What Are American Shorthairs Like to Live With?
Easy and adaptable, which is much of their appeal. American Shorthairs are friendly without being demanding, playful without being frantic, and generally content whether you’re home all day or out at work. They tend to get along with children, dogs, and other cats, and they keep a bit of that ratter’s interest in a good toy well into adulthood.
Their short, dense coat is genuinely low-maintenance, needing only an occasional brushing. They’re calm, middle-of-the-road cats, which is exactly what a lot of households are looking for.
Is the American Shorthair a Healthy Breed?
For the most part, yes. Bred from hardy working stock rather than for an extreme look, the American Shorthair avoids the flat-faced and giant-size problems that drive much of the trouble in other breeds. Many live well into their teens with little fuss. There’s no single defining disease hanging over the breed the way HCM hangs over the Maine Coon.
As with any cat, a couple of general things are worth routine attention rather than worry:
- Weight. Their easygoing nature and good appetite mean they can gain if free-fed. Weight is the main thing to stay ahead of, since it drives so much else.
- Heart. HCM can appear in almost any cat, so we listen at checkups, but it isn’t the breed signature it is in some others.
- Teeth. Like all cats, they benefit from dental care, so home brushing and checkups are worthwhile.
How Do I Keep My American Shorthair Healthy?
Keep them at a sensible weight, keep up with dental care and routine visits, and enjoy an easygoing cat. This is a breed where consistent basics tend to add up to a long, healthy, uncomplicated life.