American Shorthair

Temperament

The American Shorthair has an exceptionally even temperament. It likes people and follows them from room to room, but it is not clingy and would rather come to you than be picked up. It can keep itself busy when the family is occupied and happily joins in play in the evening. It has kept the hunting instinct of its farm-cat ancestors, so it chases wand toys, balls and any fly that comes in through the window with gusto. It is patient with children and usually gets along with dogs and other cats without trouble if socialized early. It speaks rarely and softly, chirping more often than meowing. It adapts well to new situations, moves and changes in the family, which makes it a predictable cat that is easy to live with day to day.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the American Shorthair for?

The American Shorthair suits families with children, people who work away from home and first-time owners of a pedigreed cat. It does well in an apartment and in a home with a dog. Keep in mind, though, that because FIFe does not recognize the breed, it is rarely seen in Poland. If you want a cat that will be in your arms all the time, a Ragdoll or a Burmese is a better choice.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, dense coat only needs combing once a week with a comb and brush, a little more often during seasonal shedding. The American Shorthair is moderately active and loves to eat, so it pays to measure portions and serve some food in puzzle feeders. Two short hunting-style play sessions a day, a cat tree with a lookout and a windowsill with a view of the yard are all it needs, and playing together in the evening helps keep it fit and strengthens your bond. It handles apartment life and a few hours alone well. Since dental disease is common in cats, it is worth getting it used to having its mouth checked from kittenhood and having the gums and teeth examined at the yearly vet visit.

Health and breed-related conditions

The American Shorthair is considered a sturdy breed, but there are two problems worth asking the breeder about. In the 1980s and 1990s, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was found in some cats; the CFA says screening and selection have made the disease rare, though PetMD still points to an increased risk. In a Japanese study of cats with suspected kidney disease, as many as 47% of the cats of this breed tested carried the PKD1 mutation, so a DNA test of the parents makes sense. As in most cats, dental and gum disease is common. The tendency to gain weight, in turn, contributes to diabetes and joint problems. VCA and PetMD give a lifespan of 15–20 years.

• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Recorded in the breed in the 1980s and 1990s; screening has made it rarer, but PetMD still points to an increased risk.
• polycystic kidney disease (PKD)In a Japanese study of cats with suspected kidney disease, 47% of the American Shorthairs tested carried the PKD1 mutation.
• dental diseaseCommon in cats, including this breed; signs include bad breath, red gums and tartar.
• excess weightA moderately active cat with a big appetite gains weight easily.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed’s ancestors came to North America with European settlers, who kept cats on ships and farms to protect their stores from rodents. For several centuries they were shaped mainly by natural selection, which produced sturdy, hardy animals. More than 50 shorthaired cats were shown at the first American cat show in 1895. When the CFA was founded in 1906, the breed, then called the Domestic Shorthair, was among the first five recognized. Deliberate breeding began in the early 20th century, and in the mid-1960s the name was changed to American Shorthair to distinguish pedigreed cats from ordinary alley cats. Crosses with Persians later gave rise to the Exotic.

Fun facts

• The American Shorthair was one of the first five breeds recognized by the CFA in 1906.
• The breed comes in more than 100 color combinations, but silver tabby is the best known.
• Until the mid-1960s, the breed was called the Domestic Shorthair.
• Crosses between American Shorthairs and Persians gave rise to the Exotic breed.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – American Shorthair breed profilecfa.org
2. 2VCA Animal Hospitals – American Shorthairvcahospitals.com
3. 3PetMD – American Shorthairpetmd.com
4. 4Wikipedia – American Shorthairen.wikipedia.org
5. 5FIFe – Recognised breeds (brak American Shorthair)fifeweb.org
6. 6WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.