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Blog - cat breed

5 Fun Facts About American Shorthair Cats

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One of the most common cat breeds in North America, American shorthair cats are a popular family pet. They're friendly, gentle, low-maintenance, and long-lived. 

Read on to learn 5 fun facts about American shorthair cats.

1) They came over on the Mayflower.

Did you know that the ancestors of the American shorthair breed crossed the ocean with European pioneers to America? Back then, they were working cats who caught mice and other rodents. According to The Cat Fancier's Association, "records indicate that even the Mayflower carried several cats to hunt the ship’s rats." With Turkey Day almost upon us, perhaps we should add cats to our mental picture of the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations!

2) They are self-sufficient and easygoing.

Unlike breeds such as the Siamese and the Abyssinian, American shorthairs don't need a lot of attention to be happy. Because of this, they are a great choice of cat for a single person who works all day. They are relaxed, calm, and gentle with children. Also, they tend to be quiet and well-behaved. If you own an American shorthair, you'll need to schedule regular playtime to provide mental and physical exercise. 

3) They love to eat rodents + insects.

As we mentioned above, these cats were originally kept for their rodent-catching abilities. And their modern counterparts love to catch wee creatures, too. If your American shorthair is allowed to roam outside, you will be delighted to discover frequent gifts of furry prey on your doorstep. An ambitious kitty may even find rodents lurking in your basement or garage.

4) They come in over 80 different colour and pattern combinations.

American shorthair kitties may have one of seven coat patterns, including tortoiseshell, tabby, smoke, and more. Within these patterns, they will have some combination of these colours: White, Blue, Black, Cream, Bluecream, Red, Silver, Tortoiseshell, Chinchilla, Golden, Brown, and Cameo. These possibilities allow for a great deal of variation within the breed. 

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5) They’ve lived in the White House.

Did you know that former President George Bush and his family owned a black American shorthair cat? The beloved pet was named "India" after former Texas Rangers baseball player Ruben Sierra, whose nickname was "El Indio." After spending eight years in the White House with the Bush family, India passed away at the age of 18 in January 2009. 

Let's Chat:

Have you owned an American shorthair cat? What is your favourite characteristic of this breed?

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