Also called Oriental Bicolour, Oriental Bi-Colour · Developed
Like all Orientals, the bicolour is bright, chatty and full of energy, keeping a kitten-like love of play into adulthood.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.6 to 6.4 kg (8 to 14 lb)1 |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years1 |
| Coat | Short, fine, glossy coat (longhaired bicolours also exist within the Oriental Longhair) |
| Origin | Developed from the Oriental breeding programmes in the United Kingdom and United States (Oriental work began in the UK in the 1950s), later also in continental Europe; foundation stock from the Siamese, originally from Thailand.123 |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
Like all Orientals, the bicolour is bright, chatty and full of energy, keeping a kitten-like love of play into adulthood. It wants to be involved in everything its family does and seeks plenty of attention.12
short, fine, glossy coat (longhaired bicolours also exist within the Oriental Longhair)
An Oriental in every respect, long, slim, firm and muscular with a wedge-shaped head, big ears and almond eyes, but with white patches added by the white spotting gene. A classic bicolour shows white on the belly, legs and paws and an upside-down V on the face.132
A typical home-care rhythm for an Oriental Bicolor. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Thrives in an engaging home with interaction and things to do.1
Usually not suited to living as a lone cat; does best with company, human or feline.1
Minimal for the short coat: a weekly groom is plenty, and most Orientals enjoy the attention.21
Feeding schedules vary by age, activity, and food type. For specific amounts and timing, please ask your vet or a good breeder for a plan tailored to your cat.
Feed a high-quality cat food that meets nutritional standards. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol; always avoid these. Check with your vet for the best diet for your cat.4
Baths are rarely needed for this short-coated cat. Only bathe if your cat gets very dirty or sticky, as frequent bathing can dry the skin.5
A weekly brushing is plenty for the short, fine coat, and most Orientals enjoy the attention. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every 7 days to keep the coat healthy and reduce shedding.215
Trim claws every 2 to 3 weeks, using cat nail clippers and cutting only the tip. Pet Wiki's plan suggests every 21 days; go slowly and reward your cat. If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demonstration.5
This bright, energetic cat needs daily interactive play to stay happy and healthy. Pet Wiki recommends at least one play session each day, and they love puzzle toys and games that involve you.12
Daily tooth brushing is ideal to prevent dental issues; Pet Wiki suggests brushing every 2 days as a good start. For ears, check weekly for dirt or redness and ask your vet for a safe cleaning routine.
Oriental Bicolors typically live between 12 and 15 years, often staying playful well into their senior years. With good care, many enjoy a long, healthy life.1
Yes, they are generally very social and enjoy being part of a busy household. They do best with company, whether human or feline, and are usually gentle with children if raised together.12
This cat is not suited to being left alone for long periods; they thrive on interaction and company. If you are away often, consider a second cat or a pet sitter to keep them happy.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for an Oriental Bicolor, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 30 kg of dry food a year | 210 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 88 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 121 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 366 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
Orientals are meant to stay slender, so skip free-feeding and offer several small meals a day, with treats making up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.
Source: petmd.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
The GCCF divides Oriental bicolours into three levels of white: van, harlequin and bicolour.1
Odd-eyed cats, with one blue and one green eye, are allowed in Oriental bicolours.1
A true bicolour Oriental shows an inverted V of white on its face.3
The wider Oriental breed has more than 600 possible combinations of colour, pattern and coat.2
The name 'Oriental Bicolour' refers to any cat of Oriental type (derived from Siamese) that has white areas on its coat caused by the white spotting gene.6
I started my day by telling everyone good morning, loudly, because there's news to share. After a quick cuddle, I chased a feather wand until I flopped. Then I inspected the laundry basket and announced my findings. At noon, I sat on my human's laptop to help with work. Now I'm curled on the sofa, but my tail still flicks. Being involved in everything is my favorite sport.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Oriental breeding began in Britain in the 1950s, when Siamese were crossed with other cats to produce Siamese-type cats in solid colours, and American breeders greatly widened the palette in the 1960s and 70s. Adding the white spotting gene created the bicolour Orientals, which the CFA recognised in 1985.123
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Longhair
Siamese