The Beauty Of American Shorthair Grey And White Cats

The American Shorthair is a breed of cat that is believed to descend from ship cats that crossed the Atlantic with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower. They are known for their dense, thick coats, which can come in a variety of colours, including grey and white. They are also known for their health and long lifespan, and their sweet, affectionate, and docile nature, making them one of the most popular breeds of cats.

History

The American Shorthair cat breed is believed to descend from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from mice and rats. They were likely first brought over on the Mayflower in 1620, or even earlier by the first settlers of Jamestown or Spanish explorers in Florida. A 1634 publication credits these cats with saving New England crops from squirrels and chipmunks.

By 1895, shorthairs were exhibited at the first cat show in the US, and the first recorded breeding of an American Shorthair took place around 1904. The breed was originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, but was renamed in 1966 to distinguish it from the non-pedigreed domestic shorthair. The name change also emphasised its 'all-American' origins and reinforced its status as a distinct pedigreed breed.

The American Shorthair was selectively bred to develop the best qualities of the original cats brought over by settlers. They were bred to be hardy, healthy, and strong, with thick coats to protect them from the elements. They were also bred to be of moderate size and have a muscular body, broad chest, strong jaws, and thick legs.

The American Shorthair is now recognised by The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), and is considered the seventh or eighth most popular pedigreed cat breed in the world.

Physical Characteristics

The American Shorthair is a medium- to large-sized cat breed with a thick, dense coat that tends to thicken during winter. Their fur is plushy to the touch and requires minimal grooming. The breed is recognised for its strength, endurance, and balance, with a sturdy and muscular build.

The American Shorthair comes in a variety of colours and patterns, with over 80 different combinations recognised by cat associations. The most common colours are black, brown, and red, while the most common patterns are tabby, solid, or tortoiseshell. The tabby pattern is often identified by an "M" mark on their forehead.

White American Shorthairs are bright white all over, with blue or gold eyes, or even one of each (known as heterochromia). They have pink noses and paw pads. Black-coated American Shorthairs have black noses and paw pads, with golden eyes. Blue American Shorthairs have a distinct blue tinge to their grey coats, with golden eyes, blue noses, and paw pads.

Red American Shorthairs are a deep, bright red with gold eyes and brick red noses and paw pads. Cream American Shorthairs are a shade darker than white, usually described as buff, with gold eyes and pink noses and paw pads. Tortoiseshell American Shorthairs are black with patches and shades of red, or a dilute tortoiseshell with a white undercoat that makes them appear more silver or blue.

Chinchilla is another unique colour variation, with white undercoats and hair tipped with colour. Shaded American Shorthairs have white undercoats with a darker back that shades lighter down the sides until it becomes white on the stomach and chest. Smoke American Shorthairs appear to be one solid colour but have a light undercoat that becomes visible when they move.

Common Personality Traits

The American Shorthair cat is a beloved and popular breed, known for its adaptable and friendly nature. They are athletic, natural-born hunters, and are treasured for their sweet and affectionate personalities. They are easygoing and docile, yet curious enough to make entertaining companions. They are also intelligent, social, and independent, and can be left alone for periods of time.

American Shorthairs are known to be patient and tolerant, and can get along well with children, other cats, and dogs, as long as they are properly introduced. They are generally quiet and love attention, but are not demanding about it. They are also adaptable and can live anywhere, whether it's a comfortable apartment or a house. They are happy to be indoor cats and are known to be loyal to their owners.

American Shorthairs are also known to be excellent hunters with a high prey drive, and they still enjoy playing with traditional cat toys, such as felt mice, plastic balls, and fishing teasers. They are intelligent and enjoy interactive games and puzzles. They are also known to be good lap cats and are happy to be carried around by younger humans.

American Shorthairs are typically healthy and have a long lifespan, with few breed-specific health issues. However, they can be prone to obesity, so it is important to monitor their diet and provide them with proper exercise. Overall, they make great family pets and are easy to fall in love with.

Care

The American Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from mice and rats. They are typically cute and cuddly, with a medium to large size, sturdy build, and short, dense coat. They are characterised by a round face, expressive eyes, and a well-balanced body.

Diet

American Shorthairs don't require a special diet outside of a quality commercial diet that meets the nutritional recommendations set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). It's important to feed cats two to three smaller meals rather than one large meal each day. Cats should be encouraged to play with their food, especially natural-born hunters like American Shorthairs. Food puzzles are a great way to provide mental stimulation during mealtime.

The number of calories an American Shorthair should eat each day depends on their age, lifestyle, and ideal body weight. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right amount of food for your cat.

Exercise

American Shorthairs require daily play and exercise. They are natural mousers and enjoy climbing cat trees or pouncing on their favourite toy. They are also athletic and may enjoy training activities that incorporate jumping to marker spots or walking on a harness and leash.

Grooming

American Shorthairs typically don't need special skin care. However, light-coloured cats, such as white American Shorthairs, are at risk of sunburn. If your light-furred cat enjoys sunbathing, consider protecting their skin by installing UV-protective film on the windows where your cat likes to bask.

American Shorthairs don't tend to shed much, but a weekly at-home grooming session will help keep your cat's fur mat-free, collect any loose hair, and provide bonding time. Daily brushing is important, especially during the change of seasons when their coat is thickening or thinning.

Health

American Shorthairs are generally healthy, with a lifespan of 15-20 years. However, the breed is known for a few serious medical conditions, so it's important to consider purchasing pet insurance. Depending on the plan you choose, pet insurance can help cover the costs of unexpected emergencies and routine care.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common type of heart disease in cats, and American Shorthairs may be at higher risk of developing the disease than some other breeds. HCM can go undiagnosed in its early stages, so genetic testing and routine cardiac exams are the best ways to detect the condition early.

Dental disease is common in cats but can be prevented with at-home routine dental care and by scheduling regular veterinary check-ups and dental cleanings.

Socialisation

American Shorthairs are playful, laid-back, and social cats that make great family pets. However, it's important to socialise them early on to ensure they grow up to be confident and friendly. Socialisation involves gradually introducing your cat to a variety of different people, animals, and experiences in a positive and predictable way. Well-socialised American Shorthairs will be more likely to enjoy being around people and other pets and will be more adaptable to new situations and environments.

Colours and Patterns

The American Shorthair cat is a breed with a wide variety of colours and patterns. While they are most famous for their brown or grey tabby coats, they can come in many different colours and patterns. There are around 80 different colour combinations of American Shorthairs that cat associations recognise. The most common colours you might encounter are black, brown, and red. Similarly, the most common patterns on an American Shorthair are tabby, solid, or tortoiseshell.

The tabby pattern often has an "M" mark on their forehead and can be striped up and down their sides (classic tabby), or with stripes running front to back down their body (mackerel tabby). Ticked tabbies are striped on their legs, tail, and head, but otherwise, don’t appear to have any markings on their body. Tabby cats can display many colours, like brown, red (orange), blue (grey), and cream.

Solid-coloured American Shorthairs can come in black, cream, white, or blue. Black American Shorthairs have a pure, coal-black coat colour from their roots to the tip of their fur. Cream American Shorthairs have a cream-coloured coat with no markings and golden eyes, along with pink nose leather and paw pads. White American Shorthairs should be a bright, glistening white all over their bodies, like a snowball, with blue or gold eyes, or even one of each! Blue American Shorthairs can come in plenty of shades of blue and grey, with golden eyes, blue noses, and paw pads.

The bicolor American Shorthair has two distinct colours on its coat, one usually white, and the other brown, cream, black, or blue. These colours should be solid and not brindled. Bicolor cats have enchanting golden eyes.

Tortoiseshell American Shorthairs showcase a mottled pattern of three colours, usually black with patches and shades of red mixed in all over their bodies. They also come in a dilute tortoiseshell version, with a white undercoat that makes them appear more silver or blue than black.

Chinchilla is another unique American Shorthair colour variation. These cats have white undercoats and hair tipped with colour on their back, sides, head, and tail. The combination of white with the tipped colours makes chinchilla American Shorthairs appear to be sparkling. Chinchilla American Shorthairs come in silver (black tips), blue, red, cream, and tortoiseshell versions. Their eyes, noses, and paw pads can be a variety of colours.

Frequently asked questions