Your guide to finding and caring for an Exotic Shorthair in LA
An Exotic Shorthair can be a good match for LA's indoor, apartment-friendly lifestyle, as long as the home stays cool. This plush-coated, flat-faced cat is usually quiet and easygoing, but Exotics are not common in shelters, so check the listings on this page often. Local shelters and rescues also take in Persian-type and shorthair mixes, so a calm, flat-faced cat may turn up among them.
Say hello to your Exotic Shorthair
While we don't have enough cats near Los Angeles, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
The Exotic Shorthair began in the United States in the late 1950s, when American Shorthairs were crossed with Persians, and the CFA recognized it in 1966. It has the Persian's round head, big round eyes and cobby body, but a short, plush coat that needs weekly combing rather than daily work. Most weigh between 7 and 14 pounds.
Many Exotics are calm, quiet and affectionate, happy to settle beside their people, and some stay playful into adulthood. In LA, that mellow nature fits apartment life, but the flat face brings eye cleaning, heat sensitivity and possible breathing trouble. Personalities vary, so spend time with a cat before deciding, and watch how each one handles new places.
Having an Exotic Shorthair in LA
An Exotic Shorthair brings a Persian look with far less grooming, and it fits LA's indoor lifestyle well. The flat face is the main thing to plan around, shaping heat tolerance, eye care and vet visits, so weigh those daily needs alongside the cat's personality.
Exotics are typically mellow and loyal, preferring to follow you quietly and curl up nearby. That calm style suits LA apartments, since most are soft-voiced. Many get along with respectful children and other pets after slow introductions, though a newly adopted cat may be shy at first, and each cat's personality differs.
Plan on short daily play sessions with wand toys, balls and food puzzles. An Exotic is fairly low-energy but gains weight easily. In LA, indoor play is enough, and a window perch adds interest. On hot afternoons, keep play gentle and stop if breathing turns noisy or labored.
Flat-faced cats can have narrowed airways, tear overflow, eye problems and crowded teeth, and kidney disease is a concern in Persian-type breeds. Any known health history matters, so look for it in the listing, clean the face daily, and book regular checkups with bloodwork as the cat ages. On smoky days, watch for labored breathing.
An Exotic does well in an LA apartment or house, since it needs little room as long as it has a quiet bed, a low perch and a safe window. Cool air is the key: use air conditioning, fans or shaded rooms on hot days, and keep the cat indoors.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $500 to $1,350 per year | $500 to $1,350 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,310 to $3,020 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and scratchers, grooming supplies, and daily eye and face care supplies.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Exotic Shorthairs available.
LA Animal Services runs six city shelters, and many independent rescues and partner groups also help cats find homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the LA area where you can find Exotic Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
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1845 Pontius Ave, Los Angeles
1850 W. 60th St., Los Angeles
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2106 South Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles
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3201 Lacy Street, Los Angeles
11361 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
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Yes, as long as the cat rides in a secure carrier. Metro allows pets on trains and buses only in carriers made for that purpose, and you must keep control of the cat and clean up any mess. An Exotic fits a standard carrier, so choose a ventilated one and avoid hot, crowded rides. Check current fares with Metro.
Yes, if the home stays cool. Exotics can handle LA summers indoors, but flat faces make overheating a real risk during heat waves, especially away from the coast. Plan for hot days with an air-conditioned room or a fan, fresh water, closed blinds in the afternoon, and your vet's number handy in case of labored breathing.
Yes. LA has no breed-specific rules for cats, so an Exotic Shorthair is as welcome as any other cat. The practical hurdle is finding one, since Exotics are uncommon in shelters, so watch the listings. LA Animal Services centers take walk-ins Tuesday through Sunday and ask for a government photo ID, and any cat can be adopted from any center.
Yes, an Exotic is one of the better apartment cats, since it is quiet and needs little space. Read the lease first. California generally counts pet deposits toward the security deposit cap of one month's rent for most landlords, and written pet policies must be disclosed up front starting April 1, 2027. Keep the unit cool.
Plan on weekly combing at home, plus daily wiping of the eyes and face. Heat is the local factor: never shave an Exotic to cool it, since fur protects against sunburn and overheating. Most owners need no professional grooming, so supplies fall within the Other line of the cost chart, which runs $500–$1,350 a year.
Exotic Shorthair cats typically live about 12 to 15 years, and some reach their late teens with good care. Kidney health, breathing problems and dental disease can influence how long an individual lives. Regular veterinary checkups with bloodwork, a healthy weight and a cool indoor home give an Exotic the best chance at a long, comfortable life.
Exotic Shorthair cats can be healthy companions, but the breed carries well-documented risks. Their flat faces are linked to breathing difficulty, tear overflow, eye problems and crowded teeth, and polycystic kidney disease has historically affected many Persian-derived cats. Screening has reduced kidney disease in tested lines. Review any health records with a veterinarian and keep up with regular checks.
No, Exotic Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. Their dense coat sheds, especially seasonally, and like all cats they produce the Fel d 1 allergen in saliva and skin. A short coat does not reduce allergens much. Anyone with cat allergies should spend time with a specific Exotic before adopting, and talk to an allergist about management options.
We have 1 rescue with Exotic Shorthairs available: Kitten Rescue. You can see every rescue with Exotic Shorthairs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Exotic Shorthairs near Los Angeles.
Expect roughly $1,300 to $3,000 a year for an Exotic Shorthair in LA: $25–$50 monthly for food, $30–$60 monthly for pet insurance, $150–$350 for routine vet care, and $500–$1,350 for other costs like litter, dental care, flea prevention and daily eye-care supplies. Ask local clinics and insurers for current quotes.
Expand your search to find Exotic Shorthairs available for adoption near Los Angeles.
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