American shorthair cat is known for its short and dense coat. American shorthair’s charming personality, compact build, round face, and compact ears make them a beautiful pet.
From the time of the earliest pioneers, these cats have been a part of American families. Their original name was Domestic Shorthair. They were first developed to hunt rats as a working breed. In 1906, the Cat Fanciers Association recognized the American Short Hair as one of the first breeds represented at cat shows. Their gentle, affectionate, playful nature and adaptability make them an excellent choice for families with children and dogs.
The following factors contribute to understanding more about American Shorthair Cats.
Personality
“Happy medium” is an excellent way to describe the American Shorthair. It is a medium-sized, type, build, temperament, neither too big nor too small, cuddly nor distant, couch potatoes nor hyperactive, all-American cat. This breed is ideal for anyone who wants a cat who loves to be in their lap but does not want to be in their faces all the time.
The American Shorthair is well known for its quiet voice, adaptable temperament, and adaptability to other animals and children of different ages. Unlike their Pilgrim companions who left England to find freedom, they prefer not to be picked up. As a result of the American Shorthair’s history as a working cat, they are healthy, strong, and vital companions. Although American Shorthairs enjoy romping with their favorite humans, they can amuse themselves just as well with a ball of paper. Even as they age, they tend to remain active and playful.
Physical Characteristics
Cat’s Body
A well-developed chest and shoulders. Hindquarters with a solid build and muscularity.An even, straight, and broad back.
Head
An oblong face with full cheeks, a bit wider than long. Expression of sweetness and openness.The forehead and neck are connected by a smooth, convex continuous curve. The ears do not have a dome. The nose is medium in length and has the same width throughout.
Ears
It is medium in size with slightly rounded tips and a relatively closed base. It is twice the distance between eyes. Measured from the inner corners of the lower ear.
Eyes
An extended and wide lid with a bottom lid that fits perfectly and is shaped like a half almond cut lengthwise. A minimum of one eye’s width between them. There is a very slight difference in height between the outer and inner corners.
Paws and Legs
Generally medium in size and bone, and heavily muscled. All four paws are faced forward when viewed from the rear. Heavy pads and firm, full paws. In front, there are five toes; in back, four.
Tail
A medium length, heavy base, tapering and blunt ends with normal sloping vertebrae at the end.
The Coat
A texture of short, thick, and even strands. Coat thickness varies by region and season. Moisture-resistant, cold-resistant, and able to protect your skin from superficial injuries.
Color
Solid, shaded, and smoke patterns are all available in a variety of colors.
Characteristics
The American Shorthair is a muscular, stocky cat as a working cat. Having muscular legs lends the Americans agility and endurance. Their heads are large and full, with medium-sized ears and large, wide eyes.
Health
This breed is healthy and hearty. Due to their flat faces, the species is also more prone to ocular and respiratory problems. Due to their laid-back nature, they are genetically predisposed to gum disease and mouth disease. Breeders who are reputable test thoroughly to avoid breeding cats with genetic disorders.
Living Needs
There is nothing more versatile than the American shorthair. They are ready and willing to live anywhere. Having been raised on farms and ships, any comfortable apartment or house will be just fine with them. The breed is intelligent and enjoys interactive and traditional games such as felt mice, plastic balls, and fishing teasers. An American shorthair cat will enjoy climbing up a cat tree or relaxing on a padded shelf by a window, as they do with other breeds of cats.
An American shorthair cat is just as happy to curl up in your lap or bed when it is not exploring. You can leave this breed alone for a day without worrying about it destroying your home.
History
In the early days of settlement in North America, settlers sent cats onboard ships to protect their merchandise from mice – for example, the Pilgrims sent cats over on the Mayflower to hunt rats on board and in the colonies. As a result, they associate with each other and developed unique characteristics to cope with their new environment. To set the best qualities of these cats, a selective breeding program was established in the early 20th century.
Breeders and cat fancier organizations in North America, consider the American Shorthair a pedigree breed, requiring a strict conformation standard. All cat registries in North America accept the breed. Domestic shorthairs were renamed in 1966 to “American shorthairs” to recognize their “all-American” heritage and distinguish them from other short-haired breeds. In addition, the name “American Shorthair” strengthen the fact that the breed is pedigreed, distinct from the randomly bred, non-pedigreed domestic short-haired cats in North America, which may nonetheless resemble the ASH. In the past, both the American Shorthair breed and the cats from which it is descended were used to control rodent populations, especially on farms and ships. In 1906, the American shorthair (then known as Domestic shorthair) became one of the five breeds registered by the CFA.
Care
You shouldn’t skip grooming your American shorthair just because it has a short and dense coat. Brushing your cat weekly, particularly when shedding its winter coat, will eliminate dead hair, dirt, and any potential mates. In addition, seasonal coats are thicker on these cats.
Since they are self-entertaining when necessary, American shorthairs don’t require much extra social care.Other than that, it is exceptionally friendly and will stroll around happily when it has friends over.
How to Care for an American Shorthair Cat
The average life expectancy of an American Shorthair is about 15 years, which is about average for cats. These five tips will help you take great care of your American Shorthair:
- Visit the Vet
One of the best things you can do for your cat’s health is schedule a yearly check-up. Your veterinarian will be able to detect a health issue in its early stages when treatment can be more straightforward and the outcome better. In addition, they ensure your cat’s vaccines are current, and its weight is appropriate.
- Do Home Health Checks
Checking your American Shorthair’s health at home is helpful in addition to regular vet visits. All cat breeds are prone to hiding or masking their sick symptoms, so keeping up with them is essential.
- Watch that Weight
American Shorthair cats are no exception when it comes to obesity problems. Various medical issues can result from it, including heart disease and diabetes. You can discuss your cat’s diet and exercise routine with your veterinarian at its subsequent annual examination.
- Brush Regularly
It’s necessary to brush cats regularly even though they naturally groom themselves. This will keep their coat in top shape and prevent those icky fur balls from forming. Ensure your cat gets an annual dental cleaning and brush its teeth regularly as well.
- Consider Cat Insurance
Cats who live indoors can suffer injuries if they fall from a high surface, swallow something they don’t like, or nibble on something that is dangerous. Furthermore, they can be afflicted with common cat diseases, which are extremely expensive to treat. A cat insurance policy can protect you from the high prices associated with accidents, illnesses, and injuries.
Interesting Facts about the American Shorthair Cat
The American Shorthair can be a fun and loving pet. Keeping that in mind, here are few facts about this breed:
- A new name
American Shorthairs received their official name in 1966 to differentiate themselves from other shorthairs.
- Not your typical short hair
American Shorthairs are different from domestic shorthairs. Despite their similarities, American Shorthairs are purebreds, while domestic shorthairs are typically mutts with unknown ancestry, thus being known as “mutts.”
- A cat of many colors
Cats of this breed can have various color and pattern combinations — some say as many as 60.
- Look at those peepers!
The American Shorthair is also known for its extensive, bright eyes, which tend to be big and wide. In addition, the outer corners of the eyes can be set slightly higher than the inner corners, giving them an almond shape at the top and rounded edges at the bottom.
Why should own one
Cats like the American Shorthair are delightful companions that can be a lovely addition to many households. Due to their docile nature and easy-to-maintain lifestyle, these cats are ideal for a first-time cat owner.
According to breeders, the American Short-hair is perfect for anyone who prefers to have a cat on their lap rather than a face. This breed of cat is also easygoing and calm. Known for their quiet voices and adaptable personalities, American shorthairs are also unique.
Additionally, they’re easy to train, friendly, and adapt well to other animals. American Shorthair cats are affectionate and will attach themselves to their family members. It is best to play games with an American Shorthair cat that enhances its hunting and chasing reflexes.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about this breed of cat.
- Approximately how long do cats live?
Most cats live between 9 and 12 years, although some have lived into their 20s. Cats living indoors have a longer lifespan than those living outdoors, at greater risk of diseases, injuries, and trauma. Veterinary visits can prolong the life of cats by detecting many age-related diseases early and treating them accordingly.
- Which are the most popular cat breeds?
Breed popularity varies from country to country, so it’s hard to give a definitive answer. As an example, the American Shorthair is popular in the United States but not in Australia. To keep things simple, we’ve included a list of all-time most popular breeds of cats.
- Persian
- Ragdoll
- Birman
- Burmese
- Siamese
- Maine Coon
- British shorthair
- Devon Rex
- Oriental shorthair
- Himalayan
- How are American shorthairs, unlike most cat breeds?
Domestic shorthairs are similar to pedigreed American Shorthairs, which most of us have either owned or encountered. However, in contrast to domestic shorthairs, American Shorthairs produce kittens that have a distinct appearance.
- Are American Shorthair cats rare?
A Shorthair cat is one of the most popular breeds in the United States, Canada, and Japan today and is one of the most common breeds of cat. Unfortunately, some organizations still refuse to acknowledge the existence of the American cat in Europe.
- Should I get an American Shorthair cat?
Friendly, relaxed, and gentle, the American Shorthair lives up to its name. Due to their easy-going disposition, they are a good choice for families with children. In addition, breeds such as American Shorthairs can work well in households where people are absent for several hours at a time.
- Do American Shorthair cats shed a lot?
American Shorthairs shed, but combing a couple of times per week will remove dead hair and redistribute skin oils to keep their coats shiny and prevent dry, itchy skin.
- Are American Shorthair cats calm?
How do they behave? These are easygoing, chilled-out cats beloved by families for their excellent temperaments and ability to get along with kids. Even in old age, they can still be playful, even when calm. Additionally, American Shorthairs love to hunt insects for their families.
Conclusion
In the United States, the American Shorthair is one of the best examples of modern evolution since they originated as working cats. They are beautiful-looking creatures that stand alone as independent and sentient creatures and devoted companions to humans.
