American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is one of the oldest American cat breeds — descended from the working cats brought to North America by European settlers to protect grain stores and ships.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
15–20 years
Weight
3.5–7 kg (8–15 lbs)
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Easy keeper; monitor weight as obesity can develop.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The American Shorthair is one of the oldest American cat breeds — descended from the working cats brought to North America by European settlers to protect grain stores and ships. Formally registered since 1906, the American Shorthair is the pedigree version of the classic American barn and house cat — robust, adaptable, and gentle. The silver classic tabby pattern is the most iconic variety. The American Shorthair is one of the healthiest and longest-lived cat breeds, benefiting from centuries of natural selection as a working cat.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The American Shorthair is a medium to large, well-muscled, solidly built cat of balanced proportions — not extreme in any way. The head is slightly oblong, the face full-cheeked, and the ears medium-sized. The coat is short, thick, and even in texture. The classic silver tabby — bold black markings on a silver background — is the iconic American Shorthair look.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
American Shorthairs are adaptable, even-tempered, and good-natured. They are sociable without being demanding. They are independent enough to tolerate owners being at work but social enough to enjoy company. They get on well with children and dogs. They are curious and moderately playful without the hyperactivity of Bengals or Abyssinians.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
5/5Attention Need
2/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Any
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
-5°C to 32°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
50%
Attention
20%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
hiding, appetite changes, litter box avoidance, over-grooming
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Very low maintenance — weekly brushing manages shedding. Robust and adaptable to various living situations. Regular dental care important.
Nutrition Notes
Pedigreed version of domestic shorthair. Very healthy. HCM in some lines. Obesity possible. Few dietary restrictions.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
HCM in some lines. Generally very healthy — broad genetic base. Most popular pedigreed cat in USA historically. Silver tabby most iconic ("Morris the Cat" was orange tabby). 15-20 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Obesity is the most common health concern in the breed. Generally one of the healthiest and longest-lived of all recognised breeds.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Pedigreed domestic shorthair. Very healthy. India: moderate availability.
Purchase Price
$500 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $250
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The American Shorthair holds one of the longest breed registration histories in the USA — it was among the first five breeds registered by the Cat Fanciers' Association when it was founded in 1906.
The famous photograph "A Smile of a Kitten" — one of the most reproduced cat photographs in history — is a silver classic tabby American Shorthair kitten.
American Shorthairs were selectively bred for health and robust constitution as a primary standard — unlike many breeds where appearance is primary, the ASH standard specifically includes hardiness and working ability.
