Are American Shorthair Cats Affectionate [Do They Like To Be Cuddled And Be Held?]

If you're thinking about getting an American Shorthair, you must know their personality type very well. This will help you meet their needs accordingly. Is it okay to leave them to themselves or do they like cuddle-time with you? That's what we asked cat experts and here's what we learned.

American Shorthair cats are known for being affectionate. This breed will more than tolerate being held and cuddled not just by you but other members of the family. But although they love to spend time with their humans, they are not clingy and can even be left alone for some time.

Keep reading to know more about the affectionate personality of this breed and how it can benefit both of you. We'll also share with you if they are active and playful and if they demand a lot of your time and attention.

A little girl holding her cat, Are American Shorthair Cats Affectionate [Do They Like To Be Cuddled And Be Held?]

Do American Shorthair cats like to be held?

Cats have been regarded as aloof beings. Many of them do not like being held. They will squirm and wiggle away when you try to pick them up. Being held is not natural for them. They feel restrained and disrespected when humans cuddle with them.

Well, this isn't the case for American Shorthair cats. Apparently, cuddling is like second nature to these felines! This breed of cats enjoys being held. You can pick them up and carry them like a big fur baby.

They love snuggling close to you or cuddling every part of you that they can get ahold of. Their affectionate nature has endeared them to many and it's the reason why they are one of America's favorite housecats.

American Shorthairs have all the makings of an affectionate cat. They are very friendly. They get along well with other members of the household -kids and pets included.

These felines don't play favorites either. They just give their love freely to everyone around them. But don't worry, these cats aren't clingy. Yes, they're loving and sweet but they won't demand that you pet them.

They won't get anxious when you refuse their snuggles because you have something more important to do. They are mellow and will wait patiently until you have the time to give them some TLC.

Benefits of Cuddling with Your Pet

Caucasian girl hugging cat on bed

Cuddling with your cat will not just make her happy but it's also good for your health. It actually benefits both of you. Here are just some of the perks of having a cuddle bug:

Love Drug

Studies have shown that petting or hugging your kitty can help release the happy hormones oxytoxin or the love drug in your brain. This is associated with building empathy and trust in a relationship. It works not just on humans but on cats, too!

Physical Health

Cuddle time with your American Shorthair can boost your immune system and lower your blood pressure. It can also reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Mental Health

Snuggling with your furry pet can take your stress away especially after a long and hard day at work. Her companionship will also reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

Purring

Although American Shorthairs are known for being quiet, petting and snuggling with them can make them purr. This has a therapeutic effect on humans that can help in healing infections and broken bones and improving labored breathing.

Consider Before Cuddling

Just a reminder also if you or anyone in your family has allergies, American Shorthairs are not hypoallergenic. They have a thick and dense coat and they tend to shed a lot.

They are also a medium to large breed of cats with a muscular build so they can get quite heavy. Just something more to think about before getting this cat as a pet.

Do American Shorthair cats need a lot of attention?

An American shorthair sitting on the sofa

As mentioned above, American Shorthairs are loving but they are not clingy. They aren't too attached to their humans. As such, they don't require constant attention. They have that right balance of being lovable without being too needy.

American Shorthair cats are also independent. They enjoy taking a nap under the sun just as much as spending time with members of the family. They're easygoing like that which makes them so easy to care for.

Healthy Alone Time

You can leave them alone in the house and they'll do just fine. These felines are self-sufficient. They can find ways to amuse themselves. It can be for a couple of hours, a whole shift of work, or overnight. You'll see that they're perfectly happy by themselves and don't suffer from separation anxiety.

Of course, just make sure that when you leave them at home, they have everything they need such as food and water. Cat-proof your home so that they won't get into any trouble. You can also ask someone to check in on them from time to time if you'll be gone longer than 12 hours.

To keep them entertained, you can leave them with their favorite toys, cat tower, and scratching post. Some even play videos for their kitties. You can also hide some treats in the house and they will be pleasantly surprised when they discover them.

Click this link to find this cat tower on Amazon.

Are American Shorthairs playful?

A beautiful American shorthair cat playing

Knowing if a particular breed of cat is playful will help you prepare and plan activities that your pet will enjoy. You'll also be able to adjust your lifestyle according to her needs.

American Shorthair cats enjoy playtime as much as the next cat. Play is good for them because it is a form of exercise. It encourages them to get moving and stay fit instead of just eating and taking a nap all day. They can easily become overweight and develop other diseases when they aren't active.

These felines are extra playful when there are little kids around. So it's great if you have children; they'll be instant playmates! They also love playing with other pets. That's why they make such a great addition to the family; they'll play and get along with everyone.

However, just be careful when your cat is playing with kids or other pets. It's not that the American Shorthair will hurt them. You need to supervise them because these cats have a very tolerant nature and their playmates might end up hurting them.

But don't worry because as much as they enjoy playing, American Shorthairs only need a moderate amount of physical exercise and won't demand that you play with them all the time.

They are a smart breed and can entertain themselves. It's best that you provide them with interactive and puzzle toys to keep them busy. These will also prevent them from damaging anything in your house.

Click this link to find this interactive cat toy on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for an affectionate cat, look no further. The American Shorthair cats are the purrfect pet for you. They love to be held by you but they won't demand that you shower them with attention all the time. They have that right mix of being lovable and independent at the same time.

Do American Shorthair Cats Get Along With Other Cats? [And Other Pets]

How Long Do American Shorthair Cats Live?

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