Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Edmond
An American Shorthair is an easy fit for Edmond's mix of older downtown blocks and newer subdivisions. These cats are easygoing and happy to supervise from a sunny window, so a mid-century house near Kelly Park or a rental close to UCO works just as well as a big suburban home. They like short bursts of play more than constant attention. Keep one indoors, though, since coyotes have been reported around some Edmond neighborhoods.
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American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with early settlers to keep rodents off ships and cargo, then guarded barns and homesteads across North America. Early in the twentieth century the sturdiest of them became a recognized breed, and the name American Shorthair stuck in the 1960s. Today it's a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat in dozens of colors.
Many American Shorthairs are easygoing, quietly affectionate and happy to watch household life without demanding attention. They often get along with children and other pets, love hunting-style play and gain weight easily without it. Most shorthaired shelter cats are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look, so an adopter in Edmond may meet cats with these traits under either name.
Having an American Shorthair in Edmond
Calm sociability, hunting instincts, a dense coat and a healthy appetite shape daily life with an American Shorthair. In Edmond, that means planning around indoor play, hot summers and winter cold snaps, and keeping meals measured.
American Shorthairs are usually even-tempered and friendly without being clingy, so they handle a busy household or a quiet one. Many accept respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions. They tend to sit beside you rather than be carried, and they're soft-voiced. Each cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed.
Aim for a few short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games or food puzzles. In Edmond, a window perch overlooking the yard gives an indoor cat something to watch, and a cat tree helps on stormy spring days. Structured play matters, since many of these cats are food-motivated and gain weight easily.
American Shorthairs are generally robust, and obesity is the most common preventable problem, raising the risk of diabetes and arthritis. Heart disease (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at a first exam. Measured meals, dental care and yearly checkups go a long way.
An American Shorthair adapts well to an Edmond apartment, townhome or house, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. Indoor living or a secure enclosure keeps these strong hunters safe from traffic and wildlife. Secure windows and balconies, especially in upper-floor units.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $125, one time | $125 in year one |
| 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 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,325 to $2,825 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Shorthair listings in Edmond on GetBuddy today. 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 currently have American Shorthairs available.
Edmond's shelter and rescue community helps cats of every age and coat, including shorthairs, find new homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Edmond area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes. Oklahoma law bars cities from banning breeds, so Edmond has no breed rules aimed at American Shorthairs. Many shorthaired cats in shelters are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look, so browse the cats listed on this page and save a search to hear about new ones. Plan a first vet visit soon after adoption for vaccines and a checkup.
Yes. Their calm, adaptable nature suits apartment living in Edmond, including rentals near UCO and the larger complexes in newer subdivisions. Provide a tall cat tree, a window perch and daily play sessions to keep weight in check. Read the lease for pet deposits or fees first, and secure balcony doors and screens.
Often, yes, especially for people who want a low-drama indoor cat. Edmond's mix of houses and rentals suits this adaptable breed well. The main local considerations are hot July and August afternoons, spring storms and winter ice, all manageable indoors with a cool room, a carrier ready and a warm bed. Each cat's personality still varies.
Yes, if they live indoors. The dense coat is built for cold, so Edmond's July and August heat is the harder season. Keep the cat at a healthy weight, since extra pounds make heat harder to handle, offer a cool tile or shaded spot, and plan for a power outage. Panting or lethargy needs a veterinarian promptly.
Very little. A weekly brushing handles the short, dense coat, and two or three sessions a week during the spring shed keep hair off furniture. Trim nails every few weeks and brush teeth if the cat allows it. Professional grooming is rarely needed, so grooming adds little to the yearly Other budget.
Yes, in a carrier. Citylink buses in Edmond are free, and animals other than service animals must travel in a secure cage or containment device that fits on the seat beside you. A sturdy, ventilated carrier works for most American Shorthairs, though a large male may be a tight fit. Edmond has no subway or rail.
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.
We have 1 rescue with American Shorthairs available: Happy Hounds Animal Rescue. You can see every rescue with American Shorthairs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the American Shorthairs near Edmond.
Plan on roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year for an American Shorthair. That covers food at $25 to $50 a month, pet insurance at $25 to $50 a month, routine vet care of $150 to $350 a year, and $450 to $1,150 a year for litter, dental care, parasite prevention and supplies. Emergency care costs more and isn't included.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Edmond.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Edmond.
