The American shorthair cat breed is easygoing and adaptable. With a good-natured, quiet personality, this cat is medium-sized and stocky. They are an ideal choice for homes with other pets, children, and as indoor cats.

You can identify an American shorthair by its soft voice, muscular appearance, and moderately affectionate nature. They bond well with their owners, family members, and pets.

So, if you are thinking of getting a cat or kitten, look at the breed’s specifics below to see if it is the right cat for your home.

Temperament and Personality

With moderate energy levels and exercise needs, an American shorthair does not need excess affection or petting. They have an independent streak and can entertain themselves, especially if enrichment toys are provided.

They can be as playful as other cats – particularly when still a kitten. You can entertain American shorthairs with exciting games like run and catch, feather & string, and chase the prey.

Enjoying human interaction but also their independence makes this breed a popular choice for many households, from singles to families. We also feature American shorthair cats as one of our top ten indoor cat breeds.

Physical Attributes

Body: A medium-sized cat with firm muscles and broad shoulders and chest. The muzzle is well-developed (for healthy species), and the neck is well-built. Its body is athletic to allow swift movement when hunting. American shorthairs have acute hunting instincts and are often described as working cats as they love to chase mice, rats, and other vermin.

Weight: Males are larger than females. A mature male weighs between 11 to 15lbs, while a mature female can weigh anywhere between 8 to 12lbs.

Color: Has distinct sleek coats with several colors to complement its mid-size body.

Ears: The distance between the eyes and the ears is short, unlike the distance between one ear to the other.

Eyes: Eyes are round and curved. Also, they are clear, alert, and bright to help them during hunting (even in dark settings). The most common eye colors include Copper, Hazel, Blue, Gold, Green, and Odd-eyed.

Fur: The coat is short but medium-dense with full-body coverage. The fur grows longer and denser during winter to protect it from the cold.

Colors and Patterns: Black, Blue, Blue cream, Brown, Cameo, Chinchilla, Cream, Golden, Red, Silver, Tortoiseshell, and White.

Head: The forehead is smooth from the front up to the neck. According to the CFA, there should be no dome shape between the ears.

Legs and paws: The legs extending to the paws are strong and muscled. The paws are parallel and straight. Four toes are on the rear legs, and five are on the front legs. 

Tail: The tail varies from medium to long, depending on the cat’s size. It is usually heavy and thick compared to the rest of the tail at its base.

Life Expectancy: 15 to 20-year life span.

Shedding: American shorthairs shed dry hair occasionally. Luckily, its body produces oil from to skin. This oil distributes to its coat and keeps it glossy, preventing itchiness and dry fur.

Available Patterns: Today, you will find Bicolor, Shaded, Smoke, Solid color, Brown Tabby, Silver Tabby Tortoiseshell, and Tricolor or Calico American shorthair cats.

Characteristics of the American Shorthair cat

Trait	Level
Playfulness	Medium
Vocality	Low
Intelligence	Medium
Child/Other Pet Friendly	Yes
Grooming	Low
Independence	High
Affectionate	Medium
Docility	High
Energy Levels	Low to High
Hardiness	High
Attention Needs	Medium

Interesting Facts About American Shorthair Cats

• Today, most cats look like the American shorthair cat, and you need certified breed papers to distinguish them.

• It wasn’t until 1966 that this cat breed was named “the American shorthair cat” to differentiate it from other shorthair domestic cat breeds.

• The American shorthair cat was the cat of the year in 1965, 1984, and 1996.

• Previously named the domestic shorthair, the breed was renamed the American shorthair breed a pedigree by the Cat Fanciers Association.

• Ancestors include the European shorthair and British shorthair breeds.

• Coming to the United States via ships to the new world, American Shorthair cats are now the 8th most popular cat breed worldwide.

• Their strong jaws helped to eradicate mice and rodents on the ship.

History of the American Shorthair Cat Breed

The American shorthair cats are descendants of other shorthair cats. The cats date back to the 1620s (or even earlier). The American shorthair came to North America in 1620 on the Mayflower, an English ship that transported families across the Atlantic from England to the US.

The cat breed interbred and spread like wildfire in America. The CFA recognized and named this particular species “The American Shorthair” in 1966.

Today the American shorthair cat is a popular cat breed, and humans continue breeding this species as indoor and outdoor cats.

American Shorthair Cats as Indoor Family Pets

As an indoor cat, the American shorthair is adaptable to various home environments – either in the city or the farmstead. This cat species can thrive in homes with kids and pets. Most (if not all) American shorthairs enjoy interactive and playful sessions.

As a pet parent, ensure play sessions happen 3 to 5 days a week (20 to 40 minutes). Also, always try to spend quality time with your cat whenever you are at home. Play sessions can be the best substitute for exercise, especially if your American shorthair will be a house cat.

This breed is intelligent, good at food puzzles, and loves to play ball games. They have strong hunting instincts; your home won’t have any problem with mice! Playtime may also involve hunting and chasing. This could be a ball, scrunched-up paper, or cat toys.

American shorthairs are not destructive cat breeds. They also have an independent streak and can entertain themselves. They will lay on your lap for a few minutes as you stroke their back before they are off again. They may stride around the house like a boss when you have guests at home.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Shorthair Cats

Grooming Tips

American Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats that don’t require a lot of grooming. A weekly grooming session is a good routine for your pet.

Furthermore, grooming should happen when the cat is shedding fur. Brushing fur not only leaves it looking attractive. It removes dead hair and helps to maintain the coat’s shining appearance. It also reduces the ability of fur balls to develop. The correct grooming practice also removes dirt and hair tangles from the coat.

How to Brush an American Shorthair Cat

Brush your pet weekly to remove dirt, tangles, and dead hair.

There are seven straightforward steps:

1. Place your cat on a high table.
2. Pet your cat until he relaxes.
3. Use treats and praises to make the session entertaining.
4. Run a metal cat grooming brush from the back of the neck to the tail to remove any tangles.
5. Use a soft bristle brush around the head.
6. Use a rubber mitt over your cat’s body to help remove loose fur and promote blood circulation.
7. Give a final brush with the bristle brush if desired.

Oral Hygiene and Dental Disease

Cats will have bad breath if you do not maintain proper oral hygiene. You may notice their bad breath when your cat yawns close to your face. 

Proper dental hygiene helps prevents a dental disease that can affect cat health. Like humans, dental disease is attributed to a build-up of tartar on the teeth from food residue. This can lead to painful dental infections in your cat. Help care for your cat’s teeth by:

• Provide treats to make the session less tense 
• Use cat toothpaste and a toothbrush 
• Gently brush your cat’s teeth 

Ear and Eye Cleaning

If you notice your cat is scratching their ears a lot or an odor is coming from their ears. It may be time to clean them. Speak to your vet about how to clean your cat’s ears and the right products to use.

Use a warm damp cloth to wipe around the eyes, but make sure not to touch inside the eyes. Do this as your pet sits on your lap.

Litter Box Maintenance

Remove litter box content daily and clean the box with disinfectant if you’ve got the time. But always remember to use recommended pet cleaning detergents so no nasty chemicals are left behind that could harm your pet.

Diet and Nutrition

American shorthair kittens are slow growers and take approximately 3-4 years to reach maturity. Hence, a healthy diet is necessary for their well-being.

Cat formulas like Purina ONE Healthy Kitten and Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Rice are recommended during the first few years. These formulas help boost growth in kittens.

Change the formula to Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Formula and Purina ONE Healthy Metabolism for adult American shorthair cats. These are healthy weight formulas for inactive cats.

In case of matting or hairballs, feed them Purina Pro Plan Hairball Management Chicken & Rice Formula.

A balanced cat food diet helps develop a kitten’s body organs like the eyes, bones, and brain. Furthermore, a quality diet helps to maintain a healthy weight.

Potential Health Problems

The American shorthair is a strong and healthy breed. Domestic cats are susceptible to hereditary health problems and common health conditions. These include:

Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

This is a hereditary heart condition that affects American shorthair cats. The muscle walls of the heart enlarge, thus, affecting all cardiac activities and their effectiveness. This can be related to an overactive thyroid gland in cats. Your vet will be able to monitor this.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can be common across most cat breeds, especially as they age. Other factors include depending on exposure to toxic substances and genetic disposition. The progression of kidney disease can be managed with specialized diets and veterinarian-prescribed medications.

Deafness

Congenital deafness for most cats occurs after birth. Though, it can be hard to know if your cat is deaf.

So, take your cat to the vet to know if it has hearing problems.

FLUTD

FLUTD is a rare health issue that causes a cat to urinate uncontrollably. FLUTD is a condition that affects bladder muscles. Your cat will not be able to control the bladder muscles. Thus, it urinates on any surface or spot.

Where to Buy an American Shorthair Cat

Before heading to your local American Shorthair cat breeders, consider contacting a cat rescue center to see if they have any American shorthair cats for adoption.

American shorthair cats are among the best indoor companions – especially if you have trouble with rodents around your home. They have a strong desire to hunt and will eliminate rats and mice, making them a popular choice for both homes and barns.

Requiring minimal care and grooming, behavioral issues are uncommon, and they get along fine with other cats and children.