of various breeds mixed with the Siamese cat. A long history of breeding may give rise to several genetic disorders.

An example of a genetic disease is one that an Oriental cat may get from its Siamese genes, which is called amyloidosis. It is characterized by the depositing of amyloid in body organs such as the liver, which can lead to organ failure.

Oriental cats may also be prone to congenital heart defects, asthma, lymphoma, nystagmus, or a kind of renal disease. Certain types of genetic disease can be prevented through early detection, so have your kitten tested for preventable diseases. Most importantly, good nutrition with complete nutrients plays a big role in preventing feline health problems.

The 4 Best Cat Food for Orientals Reviewed

1. Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food

Royal Canin Feline Nutrition Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food

Medium-sized cats like the Oriental breed need a moderate amount of calories per day. The Royal Canin has a specially formulated dry cat food for Oriental cats that stay indoors which would provide adequate energy-- not too much and not too little. It also promotes dental hygiene and hairball management.

2. Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy Entree Wet Cat Food

best wet food for Oriental cats

If you have an Oriental cat who’s a slightly picky eater, the Sheba Perfect Portions is the best wet food for them. It contains real protein-rich poultry with no added corn, wheat, or soy; so you can be sure your cat is getting a high amount of protein with each tray.

Each portion also contains all the essential vitamins and minerals needed by a cat for the healthy immune system, coat, and digestion. Furthermore, the Sheba Perfect Portions will lessen the amount of leftovers with each feeding, making your cat's food more cost-effective.

3. Nutro Wet Cat Food

best wet cat food for oriental kittens

Some Oriental kittens may prefer wet food over dry food. The Nutro Wet Cat Food for Kittens comes in a tasty gravy flavor, designed to entice your kitten into eating a complete diet. Each can contains DHA for proper growth and brain/eye development, protein from real minced salmon, as well as antioxidants for a stronger immune system.

4. Hill’s Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food

food allergies and genetic disorder cat food

If you’re a cat owner whose worried about Oriental cats’ susceptibility to genetic disorders, you can opt for the Hill’s Science Diet Senior Wet Cat Food to help prevent diseases in your cat’s senior stage of life.

The Hill’s Science Diet Senior cat food comes in pate form with a carefully formulated recipe to support balanced nutrition and healthy organ function. Moreover, it contains high levels of phosphorus to make sure that the cat’s kidney function is not impaired later on in life.

In Summary

Oriental cats are one of the most elegant-looking breeds in the book. More than that, they are also known for their friendly and energetic personalities. It’s no wonder why Oriental cats are now very popular among cat lovers-- the long history of cross-breeding produced one of the most lovable pets in the world.

The best cat food for Orientals may differ for each cat depending on preference and nutritional requirements. Be sure to tailor-fit your cat’s diet so that he can mature and develop healthily and without any complications that history of cross-breeding may bring.

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