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Is an American Shorthair the Right Breed for You?The American Shorthair is a large, generally healthy cat breed descended from the European Shorthair. They tend to be mild mannered couch dwellers, but also can be excellent mousers.
The Shorthair, which was called the Domestic Shorthair until the nineteen sixties, is a pedigreed cat that meets a specific standard. These cats are classified as a part of the Championship Class by the Cat Fancier's Association. They tend to be on the large side, weighing in at eight to fifteen pounds. The Shorthair has a wide face with prominent cheeks and a powerful well muscled body. Her tail is slightly thicker at the base than at the tip and is shorter than her body. Her eyes are big and have an alert expression. While tabbies are probably the most common Shorthair patterns, cats with tortie, smoke, and bicolor patterns are also available. The striking silver tabby color has been popular since one of these gorgeous cats was the winner of the nineteen sixty five United States Cat of the Year Award. However, the tortoise shell and white cat, also known as a Calico is also quite popular. The American Shorthair actually is a descendant of the European Shorthair. As this breed adapted to life in the United States, it developed a heavier, coarser coat to protect it from the bitter American winters. In addition, the American version of this cat is a bit larger than its ancestor, because of the many dangers the breed faced when it first arrived from Europe. The American Shorthair is usually a mild mannered, quiet cat, although it can be a fairly formidable hunter of mice and other small rodents. Since this cat breed is quite content to curl up on the sofa, it is an ideal breed for apartment living. These cats are often tolerant of children and other pets, as long as they are not mishandled. This makes the Shorthair breed a good choice for a family looking for a pet cat. Originally, any cat that met the breed standard could be registered as a pedigreed American Shorthair. This cut down on the inbreeding that has caused so many hereditary health conditions in other breeds. Of course, as the breed developed, unpedigreed cats could no longer be registered just because they resembled the Shorthair. Since this breed is not very active and already tends to be a bit on the large side, you may want to keep an eye on your cat's weight. If she eats too much, you may have to stop offering unlimited amounts of free choice dry food. You should discuss dietary concerns with your veterinarian, including the possibility of feeding a weight control diet if needed. Better yet, give your cat some attention and much needed exercise by playing with her. While Shorthairs do not have problems with matted coats, grooming is still important. Frequent grooming helps cut down on both shedding and hairball problems, and they usually like the attention. You may want to accustom your kitten to having her teeth brushed, as well. As cats age, they can develop severe dental problems if their teeth are not cared for properly. Dental problems, especially in a senior cat, can lead to other major medical issues. All in all, this breed is an undemanding but enjoyable pet. If that is what you are looking for in a cat, then the American Shorthair may be the ideal choice for your household.
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