The blue domestic shorthair cat is a mixed-breed, non-pedigreed cat with a short, sleek, blue-coloured coat. Also known as moggies in British English, domestic shorthair cats are the most popular cats in the U.S., with over 80 million living in American homes. They are friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy, making them ideal family pets.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Height | 8-14 inches |
Weight | 6-17 pounds |
Eye Colour | Blue, green, brown, hazel, or two different colours |
Coat Colour | Blue, brown, tan, white, black, red, orange, etc. |
Coat Length | Short to medium |
Head | Rounded |
Paws | Rounded |
Lifespan | 12-14 years or more |
Personality | Quiet, reserved, quirky, fun, strong, independent, sweet, clingy, daring, adventurous, sassy, clever, playful, affectionate, vocal, docile, calm, etc. |
Health Problems | Prone to overeating, which can lead to obesity and related health issues |
Maintenance | Low |
What You'll Learn
- Blue domestic shorthairs are a mix of breeds, so they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours
- They are friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy, making them great family pets
- They are sometimes mistaken for Russian Blues, but they have different eye colours and softer undercoats
- They are often referred to as moggies in the UK
- They are good hunters and should be kept indoors to avoid accidents and encounters with other animals
Blue domestic shorthairs are a mix of breeds, so they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours
Domestic shorthairs have a vast gene pool, and their appearance can vary. They can come in a multitude of colours, shapes, and sizes. Their eyes can be blue, green, brown, hazel, or two different colours, which is a striking look. Their weight can vary from 6 to 16 pounds, and males are typically larger than females. They tend to have short, sleek coats and round heads and paws, and they are usually medium-sized and muscular.
Domestic shorthairs are a mix of various breeds, resulting in a vast range of markings, colours, and personalities. They can be playful, affectionate, quiet, vocal, docile, or calm, and they are often social. They are not aggressive by nature, making them great companions for children and seniors. They are also good playmates for other pets.
The history of the domestic shorthair can be traced back to the early days of pioneer settlement in North America, where they were considered working cats because of their dedicated rat-catching abilities. In exchange for room and board, these cats kept barns and food storage facilities free from rats and other pests. That's how they ended up on the voyage ships to North America, as they were amiable and inexpensive labour.
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They are friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy, making them great family pets
Domestic Shorthair cats are known to be friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy, making them great family pets.
These cats are a mix of various breeds, resulting in a vast range of colours, markings, patterns, shapes, and sizes. They are often referred to as "moggies" in British English and "alley cats" in the US. While they can have similar physical attributes to the American Shorthair cat, such as a muscular build, they do not have the same genetic composition.
Domestic Shorthairs are usually medium-sized and muscular, with short, sleek coats and round heads and paws. Their eyes can be blue, green, brown, hazel, or two different colours. They are typically healthy, with long life spans of up to 20 years, but they may be prone to overeating, which can lead to obesity and related health issues.
They are social and not aggressive by nature, making them great companions for children and seniors, as well as good playmates for other pets. They are also known for their endurance skills, such as balancing and leaping, and their superb hunting instinct.
These cats are low-maintenance and typically groom themselves well. However, regular brushing is important to keep their fur in good shape and reduce hairballs. They are also known to be hunters, so keeping them indoors is recommended to protect local wildlife.
With their friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy nature, Domestic Shorthair cats make excellent family pets.
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They are sometimes mistaken for Russian Blues, but they have different eye colours and softer undercoats
The blue domestic shorthair cat is a mixed-breed, non-pedigreed cat. They are sometimes mistaken for Russian Blues, but they have different eye colours and softer undercoats.
Russian Blues are known for their bright green eyes and plush, short-haired coats. Their guard hairs have silver tips, giving their coat a lustrous appearance. On the other hand, domestic shorthairs have a wide variety of eye colours, including blue, green, brown, hazel, or even two different colours. While some domestic shorthairs may resemble Russian Blues, their undercoats are softer and they have a broader range of eye colours.
The Russian Blue is a highly loyal and sweet-tempered cat, known for its natural smile and intelligent, trainable nature. They are social with family members but can be shy around strangers. Domestic shorthairs, on the other hand, are quiet and reserved, quirky and fun, strong and independent, sweet and clingy, or daring and adventurous. Their behaviour can vary depending on their mood.
In terms of physical appearance, Russian Blues have lean and fine-boned bodies, with triangular heads and pointed ears. They typically weigh between 7 to 12 pounds. Domestic shorthairs, however, have a broader range of physical characteristics due to their mixed ancestry. They tend to be medium-sized and muscular, with rounded heads and paws, and can weigh anywhere from 6 to 16 pounds.
While Russian Blues are known for their uniform grey fur, domestic shorthairs can come in an infinite number of colours and patterns, including brown, tan, white, black, red, orange, and many others. They can also have different coat patterns, such as bicolor, tricolor, or tabby.
In summary, while domestic shorthairs may sometimes be mistaken for Russian Blues due to their similar grey coats, they can be distinguished by their eye colour, softer undercoats, and broader range of physical and behavioural characteristics. Domestic shorthairs are also more common, as they make up 80% of American cat owners' pets.
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They are often referred to as moggies in the UK
The domestic shorthair cat is a mixed breed, non-pedigreed cat with a vast gene pool. They are often referred to as 'moggies' in the UK and other parts of the world, including Ireland and the Commonwealth. The term 'moggie' is a reference to a non-pedigree or unremarkable cat, derived from the Cockney slang for cats.
Moggies are the most common breed of cat in the UK, and their random breeding means they have no definite appearance or temperament. They are independent, come in a variety of coat colours, and are generally low-maintenance. Their short hair means they don't require much grooming, aside from the occasional brush to reduce hairballs.
Moggies are social and affectionate, making them ideal pets for families or individuals. They are also known for their endurance skills, such as balancing and leaping, and their superb hunting instincts. These characteristics are reflected in their playful personalities.
The domestic shorthair cat is considered a working cat, originally used by early settlers in North America to catch rats and keep food storage areas and barns free from pests. Their ruggedness and endurance made them a favourite of these pioneers.
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They are good hunters and should be kept indoors to avoid accidents and encounters with other animals
The Domestic Shorthair cat is a mixed breed, or "moggie", with a vast gene pool. They are often friendly, low-maintenance, and healthy, making them the most popular cats in the U.S. They are known for their superb hunting instincts and are considered working cats because of their endurance skills and ability to catch prey.
Due to their hunting skills, it is recommended that Domestic Shorthair cats be kept indoors to avoid accidents and encounters with other animals. Keeping them inside also helps to preserve small birds and other wildlife.
Domestic Shorthair cats are quite adaptable and can be happy with a mix of indoor and outdoor time. They are naturally curious and enjoy exploring and hunting, so it is important to provide them with stimulation and opportunities to practice their balancing and agility skills, such as a safe perch from which they can observe the outdoors.
In addition to providing mental and physical stimulation, keeping your Domestic Shorthair cat indoors helps to protect them from potential dangers such as accidents, encounters with other animals, parasites, and contagious diseases like feline leukemia.
While some people may think that keeping cats indoors is cruel, it is important to consider the benefits for both the cat's health and safety, as well as the preservation of native wildlife. Cats that are kept indoors tend to have longer lifespans due to reduced exposure to external factors such as bad weather, predatory animals, and road accidents.
Overall, Domestic Shorthair cats are highly adaptable and can make great indoor pets, especially with proper stimulation and care.
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Frequently asked questions
The blue colouring in cats comes from a dilution of the black coat gene, resulting in various shades of bluish-grey. Blue domestic shorthair cats can range from light ash grey to a steely, dark grey.
A domestic shorthair cat, or "moggie" in the UK, is a cat with mixed ancestry. They are not considered a breed, and can come in a wide variety of colours, sizes, and statures. They are typically medium-sized and muscular with short, sleek coats and round heads and paws.
No, blue domestic shorthair cats are not considered pedigree cats. However, they are likely to be healthier than pedigree breeds due to their varying genetics.
The personality of a blue domestic shorthair cat can vary due to their mixed ancestry. However, they are generally considered to be healthier, good-natured, and long-living, making them great family pets.