How Long Do American Shorthair Cats Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
American Shorthair cats are generally healthy. They were originally “working” cats, which means that they were largely bred for practical purposes. This led to much of the breed’s health problems being bred out. After all, a sickly cat can’t keep mice out of the barn. This has led to a healthy feline today.
In general, American Shorthairs can live for about 15 years. This assumes that they are well taken care of, eat a quality diet, and receive all the proper vet care.
Of course, there is much that goes into a cat’s lifespan. Despite being American Shorthairs, some cats are simply more prone to diseases than others. This is especially true of kittens that were not bred by breeders, since they are more likely to come from unhealthy parents.
Therefore, if you want an American Shorthair that will live to be 15 years or more, it is important that you invest in a healthy kitten and do the proper work to keep the cat healthy throughout their lifespan.
American Shorthair Cats Average Lifespan
Given that the American Shorthair breed is relatively healthy, their average lifespan is rather impressive. They can live anywhere between 15 and 20 years. However, like all cats, some American Shorthairs may be prone to health conditions that can impact their overall lifespan. For example, feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common type of heart disease in cats. It is an inherited condition that can result in heart failure, hind leg paralysis, and sudden death.
What Factors Affect an American Shorthair’s Lifespan?
Many different factors may affect an American Shorthair’s lifespan. Many of them may be completely out of your control.
Feeding & Diet
An American Shorthair needs a healthy, well-balanced diet to ensure no nutritional imbalances. The proper diet can also prevent health issues that may otherwise impact a cat’s lifespan, such as obesity, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Like all cats, American Shorthairs require a diet catered explicitly to their life stage. For example, kittens need food high in calories, protein, and fat with the proper proportion of vitamins and minerals to ensure healthy growth.
Environment
How and where an American Shorthair lives can impact its longevity. Outdoor cats have a life expectancy of only two to five years, compared to the 15 to 20-year lifespan of an indoor American Shorthair.
However, indoor cats need a safe, clean, and stimulating living environment to stay happy and healthy. Plenty of toys, scratching posts, and cozy sleeping spots are necessary.
Care
An American Shorthair has the same level of care as any cat. General care encompasses everything from grooming to exercise to flea prevention to dental care. Your kitty needs regular brushing to keep their fur looking nice and to prevent hairballs. Exercise is vital for mental and physical health. Flea prevention is essential even for indoor cats, as they can still pick up parasites. Between 50% and 90% of cats over four years of age have dental disease, and most forms of these diseases are preventable with preventative dental care.
Cleaning
American Shorthairs need to live in a clean space for their safety and health. A clean, non-cluttered home ensures they’ll be free of parasites and safer from injuries. Additionally, they need regular, easy access to a safe place to use their litter boxes. Cats are fastidious creatures and do not like using heavily soiled litter boxes.
Healthcare
Annual visits to the veterinarian are essential for cats. This way, your vet can establish a baseline for their health and can easily identify any potential issues as they arise. Since American Shorthairs are relatively healthy and long-lived, they may not require as much veterinary care as other breeds.
How to Tell Your American Shorthair’s Age
You’ll have a better chance of guessing your American Shorthair’s age if they’re still young. Kittens generally gain a pound of weight every month until they’re around six months old. You can also examine their teeth, as kittens start losing their baby teeth when they’re three to four months old.
Once cats reach adulthood, guesstimating their age can be challenging. Your vet may be able to make an educated guess based on the wear and tear on their teeth, eye lens density, and grooming habits, but this isn’t 100% accurate.
Final Thoughts
The average lifespan of an American Shorthair is about 15 years. However, many factors go into this. Just because you own a cat of this breed doesn’t mean they will reach that age.
Luckily, many of the factors involved are controllable. For instance, keeping your cat indoors will likely lead to them living much longer than cats that are allowed outside. This is simply because the outdoor world is far more dangerous. Cats can be injured more easily and exposed to toxins, which can limit their lifespan.
Your cat’s medical care, diet, and exercise routine all play a role in their life expectancy. If you want your American Shorthair to live their full life, it is important to pay attention to these factors.
Featured Image Credit: Clement Morin, Shutterstock
