This is our review of Best Cat Food For Exotic Shorthair.
The Exotic Shorthair is one of the most popular breeds in America. Exotic Shorthair is a medium sized breed but are known for their laid back nature and lazy demeanor..
Exotic Shorthairs are prone to obesity and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) because of their laid back nature so it is important to feed them high protein content, moderate to low fat and low carb diet.
Our absolute favorite is Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau as the best cat food for Exotic Shorthairs but all the recommendations are top choices for your Exotic Shorthair.
Here is our review of the 6 best cat food for your Exotic Shorthair.
Our Best Cat Food For Exotic Shorthairs
- Best Overall – Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau
- Best Dry Cat Food – Wysong Epigen 90
- Best For Sensitive Stomach – Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner
- Best Premium – Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast
- Best Budget – Wellness Complete Health Chicken Entrée Canned Food
- Best For Kittens – Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free
6 Best Exotic Shorthair Cat Food Reviewed
All cat foods in this list meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. Always consult your vet before making changes to your cat’s diet.
Tikki Cat Puka Puka Luau
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Dicalcium Phosphate
- Guaranteed Analysis: 16% Crude Protein, 2.6% Crude Fat, 0% Crude Fiber, 80% Crude Moisture
- Carb Content: 0.338%
- Caloric Content: 63 kcal/2.8-oz can
- Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, High-Protein, Gluten Free, Low Glycemic, Grain-Free, Pea-Free, Natural, Non-GMO
- Life Stage: Adult
- Best For: Overall
Tiki is one of our favourite cat foods for cats mainly due to the fact that the protein in this recipe comes from a single meat source. This makes it easier to digest and doesn’t cause any sensitivities in cats unless your Exotic Shorthair is allergic to chicken.
Tikki’s wet food is very high in moisture with a moisture content of 80% which gives Exotic Shorthair adequate moisture for their daily needs.
The ash content is 1.6% max which is perfect if you are looking for low ash cat food for your cat to reduce the risk of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in your Ecotic Shorthair.
It doesn’t have any of the bad ingredients such artificial preservatives and thickening agents such as xanthan gum, guar gum and carrageenan which are bad for cats.
It also has a low carbohydrate content of 0.338%, remember cats don’t require high carb content in their daily food.
Some picky eaters might not like this food.
What We Like:
- Single source of protein
- High Protein Content
- High Moisture Content
- Low Carb Content
- Low Ash Content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Taste not for all cats.
Wysong Epigen 90
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Organic Chicken, Meat Protein Isolate, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Gelatin
- Guaranteed Analysis: 63% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, 0% Crude Carbs
- Estimated Carbohydrate: 0%
- Caloric Content: 445 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: No Starch, Grain Free
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best For: Dry Cat Food
If you are looking for a quality dry cat food with zero carbs, look no further than Wysong Epigen 90. It is totally grain free and hence will not provide any carbs to your Exotic Shorthair thus reducing the risk of obesity.
With a protein content of 63%, this is one of the highest protein content dry cat food out there, all coming from real meat ingredients.
With 0% carbs, if you are looking for absolutely carb free food for your cat, this is the one.
The kibble size is also small enough for your Exotic Shorthair to eat easily.
We can’t find anything to complain about in this recipe.
What We Like:
- Zero Carb Content
- Grain Free
- No artificial ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very High Protein content, not for cats which require moderate protein due to health issues
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner
- First 5 Ingredients: Water, Chicken, Pork Liver, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten
- Guaranteed Analysis: 7.8% Crude Protein, 2.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber
- Estimated Carbohydrate: 29.8%
- Caloric Content: 160 kcal/5.5-oz can
- Type of Product: Specially Formulated
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best For: Sensitive Stomach
Hills Science produces one of the best specially formulated cat food in the world. This formula is no different, especially formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs. So if your Exotic Shorthair suffers from a sensitive stomach this is the food we recommend.
This recipe being a wet food will also provide adequate moisture to your kitty fulfilling their water needs.
The carb content is a bit high for our liking for Exotic Shorthair which are prone to obesity, you might want to reduce the serving size if you see your cat gaining weight.
This also contains grains which is the reason it is high in carbs.
What We Like:
- Great protein content
- Specially Formulated
What We Didn’t Like:
- Includes Grains
- High Carb Content
Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Venison, Water Sufficient for Processing, Venison Kidney, Venison Liver
- Guaranteed Analysis: 9% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 0.2% Crude Fiber, 82.5% Moisture
- Estimated Carbohydrate: 1.8%
- Caloric Content: 73 kcal/3-oz can
- Type of Product: Limited Ingredient Diet
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best For: Premium
If you are looking for a high quality limited ingredient food for your Exotic Shorthair, look no further than Feline Natural Chicken and Venison.
The protein comes from only two sources, chicken and venison making it especially suited for Exotic Shorthairs.
It also includes organs which are super healthy for your cat.
Free of common allergy causing ingredients such as artificial preservatives and artificial colours, this is one food your cat will really enjoy.
Some cat owners do complain that their picky cats don’t like the taste of it, so if your cat is a picky eater, try buying one or two cans first to ensure it suits your cat pallet.
What We Like:
- Limited Ingredient Diet
- Free of Artificial Ingredients
- Great for Joint Health
- Low Carb Content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Taste might not be for all cats
Wellness Complete Health Chicken Entrée Canned Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Carrots
- Guaranteed Analysis: 10.5% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Estimated Carbohydrate: 0.24%
- Caloric Content: 182 kcal/can
- Type of Product: No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Grain-Free, Pea-Free, Natural
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best For: Budget
If you are looking for pocket friendly but high quality cat food for your Exotic Shorthair, look no further than Wellness Complete Health.
High protein content coming from real meat, this formula has quality protein to fulfil all the nutritional needs of your cat without breaking the bank.
This formula is grain free making it a low carb option for your Exotic Shorthair to reduce the risk of obesity.
Customers complain that picky eaters don’t really like the pate texture and will not eat it.
What We Like:
- High Quality Protein
- Low Carb Content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Taste might not be for all cats
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Chicken Meal
- Key Feature: Real meat based product with DHA
- Guaranteed Analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 1% Crude Fiber, 7.5% Crude Fat, 78% Crude Moisture
- Caloric Content: 108 kcal/can
- Type of Product: Good source of omega 3 fatty acids
- Life Stage: Kitten
- Best For: Kittens
Choosing a food that provides a balanced nutrition to your kitten is critical while your kitten is growing.
The great source and amount of Omega 3 Fatty Acids will help your Ragdoll kittens brain and eye development.
It is largely grain free with small amounts of plant based ingredients so you can rest easily so that your Exotic Shorthairl kitten will not get any empty carbs.
It might not be the best choice if your kitten is a picky eater or is used to dry food. Try it out with a few cans first before completely switching over to it.
What We Like:
- High Quality Protein
- Low Carb Content
What We Didn’t Like:
- Taste might not be for all kittens
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Food For Your Exotic Shorthair?
Exotic shorthair cats are a medium sized breed having an easy going and lazy nature. Exotic shorthair are disposed to some health conditions such as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and a tendency to develop calcium oxalate stones in the urinary tract. That is why it is important to have the right food for your cat.
Here’s what you need to know to pick the best cat food for your Exotic Shorthair.
Macronutrients For Your Exotic Shorthair
Protein, Fat And Carbohydrate Content
Exotic Shorthair spent most of their time lounging and are particularly known as a lazy cat. For this reason it is important that careful consideration is given to how much protein, fat and carbs they consume so that they don’t become obese.
Per Dry Matter Basis, Exotic Shorthair requires at least 50% protein, 30% fat and less than 12% carbs in their daily diet to live a happy and healthy life.
Cats do not need excessive carbs as they get most of their energy from fats and protein so it is important to keep them on a low level carb diet.
The protein for your Exotic Shorthair come from meat exclusively, so it is important to look at the first 5 ingredients of the food to ensure it has plenty of real meat in them.
High Moisture Content
Exotic shorthairs are dispositioned to diseases such as Polycystic kidney disease and urinary tract crystals.
To counter these conditions, it is important that your Exotic Shorthair gets plenty of hydration daily.
One way you can increase the amount of water your cat consumes is by choosing food which has high moisture content. Wet food has more moisture than dry cat food so wet food is generally better for Exotic Shorthairs.
But if you are feeding your cat, make sure to increase the access of fresh water to your cat by replacing the water in their bowl regularly and also try putting out many water bowls throughout the house so that they have access to water everywhere.
Soft And Easy To Chew Food
Due to the face structure of the Exotic Shorthairs, they can have difficulty properly chewing and swallowing their food.
When choosing food for your Exotic Shorthair make sure the food is soft and easy to chew. Wet food is the best option for this but doesn’t have the teeth cleaning property that dry kibble has. So you will have to do some extra work and ensure that you are taking proper dental care of your cat.
Low Carbs And Calories
Because of their easy going and lazy nature, Exotic Shorthairs are at risk of obesity if care is not taken in their diet.
Exotic Shorthairs require just 32 kcal per pound of body weight. If you feed more than that you are putting your cat at risk of obesity.
Look for food which has no or very few grains, since grains contain a lot of carbs and are hard for some cats to digest as well.
Exotic Shorthair should be fed high quality high content with very low carb content food.
Health Conditions
Allergies
Exotic Shorthairs are susceptible to some common allergies. Some symptoms of Exotic Shorthairs include itching, scratching, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Some common ingredients that Exotic Shorthairs are allergic to are
- Corn
- Soy
- Dairy Products
- Gluten
When choosing food for your Exotic Shorthair try to avoid these ingredients if you can. We know most commercial pet food has at least one of these ingredients in their food.
If you can’t avoid these ingredients, just keep a close eye on your cat when starting off on a new food and if there are any reactions, take them to the vet immediately.
Weight
Obesity is a big risk for Exotic Shorthairs. So it is important when choosing food for your cat, to ensure that it suits their current weight.
If your cat is obese, you might need to lower the amount of calories you are feeding them or go for a zero carb food such as Wysong Epigen.
Age
As cats transition from one life stage to the other, kittens to adults, adults to seniors their nutritional needs change.
It is important to feed your Exotic Shorthair age appropriate diet so that they are getting all the nutrition they require for that life stage.
Exotic Shorthair Common Health Concerns
There are a few health concerns with Exotic Shorthairs.
- Breathing Problems: due to the shape of their face and size of nostrils
- Polycystic Kidney Disease: This occurs when the polycystic kidney has numerous cysts within the functioning part of the kidney resulting in enlarged kidneys. Consult with your veterinarian if your Exotic vomits frequently, has a decreased appetite, and increased thirst or urination.
- Heat Sensitivity: Cats will sweat through their foot pads. The Exotic needs to be kept indoors during the hot summer months. The Exotic needs lots of fresh water to drink, cool places to lie in, and a cool home during extreme summers.
- Skin Disorders: The Exotic may be prone to skin disorders. Persian cats are prone to idiopathic seborrhea. This is an inherited skin disorder resulting in the overproduction of an oily substance. This clumps in the cat’s fur, and causes it to smell bad. Symptoms include red and irritated skin with excessive scratching. Consult your veterinarian for advice.
- Entropion: This is the inversion of the lower lid. It is more common among purebred cat breeds like the Persian cat.
If your Exotic Shorthair suffers from any of these health conditions, consult your vet on what would be the best food for your cat based on the severity of the condition.
Our Final Verdict
Exotic Shorthair are a special breed with their punchy face, it is hard to not fall in love with them.
Your Exotic Shorthair needs the right food to have a healthy and happy life especially since they are prone to obesity, Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and urinary tract crystals.
Our favourite food for Exotic Shorthair is Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau due to the fact it is low in carbs, has no fillers and contains high quality protein.
The other options are pretty great as well, if your cat doesn’t like the Tiki Cat.
Always consult a vet before changing your cat’s food.
FAQ
Is Exotic Shorthair Hypoallergenic?
No, Exotic Shorthairs are not hypoallergenic. So if you have cat allergies, this is not the breed for you.
Sphynx cats on the other hand are hypoallergenic breeds that are much more suited for people with cat allergies.
How Long Do Exotic Shorthair Cats Live?
The average lifespan of an Exotic Shorthair is around 12 to 14 years.
With nutritional care and regular vet visits you can have a great companion for many years.
How Much Do Exotic Shorthairs Weigh?
On average, the Exotic Shorthair male weighs around 10 to 13 pounds and the female Exotic Shorthair weighs between 7.8 pounds to 12 pounds.
Can Exotic Shorthairs Be Fed Dry Food?
Yes, Exotic Shorthair can be fed dry food with small sized kibbles due to the size of their mouth but it is not recommended.
Vets recommend that an Exotic Shorthair diet should consist of 80% wet food to reduce the risk of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
Do Exotic Shorthairs Need to be Fed By Hand?
No, Exotic Shorthairs do not need to be fed by hand. They are an independent breed and can feed on their own.
How Much Water Should An Exotic Shorthair Drink?
On average, the Exotic Shorthair should be drinking about 3.5 – 4.5 ounces of water per five pounds of body weight every day
