American Shorthair cats, also known as “American Shorthair Tigers” or simply “American Shorthairs,” are known for their sweet and adorable appearance and gentle and friendly nature. They are loved by cat enthusiasts. Today, let’s learn more about the “American Shorthair” cat.
American Shorthair | Historical Origins
The American Shorthair is a true native American cat. Its ancestors were brought to the North American continent by early European immigrants. According to records, the ancestors of American Shorthairs arrived in North America on the Mayflower along with the first pilgrims. On the ship, they were used to help catch mice.
As more immigrants arrived in America, the original American Shorthair ancestors had the opportunity to crossbreed with various breeds that came later, including British Shorthairs, Burmese cats, and Persian cats. In the breeding history of American Shorthairs, they were initially registered as “Shorthair cats” and later changed to “Domestic Shorthair cats” before finally being named “American Shorthair cats” in 1966.
American Shorthair | Physical Characteristics
Head: American Shorthair cats have a round and large head, full cheeks, and slightly rounded ears. Their eyes are large, round, bright, and slightly slanted. They come in various colors depending on their fur.
Body: They have a medium body length, strong shoulders, a rounded chest, a straight back, and a thick base of the tail.
Coat: The coat is short, dense, and firm.
American Shorthairs have a wide range of coat colors, including white, black, tabby, brown tabby, silver tabby, red tabby, blue tabby, patched tabby, bicolor, tortoiseshell, and more. Common eye colors include blue, green, golden, and brown.
American Shorthair | Personality Traits
- Gentle Temperament:
Most American Shorthairs have a gentle temperament. They don’t easily get angry or make a lot of noise, making them suitable for families with children. They also get along well with other animals, making them a good choice for multi-pet households. - High Intelligence:
American Shorthairs are among the most intelligent cats. Their intelligence is comparable to that of young children. They are also relatively resistant to diseases and can be trained easily. - Active and Energetic:
Perhaps inheriting the skills of their ancestors in catching mice on cargo ships, American Shorthairs are very active and energetic. It’s recommended to provide them with cat furniture, such as climbing trees, to help them expend their energy. Playing with them is the best way to bond with them.
American Shorthair | Daily Care
Although American Shorthairs have short hair, their fur is dense and fine, so regular grooming is necessary to reduce shedding.
American Shorthairs are one of the longest-living cat breeds. According to statistics from 2018, the average lifespan of American Shorthairs is around 18 years, and many well-cared-for American Shorthairs can live up to 20 years or even 26 years.
The genetic stability of American Shorthairs is well-established, so they are generally robust and healthy. They are not picky eaters and have a strong immune system, making them suitable even for novice cat owners.
It’s important to note that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac disease in American Shorthairs, with a higher incidence in males than females, and the risk increases with age. Therefore, it’s essential for cat owners to take their cats for regular check-ups at the veterinary clinic to prevent any potential issues.
