7 Fun Facts About American Shorthair Cats

Introduction to American Shorthair Cats

The American shorthair cat is a beloved feline breed for many owners in the US. One reason for this popularity is that they are one of the oldest cat breeds in the United States. The chillness of their personality is another.

While still being social, an American shorthair cat is just as at home keeping themselves entertained. Just remember to leave some awesome toys for them. Their hair is short just like their shorter, stockier frame compared to many other feline breeds.

There are some interesting facts to know regarding this house cat breed. Let’s get into the many ways American shorthairs may paw their way into your heart. Here are 7 fun facts about American shorthair cats that might take you by surprise.

1. Easy-Going Yet Loving Personalities

Exploring their balanced nature between independence and sociability. You know the saying “No Fuss, No muss”? American shorthairs embody this particular sentiment. They aren’t as reliant on attention as a Siamese or Maine Coon nor as talkative. They still love their owners, but can be just as happy batting a favorite toy around the house.

This is why they are perfect for busy households. People on the go all the time who also happen to love cats will find this breed a good fit. They won’t be constantly crying for attention and can wait for petting and attention later, they’re just not suffocating with their need for your attentiveness.

They will love it though whenever you do play with them and get into petting sessions. They are easygoing and pretty chill, but can also spring into action whenever you pull out their favorite toy. American shorthairs can be a blast to hang out with.

2. Exceptionally Intelligent Cats

American shorthair cats have excellent cognitive abilities. In fact, these felines are one of the smartest of all the cat breeds. This helps a lot if you have the intention of training them for things such as:

• Walking them
• Fetching
• Sitting
• Shaking hands
• and coming when their name is called

Your first thought about cats in they are stubborn and probably untrainable, but that’s far from true. As far as shorthair cats are concerned, they are a very intelligent breed. Training is actually a great way for them to get that much needed mental stimulation and physical activity they might otherwise lack.

Recommended interactive toys to stimulate their intellect

American shorthairs have been bred to hunt for centuries, so there are meny fun, interactive toys to mimic that hunting experience. Toys to consider are:

• Puzzle feeders
• Interactive laser toys
• Feather wand toys
• Treat dispensing balls
• Electric motion toys
• Cat tunnels with peek h oles

3. Excellent Hunters with a Rich History

American shorthairs are very good at pest control. They started out being bred to protect farms from rodents and pests. They were brought over from Europe in the 1600’s and there’s even evidence that shorthairs were on the Mayflower.

It is apparent that todays American shorthair cat isn’t much different from those of yesteryear. You can see it if you ever see them pouncing on a mouse or a cricket. They haven’t lost their love of the hunt at all.

Ever since they got shipped over to the US they have been inhabiting American homes and keeping their owners company-catching a mouse here and there also.

4. A Presidential Favorite

George W. Bush and his family had an American shorthair named India. She was actually named after Rubén Sierra, a baseball player nicknamed “El Indio” while playing for the Texas Rangers, which Bush owned at the time. India did show herself on TV sometimes, but was often overshadowed by the Bush family’s Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley.

India died at the White House on January 4, 2009, at the age of 18.

Understanding the breed’s appeal to prominent figures. It isn’t hard to see why this breed of cat would appeal to prominent figures. They have easygoing personalities that aren’t too needy. They can keep households clear of pests. Shorthair cats also can say they possess a wide array of colors to their coats. They have beauty and brains.

The symbolism of having a cat in the White House shows us how prominent people value this breed. American shorthair cats are very intelligent, good hunters, and easygoing friends. These are traits that symbolize what our country should be in my honest opinion.

5. Over 80 Color Combinations

The genetics behind their diverse coat patterns and colors. American shorthair colors are a sight to behold. These colors are determined by genetics. The “agouti” gene is the one responsible for these patterns.

There are some unique and some popular combinations to this cats coat color patterns. One of the more uncommon colors is the cream colored type which is a favorite among cat owners due to its rareness.

On the other side of the coin, one of the most common coats for the American shorthair is the tabby. A distinguishing feature of this furball is its striped coat and the “M” pattern on its forehead.

You probably wouldn’t have any trouble guessing that American shorthair cats have short coats, but that doesn’t mean all their coats are equal too. Considering that they have all of the following color combos

• Patched
• Tortoiseshell
• Shaded
• Smoke
• Van
• Calico
• Tabby
• Bicolor
• Chinchilla
• Red
• White
• Blue
• Cream
• Black

and any combination thereof…

As you can see, this breed brings a lot of beauty with its cuddles.

6. Cuddle Pros—When They Feel Like It

American shorthair cats share their own unique affectionate behavior. You’ll easily warm to their charming personalities and playful spirit.

They offer companionship without being overly demanding. Doing chores like making the bed may be more difficult because they most likely will want to “help” you. However, they are also independent and can entertain themselves if you supply them with fun toys.

The balance between their need for affection and independence is one they manage well. Some other breeds have more demanding needs for attention so this breed of cat is good for the busy cat owner.

7. Train Like a Pro

Training a cat can be a hassle if it doesn’t display the right amount of intelligence. Good this for this cats incredible a-brain. Due to it being such a smarty pants training it is a breeze.

American shorthair kitties are smart, fun, attractive, sturdy, and ready for action. Is it any wonder why they remain a popular choice among cat lovers? They are an entertaining and practical addition to the fam.

How to find and adopt an American Shorthair

If you want to learn from first hand experience what this breed is about,then consider adopting one. This can get underway by first paying a visit to your local animal shelter or rescue operation, letting them know you are particularly interested in American shorthairs. Another option for you is to do a breed search on Adopt a Pet. This should give you info on all the American shorthairs available in your area.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the interesting facts around this fascinating cat breed. They have beauty, brains, ruggedness, calmness, and playfulness all wrapped up in one furry package. I hope you enjoyed reading it and if you want to add your ten cents please feel free to comment below and I’ll get back to you shortly, Thanks!