On New Girl, Ferguson is an Exotic Shorthair. While this is commonly confused with a Persian, there are some slight differences. Persians have longer fur, for instance, while an Exotic Shorthair has shorter fur.
Due to the show’s popularity, there has been an increased interest in Exotic Shorthairs. These cats are rarer than most breeds, so many people had not heard of them before the show.
However, just because you’re in love with Ferguson on New Girl doesn’t necessarily mean you should rush out and adopt one of these cats. While they can make great pets, there are several things you should consider before adopting one.
How Much is an Exotic Shorthair Cat?
Exotic Shorthair cats are rarer than most breeds. They are a recent breed, meaning they haven’t had much time to develop. For this reason, few breeders specialize in them. With so little supply, the price tends to be higher than most expect.
The price tag for these cats is around $1,200 to $2,200 for your average kitten. You should always adopt these cats from a breeder, even if the price is high. If you find a kitten much cheaper than this, it is likely bred by a kitten mill. Usually, these businesses mass-produce kittens and do not follow safety or health protocols. Plus, their kittens often aren’t purebred.
In some cases, these cats may cost as much as $5,000. Show cats and those with breeding rights are the most expensive, as there is potential profit to be made by the new owner.
Are Exotic Shorthair Cats Good Pets?
These cats are increasingly popular for a few reasons. They are made for modern pet parents. Therefore, they have many traits modern pet parents are looking for. For instance, these cats are very affectionate and cuddly.
To some extent, this does make them perfect for a modern buyer. But it also means they can be a bit needy. We only recommend them for pet parents that have a lot of time on their hands. After all, these cats need a lot of attention to be happy.
Furthermore, they are also very playful. They are a bit more energetic than most people imagine cats to be. While they do like to cuddle, they equally love to play. Investing in climbing furniture and similar equipment is vital to keep them happy.
Simply put, these cats are a great option for pet owners that have a lot of time on their hands. If you’re wanting a cat that is quite involved with you, then this is the perfect cat for you. However, they are not suitable for someone that spends a lot of time outside the home.
Can Exotic Shorthairs be Left Alone?
Based on how needy they are, many people are afraid about leaving their Exotic Shorthairs alone. But these cats can be left alone if they are properly trained for it. Even then, though, you won’t be able to leave this cat alone for extended periods every day. Their social needs are simply too high for this routine.
You can get your Exotic Shorthair used to you being gone by leaving for short spurts starting at soon as you adopt them. Do not pamper your new kitten with attention 24/7, and then expect them to be okay when you go back to work. These cats need to learn to be alone, and they can only do that if you let them be alone.
Many people quickly recommend getting a second cat, assuming it will keep the first cat company. We don’t generally recommend this except in very specific circumstances. Firstly, there is no guarantee that the cats will get along. Unless you’re adopting two cats at the same time that already get along, you are taking a very big risk.
Secondly, for most cats, there will be a very long and tiresome period of getting the cats introduced to each other. You cannot simply throw two cats together and expect them to get along, especially if one has already lived in the home.
If you’re already struggling to take care of one cat, throwing an introduction into the mix isn’t going to be very easy.
Finally, two cats are twice the work—even if they get along. So, you should only adopt two cats if you have time for two cats.
Are Exotic Shorthair Cats Lazy?
Compared to other cats, Exotic Shorthairs can be slightly lazy when they are older. However, they can also be extremely playful and more energetic than other breeds, so it is vital to get them the proper play equipment, such as a climbing tower.
Of course, many cats today are overweight or obese. You must be careful about keeping your cat on an appropriate exercise routine. Cats were made to wander and do lots of hunting. However, in our homes, they don’t have to do this. For this reason, many cats don’t move around as much as they should.
Purchasing climbing structures and toys can help encourage movement. If your cat has opportunities to play, it may be more likely to play, but you should still plan on playing with your Exotic Shorthair regularly. These cats are driven by attention—if they get attention by playing, they will be far more likely to play. Your company may be the only encouragement they need to get some exercise.
Do Exotic Shorthairs Spray?
These cats will spray, just like every other cat. There isn’t a breed that is more or less prone to spraying than another, as this tends to be an extremely individual trait. However, cats typically spray because they are stressed or because of hormones.
You can’t always fix stress-related problems in your cat’s life. But there are steps you can take to reduce their stress levels. For instance, encouraging them to exercise and providing them with climbing structures can help accomplish this.
Exotic Shorthairs mature later than other cats, according to the CFA. Therefore, these cats are less likely to spray when they are younger. Getting them spayed or neutered, when possible, will prevent these problems from occurring when they are older, as well.
Conclusion
Exotic Shorthairs are very beautiful and loving cats. If you’ve seen Ferguson on New Girls, then you may be considering adopting one of these felines for yourself. However, before you run out and adopt one, you should consider if one of these cats will fit in your family.
Firstly, these cats are quite expensive (for a cat). In many cases, you’ll spend over $1,000 or even $2,000 for a healthy kitten bred by a qualified breeder.
Secondly, these cats are quite needy. Therefore, we only recommend them for pet parents that have plenty of time on their hands. Otherwise, they may be a bit too needy. Not only will this cause stress for the cat, but it can also lead to destructive behaviors.
Finally, these cats can have difficulty staying alone for extended periods. While this issue can be trained to some extent, they aren’t suitable for those that work very long hours and will be gone from sun-up to sun-down.
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Featured Image Credit: Characters by Elizabeth Meriwether Pictures, 20th Television, property of  The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
