American Shorthair, also known casually as ASH, is one of the most popular cat breeds. If you are thinking of adopting or purchasing an American Shorthair, you will most likely consider factors such as its size to see if they are an excellent match for your home. Wondering how big these cats can get? We've done our research to help you find the answers you are looking for.
American Shorthair cats are medium- to large-sized felines. These cats weigh from 8 to 15 pounds and commonly stand at a height of 10 to 14 inches. American Shorthair cats can grow up to be 12 to 17 inches long.
Now that you know how big they can get, you might also be wondering whether these cats have health problems, whether they are easy to groom and maintain, and how long they live. Continue reading to learn more about the American Shorthair!
Average Size Of An American Shorthair Cat
Being medium to large in size, fully mature American Shorthair cats generally weigh anywhere from 8 to 15 pounds. Some males reach 20 pounds, and females may reach 13 pounds.
When measured from the bottom of their front paws to the top of their heads, American Shorthair cats can be as tall as 10 to 14 inches. These cats can also reach a length of 12 to 17 inches.
Are Male Or Female Cats Bigger?
According to Hartz, male cats tend to be larger than females. This seems to be true for American Shorthair cats as well.
American Shorthair kittens are roughly the same size when they are newborns, but the males quickly grow larger. The males commonly weigh over 13 pounds and can grow up to 19.8 pounds.
In contrast, female American Shorthairs can weigh anywhere from 8.8 to 13 pounds only.
At What Age Do American Shorthair Cats Stop Growing?
American Shorthair cats mature very slowly. This breed of cats can take up to 3 to 4 years before they reach their full size.
In comparison, most kittens stop growing in 12 months, while others reach their full size in 18 months.
American Shorthair Personality Traits
European colonists brought the modern American Shorthair into America on their ships to catch mice. The American Shorthairs were originally mice hunters who killed mice in ships but eventually protected crops from small rodents. Nowadays, these cats use their hunting instincts for play and entertainment.
American Shorthair cats love fun and do have a penchant to chase. Hence, as fur parents, you can use wand toys with prey-like ends to take advantage of their hunting and predatory instincts.
Click here to see this retractable cat toy wand on Amazon.
American Shorthair cats are loving and affectionate towards their owners, although they do not demand constant affection. They enjoy and are often content with hanging around with their family. They also do not mind being carried and held, even by kids.
Despite their origins as working cats and their muscular stature, American Shorthair cats are friendly and playful creatures that get along well with people as well as other animals. They are easygoing cats that enjoy playing with their families.
VetStreet describes American Shorthair cats as social animals that enjoy company, but they are not very talkative. Instead, they tend to use their body language to convey their emotions and their needs.
The American Shorthair breed makes brilliant cats. This cat breed is very receptive to positive reinforcement, rewards, and clicker training, so you can teach them where to go to the bathroom, what items to scratch, and a handful of other tricks.
You can train your cats through the use of clickers and treats. If you want to know your options for cat treats, read through this guide: What Are The Best Cat Treats For Training?
What Is An American Shorthair's Lifespan?
An American Shorthair’s lifespan can range from 15 to 20 years. This is much longer than the average lifespan of all domestic cats, which live from 10 to 15 years.
Are American Shorthair Cats Low Maintenance?
American Shorthairs are relatively easy to maintain. The most important part of maintaining an American Shorthair is to brush them as necessary.
A weekly brushing for American Shorthairs is recommended, especially when your cat is shedding. Frequent brushing will remove all dead hair, dirt, and mats that accumulate on the cat’s fur and keep your cat from spreading its hair all over your home.
Regularly brushing your cat is also essential because it helps spread the natural oils on your cat’s skin, allowing it to grow a healthier coat or fur. If you want to know more about how often you should groom your pet cat, read through this post: How Often Should You Brush Cats?
Aside from regular brushing, you should also trim your cat’s nails when they get too long. You need to clean their ears once a week to prevent the buildup of dirt that could cause ear infections. The National Cat Groomers of America also recommends bathing and blow-drying your cat every 4 to 6 weeks.
Do American Shorthair Cats Have Health Problems?
American Shorthair is generally a healthy breed, but they are prone to certain diseases and ailments. These cats are very susceptible to some conditions such as periodontal disease, heart disease, and hip dysplasia.
Despite being a playful breed, American Shorthair cats are only moderately active felines. Due to their inactivity, these fur friends are at a high risk of weight gain and obesity.
Potential excess fat in these cats has a huge effect on their health and lifespan. Obesity increases the risks of developing heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer, and urinary bladder stones.
Because of their risks of obesity, American Shorthair cats should be kept on a diet and should not be overfed. It would be best to measure out their meals instead of free-feeding them.
If your American Shorthair is overweight, you can try using slow feeder bowls to prevent them from eating their meals all at once. It will also help if you use a toy your cat likes the most to get them running and jumping around as much as they can.
You can take advantage of their hunting instincts to increase their activity. Being natural predators, American Shorthairs enjoy “hunting,” even if it only means prey-shaped lures or laser pointers. You can engage your ASH in these kinds of interactive play to make them burn extra calories.
Click here to see this interactive laser cat toy on Amazon.
Aside from keeping watch over their weight, your American Shorthair can live a long, happy life. Full and updated vaccinations, regular exercise, neutering or spaying, nail and dental care, and a balanced diet will help keep your cat healthy and allow you to spend nearly two decades with them.
In Closing
American Shorthair cats are medium- to large-sized cats that get no taller than 14 inches and no heavier than 20 pounds. However, these cats are curious and fun companions that use their heightened hunting and predatory instincts to play with their owners.
With their size, attitude, and overall good health and ease of training, the American Shorthair is a great feline friend for most people, and they deserve their reputation as one of the most popular cats in the world.
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