Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Des Moines
American Shorthairs are a natural match for the brick bungalows of Beaverdale and the older homes around Highland Park. They're calm, sturdy cats that are happy to watch the street from a sunny front window, so a 1930s cottage gives them plenty of territory. What they do need is daily play, ideally a wand toy that lets them stalk and pounce. If you're adopting one in Des Moines, expect a laid-back housemate that settles into a routine quickly.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 2 mo., 211 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 mo., 211 miles
American Shorthair
M, 4 mo., 211 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 y., 230 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 y., 230 miles
American Shorthair
M, 1 y., 230 miles
American Shorthair
M, 4 mo., 230 miles
American Shorthair
M, 4 mo., 230 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 233 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 233 miles
American Shorthair
American Shorthairs descend from European working cats that traveled with early settlers to keep rodents off ships and cargo, then guarded farms and barns across North America. Early in the twentieth century the sturdiest of these cats became a pedigreed breed, first called the Domestic Shorthair and renamed in the 1960s. The result is a muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat in dozens of colors, the silver tabby being the classic.
Most American Shorthairs are easygoing and quietly affectionate, happy to supervise the household without demanding constant attention. They often get along with children and other pets, love hunting-style play, and gain weight easily if meals aren't measured. Many shorthaired cats you meet are random-bred domestic shorthairs with the same look and temperament, so adopters may find similar cats under either name.
Having an American Shorthair in Des Moines
Calm, sturdy and moderately active, the American Shorthair fits Des Moines homes of many sizes. Its dense coat, hunting instincts and love of food shape daily care, and long winters make indoor play and portion control especially worth planning for.
American Shorthairs are usually even-tempered and sociable without being clingy, which suits Des Moines households where people are away at work or school part of the day. Many accept children and calm dogs after slow introductions, and most are quiet. A cat's history and socialization matter as much as its breed.
Plan 15 to 20 minutes of wand-toy or chase play once or twice a day, plus food puzzles and a window perch. Winter keeps Des Moines cats indoors for months, so regular play matters for weight. A cat tree beside a sunny window adds climbing and bird-watching.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, and obesity is the most common preventable problem. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so ask a veterinarian about heart and kidney checks at the first visit. Measured meals, dental care and yearly exams help.
Apartments, brick bungalows and larger houses all work for an American Shorthair with perches, scratching posts and hiding spots. Keep it indoors or in a secure enclosure, and fasten window screens and balcony doors, since these strong hunters will chase birds. A calm cat copes well with a busy household.
| 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* | $465 to $1,165 per year | $465 to $1,165 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,215 to $2,715 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, the $15 Des Moines license for a spayed or neutered cat, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and brushing tools for the 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 Des Moines.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa handles Des Moines animal services, and its adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccines and a microchip. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Des Moines area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Shorthair is coming in.
Yes, you can own an American Shorthair in Des Moines, and the city's breed-specific rules apply to certain dogs, not cats. Every cat six months and older needs a city license and a current rabies vaccination certificate, and spaying or neutering lowers the license fee. Get both in order soon after the cat comes home.
Yes, an American Shorthair usually does well in a Des Moines apartment, since the breed is calm and doesn't need much floor space. Read the lease for pet fees and limits first. Give the cat a tall perch, a scratching post and daily wand-toy play, and secure windows and balcony doors.
Often, yes. The breed's relaxed nature suits quiet homes and busy ones, from a Beaverdale bungalow to a downtown loft. The main adjustment is winter, when months of cold keep a cat inside, so plan daily play and measured meals to prevent weight gain. Adopters wanting a steady, low-drama cat often find it a good match.
Mostly yes for an indoor cat. The dense short coat copes well with Iowa's cold, though winter is long enough that the cat should stay inside. Summers are milder than in southern cities, so fresh water and shade are usually enough. Spring thunderstorms can frighten some cats, so offer a quiet hiding spot.
Not much. Brush an American Shorthair once a week with a rubber brush or comb, and a few times a week during the spring shed of the undercoat. Fall shedding is lighter. Professional grooming isn't usually needed, so brushing tools are the only cost, and they fall under the Other costs on this page.
No. Des Moines's DART is a bus-only system, and pets other than service animals aren't allowed on its vehicles, with no carrier exception. If you don't have a car, plan vet visits with a ride from a friend or a pet-friendly rideshare arrangement, and use a sturdy carrier.
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.
Expect roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for an American Shorthair in Des Moines, covering food, pet insurance, routine vet care and other costs such as litter, dental care and flea prevention. Food and insurance each run $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care $150 to $350 a year, and other costs $465 to $1,165.
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