Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Boise
An American Shorthair suits a Central Bench apartment or a Vista bungalow about equally well. These cats are calm and adaptable, and they're happy to supervise from a window perch, so a second-floor unit near Cassia Park or a single-story house on a quiet Vista street works fine. They do want daily play, because hunting-style games keep their weight in check. If you're thinking of adopting one in Boise, expect a low-drama companion that doesn't need a big yard.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Boise, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 1 y., 1570 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo., 1570 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 1574 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 1574 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1576 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 1576 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 1577 miles
American Shorthair
F, 1 y., 1577 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3 mo., 1577 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3 mo., 1577 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that crossed the Atlantic with European settlers to keep rodents off cargo, then guarded barns and homesteads. In the early 1900s the sturdiest of them became a pedigreed breed. The result is a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat in dozens of colors, with the silver tabby as the classic look.
Many American Shorthairs are easygoing, quietly affectionate and content to keep an eye on household life without demanding constant attention. They usually enjoy chase games and tend to gain weight without them. Plenty of shorthaired cats in Boise homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs with the same look, so adopters may meet cats with similar traits under either name. Each cat's personality still varies.
Having an American Shorthair in Boise
This is a sturdy, steady cat whose needs are simple but worth planning for. Its hunting instinct, dense coat and healthy appetite shape daily care, and Boise's dry climate and mix of apartments and houses add a few local considerations.
American Shorthairs tend to be even-tempered, friendly and independent, enjoying company without clinging. Many get along with respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions. Most prefer sitting beside people to being carried, and they're usually quiet. In a busy Boise household or a calm one, a cat's history and socialization matter more than breed alone.
Plan on moderate daily play: wand toys, chase games and food puzzles suit an American Shorthair's hunting instinct, and short sessions at regular times work well. Cat trees and window perches add activity indoors. Because many of these cats are relaxed and food-motivated, structured play helps prevent weight gain, especially in older cats.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, and no single breed-specific disease dominates. Obesity is the most common preventable problem, raising the risk of diabetes and arthritis. Heart disease and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed. Regular veterinary exams, dental care and measured meals help, and a vet can screen an adopted cat for these conditions.
An American Shorthair usually adapts well to Boise apartments and houses alike, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. Indoor living or a secure outdoor enclosure keeps this strong hunter safe and protects local wildlife. Secure screens on windows and balconies, especially on upper floors.
| 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 Boise.
Boise's shelters and rescues care for cats of every age, and many are shorthairs that share the American Shorthair's look. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Boise area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Shorthair is coming in.
Yes, you can adopt an American Shorthair in Boise, and Boise has no known breed-specific rules for cats. Cats need a rabies vaccination within 30 days of turning four months, and the city has no cat license. Unspayed or unneutered cats over six months may not roam public places, so plan on keeping your cat indoors or in a secure enclosure.
Yes, an American Shorthair usually does well in a Boise apartment because the breed is calm and adaptable. Renting is common here, so many cats already live in apartments. Provide perches, scratching posts and daily wand play, secure the window screens, and get pet permission in writing. Confirm any pet deposit before you sign, since Idaho doesn't cap deposits.
Yes, as long as they live indoors. Boise summers are hot and dry, with about 55 days a year at 90°F or higher, mostly in July and August. Keep the home cool, shade sunny windows and leave fresh water in several spots. Panting, drooling or lethargy means it's time to cool the cat down and call a veterinarian.
Yes, but only in a carrier. Valley Regional Transit's ValleyRide buses require pets to ride in a kennel or carrier small enough to rest on your lap or fit under the seat. Most American Shorthairs fit a standard carrier, though a large male may need a roomier one. Boise has buses only, with no rail or subway.
Often, yes. An American Shorthair's calm, adaptable nature suits Boise's mix of Bench apartments and single-family neighborhoods, and its dense coat handles cold winters. Plan on indoor play, since hot afternoons and smoky late-summer days limit outdoor time, and daily games to keep weight down. Each cat's personality varies, so look for one whose energy matches your household.
Very little. The short, dense coat needs a weekly brushing, and two or three sessions a week during the spring shed of undercoat helps with loose hair. A lighter shed comes in fall. Home brushing and nail trims cover most needs and fit within the Other cost range, so professional grooming is rarely necessary.
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 in total for an American Shorthair in Boise. That covers food at about $25 to $50 a month, pet insurance at about $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care of $150 to $350 a year, and $450 to $1,150 a year in other costs.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Boise.
