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People buy and adopt cats for many different reasons. Luckily, there are many different breeds of cats that allow each owner to find their perfect fit. Some breeds of cats are more independent than others; some are aloof while others are friendly; some prefer one person and others love whole families, etc.
Yes, American Shorthair cats do like to cuddle. American Shorthair cats are an affectionate cat breed that enjoys human interaction. They are ideal for single people, families, and homes that have many guests passing through.
If you have your heart and dreams set on a cuddly lap cat, there are many breeds that will break your heart with their aloofness, aversion to being picked up, and preference of the floor or their own beds to your lap and arms. But what about American Shorthair cats? Are they cuddly?
Pro-Tip: If you are thinking of buying a cat or are a cat owner already, then you should be aware that taking care of the litter box can be a real chore. In this age of smart products, an automatic litter box has been created that actually makes life easier with taking care of the litter box. If you want to make your life much easier with a litter box that means you’ll never have to scoop litter again, check out the best automatic litter box on the market (in my opinion) on Amazon.
Are American Shorthair Cats Clingy?
Yes, American Shorthair cats are clingy and like to cuddle. American Shorthair cats are known to be affectionate and loving to humans. Do not be surprised if your American Shorthair cat follows you around and spends its time with you.
American Shorthair cats are ranked as one of the top 12 most affectionate breeds of cats by Reader’s Digest, joining the ranks with breeds like Russian Blues, Siamese, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Devon Rex (if you decide that an American Shorthair cat is not suitable for you but you still want a lap cat, you can look into these other breeds).
You can cuddle American Shorthair cats and even pick them up (few cats will let you pick them up, and still fewer will enjoy it!), and they will happily return your affection. On the other hand, if you are busy, your American Shorthair cat won’t force you to pet them or pay attention to them, and they won’t sulk if you gently push them off of your lap or leave the house.
American Shorthair Maintenance
American Shorthair cats are a relatively low-maintenance breed of cat. They do not require hourly attention, they are not prone to separation anxiety, and they do not need lots of grooming.
Hill’s recommends daily brushing for your American Shorthair cat, but you could probably get away with only brushing them every few days unless they are shedding their winter coat. During the spring, when they do shed their winter coat, you should brush them daily to speed up the coat turn-over, minimize the amount of cat hair in your home, and prevent mats from forming in your American Shorthair’s fur.
We talk more about the upkeep of an American Shorthair cat in our cat comparison between the Maine Coon cat breed and the American Shorthair cat breed.
Check out my article on the American Shorthair vs Maine Coon to learn more about American Shorthair upkeep: Click Here.
Do American Shorthair Cats Like To Play?
Yes, American Shorthair cats like to play. American Shorthair cats are friendly and have feline energy that requires playtime. Good ways to play with an American Shorthair cat are teaser toys, balls, and small stuffed animals made for cats (with catnip inside).
Although American Shorthair cats can entertain themselves and won’t force you to pay attention to them, you need to make sure you do not fall into the trap of thinking that they will be fine without any interaction or purposeful stimulation.
You should provide your American Shorthair cat with toys and other forms of mental and physical stimulation (especially if you are keeping them as indoor cats). Window boxes, cat-trees, scratching posts, and catios are perfect additions to your American Shorthair home.
American Shorthair Cat Diet
American Shorthair cats can be chunky and heavy as a breed, and can become overweight. To prevent this, make sure you feed them a healthy diet, keep the treats as treats (don’t make them a staple), and make sure that they get enough exercise by providing cat trees, interactive toys, catios, and engaging in times of play with them.
American Shorthair Cat Health
By now, you are probably already researching where to find an American Shorthair cat, but there is another reason why they are a fantastic cat to own: American Shorthairs are generally healthy. Unlike certain other breeds of cats, American Shorthair cats have a broad genetic pool, so there are no breed-related behavioral or health conditions to which they are susceptible.
To learn more about any health issues the American Shorthair cat may have, check out my article comparing the American Shorthair to the Siamese cat. I talk more about American Shorthair health issues in this article: Click Here.
Here are some of my favorite cat products
In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well. These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you. These are the products I really do find most helpful.
Litter Box: I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat. Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep. Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link). This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost.
Cat Tree: I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link). My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa. She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.
Cat Water Fountain: I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link). There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat. The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water. The second benefit is that it filters the water. The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!
Where Do American Shorthair Cats Live?
American Shorthair cats should live indoors where you can keep a good eye on them. You aren’t going to want to keep an American Shorthair cat outdoors. Their habitat originated outdoors since they were excellent hunters, but now the habitat of the American Shorthair cat is inside a loving home.
You are going to want to keep an American Shorthair cat as a house cat.
Is the American Shorthair an Indoor Cat?
Yes, American Shorthair cats are indoor cats. American Shorthair cats are great for single-person homes, even if you work a full-time job. They are affectionate but are also happy to entertain themselves, making a game out of any toy or random piece of paper they can find.
However, Hill’s American Shorthair information page indicates that you may need to initiate interactive play to ensure that your American Shorthair gets enough exercise.
Are American Shorthair Cats Kid Friendly?
American Shorthair cats are perfect for big families and families with children because they are extremely friendly and don’t just attach themselves to one person. If you can only get one pet, but every member of the family wants to cuddle and play with it, then an American Shorthair cat is the way to go.
Their sturdy build and endurance also make them ideal for children who want to play all the time and who might accidentally hurt a more delicate cat (although you should teach small children how to be gentle with any cat).
Are American Shorthair Cats Good With Other Cats?
The docility and evenness of temper displayed by American Shorthair cats make them great for multi-cat or multi-pet homes. They won’t get jealous of other cats getting attention, and they won’t force themselves onto another cat’s ‘person.’ American Shorthair cats will even get along with many dogs.
Are American Shorthair Cats Indoor?
Yes, American Shorthair cats are great indoors. The placid and friendly nature of American Shorthair cats makes them ideal cats to own if you own a bed and breakfast or any other type of lodging house or if you run a business from your home.
Your American Shorthair cat will happily be petted by the cat-loving guests, won’t force themselves onto the guests who do not want cat friends, and won’t be stressed out by the constant stream of people coming and going.
Are American Shorthair Cats Outdoor Cats?
American Shorthair cats are also a good choice for outdoor farm cats. Their origins as working cats and instincts for rodent-catching have not been bred out of them. So, you will have a loving lap-warmer and an efficient mouser to keep the rodents out of your kitchen and barn.
I would not choose a purebred American Shorthair cat to be an outdoor cat since they are expensive and worth significant money, however, I would use an American Shorthair mix.
Is The American Shorthair Cat A Good Cat?
Yes, the American Shorthair cat is a good cat. If you are adopting or buying your first cat, you can’t go wrong with an American Shorthair cat. They will sit in your lap and be so easy to love and care for that they turn you into an affirmed cat-person.
American Shorthair Traits
American Shorthair History
American Shorthair cats were first bred in America in the early twentieth century from European cats who came over to America with the Mayflower. They only received their current name, the American Shorthair cat, in 1966, however. Before then, they were called Domestic Shorthair cats.
American Shorthair cats were initially bred as rodent catchers, so they earned their keep on the ships crossing over to America. And they made themselves indispensable as barn and kitchen cats once they had landed on the shores of what would become America, keeping the rodent populations on farms in check.
American Shorthair Characteristics
American Shorthair cats are medium-sized, sturdy cats with muscular builds, good balance, and endurance. Their fur is short but thick, becoming thicker in winter, allowing them to function as working cats throughout the year.
Their coats come in many different colors and patterns, although the brown and gray tabby coats are the most well-known.
To learn more about American Shorthair Characteristics, check out my article on the American Shorthair vs Scottish Fold. It is a good cat breed comparison, but we do talk more about American Shorthair characteristics in it: Click Here.
Conclusion
American Shorthair cats love to cuddle! They will even happily let you pick them up for cuddles; this is not a common trait among cats. While American Shorthairs are very affectionate, the American Shorthair cat is not demanding or pushy, so if you are busy when they want to play, they will go off and entertain themselves without sulking.
The placidity and friendliness of American Shorthair cats make them perfect for big families, multi-pet homes, bed, and breakfasts or other lodging houses, and business-based homes with lots of people coming and going. Their hardiness and endurance make them ideal for families with smaller children and working farms. And the independence of American Shorthair cats means that they will be happy living in single-person homes, even if the owner works a full-time job.
First-time cat owners will never go wrong with an American Shorthair cat; their laid-back temperament, love of cuddles, easy care requirements, and lack of health and behavioral issues will make you fall in love with cats in general and American Shorthairs specifically.
The American Shorthair cat is an all-around lovely cat that you will just want to cuddle, so it’s a good thing the feeling is mutual!
If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:
- Burmese vs American Shorthair (The Great Analysis We Need): Click Here.
- Exotic Shorthair vs American Shorthair (New Big Analysis): Click Here.
- Do Cats Like To Hunt? (The Detailed Answer): Click Here.
