First of all, the American Shorthair cat is mainly known for its hunting instinct. In that sense, it is believed that he is a descendant of the first cats that came on ships of colonizers, keeping rats and pests under control.

However, the breed is companion and gets along very well with adults and children. So, if you're thinking of becoming an American Shorthair cat owner, read on to discover all the characteristics of the breed!

First, the most distinguishing characteristic of an American Shorthair cat, or American Shorthair, are its eyes. In this sense, the breed features slightly slanted yellow eyes most of the time.

Furthermore, the specimens of this breed tend to be very agile, with a broad chest and a strong, muscular body. In addition, it has a wide tail and rounded legs, being very athletic and active. The muzzle of cats of the breed is usually large and oval, but creating a perfect balance with eyes and ears, which are medium in size.

Thus, the coat of these cats is quite similar to European cats. As the name implies, they are short and soft, and have a wide variety of colors. In this way, you can have a cat with a solid color or even a mixed one, different eye colors are also accepted.

Although the breed's ancestral cats arrived in the United States via immigrant ships, as is believed, with the mixtures in crossings, the American Short Hair was almost lost. It was only in 1906 that a small group of breeders decided to start a selective breeding program for the breed.

However, it was many years before the American Shorthair cat was taken seriously in competition. This is because the specimens of the breed have a very common appearance, and the fact that many color variations are accepted did not contribute to the breed being taken seriously.

However, today the American Shorthair is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Perhaps because of its physical appearance, which is quite proportionate, or because of its domesticated and companionable behavior.

So, the American Shorthair cat is famous for being very active and curious, in addition to being very affectionate. He follows the personality of his hunting ancestors and loves to run and jump, having a lot of energy for games. In this way, he becomes the ideal cat for families, especially with children.

Therefore, cats of the breed are very popular in the United States, and their kittens do not usually have a very high value. Thus, if you intend to acquire a copy of the American Shorthair, you will have to spend an average of R$400 to R$800 for the puppy, depending on the type of coat chosen.

First of all, the American Shorthair is a very robust cat, with medium-sized legs and a well-proportioned body. In addition, he is usually a strong and resistant cat and rarely gets sick. Although they are cats with very few genetic problems, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been observed with some frequency in some cats of the breed.

Generally speaking, the disease affects the hearts of older cats and has no cure. However, there are already treatments that can improve the animal's quality of life. Thus, some typical symptoms of this disease are fainting, lack of appetite and difficulties in locomotion with the hind legs.

However, there are no other diseases seen in this breed, which makes it a healthy cat with a long life expectancy. In this way, with regular visits to the veterinarian and a good quality of life, your American Shorthair cat can live up to 20 years!

Although males are considered medium to large sized cats, females of the breed are somewhat smaller. In this sense, the size of the male cat of the breed can reach 40 cm in height and even exceed 5.5 kg. Meanwhile, the female reaches an average of 20 cm in height and its weight varies from 3.5 to 5 kg.

Although the American Shorthair has hunting ancestors, today's cats of the breed have an easy time adapting to smaller environments. However, they are quite active cats and love to play and jump. That way, it's interesting that you provide an adapted environment with scratchers and activities for him.

Furthermore, American Shorthair cats are very affectionate and affectionate, which makes them good companions and ideal for families and children. In addition, they are expert cats that are easy to teach and get along very well with animals of other species such as dogs and birds.

As the name implies, the American Shorthair cat has a short, soft coat that is easy to maintain. That way, you can keep a simple brushing routine, just once a week is enough to keep them healthy and shiny and avoid leaving hair around the house.

Although cats of this breed are active and playful, they are cats that love food! Therefore, it is important to maintain a routine of activities and exercises in addition to a balanced diet to avoid obesity. So, try to offer a quality feed such as those in the Premium or Super Premium category.

Incidentally, the intake of wet food such as sachets and pâtés encourage the kitten to drink more water while catnip helps to eliminate hairballs. Also, give your American Shorthair cat lots of love and affection, and you are sure to become best friends.

Finally, if you like breeds that are more affectionate and attached to the owner, then you need to know the Exotic Shorthair cat! So, if you are thinking about adopting a four-legged friend, access the following content and find out everything about the breed!