Special Caretaking Tips For the American Shorthair

For people who are unfamiliar with the breed, the American Shorthair is descended from European cats that came over to the Americas with European settlers, which interbred with their local counterparts to produce cats that were better-suited to their new lives and new environments but remained recognizable as their predecessors. It is important to note that it is a pedigreed cat, which is why it was renamed the American Shorthair from Domestic Shorthair in order to distinguish it from all of the other short-haired domestic cats out there. Regardless, while the breed is considered to be one of the easier-going breeds out there, there are nonetheless some special caretaking tips that can prove useful for their owners.

Special Caretaking Tips for the American Shorthair

* American Shorthairs tend to be one of the healthier breeds out there, which should come as welcome news to their owners. However, it is important to note that some lineages have been known to exhibit inherited medical conditions, meaning that people who are interested in the breed should make sure to ask the breeders about such incidences. Furthermore, American Shorthairs are known to be prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a larger-than-normal left ventricle of the heart. It is unclear whether this is an inherited problem or not, but it is nonetheless something that their owners should watch out for.

* Given that their ancestors came over on European ships, it should come as no surprise to learn that American Shorthairs started out as mousers. In fact, American Shorthairs are still often used as mousers, which is why they are classified as working animals. As a result, their owners need to provide them with plenty of playtime during which to indulge their hunting instincts, lest they become bored and restless.

* On a related note, American Shorthairs are intelligent animals. As a result, their owners shouldn’t waste their time by playing the same games over and over again. Instead, they should make sure to switch the games that they play with their cats on a regular basis while also making sure to avoid repetitive rounds of the same game as much as possible. This way, they can maintain their cats’ interest, thus making play-time that much more beneficial for them.

* Grooming an American Shorthair tends to be a simple and straightforward process. Generally speaking, brushing their coats twice a week should be enough to remove dead hair and distribute their skin oils over the rest. Furthermore, make sure to brush their teeth, clean the corners of their eyes, check their ears, and trim their nails on a regular basis for the best results.

* Some American Shorthairs have been known to overindulge in their food. To prevent this, their owners should make sure to measure their food instead of free-feeding them. After all, obesity is just as bad for cats as it is for humans.

* A lot of people choose to keep their American Shorthairs indoors rather than outdoors. In part, this is because they are concerned about their pets being attacked by other animals. However, it should also be noted that American Shorthairs are known to indulge their hunting instincts against animals other than rats, meaning that keeping them indoors can also help preserve birds as well as other local species of small animals.

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