Best food for an Exotic Shorthair: feeding a flat-faced cat
Exotic Shorthair : Its flat face makes picking up kibble difficult: favor wide, shallow bowls (or plates) and kibble shaped for brachycephalic breeds. Being fairly inactive, it is prone to weight gain: measure the daily ration.
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The flat face changes everything: kibble shape and size
With an Exotic Shorthair, the first criterion is neither the brand nor the protein level: it is prehension. Its brachycephalic jaw struggles with small round kibble that slides to the bottom of the bowl; the cat ends up inhaling pieces without chewing, regurgitating, or giving up. Look for brachycephalic-specific kibble shapes (almond, curved cushion) offered by several veterinary and “Persian/Exotic” breed ranges — they are designed to be picked up with the tongue rather than the teeth.
The bowl is part of the diet
Serve on a plate or a wide, shallow bowl: high sides bump against its short muzzle and force contortions that discourage picky eaters. Water follows the same logic — a water fountain with a shallow basin encourages this discreet drinker without wetting its face. A share of wet food, easier to lap up, usefully rounds out the ration: our wet vs dry food comparison helps balance the mix.
Low activity, quick to fill out: weight under watch
Placid and home-loving, the Exotic burns little: excess weight is risk number one, and it directly worsens the breathing limitations of a brachycephalic breed, especially in summer. Weigh the ration for the target weight (3 to 6 kg), count treats within the day’s allowance, and switch to a neutered cat recipe from neutering onwards. Its dense undercoat hides early padding: trust the monthly scale and rib check, not your eye.
Coat, hairballs and budget
Its short but very dense coat sheds heavily: hairball-control fibre plus omega 3 and 6 supports digestion and keeps the plush fur in shape. Expect 18 to 38 € per month depending on range and build — the full breakdown is in our monthly cat food budget.
Frequently asked questions
My Exotic Shorthair eats very slowly — should I worry?
Consistent slowness is normal in flat-faced cats: picking up food takes more effort. Worry if the slowness is new, or comes with refusal, drooling or weight loss — see the vet. Otherwise, a flat plate and adapted kibble usually smooth out mealtimes.
Is Persian-specific food suitable for an Exotic Shorthair?
Broadly yes: the brachycephalic build is the same, so the adapted kibble shape works. Simply adjust the portion to your cat’s size and note the shorter coat: the Exotic needs the “long hair” angle of those recipes a little less than its cousin.
Should an Exotic Shorthair’s bowl be raised?
A slight rise (3 to 8 cm) helps some cats grab food without bending the neck, and limits regurgitation. Test it: if your cat eats more cleanly and more willingly, keep the stand; the essentials remain a wide, shallow, stable bowl.
The guides that apply to you
- Cat water fountain: why you need one and how to choose it
Cats often drink too little. Flow settings, filters, materials, maintenance and prices: everything to choose a water fountain your cat will actually use.
- Cat food budget: how much should you plan per month?
What monthly food budget for a cat? From 15 to 60 € depending on the range and share of wet food: the real figures, the traps and where to put your money.
- Overweight cat: setting up a weight loss plan without the frustration
How to help an overweight cat lose weight without starving it or causing stress: diagnosis, a realistic pace, the right food, and vet follow-up.
- Feeding a British Shorthair: preventing weight gain in a compact, heavy-set cat
A stocky build, heavy bones and low natural activity: the British Shorthair stacks up several weight-gain risk factors. Portion guidelines, meal frequency and signs to watch for.