How Much Do American Shorthair Cats Cost? (Best Details)


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Known for its short, regular coat and friendly disposition, the American Shorthair cat is friendly and adaptable, features that make it ideal for households. And as arguably one of the most in-demand cats around, it’s only natural that American Shorthairs are higher priced than other breeds. So how much do American Shorthair cats cost?

The cost of American Shorthair cats largely depends on who you’re buying from. If you’re buying a pedigree American Shorthair kitten from a reputable breeder, you can end up spending upwards of $1000 to $3000.

Do you want to know more about the American shorthair and why it’s expensive? If so, then you couldn’t be in a better place. So read on as we take a look at how much you’ll need to part with to bring these cute feline friends home.

If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!

What is the Cost of an American Shorthair Cat?

Similar to other pets, there is no fixed cost of American Shorthair cats. Instead, factors such as gender, coat type, age, and pedigree play a huge role in determining the cost of this hugely popular breed. However, when dealing with reputable breeders, the cost of an American Shorthair kitten is high but well worth it.

The cost of American Shorthair cats can range anywhere from $1000 to $3000. Most TICA and CFA-recognized Shorthair breeders charge no less than $1000, with some charging up to $3000 for fully vaccinated, dewormed, and neutered purebred American Shorthair kittens.

If you find the cost of buying purebred American Shorthair cats from certified breeders too high, you can consider trying to adopt an American Shorthair from a rescue.

American Shorthair Cat

Are American Shorthairs Expensive?

Yes, purebred American Shorthairs are expensive, especially if you buy purebred kittens from trusted breeders. This is because it costs money for breeders to be certified and to breed healthy purebred American Shorthair cats with high quality.

Below are some of the reasons why you might need to fork out more cash when buying an American Shorthair from a trusted breeder.

Purebred Cats Take Time

Most reputable breeders slap costly price tags on purebred American Shorthair cats due to the effort to take care of parents and their kittens. Responsible breeders aren’t in a hurry to sell kittens and will instead focus on making the breeding environment conducive enough for all animals involved.

Since American Shorthair cat breeders spend a lot of time examining and maintaining a desirable lineage, they usually include the high investment costs in their sales, which explains the otherwise costly price of these cats.

Investment Of Genetic Tests and Vaccinations

When buying from a trustworthy breeder, you can expect to receive full vaccination records based on vet recommendations. Unfortunately, breeders usually include the cost of these vaccinations plus other genetic tests in the total cost of the pets, which in turn makes these charming pets more expensive.

Unfortunately, breeders who don’t take the time to examine and provide special attention to their litter rarely have all the necessary documentation. This is often because of the rush to produce and sell kittens, forcing parents into early breeding all to get that quick cash.

Moreover, being listed as a trustworthy breeder by The International Cat Association, or TICA, is also a form of investment.

This is because, besides fulfilling the minimum listing requirements, breeders must also pay non-refundable fees for their services to be advertised on platforms like TICA and CFA (The Cat Fancier’s Association).

Demand For American Shorthair Cats Is High

Reputable breeders usually have all their American Shorthair kittens overbooked before they’re even born. So the high demand, coupled with the slow but sure breeding, plays a huge role in the final cost of these cute cats.

The high cost, in a way, also helps to minimize demand, especially from unworthy parents that want to exploit the cats and practice unethical breeding. Most breeders reason that only genuinely interested pet parents will invest a huge chunk of money to get a healthy purebred American Shorthair kitten.

Health Guarantee

Breeding pedigree American Shorthair cats come with several long-term advantages.

Not only will new parents know what to expect from present and future generations, but it also helps to reduce future vet-related costs due to treatment. This explains why you’ll find breeders providing health guarantees, a true testament to the efforts put in breeding parents with desirable genetics.

Once the contract is signed, most recognized American Shorthair cat sellers provide genetic test papers and lab reports to prove proper, ethical breeding. In addition, a health guarantee, mostly 1-2 years, is usually provided to new owners, which should act as proof of quality breeding.

Kitten Production

Another reason why breeders sell American Shorthairs at costly prices is the consistency that pet parents get when it comes to kittens. Unlike domestic shorthair parents that produce different-colored kittens, American Shorthair cats produce kittens with the same appearance.

The distinct appearance makes it possible for pet parents to know what to expect, which creates a beautiful family of cats that resemble each other.

Therefore, if buying female and male American Shorthair kittens with the aim of growing the family, you can expect to have kittens with the same pattern, which adds to the overall appeal of the litter.

Choosing an American Shorthair Cat Breeder

American Shorthair Cat

In a world where unscrupulous breeders use pets to make quick bucks, buying from trusted sellers who care more about the cats than the money is crucial.

Let’s take a look at the factors to consider before deciding on which breeder to buy from.

The Policies of the Cattery

Good breeders always have policies that guide how their catteries function. For instance, reputable breeders won’t be quick to sell to just any interested buyer since, after all, they want the best for the cats.

Trusted breeders always insist on knowing more about you, where you plan to keep the cats, and whether you plan to get cat insurance. Moreover, trusted breeders won’t be in too much of a hurry to sell kittens.

Instead, they’ll allow the kittens enough time, say 12-16 weeks, to socialize with other littermates and learn from their mothers as they get their vaccinations.

Availability Of Cats

A reputable breeder won’t always have American Shorthair cats available. Instead of focusing on money, they focus more on breeding the right number of cats in a well-controlled environment.

As a result, you might have to pay to join a breeder’s waiting list. Trusted breeders usually have long waiting lists, meaning you might need to book months in advance to get a kitten later on in the year.

Vaccination Certifications

As a good rule of thumb, you shouldn’t attempt to buy an American Shorthair kitten from breeders that don’t have the necessary vaccination certifications.

Additionally, a responsible breeder should be willing to show you the mother and see how she behaves and interacts with her litter. Take note of how the cats behave during play and socialization, paying close attention to the mom and her reactions.

Registration On Breeder Referral Lists

Reputable breeders will go the extra mile to build buyers’ trust, which means registering on sites like the Fanciers Breeder Referral List, The International Cat Association (TICA), and the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

And to be approved for listing on such sites, breeders must uphold the highest standards of care, which means you’ll be getting a healthy, well-bred kitten when buying from listed breeders.

American Shorthair Kittens for Sale

Below are a couple of American Shorthair Breeders that have American Shorthair kittens for sale:

Silver Shorthairs

Silver Shorthairs is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and would be a good option for people looking for American Shorthair kittens for sale in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.  Additionally, if you are in Canada, this cattery may be a good option since they do have international prices. 

Silver Shorthairs does a great job describing American Shorthairs and how their cattery has a specialization in American Shorthair kittens for sale with a classic silver tabby coat with emerald green eyes.  Their American Shorthair cats do sound beautiful. 

According to their website, an American Shorthair kitten at Silver Shorthairs will run you at least $1850.  This includes limited CFA registration.  This cattery does have a small refundable deposit that they have potential customers place.  Additionally, they have a refund policy that you will want to be familiar with if you look to purchase a cat from them.  

Lynzkatz Cattery

Lynzkatz cattery is an American Shorthair cattery located in central Pennsylvania.  This cattery is probably a good option for people looking for American Shorthair kittens for sale in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. 

Lynzkatz shows a seal on their website about being a cattery of distinction from Cat Fanciers’ Association, which also says Tier IV Superior. Of course, when you are choosing a cattery for your American Shorthair cat, you will want to make sure they treat their cats well and raise them in a high-quality way, and I think this award they received implies this. 

One interesting note that I saw on Lynzkatz’s website is that they are no longer shipping cats due to ambiguous regulations.  So, if you are interested in a kitten, you should contact them and discuss how you would take possession of the cat.

Lynzkatz has been breeding American Shorthairs since 1987, which means they have a ton of experience.  They also point out on their website that they are now breeding Scottish Fold cats.

To learn more about Scottish Folds, check out my article:  Check Out This Article About If Scottish Fold Cats Shed.

Wrapping Up

Video: American Shorthair 101

American shorthairs don’t come cheap, especially if bought from reputable breeders.

However, not every breeder sells healthy cats, meaning you’ll need to be on the lookout when looking to bring one of these cute feline friends home.

But before making the American Shorthair the newest addition to your family, it’s crucial to request all relevant certifications and ask for more details about the parents. Be warned, though, that you might need to book well in advance to join a breeder’s waiting list due to high demand and low supply.

Please keep in mind that if you are just looking for a loving cat, that you can often find one at the local animal rescue. My Domestic Shorthair, Charlotte, is quite loving and is in fact curled up on my lap as I’m writing this.

If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:

  • Do American Shorthair Cats Like Water? Complete Truth:  Click Here.
  • Do American Shorthair Cats Like To Cuddle? (See Why):  Click Here.
  • American Shorthair vs. Siamese (New Popular Cat Comparison):  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. 

My Cat’s Litter-Robot 3 Connect (with night light on) – See the link above the photo!

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!

Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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