American ShorthairCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care
American Shorthair at a cat show. · Nickolas Titkov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0). Cropped and resized.
The American Shorthair descends from the European cats brought to America by the first settlers, on board ship, to protect the food stores from mice. It is a sturdy, independent and patient cat, often called a “working cat”. CFA describes it as the perfect family cat: affectionate, playful and very tolerant of children and other animals.
Quick facts
| Common name | American Shorthair (ASH; originally Domestic Shorthair) |
| Scientific name | Felis catus |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Official recognition | Not recognised by FIFe; CFA since 1906 (among the first five breeds), TICA, CCA |
| Lifespan | We found no data for the breed; pet cats live about 13 years on average |
| Weight | Males 5–7 kg, females 2.5–5.5 kg |
| Size | Medium to large |
| Body type | Solid, muscular, with medium-length legs |
| Coat type | Short, dense |
| Common colours | Over 80 colours and patterns, from brown tabby to white with blue eyes and silver |
| Eye colour | Large, set wide apart |
| Activity level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Affectionate, independent, patient, intelligent, calm |
| Good with children | Very good, even with young children |
| Good with other pets | Very tolerant of other animals |
| Genetic predispositions | Polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy |
- Primary category:Cat breeds
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History and origin
When settlers crossed the ocean from Europe to North America, they took cats on board to protect the food stores from mice, for example on the Mayflower. The cats settled in the New World, interbred and adapted to the new climate. As the pioneers moved west, the cats went with them and protected farms and homes from rodents.
At the first cat show in the USA, in 1895, more than 50 cats of this type were shown. When CFA was founded, in 1906, it was one of the first five breeds recognised, under the name “Domestic Shorthair”. In 1965–1966 it was given today's name, American Shorthair.
How the breed developed
- Seventeenth century – the settlers' cats reach North America.
- 1895 – more than 50 cats at the first show in the USA.
- 1906 – among the first five CFA breeds.
- 1965–1966 – given the name American Shorthair.
- 2020 – the eighth most popular pedigree breed in the world, according to CFA.
At a glance: who is it right for?
- Families with young children. CFA says it is very tolerant.
- People who work. It is independent enough to amuse itself.
- Homes with other pets. It is very tolerant of them.
- Anyone who can play with it every day. It has a strong hunting instinct.
Physical characteristics
It is a medium to large cat: males weigh 5–7 kg, and females 2.5–5.5 kg. The head is large and slightly longer than it is wide, the ears are medium-sized and slightly rounded, and the eyes are large and set wide apart. The neck, legs and tail are of medium length and muscular.
General appearance
It is a solid cat, built for work, without exaggerated features. French Wikipedia says the standard aims to avoid any trait that could weaken the breed.
| Feature | American Shorthair |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to large |
| Weight | Males 5–7 kg, females 2.5–5.5 kg |
| Head | Large, slightly elongated |
| Ears | Medium, slightly rounded |
| Eyes | Large, set wide apart |
| Coat | Short, dense |
It is recognised in over 80 colours and patterns, from brown classic tabby to white with blue eyes, silver variants and tortie and white with a van pattern. Only colours that show crossbreeding are disqualified: chocolate, sable, lilac or the Siamese point pattern.
Related breeds and how to tell them apart
The British Shorthair and the European Shorthair are its “cousins” in Europe. The Exotic Shorthair came from secret crosses between American Shorthairs and Persian cats.
Behaviour and temperament
CFA says it enjoys human company and especially interactive play with the family, but is independent enough to amuse itself while its owners are at work. It is intelligent and easy to train: it can learn not to climb on worktops, to use the scratching post and even to fetch toys. It can also learn to open drawers and doors, especially if the treats are kept there.
It is calm and even-tempered, but enjoys hunting games with feathers and wands. If you play with it at about the same time every day, you will see it “dancing” with impatience.
Socialisation
CFA says it is very tolerant of other animals and young children and communicates well with people without being noisy.
A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.
Habits at home
Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.
Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.
Life at home and activity
It is moderately active. Its strong hunting instinct needs to be satisfied every day with interactive toys.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting play (feathers, wand), at the same time of day | daily | It has a strong hunting instinct |
| Play with toys (wand toys, balls) | daily | Play imitates hunting and uses up its energy |
| Scratching post or board | always available | It looks after its claws without damaging the furniture |
| High places (cat tree, shelves) | always available | It has somewhere to watch from and to rest |
Tips for a balanced life
- Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
- Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
- If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.
Care and health
Coat care
French Wikipedia says it has robust health and needs very little grooming: the short coat is brushed once a week.
Common health problems
A study in Japan found the PKD1 mutation, which causes polycystic kidney disease, in 47% of the American Shorthairs tested (among those suspected of kidney disease). German Wikipedia says hypertrophic cardiomyopathy also occurs in the breed and should be tested for. On the other hand, urate urinary stones are rarer than in non-pedigree cats.
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) | Cysts (fluid-filled sacs) form in the kidneys and grow over time | Drinks and urinates a lot, loses weight, has a poor appetite |
| Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) | The heart wall thickens and the heart pumps less well. It is the most common heart disease in domestic cats | Often no signs at first; later rapid breathing, tiredness, sometimes sudden paralysis of the hind legs |
Recommended genetic tests
Ask for the PKD1 genetic test for polycystic kidney disease and the parents' heart ultrasound.
Is it hypoallergenic?
Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.
Other care
- A check-up at the vet once a year.
- Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
- Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
- Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.
Diet and nutrition
French Wikipedia says neutered cats tend to put on weight, so portions should be measured.
The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.
| Cat's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 190 kcal | 220 kcal | 48–63 g |
| 4 kg | 240 kcal | 280 kcal | 60–80 g |
| 5 kg | 280 kcal | 330 kcal | 70–94 g |
| 6 kg | 320 kcal | 380 kcal | 80–109 g |
| 7 kg | 360 kcal | 420 kcal | 90–120 g |
- Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
- Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
- Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.
Dangerous foods and substances
Some common household items are dangerous for cats:
- Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
- Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
- Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
- Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.
Reproduction and development
Maturity
Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.
Blood type
Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.
We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.
Caring for the kittens
Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.
Neutering
Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.
How to choose a kitten
- Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, CFA or TICA).
- The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
- Ask for the PKD1 test and the parents' heart ultrasound.
- Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
- Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.
Interesting facts
- On the Mayflower. Its ancestors travelled with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, as rat catchers.
- Among the first five CFA breeds. It was recognised when CFA was founded, in 1906.
- It “dances” with impatience. If you play with it at the same time every day, it waits for you eagerly.
- Over 80 colours. It is recognised in over 80 colours and patterns.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from a house cat?
It is a pedigree breed with a strict standard; ordinary house cats have no pedigree papers.
Is it good with children?
Yes, CFA says it is very tolerant of young children and other animals.
How much does it weigh?
Males 5–7 kg, females 2.5–5.5 kg.
What diseases does it have?
Mainly polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; there are tests for them.
