American Shorthair Cat Breed – All Information, Facts, Care and Price

As long as the American Shorthair is in the mood for playing, he will happily play with you, if you let him. While they do enjoy socializing with their humans, they still have enough of an independent streak to entertain themselves as well, which means you do not have to worry about a separation anxiety issue if you own this breed. There is no better way to ensure that an American Shorthair gets enough exercise than to keep interactive toys around the house as well as to schedule one-on-one playtimes for them. In addition to its ability to get along well with other cats, one of the best ways to keep your American Shorthair active is to get a kitten companion.

Despite the fact that these cats have short hair, due to the thick nature of their coat, they need to be groomed regularly due to the fact that they have short hair. As a rule, you can expect your American Shorthair to shed over the course of the year, with peaks occurring in the spring and fall. In order to ensure your pet’s coat is in optimal health, he or she should be brushed weekly, and other grooming practices should be followed as well, including regular dental care, ear cleanings, and nail trimmings, among others.

General Health Information For Your American Shorthair

Your American Shorthair’s Health

As much as we love your cat, we know that you want to be sure she is well taken care of, especially since you care so much about her. The purpose of this document is to provide you with a summary of the health concerns we will be discussing with you during the lifetime of your ASH. We can tailor a preventive health plan for your American Shorthair based on a knowledge of what health concerns are common among shorthairs, which will hopefully prevent some predictable risks from occurring in your pet.

In most cases, diseases and health conditions in your pet have a genetic component, which means they are related to the breed of your pet. According to a general consensus among feline genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners alike, the conditions we are discussing here are associated with a significant incidence rate or have a significant impact upon this breed in particular. It does not imply, however, that you will be facing these problems with your cat, merely that she may be more vulnerable to them compared to other cats. In order to give you a better idea of what may be expected in her future, we are going to describe some of the most common problems seen in American Shorthairs. You must always contact us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms, as we are not able to cover every possibility here.

A thorough overview of feline health is provided in this guide along with information on genetic predispositions associated with American Shorthairs, as well as general health information. It is our hope that the information here will be helpful to you and the team of professionals who are caring for your pet when planning for their unique medical needs. This article is going to give you some tips on how you can care for your American Shorthair at home in order to keep her looking and feeling her best, and we have also included a description of how you can do this at home. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to help you be aware of the warning signs, and we hope that you and your friend will feel better knowing we are taking the best possible care of them.

Common Health Problems

The American Shorthair is a robust, long-living breed of cat that is not genetically predisposed to any specific health problems. It should be noted that these cats, like any other cats, can be susceptible to chronic or acute diseases, especially if they are allowed to roam freely outdoors, where they are more likely to pick up parasites and be infected with viruses and bacteria. Additionally, cats who are allowed to roam freely are at a higher risk of sustaining injuries in accidents or ingesting toxic substances.

Weight Management

An obese cat is prone to several health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems.

Today, the dangers of extra weight on pets are more commonly understood and more widely known than they were a few decades ago, but too many pet owners continue to ignore the dangers that extra weight poses to them and their animals. It is well known that excess weight is a major contributor to the development of various diseases, including arthritis, diabetes and other life-threatening conditions. As we all know, even shedding just a few pounds can improve one’s mobility and increase one’s motivation for being active. Many people have experienced this first-hand through their own experiences. It is the same with your pet as well.

It has been suggested that if a pet is overweight, he or she may live a shorter lifespan by as much as two years, and may be more likely to suffer from arthritis two years earlier if they are overweight. An inherited disease, diabetes, is much more likely to develop in overweight pets than in pets who are not overweight, and a healthy-weight cat may never have to worry about it at all. Obese cats are more likely to develop diabetes as a result of their increased weight. There is another potentially fatal disease associated with overweight pets, which is hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver; when an overweight cat stops eating for any reason, hepatic lipidosis can develop within 48 hours and can eventually lead to death if not treated.

In order to help our pets keep a trim figure, what can we do to help them? There is nothing more important than understanding what your cat eats and how he does it. Generally speaking, cats prefer to eat about 10-15 times a day, just a few bites at a time, with a few nibbles coming at a time. In most cases, free-feeding works well for cats, but boredom may increase the number of trips your cat makes to the food bowl, depending on his or her preferences. You can help your cat stay healthy and have some fun at the same time by keeping your cat playfully active and engaged in its playtimes. The string that is tied to a stick must have something crinkly or fuzzy at the other end of the string so that both you and your cat will be entertained for some time. A food puzzle, such as kibbles placed in a paper bag or under an overturned basket, may be a good way to motivate cats who have more food-based interests to engage in more active play.

In order to deal with serious cases of overeating, you will need to take a firm stance, and regulate your cat’s food intake in order to relieve this situation. Instead of filling your cat’s bowl to the top with food, make sure to follow the feeding instructions provided on the food package and ensure that your cat is fed a diet that is high in nutritional value as recommended by your veterinarian. Playtime and affection can be substituted for your cat’s habit of eating when bored in place of eating when bored. As a general rule, cats adjust their desire for personal interaction based on how much affection they receive from you. In other words, ignoring your cat will mean your cat will ignore you in return. As a result, you will have to spend a lot of time loving and playing with your cat in order to make it crave that time with you. Active cats make healthier, happier pets, and owners are more likely to enjoy their cats as well!

Diet and Nutrition

The American Shorthair Cat breed is a powerful one, so they require strict nutritional oversight in order to be sure they do not get overweight, something to which they are prone as a breed. While they are prone to long lives and can live for up to 20 years in good health, this does depend on consuming a diet that is high in quality, which provides them with enough energy to maintain their muscular stature without making them gain excessive weight. You may wish to speak with your veterinarian regarding proper feeding guidelines if you have any concerns about how to properly feed your American Shorthair-or if your American Shorthair is overweight.

It is generally recommended that your cat eats a diet that contains a high protein level, moderate fats level, and a low carbohydrate level as a general rule. There are many options when it comes to feeding your cat, whether it is all kibble, all wet food, or a mixture of all three. When it comes to your cat’s diet, many of them enjoy variety, just as most people do.

Dental Disease

There are many chronic diseases that can occur in animals when their teeth don’t get brushed regularly, and dental disease is one of them. There is a good chance that your ash doesn’t take very good care of his own teeth, which is unfortunately how most cats behave. The chances of your cat having serious dental problems are much greater if you do not provide them with extra help and care. There is a connection between dental disease and food residue that hardens and forms tartar, which forms on the visible parts of the teeth. Once tartar forms, it leads to an infection of the gums and the roots of the teeth as well. By removing food residue regularly from your cat’s mouth, you may be able to prevent or delay the need for advanced treatment of dental disease from the start by preventing or delaying the onset of dental disease in the first place. Preventive care can be beneficial all around since this type of treatment can be stressful for your cat as well as expensive for you. Your pet may even lose teeth if the chronic dental infection is severe enough, or his internal organs may be damaged if the chronic infection is severe enough. Besides, you will be able to have a better relationship with your cat since he will not be knocking over everyone with his stinky breath as often as he used to! You will learn ways to keep your cat’s pearly whites as clean as possible at home, and we will help you schedule regular routine dental examinations for your cat.

Vaccine-Preventable Infections

There are many bacterial and viral illnesses that can affect American Shorthair cats, and vaccines are available that can help prevent these infections, such as pneumonia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies, and many others. Vaccines that are designed to prevent your cat from contracting these diseases are often called “core” vaccines, as there is a high risk of your cat contracting them, so these vaccines are highly recommended for all cats. As well as protecting your cat from feline leukemia virus (FeLV) there are also vaccines available that offer protection from other dangerous diseases as well. It is very important to take into account the prevalence of these diseases in our area, your cat’s age, as well as his or her lifestyle when making vaccination recommendations for your cat.

Parasites

The American Shorthair dog is susceptible to all kinds of worms and bugs, both inside and outside their body. In addition to fleas and ticks, her skin and ears may also become infested with ear mites and other parasites. A number of ways can be used to get hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms into her system, including drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by a mosquito that contains the parasite. Several of these parasites are capable of being transmitted directly from person to person and as a result are a serious health concern for everyone. In the event that your feline friend becomes infected with one of these parasites, he or she will feel pain, discomfort, and even die, which is why we must ensure that we test for them on a regular basis. A fecal test can detect a wide variety of parasites, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with a fresh stool sample to your pet’s twice-yearly wellness exam (in a container that won’t stink, please) so that your vet can check for any types of parasites that might be present. In order to keep her healthy, we will also recommend preventative medications as necessary to keep her healthy.

Spay Or Neuter

Spaying your ASH is one of the best things you can do for her (neutering her if she’s a male) as far as health care is concerned. In females, this procedure involves the surgical removal of the ovaries, as well as the uterus, which is normally the case for females; in males, this procedure includes the surgical removal of the testicles. In addition to decreasing the risk of certain types of cancers, spaying or neutering your pet will eliminate the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or having an unwanted litter. Neutering is usually beneficial for both sexes, as it decreases the amount of territoriality, but in particular it decreases the amount of urine spraying and marking behaviors of males that occur after neutering. We are also able to identify and address some of the diseases your cat is likely to develop while your pet is under anesthesia during the course of this surgical procedure. It would be convenient for your pet to have their hip X-rays taken to check for dysplasia or a thorough dental exam to check for stomatitis at the same time as the spay or neuter in order to minimize the stress on the cat during these procedures. The routine blood testing that is conducted prior to surgery also allows us to determine whether there are any problems that could increase the risk of anesthesia or surgery and take actions to prevent them. I know this sounds like a lot to think about, but don’t worry – when it’s time for us to do the inspection, we’ll go over everything in detail with you.

Genetic Predispositions For American Shorthairs

Where to Adopt or Buy an American Sh

General Disease Risks

All the diseases seem to be more prevalent in certain cat breeds than others. As you know, other cats, such as your American Shorthair, seem to have a remarkable sense of health, and they are at a low to no risk for inherited diseases. We generally make some educated guesses about some of the common health risks associated with these cat breeds in order to make preventive healthcare recommendations for them based on our experience with other cat breeds. Accordingly, the following diseases may be associated with a higher risk of contracting these diseases, even though there has not been any significant research to back up this conclusion.

Heart Disease

In the medical field, cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe a disease of the heart muscle, either caused by an inherited disorder or as a result of another disease that damages the heart. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM for short, is the most common form of this condition, which causes thickening of the heart muscle as a consequence of an overactive thyroid gland. It is also important to mention that a dietary deficiency of taurine is one of the factors that can lead to heart problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. There was a time when DCM was a big problem with cats with low-quality diets, but nowadays it is much less common among cats with high-quality diets, because all major cat food producers now use taurine in the ingredients of cat food.

A cat’s tendency to hide illness, combined with its natural tendency to show signs of illness early on, can make it difficult to recognize the symptoms of cardiomyopathy early on. An owner of a pet is usually the first to notice that their pet’s heart rate is rapid, that he is lethargy, and that his appetite is poor. Most cats suffer from these symptoms in silence for a long period of time, often between a few hours and a few days, before they experience any serious problems, but in most cases, they are suffering quietly for weeks to months before they experience any serious problems at all. Additionally, HCM can also lead to the formation of blood clots within the heart as a result of the disease. There is also a possibility that these clots might become lodged in the large arteries that carry blood from the heart to the legs and may then leave the heart. It is possible that the cat, if this were to happen, would suddenly lose the use of both rear legs and the tail – the legs would seem extremely painful and would be extremely cold to the touch. It is imperative that the cat be treated immediately by a veterinarian in either case, whether the cat is experiencing rapid breathing or painful paralysis.

There are some breeds of cats that can be tested for gene abnormalities that cause HCM through genetic testing for a specific gene abnormality. A wellness physical examination will be able to detect a heart murmur in the majority of cats with cardiomyopathy, but a specific diagnosis requires more advanced diagnostic imaging to be made. Having your pet evaluated twice a year for life is another important reason why it is so important to find this problem early, when the treatment is most effective.

Flutd

It is understandable that you will be annoyed or furious if your cat urinates outside the litter box. This is especially true if your best pair of shoes was the place where the urinal was found. But don’t get upset too soon – in most cases, cats who urinate on the floor are just trying to communicate with you that they need help. It is very rare for cats to experience true urinary incontinence, which is the inability to control their bladder muscles, as a consequence of a spinal defect or inadequate nerve function. In most cases, cats that are urinating in inappropriate places are experiencing a problem and are trying to get you to notice that they are having a problem. There are several urinary syndromes in cats, but over the course of years of research these different syndromes have grown into a collective term called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases, or FLUTD, which refers to a group of diseases that affect the lower urinary tract in cats. There are many diseases which may cause similar symptoms, for example, a cat suffering from urinary tract infection, as well as a cat suffering from urolithiasis, or bladder stones, both of which share many of the same symptoms as a cat suffering from tomcat blockage. There are a variety of signs of FLUTD, including blood in the urine, straining to urinate with little or no urine production, crying in the litterbox, and urinating on cool surfaces (such as the tile floor or bath tub). Watching for these signs can help you recognize the early signs of FLUTD. It is vital that you contact us right away if your cat exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned above in order to schedule an urgent appointment. A blockage to the urethra can be particularly dangerous to male cats, because this can prevent them from excreting any urine, which is an emergency within the first few hours if they are unable to do so. It is painful for your cat not to be able to urinate, so it is critical for you to seek emergency care as soon as possible if your cat may be blocked.

There are a lot of cats that are very good at hiding the signs of illness, so it can be quite easy to miss the early signs of FLUTD in cats. We are able to detect signs of infections, kidney disease, crystals in the urine, and even diabetes in cats when they come in for regular urinalysis testing. It is also possible to detect stones in the kidneys and bladder by using x-rays and ultrasounds. Medications and special diets can be used to control the symptoms of lower urinary tract disease; however, severe cases of FLUTD may also require surgery to treat.

Renal Failure

As a result of kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to perform their basic functions of cleaning wastes from the blood and maintaining proper hydration levels as a result of a variety of factors. In older cats, kidney disease is a very common condition. However, in young cats, the disease is often caused by exposure to toxins or a genetic defect. The presence of inherited kidney defects can lead to renal failure in very young kittens, so we recommend screening for kidney problems as soon as possible, before any anesthesia or surgery, and then at regular intervals throughout their lives. It is a progressive and fatal disease when a cat is suffering from severe renal failure. However, with the correct diet and medications, it may be possible for cats with kidney disease to live longer and healthier lives.

Hyperthyroidism

It is a small gland located at the front of the throat, and it plays a very important role in the functions of the body.Thyroxine, also known as T4, is a hormone that is produced by this gland.

Thyroxine is an important thyroid hormone that plays an important role in the speed up of metabolism throughout the body. It has been found that T4 levels in the blood increase the rate at which cells in every part of the body start working; on the other hand, when T4 levels fall, the thyroid gland produces more T4, thus maintaining a constant and close control over the level of T4 in the body. The thyroid gland of cats is prone to benign (non-cancerous) tumors in their middle ages, but this is not the case for all of them. Despite the fact that the cells that make up this tumor still produce T4, the mechanism that controls how it does so has been damaged. These tumor cells are not affected by the normal feedback system that keeps a healthy T4 level in the body, so they continue to pump out T4 even though they are being told to stop by the body. The “go” switch on cats with these tumors is permanently stuck in “faster” mode, which is causing them to run at a faster rate. A condition such as this is known as hyperthyroidism.

The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats are increased activity and stress, which can mask the true symptoms of the disease. Cats who suffer from hyperthyroidism are usually in the age range from ten to twelve years old. There are several common symptoms of this disease, including nausea, weight loss, and an increase in thirst. However, these symptoms are generally not noticed immediately because they come on so gradually. If hyperthyroidism is not treated in time, it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, kidney failure, blood clots, and death. The presence of hyperthyroidism can easily be detected by a routine blood test performed as part of your cat’s routine wellness program as part of your regular health care routine. Many cats that have been diagnosed with this disease are now able to live a normal life span thanks to a new generation of effective treatment options that destroy abnormal tumor cells while leaving healthy thyroid cells undamaged. As a result, many cats diagnosed with this disease are able to live normal lives.

Diabetes Mellitus

Any cat breed can be affected by diabetes mellitus, which is a genetic condition that can affect cats of all breeds. Some forms of diabetes will lead a cat to develop diabetes regardless of whether or not he or she is suffering from any other health problems. A cat may also be susceptible to diabetes, but they will only become overtly diabetic if they are overweight or if they are fed an unbalanced diet, as well as if they are allowed to develop diabetes in the first place. Managing a cat’s weight and diet appropriately can greatly reduce the possibility of your pet developing diabetes if both are managed properly. The number of diabetic cats has skyrocketed in the past few years, mainly as a result of indoor inactivity lifestyles. As a breed, cats were not bred to just gaze out of windows, but the majority of cats live exclusively sedentary lifestyles indoors as part of their lives as pets. The most important factor to keeping your indoor pet healthy and slim is to make sure he or she gets enough exercise on a daily basis to prevent weight gain-related illnesses and diseases. A painful condition known as pancreatitis can also be linked to diabetes and can cause the loss of glucose from the body. There is a possibility that chronic pancreatitis, which is known to be genetically inherited, can cause damage to the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin, which can result in a diabetic state in the cat.

In addition to weight loss despite having a good appetite and increased thirst as a result of diabetes, urination is also increased. The veterinarian will perform a blood test once a year as well as more often as your cat ages as a means of detecting this disease. When diabetic cats lose weight and switch to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate prescription diet, they do not require insulin injections for as long as they lose weight and follow a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. As diabetes is regarded as a genetic predisposition in American Shorthair cats, it is extremely important that you manage both the type and quantity of food that your pet consumes, as well as incorporate regular exercise into your cat’s daily routine, in order to prevent it from occurring!

Allergies/Atopy

Humans who have allergies to pollen, mold, or dust sneeze and feel itchy in their eyes when they are exposed to these substances. There is an itching sensation on the skin of cats due to this substance. There is a type of allergy called atopy, which affects legs, stomach, face, ears, and they are very likely to be affected by this type of allergy. It is typically diagnosed between the ages of one and three with symptoms getting worse over time. The most common signs of eczema are the tendency to lick (over groom) the affected areas, rubbing the face, and frequent cases of ear infections. Those areas are likely to have thinner or shorter hair, as well as red, sore lesions on the skin around them. The cause of the problem will need to be determined as food allergies and mites both can cause similar symptoms, so we will need to investigate the cause. It is a good news that this condition can be treated in many different ways, which is the good news.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a defective gene leads to the development of cysts in the kidneys. A Persian breed was the first to be identified with the disease, and it is sometimes seen in dogs of other breeds, such as American Shorthairs. It is possible for affected kittens to be born with small cysts inside their kidneys and sometimes their livers that slowly expand over the course of their lives, eventually resulting in the destruction of the affected organ.

A person with this condition usually begins to show symptoms around the age of seven. As well as weight loss, vomiting, excessive thirst, and poor general health, some of these symptoms are also present. In spite of the fact that there is no cure for PKD, special diets and medication can slow down the progression of the organ failure that results from it; early diagnosis of PKD can allow the kidneys and liver to function effectively for a long time. In order to monitor for early organ dysfunction in adult cats, routine urine or blood testing is therefore recommended on an annual basis. In the event that PKD is diagnosed, an ultrasound exam of the abdomen may be conducted in order to visualize the cysts and determine how much damage has been done. The PKD gene can also be tested for genetically, and responsible breeders recommend that cats that carry the PKD gene should not be used in breeding programs as they will not be able to reproduce.

Deafness

White cats, regardless of what breed they belong to, especially those with blue eyes, have a higher tendency to have congenital deafness, and are more likely to be born with reduced or absent hearing at birth. There has also been evidence that there is an inherited or genetic component to deafness in some American Shorthair bloodlines, so if you suspect your cat’s hearing is less than keen as it should be, please schedule an appointment with us right away. You might be able to treat the problem by removing ear polyps or by treating an ear infection, but if your dog’s ears are healthy and he’s still ignoring you, you might need to perform a more thorough hearing analysis, including brainwave analysis, if necessary. In most instances, cats suffering from genetic nerve deafness do well in an indoor environment, as there is no treatment available for the condition. Taking your hearing-impaired cat outside can be very dangerous, as deaf cats rely heavily on their hearing to detect sneaking predators or other perils like oncoming cars in the vicinity, so keeping your hearing-impaired cat inside is the best way to ensure their safety.

Blood Type

Even though we don’t want to imagine what could happen to our pets when a disaster strikes, it’s always a good idea to be prepared in case the worst happens. There is no doubt that blood transfusions are one of the most effective, and perhaps the most life-saving, treatments available in emergency medicine today. A blood transfusion is a procedure that can save the life of your cat if he or she becomes critically ill or injured and in need of a blood transfusion. The sooner the procedure is initiated, the greater the pet’s chance of survival.

There are different types of blood in cats, just like there are different types of blood in people. Purebred cats, like your American Shorthair, usually have a blood type other than A, which is usually type B, or very rarely, type AB. Domestic cats typically have type A blood, where purebred cats often have type B or type AB blood. A cat’s blood type is one of the most important things to determine before starting a transfusion, so knowing your cat’s blood type ahead of time can save you a lot of precious time. Cats of all breeds, but especially purebreds, should have their blood typed on a regular basis. The results of this test can be stored on your pet’s microchip record as well for fast action even if you are not present to see the results of the test. It can also be done as part of a routine wellness blood test to ensure your pet’s wellness.

Sorthair

Since American Shorthair Cats are a relatively common breed of cat, there should be no problem in adopting or purchasing one if you are looking for one. Whether you have children or other pets in your home, these lovable felines are a great addition to any household.

It is always a good idea to start your search for a pet by looking at pet rescues. If you are looking for a place to start, there are a couple of good options:

• Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue

• Rescue Me!: American Shorthair Rescue

Also, you can check rescue sites such as Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet to see if they have dogs of the breed that you are looking for. In spite of this, it is important to keep in mind that most of the pets in rescues and shelters are mixes rather than purebred animals.

The International Cat Association maintains a list of vetted breeders that you can contact if you are considering buying a purebred American Shorthair, or you can search online for a registered breeder if you are interested in purchasing a purebred American Shorthair. Additionally, if you are interested in finding American Shorthair breeders, you can attend cat shows, which are often a good place to start your search.

Taking Care Of Your American Shorthair At Home

There are many things you can do at home to keep your cat happy and healthy, just as there are things you can do for yourself, just like it’s common sense for people. We recommend that you keep an eye on her diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercise, brush her teeth regularly, and call us or one of our pet emergency hospitals if you notice anything abnormal (see “What to Watch For” below). Our veterinarian will be happy to recommend a schedule of examinations and vaccinations for your pet, so be sure to follow that schedule. As part of your cat’s examination, we will work on her necessary “check-ups” and do tests to make sure that she is free of diseases and conditions common in Ashes cats. It is also very important to take note that registering your pet for pet health insurance is another very important step in caring for your pet. It is certain that during the course of her lifetime, she will need a number of medical tests and procedures, and pet health insurance will be able to help you cover those expenses.

Routine Care, Diet, And Exercise

It is important that you incorporate routine pet care into your schedule to make sure your American Shorthair will live a long, healthy, and happy life. It cannot be overstated how crucial it is to maintain a good diet and exercise routine for your pet in order to maintain good health.

• If you have a pet, you should take the same care of it that you would if you had a child. It is a good idea to keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off any areas that need to be blocked off. By doing this, you will be able to keep your little girl out of trouble, away from inappropriate jumping surfaces, and away from objects that she shouldn’t be feeding to her.

• The short coat that she has is low maintenance and does not require a lot of grooming. If you want your hair to look healthy and shiny, make sure you brush it as often as needed.

• When you brush your American Shorthair dog’s teeth at least twice a week, you can keep them in good health, as they have generally good teeth.

• Make sure you check her ears weekly to see if there are any wax buildups, debris, or signs of infection, and clean them if necessary. We will guide you through the process, so don’t worry!

• A daily play session is important for her, as it stimulates the natural instinct she has to hunt and explore. You should make sure that she keeps her mind and body active if you don’t want her to develop behavioral problems.

• A clean litter box is a necessity for cats as they are meticulously clean. Every cat should have a litter box, and the waste should be scooped daily so that it does not build up.

• In order for your cat to stay healthy, it is important for him to drink as much water as he can. You can try adding ice cubes to her water bowl or a flowing fountain if she does not seem to want to drink water from it.

• It is important to feed your cat a high-quality feline diet that is appropriate for her age as well.

• Providing your cat with toys that are high in activity is one of the best ways to exercise her regularly.

What To Watch For

An abnormal symptom on your pet could just be a temporary or minor issue, but it may also be an indication of an underlying illness or disease in your pet. If you have a cat and want to take good care of it, you need to know when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently it needs it. It is common for cats, particularly American Shorthairs, to experience a variety of symptoms, and these symptoms can be a clear indication that your cat requires medical attention.

Office Calls

In the event that you notice any of the following symptoms, please give us a call for an appointment:

• Changing appetite or intake of water due to a change in diet

• Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or broken teeth

• Itchy skin (scratching, chewing, or licking), hair loss, or areas of shortened fur

• Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping

• Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes

• Poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, increased thirst and urination

• Voracious appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst and urination

• Abnormal skin or coat, excessive grooming

• Lack of response to noises

Emergencies

In the event that you notice any of these signs, you should seek medical attention immediately

• There may be a tendency to scratch the head or shake the head, tender ears, or discharge from the ears

• The eyes may be cloudy, red, itchy, or any other abnormality that affects them in any way

• Urine that is discolored or unable to be urinated; inability to urinate

• Exercise intolerance or weakness; rapid, labored breathing or breathing through the mouth; sudden onset of weakness

History of the American Shorthair

During the colonial era, the Europeans brought a lot with them to North America, including what we now refer to as the American Shorthair breed, which was descended from them. Due to their affinity for hunting and catching rodents, this breed’s European forebears were able to make a trip over to the New World, which was as welcomed on rat- and mice-laden shipping vessels as it was in the homes and barns of the new residents of the country. According to historical records, there is evidence that the ancestors of the American Shorthair came over with the Mayflower, and it is possible that they made the trip even earlier than the Mayflower.

Over the course of time, these cats multiplied in America, and over time, they developed unique traits that set them apart from the rest of the cat breeds. Since American Shorthairs have such a unique personality, they have been (and continue to be) selectively bred in an effort to maintain and propagate their many likable qualities that make them so desirable. As a result of their early days in the country, many of their physical characteristics can be traced back to that time, including their dense coats that would have allowed them to stay warm when working and hunting outdoors in winter, their moderately large body size, and their muscular build.

An American Shorthair is a breed of dog that was given its name in 1966 as a way to distinguish it from the domestic shorthair, which is randomly bred and does not possess such specific traits as the American Shorthair. In today’s cat world, American Shorthairs are considered to be the sixth most popular breed of pedigreed cats by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, according to a recent survey.