American Shorthair
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to Large (8-15 lbs) |
| Weight | Males: 11-15 lbs, Females: 8-12 lbs |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Temperament | Easygoing, Affectionate, Adaptable |
| Good with Kids | Excellent |
| Good with Other Pets | Excellent |
| Grooming Needs | Low to Moderate |
| Vocalization | Low to Moderate |
| Activity Level | Moderate |
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The cat that worked before it was a breed
American shorthairs are medium to large, about 8 to 15 pounds, and often live 15 to 20 years. They are easygoing, adaptable, and less frantic than an Abyssinian. The coat is short and dense. A weekly comb is enough unless the cat is blowing undercoat in spring. They tend to be sturdy. Sturdy is not the same as indestructible.
Children and other pets are the usual good match. Indoor life suits them if you provide a window and a toy that moves.
Heart, kidneys, and the middle-aged spread
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and, in some lines, polycystic kidney disease are worth asking about. Most pet American shorthairs will die of ordinary cat problems: teeth, kidneys, and weight. Feel the ribs monthly. ASPCA notes on obesity apply here. A cat that misses more than a day of meals is the not-eating page.
American shorthair questions
Is this a domestic shorthair?
A domestic shorthair is a mixed cat. An American shorthair is a breed with a standard, usually a heavier bone and a specific coat. The silver classic tabby is the postcard. Both can live in a house. They are not interchangeable on a pedigree.
Are they low maintenance?
Compared with a Persian, yes. They still need teeth cleaned, weight watched, and play. A bored, fat American shorthair is the common failure, not a matted coat.
Do they hunt?
Many would like to. A collar and an indoor life, or a supervised outdoor time, beat a cat that is hit by a car doing its barn-cat impression.
Decision Guides for American Shorthair
The papers separate this cat from a barn cat
The American shorthair is a Cat Fanciers' Association pedigreed breed descended from working cats in North America. A domestic shorthair from a shelter can look identical, and the registration is what the breed name is claiming on a cat that the quick facts place around 8 to 15 pounds with a long life. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the screening to ask a breeder about, and polycystic kidney disease comes up in some lines. Most of these cats will meet ordinary feline problems, chiefly teeth, kidneys, and weight. Ribs you can find with your fingers are the body-condition check. Indoor life works when a window and a toy that moves are part of the room.