American Shorthair

What does a American Shorthair look like?

The American Shorthair is a sturdy, well-muscled cat with a big round face, full cheeks and medium ears with rounded tips. The coat is short and dense. The silver classic tabby, with black bullseye swirls on each side, is the look most people picture, but the breed comes in many colors.

American Shorthair personality

These are calm, adaptable cats that fit into almost any home. They like company without being demanding, and many keep a strong hunting instinct for toys.

How to care for a American Shorthair

Brush weekly, and more often in spring when the dense coat sheds. American Shorthairs gain weight easily, so measure meals and keep them playing.

How do I know if my cat is a American Shorthair?

This is the hardest breed to tell from a house cat, because the domestic shorthair looks almost the same. In the US, most short-haired tabbies without papers are domestic shorthairs, not American Shorthairs. A pedigreed American Shorthair has a very round face, a stocky build and a crisp, even pattern.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.