American Shorthair Cat

The American Shorthair Cat is one of the most popular breeds of cat. They are popular for their affectionate, playful nature as well as their good looks and athletic ability.

An American Shorthair will live around fifteen to twenty years and longer with good nutrition and veterinary check ups. They weigh up to 15 pounds and as little as 8 pounds (males are 11-15 pounds). If they weigh much more than this they may need more exercise and a diet! They have over 80 different color patterns so I won’t go into the detail of their usual color here (the more useful information is their temperament when trying to decide what cat to adopt!). The best known Shorthair is the silver tabby.

If you are looking for a cat that is playful but not to loud, then you should consider this breed of cat. They do not need a lot of attention but appreciate playing games with you and your children. They will make sure that they are part of the family and get along well with other pets. All in all this cat has a great disposition and will adjust well to most households that want a cat.

Being a lean and athletic breed they are generally quite healthy. They can suffer heart disease and it is usually inherited. Aside from that the biggest concern might be obesity if they are overfed and under exercised.

Where to get an American Shorthair Cat?

If you want to know the ancestry of you American Shorthair, or if you want to be certain it is a purebred, then a breeder is the way to go. Otherwise I strongly recommend you adopt a cat from a cat rescue or animal shelter. Too many wonderful cats end up in shelters and rescues simply because of overpopulation. Please spay and neuter your cats to reduce overpopulation!

Want more cats to consider? Leave the American Shorthair Cat page and return to the Cat Breed List to learn about other cat breeds.

Go to Adopt a Pet You Will Love home page for more great pet adoption tips and information