American Shorthair: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The American shorthair is a medium-sized cat with a gentle nature, making them a great companion for families with children and/or other pets. While they’re not quite known for their athleticism, American shorthairs are surprisingly well-muscled and powerful—a trait established from all those years of hunting rodents on shipping boats. These sweet kitties tend to be happy and playful pets but also have an independent streak, which means they’re not quite as needy as some other breeds.

Learn more about the American shorthair, including the breed’s characteristics, history, and care needs.

American Shorthair Characteristics

Often silver with black tabby markings, American shorthairs are strikingly attractive cats. Their round face gives them a sweet look that correctly conveys their temperament. However, don't think that these are dull cats that laze around all day long; as descendants of hard-working mousers, American shorthairs are still playful and curious felines that like to explore or bat around a crinkle ball or catnip mouse.

These cats are known for their easygoing, amiable personalities. They get along very well in homes with children, other cats, or cat-friendly dogs, but they don't demand constant attention. Your American shorthair can entertain themselves with toys, spend time gazing out the window, clamber up and down a cat tree, or enjoy a good catnap when not spending time cuddling or interacting with you.

History of the American Shorthair

European settlers to North America brought a lot with them, including the ancestors of what we now refer to as the American shorthair. This breed’s European forebears snagged a trip to the New World thanks to their affinity for hunting and catching rodents—a quality that was as prized on rat- and mice-laden shipping vessels as it was in the homes and barns of the country’s newest residents. It is believed that the ancestors of the American shorthair came over on the Mayflower, and that they may have made the trip even earlier than that.

Once in America, these cats began to multiply, over time developing the traits that distinguish them as a unique breed. Due to their prized personality, American shorthairs were (and continue to be) selectively bred in an effort to maintain and propagate their many likable qualities. Many of their physical traits can be traced to their early days in the country, including a dense coat that was ideal for withstanding cold winters while working and hunting outdoors, a moderately large size, and a muscular body.

The name American shorthair was given to the breed in 1966 to distinguish them from the domestic shorthair, which is randomly bred and does not carry such specific traits. The American shorthair has also ranked among the top 10 most popular pedigreed cat breeds, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association. 

American Shorthair Care

The American shorthair cat is easy to care for. They do require your time and attention, as they want to know that they’re loved and a part of the family, but when it comes to exercise and grooming requirements, the breed isn’t high-maintenance.

Exercise

The American shorthair loves to play and will happily do so, provided they’re in the mood. This breed enjoys socializing with their humans, though they have enough of an independent streak to entertain themselves as well, meaning you don’t usually have to worry about separation anxiety.

Leaving interactive toys around the home will help ensure an American shorthair gets enough exercise, as will setting aside one-on-one playtime. Since this breed does well with other cats, getting a kitty companion is another way to keep your American shorthair active.

Shedding

You can expect your American shorthair to shed throughout the year, with peaks during the spring and fall.

Grooming

These cats may have short hair, but they do require regular brushing due to the thick nature of their coat. Weekly brushing is ideal for optimal coat health.

Other standard grooming practices should be followed as well, including regular dental care, ear cleanings, and nail trims. 

Common Health Problems

American shorthairs are robust, long-lived felines not genetically prone to any particular health issues. Like any cat, however, they can develop chronic or acute diseases, particularly if allowed to roam freely outdoors, where they are likelier to pick up parasites or come in contact with viruses and bacteria. Free-roaming cats are also likelier to be injured in accidents or ingest toxic substances.

Some of the health problems that can affect American shorthairs include:

• Obesity: Feeding your cat a high-quality diet, and making sure you avoid overfeeding, can help them maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can increase the risk of various diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This hereditary form of heart disease is also the most common form in cats. Symptoms include labored breathing, irregular heartbeat, and weakness.
• Tooth and gum problems: Over 50% of cats over 3 years of age have dental disease, such as tooth resorption and periodontal disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth often may help prevent problems.  
• Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD): Urinary tract infections, urinary stones, cystitis, and urethral obstruction are some of the causes of FLUTD. Symptoms include blood in the urine, urinating outside the litter box, straining to urinate, and urinating small amounts.   
• Diabetes: This condition causes high blood sugar because the body doesn’t make or use insulin properly. Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, and weight loss.  
• Respiratory issues: Bacteria and viruses can cause upper respiratory infections in cats. Allergies can also be to blame for respiratory issues. Symptoms include sneezing, trouble breathing, and coughing.
• Eye problems: Various eye ailments, such as conjunctivitis and cherry eye, can cause symptoms like redness, discharge, and irritation and affect a cat’s ability to see.

Appearance

A full-grown American shorthair is a fairly large cat, but generally does not reach mature size until the age of 3 or 4 years. The body of an American shorthair cat is muscular, with a powerful and sturdy appearance. The head is round, with widespread ears and large eyes. Male American shorthairs tend to be larger than females—males weigh up to 15 pounds, while females weigh up to 12 pounds.

These beautiful cats have thick, short fur that can be a wide range of colors and patterns, but the overwhelming majority—75%, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association—are tabbies, with silver tabbies being especially popular. They can have a variety of eye colors as well, although green and gold are quite common.

These cats are moderate shedders, and they are not a hypoallergenic breed.

Diet and Nutrition

American shorthairs are powerful cats who require strict nutritional oversight to ensure they do not get overweight—a trait to which this this breed is prone. While they are disposed to long life spans and can live for up to 20 years in good health, this is dependent on a high-quality diet that provides enough fuel for their muscular stature without leading to excessive weight gain.

As a general rule, your cat should eat a diet that is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates. The food should be species-appropriate, as cats are obligate carnivores. Whether the diet is all kibble, all wet food, or a mix of each is up to you, but remember that most cats, like most people, enjoy some variety in their meals, and cats get a lot of their moisture from food, which kibble lacks.

If you’re concerned about how to properly feed your American shorthair, or if your American shorthair is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about proper feeding guidelines. 

Where to Adopt or Buy an American Shorthair

As a popular and fairly common breed of cat, you should have no problem adopting or buying an American shorthair. These lovable felines make a great addition to any home, especially those with children or other pets.

We always recommend starting your search with pet rescues. There are a few good places to start:

• Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue
• Rescue Me!: American Shorthair Rescue

You can also search for the breed on rescue sites like Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet. Be aware, however, that the majority of pets in rescues and shelters are mixes, not purebred animals.

If you are interested in purchasing a purebred American shorthair, you can find a list of vetted breeders through The International Cat Association or by searching online for a registered breeder. You can also find American shorthair breeders by visiting cat shows, where these popular cats are usually on display.

American Shorthair Overview

Sweet, easygoing, curious, playful, and affectionate: these cats make wonderful family pets, but because they are able to keep themselves entertained, they also do well in homes with a single adult. American shorthairs are beautiful cats with thick fur in a wide range of colors, but most often, they dazzle in boldly striped coats. They are not hypoallergenic, however, and do shed moderately.

With their muscular bodies, befitting to a breed developed to hunt rodents throughout cold winters, these are not delicate felines, but they are still happy spending time curled on their favorite human's lap or enjoying a game of catch the feather on a string.

Pros of American Shorthairs

• Friendly and great household companions
• Get along with other pets
• Independent
  

Cons of American Shorthairs

• Prone to weight gain
• Require weekly brushing
• Heavier than they look
  

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

There are plenty of wonderful cat breeds out there. Adopt an American shorthair today, or simply go to the shelter and see who pulls at your heartstrings.

If you’re interested in other American breeds, check out:

• Maine Coon
• Ragdoll
• Bombay
• Snowshoe

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.