American Shorthair Cats for Sale: Bold, Strong, and Friendly
Listed among the top ten most popular cats in the US as of 2020, the American Shorthair makes an attractive and pleasant-natured pet. Outgoing yet calm, the American Shorthair kittens for sale are people-oriented and adaptable. They make fabulous pets for single people or large families with multiple pets. Although they are extroverted and loving, they are not constantly underfoot.
Care of American Shorthair Cats for Sale
American Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats.
Grooming
An American Shorthair needs to be brushed three times a week with its dense fur. This schedule will keep the cat’s fur healthy by increasing circulation to the skin and distributing oils through the hair. Brushing will also decrease shedding. Your cat is not prone to matting, and you should not shave it unless there is a medical indication.
Feeding
Depending on their size and activity levels, you should feed 1.5 to 5.5 ounces of food daily (these weights are based on wet food). Many experts recommend that you feed your cat canned food because cats are programmed to drink little water. If your cat is not drinking much water, it becomes prone to building crystals in the urine. Canned food adds a lot of moisture to a cat’s diet. Another option is to feed your cat raw cat food, but it is best to work closely with your veterinarian about such diets. American Shorthairs, like all cats, need a diet almost wholly of meat with a low amount of fat. They cannot extract many nutrients from carbohydrates. Since American Shorthair cats tend to pack on weight easily, feeding a combination of wet and dry food is not recommended. It tends to encourage indiscriminate consumption of extra calories.
Exercise
It takes imagination to ensure a cat gets enough exercise every day. Kittens play spontaneously, but some breeds like the American Shorthair become more sedentary as adults. You can change this by simulating prey interactions with toys, lures, and lasers. Cats are built for short bursts of activities, so try to get your pet to expend energy running around for a few minutes a few times daily. Other basic equipment to stimulate more activity is a condominium or a set of towers or perches. Many cats have an innate need to climb and be up high.
Training
American Shorthairs are intelligent and thrive with activities to stimulate their minds. Engaging them in play is a good start, but do not be afraid to train your cat a few tricks. This cat can also benefit from puzzle toys, some of which will have the added benefit of discouraging your pet from gorging.
Overview of American Shorthair Cats for Sale
The American Shorthair’s most likely ancestors were cats that controlled rodent populations on ships from Europe in the late 1800s. One of the best-documented forebearers was the British Shorthair. The formal development of the American Shorthair cat began in 1904. It continued as a working cat, developed to kill mice wherever there were grain stores. Once known as the Domestic Shorthair, the ASC gained recognition by the Cat Fancier’s Association in 1906. Its name did not change to American Shorthair cat until 1966.
Personality
American Shorthairs are social and affable cats. Their nature is tractable, and they are quite affectionate with their owners. They also tend to be friendly with strangers. American Shorthair cats are not one-person cats, preferring to bond with all members of their families. They are playful but need occasional time to themselves. American Shorthairs are easy-going, docile, and quiet. They get along with other cats and dogs. They enjoy children who know how to be careful when playing with cats. American Shorthairs are predatory around fish, rodents, and birds. American Shorthair kittens for sale do not fully mature emotionally until they are three or four years old.
Appearance
Contrary to the present-day domestic shorthair, the American Shorthair cat, or ASC, is a purebred animal with a strict standard. The head is large, and the face looks round though the skull is slightly oblong. The ears are medium-sized with rounded tips, and the eyes are large and set at a very slight tilt. American Shorthairs have a square muzzle with strong jaws and a firm chin. The neck is medium in length and strong like the rest of the cat. This cat’s body should be powerfully-built but balanced. It is slightly longer than it is tall. The chest, haunches, and forequarters are very muscular, and the back is broad and level. You will notice a slope from the hips to the tail. The tail is as long as the body as measured from the shoulders to the hips.
Size
American Shorthairs are eight to ten inches tall and weigh 10 to 15 pounds. They are considered medium to large cats.
Coat and Colors
An American Shorthair has a short, dense even coat with plush underfur. It is slightly rough to the touch and protects against cold, heat, and precipitation. Like many cat breeds, the ASC comes in a wide range of colors. Colors that indicate an American Shorthair is not purebred include points (i.e., Siamese-type markings), chocolate, lavender, or sable. The following are only a sampling of the possible colors of an ASC.
- Blue coat – gold eyes
- White coat – gold, blue, or mismatched eyes
- Black American Shorthair – gold eyes, no rust or other discoloration in the coat
- Red – solid color without any markings, even on the chin; gold eyes
- Tabby – stripe-like markings of various shades (Also called brindled); color varieties are silver, blue silver, blue, red, cameo, cream, and brown
- Cameo – off-white ground color, white undercoat, red markings; dilute variety is cream cameo
- Tabby and white – any of the above varieties of tabby
- Tortoiseshell
- Calico – white with patches of red and black
- Patched tabby – colors and markings in patches
- Bi-color – white and solid red, blue, black, or cream
- Van – same as bi-color but shading is limited to head, tail, and legs (not the same as point-restricted coloring)
- Chinchilla – white undercoat with color tipping on back, head, and flanks; cat appears to sparkle; color varieties are tortoiseshell, blue, cream
- Smoke – white undercoat with deep tipping of blue, tortoiseshell, cream, red black; cats look one color until it moves and that is when white undercoat shows
An American Shorthair silver tabby cat has a white undercoat, a silver base, and black stripes. Blue silver cats have a white undercoat but with a silver-blue base and blue stripes. Both of the silver tabby varieties should have green eyes, although hazel is acceptable.
American Shorthair Kittens for Sale Near Me
American Shorthairs are healthy cats that can live 15 to 20 years, although the average is closer to 13 to 17 years. Going through a reputable breeder can further the chances you will acquire one of these American Shorthair kittens for sale with exceptional health and longevity. Local litters of kittens give you the opportunity to visit your next prospective pet. Make sure to inspect all adult and juvenile cats on the premises for cleanliness, no evidence of weight loss, and freedom from coughing, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes or nose. Look for any signs of diarrhea. Kittens are prone to upper respiratory infections and a one-celled digestive parasite known as coccidia. Depending on where you live, kittens can also easily succumb to a flea infestation. You can also find an ASC kitten or adult at a shelter or through a rescue.
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