Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | American Shorthair |
| Origin | United States |
| Size | 12 to 15 inches 11 to 15 pounds (males); 6 to 12 pounds (females) |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years |
| Coat | Short hair white, silver, black, cream, blue, brown, and red |
| Temperament | Gentle, affectionate, playful, easygoing, and curious |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Moderate |
| Health Issues | Generally Healthy |
| Grooming Needs | Moderate |
| Price | $500 – $1500 |
Introduction: American Shorthair
In the dynamic world of cat breed the American Shorthair stands tall among the others thanks to its unique and striking appearance and personality traits which has mad it popular all over the world. They are calm, playful and curious personality cat who are always ready to make a great companion to others. They are renowned for their gentle and calm behavior and enjoy cuddling with their owners. They are medium sized cats who don’t seek frequent attention from their owners and can entertain themselves if provided various toys and playing climbing spaces. In this article we will learn about its amazing world.
History and Origin
The American Shorthair originated in US. Their ancestors were brought by the European settlers who settled in North America. There was a time in America when cats began to multiply its population overtime and developed the traits which differentiated themselves as unique breed. They were able to maintain their unique traits and the name American Shorthair was given to this breed to separate them from other domestic and random local shorthair in 1966. They were able to get 10th rank as the top 1- most popular pedigreed cat breeds which was established by Cat Fanciers Association.
Physical Appearance
Talking about its physical appearance the American shorthair is a medium to large sized cat with a muscular and strong build with powerful appearance. Their head shape is round along with its wide spread ears and large eyes which gives them an appealing look. The size between males and female tends to be different as males are quite large in compare to females. Males weigh up to 15 pounds where as females tend to weigh up to 12 pounds.
Temperament and Personality
The American Shorthair is renowned for its easy going, calm, gentle and playful personality. They are quite intelligent and enjoy playing with toys and entertaining its self. They do not constantly seek attention from their owners but they are mostly ready to play and lap cuddle withe the family members. They are good with other pets and children as well. They are moderately active vocal cats who love to interact with chirping meows.
Exercise and Activity Needs
The America Shorthair is a moderately active cat breed so they require moderate amount of exercise to stimulate their mental and physical capabilities. They are always ready to play ad will happily company you in your activities. Activities like walking, playing, solving tricks etc. at least 60 mins a day can ensure their mental and physical health. They are good when alone also if left with toys as they can entertain them selves with various other toys as well.
Grooming and Care
As with its name American Shorthair they have very dense and thick coat with short hair which are non to low shedding which makes its grooming extremely easy. Regular brushing is ideal and can just do fine to ensure its coat’s health. Regular brushing teeth, trimming nails, cleaning ears etc. are some major grooming activities which can ensure its good health.
Some helpful tips:
- In order to ensure its silky and shiny coat it is recommended to use slicker brush.
- One must know that they should not over wash their cat’s coat as it can damage and degrade its coat quality.
- Bathing once a few months with high quality shampoo is much better for their coat’s and overall health.
- Clean their ears, trimming nails, brushing their teeth with high quality toothpaste are some major cleaning activities.
Health and Common Concerns
The American Shorthair cat is generally a healthy breed and do not suffer from any genetical diseases and are very strong due to which they live longer than in compare to other breeds. Although they can be prone to develop chronic diseases if proper sanitation and balanced diet is not maintained. Some health problems it can be exposed to if not taken care of properly are:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Dental issues
- Kidney problems
- Diabetes
- Respiratory problems
- Eye problems
Some helpful tips:
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once every 14 weeks is recommended.
- Feed them nutritious and protein condense foods like fish, milk, authentic cat foods etc.
- Never neglect the hydration of your cat.
- Giving them necessary vaccines to fight various bacteria and allergies is necessary.
- Socializing and interacting with them by playing is an important activity for their mental health as well as physical health.
- Proper sanitation and clean environment is a must for minimal risk of bacterial diseases.
- If any sudden sickness you should immediately seek help from respective professionals.
Training and Socialization
The American Shorthair is a very calm and easy going breed which makes them highly trainable. They are good with learning tricks and instructions if proper and positive reinforcements and techniques are applied. They are good with other pets and children thanks to their calm personality. Training and socialization at an early age is very important to ensure its calm traits as an adult.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American Shorthair is an extremely affectionate and gentle breed who is easy to handle and to be taken care of. They are very good with other pets and children which makes them a great companion for everyone. They are compact in size which can be a great choice for people living in small apartment. They do not require constant attention which is suitable for busy families too. Bringing them home and taking proper care of them will surely ensure to bring happiness to you and your family and also as well as to your pet.
Image Source: Getty Images
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