Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in SF
American Shorthairs fit San Francisco apartment life well, since a window perch and a short play session keep them content. In a Haight-Ashbury Victorian flat or a Tenderloin studio, a calm cat watching the street from the sill is a natural match. Most are sociable without being clingy, so thin walls and visiting friends rarely bother them. They do tend to put on weight, so plan on daily play with a wand toy and measured meals.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 9 y., 187 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
F, 1 y., 246 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 246 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo., 246 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo., 246 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 246 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 y., 246 miles
American Shorthair
F, 12 y., 246 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
F, 4 mo., 246 miles
American Shorthair
F, 4 mo., 246 miles
American Shorthair
American Shorthairs descend from working cats that traveled with settlers to keep rodents off ships and out of barns. Today they're medium, muscular cats, usually 6 to 15 pounds, with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard coat that comes in dozens of colors. The silver tabby is the classic look.
Their steady, adaptable nature suits small flats and rowhouses, and the dense coat copes with damp, cool air without fuss. They're hunters at heart, so a cat in a Sunset rowhouse or a Mission flat will happily chase a wand toy. Many shorthaired cats you meet share the same look under the name domestic shorthair. Watch portions, because many of these cats gain weight easily.
Having an American Shorthair in SF
Calm, sturdy and low-drama, the American Shorthair suits people who want a companion that fits around a busy schedule. Play, weight control and a safe indoor setup matter most for these cats, especially in a compact city home.
American Shorthairs are typically easygoing and quiet, which helps in San Francisco buildings with thin walls and close neighbors. Many enjoy company without demanding it and take visitors in stride. Some cats are shyer or more active than the breed average, so watch how a cat reacts to new people and sounds.
Plan on ten to twenty minutes of play once or twice a day, using wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. In a flat, a tall cat tree by a window gives climbing and bird-watching without leaving home. Regular play is the best protection against the weight gain these food-loving cats are prone to.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, but obesity is the biggest preventable risk, and heart disease and kidney conditions have been reported in the breed. Yearly exams, dental care and measured meals help. A veterinarian can check the heart, kidneys and weight at the first visit after adoption.
A medium-size American Shorthair fits studios, Victorian flats and rowhouses alike, provided there are perches, scratching posts and hiding spots. Vertical space matters more than square footage. Keep cats indoors, since coyotes have been reported in several parts of SF, and secure window screens and balcony doors.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,700 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home for a short coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near San Francisco.
San Francisco has a city shelter, a large nonprofit adoption center and rescue groups placing cats and kittens throughout the year. Here are the rescues & shelters in the SF area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Shorthair is coming in.
San Francisco
250 Florida Street, San Francisco
1419 Bryant Street, San Francisco
PO Box 411013, San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco
Yes, American Shorthairs usually do well in apartments, which suits SF's many flats and studios. They're calm, medium-size and content with a window perch, a cat tree, a scratching post and daily play. Confirm your lease allows cats, and secure windows and balcony doors, since these strong hunters will chase birds. Indoor living also keeps them away from coyotes.
Yes, but only off-peak. Muni doesn't allow pets weekdays 5–9 a.m. or 3–7 p.m., allows one pet per vehicle, and charges a pet fare equal to yours. A cat rides in a small closed carrier on your lap or under the seat. BART also requires an enclosed carrier, and Caltrain allows only service animals.
Yes, it's one of the easier climates for them. Summer highs stay in the upper 60s, winter lows average about 47°F, and freezing nights essentially don't happen. Their dense coat handles the damp, and indoor cats need little beyond a warm bed. Warm spells come mostly in September and October, so offer water and ventilation then.
Yes, for most people who want a calm, adaptable cat in a compact home. Their easygoing nature handles small spaces, visitors and city noise, and they don't need a yard. They do best with daily play, measured meals and a lease that welcomes cats. Cats vary, so spend time with one before deciding.
Brushing once a week is usually enough, and two or three times a week during the spring shed. SF's cool, damp air doesn't mat a short coat, so professional grooming is rarely needed, and any grooming cost falls under the Other line of your budget. Check the ears and trim nails as needed.
An American Shorthair is a pedigreed North American cat breed descended from the working cats that came over with European settlers to control rodents. It is a sturdy, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a round face, full cheeks and a thick short coat in many colors, most famously silver tabby. Many are calm, adaptable and quietly affectionate.
American Shorthairs shed a moderate amount. Their dense coat drops hair year-round, with a heavier shed in spring when the undercoat thins and a lighter one in fall. Brushing a few times a week with a slicker brush or grooming mitt keeps loose hair under control and reduces hairballs. Sudden bald patches or excessive shedding deserve a veterinary visit.
Yes, American Shorthairs are usually friendly, easygoing cats. Many greet family members, get along with visitors once settled and tolerate children and other pets well after gradual introductions. They tend to be sociable without being demanding. Personality still varies, so an adopted cat's history and behavior in its foster or shelter home are the best guide.
American Shorthairs commonly live about 12 to 17 years, and many reach their late teens with good care. Some sources quote 15 to 20 years. Keeping the cat at a healthy weight, living indoors or in a secure enclosure, and keeping up with dental care and annual veterinary exams all help support a long life.
Expect roughly $25–$50 a month for food, $25–$50 a month for optional insurance, $150–$350 a year for routine vet care, and $450–$1,150 a year for everything else, including litter, flea prevention and dental care. Together that comes to about $1,200–$2,700 a year, less if you skip insurance.
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