History
The American Shorthair breed originated from cats following settlers from Europe to North America. Records indicate that even the Mayflower carried several cats to hunt the ship’s rats. American Shorthairs often continue to grow until 3 or 4 yeard old and generally require only annual vaccinations and veterinary checkups. With a quality diet and plenty of tender loving care, they can live 15 years or longer
Description
Males are usually larger than females, averaging 11 to 15 pounds, while females may weigh 6 to 12 pounds.
Grooming and Physical Needs
Size: American Shorthairs weigh 6-15 pounds and females tend to be on the smaller side.
- Grooming Needs: Easily cared for by combing or brushing it a couple of times a week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils.
- Coat Type: A short, thick coat comes in a large assortment of colors and patterns: solid, tabby, calico, tortoiseshell, bicolor, particolor and more.
- Moulting: Moderate and depends on climate.
- Exercise Needs: Not overly demanding of attention or activity.
- Average Life Span: Around 15 to 17 years
- Healthcare: American Shorthairs are a generally healthy cat breed.
Behaviour
- Family: Excels at being a family companion, but not overly affectionate.
- Temperament: Adaptable and good-natured.
- Trainability: Can learn tricks with relative ease.
- Sociability (Other Pets): Plays well with cat-friendly dogs.
- Meowing:
Notes
It’s a good idea to keep an American Shorthair as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats. Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. They are also hungry cats, so prevent obesity by measuring their food instead of free-feeding them.
Information courtesy of the Cat Fancier’s Association