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From gentle purrs to playful pounces, cats offer the perfect blend of companionship and independence. Each cat has its own personality and preferences, making cat ownership a unique experience for each and every owner. The domestic shorthair is the most common type of cat in America, beloved by countless homes. From behavior to appearance to daily care, the aim of this article is to delve into the depths of owning one of these cats with friendly and adaptable nature.
Understanding the Domestic Shorthair (DSH) Cat Breed
The domestic shorthair “breed”, also known as DSH, encompasses the many cats who are not considered purebred and may be referred to as “mutts”. This includes most of the cats in homes across the country, in shelters, and local strays. The domestic shorthair was originally brought over to the United States on colonial ships who found value in their ability to hunt rodents. After making the journey, they were used as mousers on farms before finding their place as today’s domesticated household pets.
While not purebred, domestic shorthairs can still be shown at cat shows and have some general parameters they usually follow. They often range in size from 10-12 pounds when maintained at a healthy weight, the perfect size for lap lounging. They have a medium build and a short, sleek coat. From tuxedo to tabby to calico to tortoise shell, the DSH is often characterized by its coat color and pattern. Due to their diverse genetic makeup, domestic shorthairs are less predisposed to specific health issues than purebred cats. Cat ownership is a long-term commitment as on average these fur babies live 14-18 years.
Domestic Shorthair Cat Personality
Domestic shorthairs are generally friendly and adaptable by nature, making them great family pets. Personality can vary though. Some cats are vocal, some quiet. Some are very active, while others are lazy. Some love to sit on their owner’s laps, while others prefer only gentle head scratches and only at their discretion. Adopting an older kitten or an adult cat allows owners to have a better idea of what their personality may be like, as young domestic shorthair kittens can have a change in their personality as they mature.
Worthy of mention, cats can be temperamental and easily stressed when it comes to changes in their environment. Some are more adaptable than others, but many cats will hide, mark, or exhibit other signs of anxiety and stress with change in their routine. It is important to consider this when planning to make changes such as moving, having a new person move in, or when adopting a new pet. Slow introductions are important to not overwhelm your furry friend.
Caring for a Domestic Shorthair Cat
Just as with any pet, owning a cat is a big responsibility. There are a few essentials to keep in mind when it comes to caring for a domestic shorthair.
Food and Water
Cats should be fed a high-quality balanced diet based on their life stage, size and activity level, and they should have free access to fresh water at all times. Feeding appropriately and encouraging exercise daily will reduce your cat’s risk of obesity.
Shelter
Cats need to have shelter. It is best to keep domestic shorthair cats indoors to keep them safe from dangers like being eaten or harmed by a predator or being hit by a car.
Litterbox
One of the least glamorous parts of owning a cat is the litterbox. Cats need to have somewhere designated for them to urinate and defecate when they feel the need. While the occasional cat may be toilet trained, this most often involves a litterbox which will likely need to be scooped every 1-2 days and deep cleaned every 1-2 weeks. Inappropriate urination is one of the leading causes of strain on the bond between pet owners and their cats. Keeping litter boxes clean and offering regular environmental enrichment (more on this below) can help reduce these undesirable behaviors.
Grooming
Fortunately, cats tend to be amazing groomers, spending much of their day using their specialized tongues to maintain their skin and coat. The domestic shorthair requires less maintenance than their medium and longhaired counterparts, but even the best of groomers benefit from being brushed. Best practices for grooming involve brushing your cat to help keep fur from matting and reduce the amount of hair shed around your home.
Vet Care
Last but not least, veterinary care is also essential to your cat’s health and well-being. Kittens will need a few rounds of booster vaccines and will need to be spayed or neutered. As adults, cats will need annual vaccines and an exam with their vet to catch any health issues early. Elderly cats may require more frequent visits to the vet.
Pet Insurance for Domestic Shorthair Cats
Pet owners may not be aware of pet insurance for cats, but it is just as relevant and important as pet insurance for dogs! Cats can eat things they shouldn’t or even develop urinary blockages that require emergency intervention. Having pet insurance in place allows owners to confidently say yes to recommended veterinary interventions without having to do a double take at the price tag. While the DSH is less likely to have certain hereditary issues than purebred cats, they are not immune to getting sick or developing certain diseases.
Behaviors of Domestic Shorthair Cats
There are a few activities the DSH does on a daily basis. Having appropriate outlets for these behaviors keeps both cat and owner happy.
Lounging
Activity level varies among cats, but the average cat sleeps 14 or so hours per day. During their awake hours—which often may be conveniently in the middle of the night—they may have playful interactions with other household pets and even get the zoomies. Most cats will lounge for a majority of the day and love having a place to sunbathe.
Climbing and Jumping
While notorious loungers, cats often experience short bursts of energy throughout the day and do require environmental enrichment. It is essential for cats to have outlets for these behaviors so they do not become stressed or anxious. Having a cat tree or other high up perches that your cat can climb on or jump between is a great option and feasible for most pet owners. Elevated surfaces also act as a place for cats to get away from other pets in the house, namely dogs. For those escape artists who are determined to get outdoors, an outdoor catio can be a good, safe option for those kitties who need a little more space to explore.
Hunting
Following in their ancestor’s footsteps, many cats have a prey-drive motivating them to perform hunting behaviors like pouncing and chasing shadows, lights, or small objects. One of the best ways to enrich and bond with your cat is by playing with them. Some cats will fetch small toys or bat around a ball on their own, but cats really enjoy playing with their owner with a feather toy or toy attached to a string that they can bat at and jump for.
Scratching
Cats have sharp claws on all four paws. Having an outlet for scratching these claws is essential not just to a happy cat, but also to a happy owner. Having a scratching post, pad, or cat tree will encourage your cat to use these items to maintain their claws, otherwise cats may utilize the furniture or walls leading to not so happy owners. Trimming your cat’s claws (or having them professionally trimmed if you are uncomfortable doing so) can reduce the damage caused by inappropriate scratching. Claw caps can also be applied, but only work for those cats who will allow application and actually leave them on after.
Owning a Domestic Shorthair
Owning a cat is such an enriching experience as they truly are purrfect companions. If you are considering adopting a cat, make sure you think about how they will fit your lifestyle as these fur babies are a long-term commitment. They a notorious for lazy lounging, but will require daily interaction and attention, and environmental enrichment on top of their health needs. Keep our tips for care and nurturing in mind when planning how to keep your kitty happy.