At first glance, the American Shorthair cat resembles the cat Matroskin from the famous cartoon “Prostokvashino”. This breed of cat is considered the purring symbol of America. In the United States, owners often take their pets to various parties as companions.
The origin and history of the shorthair cat is very interesting. The American breed has come a long way from the common rat catcher to the most popular cat breed in America. They have incredible appearance, good health and docile nature. These cats know when it's time to play with their owners and when it's time to rest. American cats are gentle, loving and graceful cats. If you decide to get yourself such a furball, you will not regret your choice!
History of origin
In the United States, the breed arose thanks to European settlers who brought cats to the continent. Most often, with their help, Americans were able to avoid the plague pandemic that terrorized the cities.
The American Shorthair breed was officially registered only in 1904.
History of the breed
There is a legend, although not documented, about the origin of the shorthaired breed. When Christopher Columbus set out in search of India in the 15th century, he ordered cats to be carried on all ships in the flotilla. The animals' task was to fight rodents that were damaging food supplies. This is how the ancestors of American shorthair cats came to Indian soil.
But the most common version of the origin of cats is the story of a group of English Protestants who, according to history, arrived on their ships in 1609. It was they who brought the ancestors of the “American women” with them to British lands.
Once on earth with a different climate, cats had to adapt to a new life. The size of cats has become much larger than their counterparts. They became more coarse-haired and thick-haired. Health became weaker, because animals had to live near barns and farm houses and fight rodents.
Nobody worried about European wildcats breeding. No one accepted attempts to standardize pureblood bloodlines. American cats have retained similarities with the British breed. True, they were more stretched and athletic. They were fearless, smart and resilient. Therefore, breeders from the USA decided that the breed should be preserved. This is how the breeding of American cats began.
When cats were brought to America they were called domestic shorthairs and after a while they received the name American Shorthair
In 1904, the first descendant of the “British” cat was registered. Since this period, breeders have developed a clear program for breeding this breed. They formed ideal pairs to produce pets with a remarkable appearance and easy-going character.
As a result, by the 1930s, breeders managed to create beautiful cats with different colors. Back then they were called short-haired domestic cats.
Many cats participated in various exhibitions and received the high title of “Cat of the Year” and took prizes in various competitions. Therefore, in 1965, breeders decided to refine the name of the breed in order to show the true “American” character of the cats. This is where the difference between American Shorthair cats and British breeds comes from.
In 2007, a cat and a cat with a “silver marble” color were brought from an American nursery. They also began to reproduce. And in 2012, cats of the American smooth-haired breed numbered from 50 “tabby cats”.
Appearance
The cat has a fairly developed and muscular body, passed down to it from its hunter ancestors. As an adult, it can weigh up to 8-9 kg. It has a wide muzzle with large almond-shaped eyes. The coat is dense and thick, but rather short.
Color varies from black to blue. The tabby (silver merle) color is considered the most popular among breeders. They have medium-sized ears slightly rounded at the ends and large cheeks.
Price
In specialized nurseries, the price of an American shorthair cat varies from $750 to $1,000. When choosing a pet, you should pay attention to the availability of the kitten’s documents: pedigree, veterinary passport, contract.
When buying an animal from someone else who does not have documents, there is a risk, because the breeder may well slip in a non-purebred American Shorthair, which will later result in a number of problems.
The optimal age for purchasing a kitten is from 3 months. It is at this age that he is ready to survive separation from his mother, begins to feed on his own and can quickly get used to his new home. Also, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to its condition: cleanliness of the mouth, ears, eyes and weight.
Breeders should clarify the character traits and preferences of the animal. You should purchase in advance everything necessary for the kitten: a bed, a comb, care and hygiene products. If he immediately fell into your arms, then there will be no problems with adaptation, and you will quickly become best friends.
Character
Friendly couch potato is the most appropriate description of American Shorthair cats. They like to lie on their owners' laps, relax and lazily watch what is happening. They love to purr and bask in the arms of a person for whom they have boundless sympathy.
They get along well with children and other animals, are inquisitive and playful. They adapt perfectly to any conditions and do not require special attention.
They are obedient and smart, never becoming a source of noise and disorder in the house. They are very independent and smart, with an easy-going character.
Character of the breed
The main quality in the character of American shorthair cats is to observe the golden mean everywhere and in everything. They love company, but never impose themselves. They love to play, but will not jump like restless ones. This breed is attentive to its owners. Often, “American women” watch everything that happens from the sidelines. When they are called, they always follow the call of their nickname. They don’t like long caresses, and therefore you shouldn’t force them to lie down with you. When the cat wants to be petted, he will jump onto your lap. Only this will last no more than ten seconds.
Shorthairs are not very sociable. They would rather come up to you and meow quietly than to “beep” from another room. It is important to know the characteristics of your pet and understand what is written on its face. Learn to recognize and feel all the desires and desires of your cat.
American cats very quickly become attached to those with whom they live, especially emotionally. If you have left for work, the cat will lie down in its place and wait for you to come home. But if you need to be away for a long time, make sure that one of your neighbors, relatives or friends visits you.
It is also known from historical references that the shorthair breed was an excellent rat catcher. Therefore, when your pet brings home a mouse or sparrow, do not scold him. This is where the hunting instinct kicks in. It is better not to have parrots or rodents as pets with your cats.
“American women” get along well with dogs. They may not become friends, but there will be no constant clashes.
Smooth-haired cats are very kind to children. They will not scratch the child if he does something naughty with him. If a cat gets tired of a child, he simply hides. Therefore, owners often cannot find their animals.
American Shorthair cats are very well-mannered and clean. They will not wreak havoc in the house in your absence, will not climb on tables or ask for something tasty during dinner. The pets are quite calm and friendly.
Care
The cat's dense coat does not require careful grooming. It is important to brush it twice a year during shedding with a special brush.
It is also advisable to get rid of excess hair with a damp towel or a regular comb.
Water treatments should be performed on your pet only as needed.
Reproduction and lifespan
On average, the American Shorthair lives 12-15 years, but with proper daily care and following all the recommendations, you can extend the life of your pet up to twenty years. To do this, you should visit the veterinarian at least once a year, getting vaccinations and other necessary procedures.
Initially, the reproduction of the breed was not monitored, so mixing occurred, and there were few purebred individuals left. At the beginning of the 20th century, breeders did their best to preserve the breed.
The breeding of cats was strictly controlled, breeding and preserving purebred individuals. In 1904, a purebred direct descendant of the “British” was registered, who came to America with the settlers. This helped create a clear plan for breeding the American Shorthair.
The result was the appearance of many colors: silver, red, black, smoky and others. A clear plan also helped in breeding others from this breed: Bengal, Scottish Fold, Exotic, Maine Coon.
Today there are special nurseries dedicated to breeding American Shorthair cats. Most of them are in America. In Russia, this breed can be found from breeders, but it is quite rare.
Nutrition
The animal has an excellent appetite, so it is completely unpretentious in food. You can feed him dry food or natural products.
But it is worth choosing the right diet so that he does not have problems with excess weight. Your daily menu should include lean meat, vegetables and dairy products.
Psychological picture
The American Shorthair is an affectionate and friendly cat, a good companion and a very intelligent pet. This cat has a lively mind, is very curious and always tries to be aware of all household chores. You can’t hide or hide anything from her - she’s very bouncy, she loves to study everything and try everything “by the tooth.” Their character is calm and balanced. Although cats are energetic, they are still restrained in showing emotions - they are not aggressive and silent, and will not burden their owner’s ears with obsessive meowing. American Shorthairs are also distinguished by their love of solitude and independence. Tenacious in a private home, they love to explore the surrounding area. They are also very sociable - they are not afraid of new people coming, they easily find contact with all family members and pets. They are tolerant of dogs, but they will not give in if they suddenly decide to offend them, because these cats do not know fear - they have a strong character and remarkable courage. They are also difficult to scare; representatives of this breed usually do not shy away from loud noises. American Shorthairs are also very clean and easy to train, that is, training them to use a litter tray will not be difficult. You can just as easily teach these beauties to walk on a leash or harness, they will be happy about it, because the American Shorthair must receive a sufficient amount of physical activity to fully develop. These cats are moderately independent, they love when their owner caresses them, but they are not inclined to impose their company.
Content
They will feel comfortable in any conditions. Therefore, American shorthair cats can be owned both in a private home and in an apartment.
But veterinarians recommend occasionally taking your pet out into the fresh air. Due to laziness and a sedentary lifestyle, the cat is prone to obesity, so she needs walks.
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It is important to remember that you should not let your animal go outside without first receiving vaccinations.
Description of the breed
American Shorthair cats have a muscular build. Males are quite large, their weight reaches 8 kg. Females, in turn, are small and miniature. Cats are 2 times smaller than males, their weight reaches 5 kg. Due to its rough build, the breed is often compared to a kind of workhorse. But this does not in the least prevent us from remaining graceful and noble. American cats grow slowly and reach their final size by the age of four. The American breed is distinguished by a variety of coat colors.
Muzzle
The head shape of American Shorthair cats is square or slightly rectangular. The muzzle is correspondingly square. Adult cats have plump cheeks and rounded cheekbones. The nose is small and of medium length. Well developed chin.
Ears
They have rounded small ears that are covered with small hairs. Set very wide.
Eyes
This breed has extremely beautiful, large wedge or almond shaped eyes. Eye color depends on the color of the coat. For example, silver cats have green eyes. “Americans” with a white coat have blue or orange eyes. Most cats of the breed have smooth-haired eyes with orange irises.
Frame
Due to the muscles, the shoulders, chest, and back of the body look quite developed (this is especially typical for males). The body is strong, large and strong. The muscles are clearly visible through the short fur.
Tail
The tail is medium length and set low. It is wide at the base and tapers towards the end. The end is not pointed.
Paws
The front and rear paws are parallel to each other. They have medium length. Also very strong and muscular.
Coat
From the name of the breed it is clear that cats have short hair. It feels harsh to the touch. Has a healthy shine. In winter, the coat becomes a little thick. Changes in cover depend on the area in which the cat lives.
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Colors
There are about 60 different color variations. American Shorthair cats are usually divided into:
- smoky (plain and as if covered with a veil);
- plain (red, cream, blue, white, black);
- marbled coloring - tabby (classic, patchwork, mackerel);
- combination of several colors (spotted, tortoiseshell, bicolor).
The most common cats with the classic tabby coloring.
American Shorthair cat photo
Diseases
Veterinarians speak of American Shorthair cats as the breed with the best health. With proper care, the animal can live up to 20 years.
One of the main problems of cats is the tendency to be overweight. It’s easy to combat this: the main thing is to keep her busy with active games and keep her diet balanced.
Hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease are rare.
Lifespan
The average life span of American Shorthair cats is 12-20 years. Their good health contributes to this. To ensure your pet lives as long as possible, take proper care of it:
- proper diet;
- regular physical activity (only in moderation);
- carry out disease prevention;
- takes care of the psychological state of the pet;
- If suspicious symptoms occur, contact your veterinarian promptly.
Read also about the American Curl and American Wirehair breeds
pros
They are calm and affectionate, able to comfortably coexist in the house with other pets. They have a pleasant and memorable appearance: photos of the American Shorthair are often used for advertising products.
They do not require special nutrition or specific conditions of detention. They get along well with people, are not afraid of strangers and willingly spend time with children.
Maintenance and care
The American Shorthair is known for its cleanliness, so it is very picky about the litter box. If you haven’t cleaned it up or there’s an unpleasant smell coming from it, then the nitpicker will most likely show character and do his business in other, most unexpected places for you.
You should carefully monitor your pet’s hygiene to avoid a number of diseases. It’s best to start by purchasing personal hygiene products for your pet – brushes and toothpaste. She should brush her teeth every day, carefully so as not to damage the delicate cavity of her mouth.
The next step is to clean the cat's ears, eyes and trim the cat's claws. You should clean your ears as they become dirty, using damp cotton pads. The pet's eyes should also be treated with damp cotton pads, using an individual pad for each eye to avoid various infections.
Nails should be trimmed approximately once every two weeks, using special pliers or by taking your pet to a salon. It will be important to buy a scratching post that will protect your furniture and help the cat independently monitor the neatness of its claws. It is worth teaching a kitten to sharpen its claws in a strictly designated place from the first days of its arrival in the house.
American Shorthairs do not like water procedures, but despite this they are very clean. You should bathe your pet rarely, using a special shampoo. Drying should be monitored, avoiding exposure to drafts.
Cat nutrition requires special attention. This breed is very gluttonous and does not know moderation in food, so it should be fed on a schedule and in strictly limited quantities, with special food, which a specialist will help you choose. When choosing food, you should take into account many nuances; this will help prolong the life of your pet and avoid problems with its health.
The coat of the American Shorthair cat does not require special care; it will be enough to brush it several times a week with a silicone comb or glove. If your pet begins to shed seasonally, the procedure should be repeated every day or even several times a day.
Photo of American Shorthair
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