Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in OKC
An American Shorthair fits a Deep Deuce apartment or an Edwards Heights ranch house equally well. These cats are calm enough for a small loft and sturdy enough for a busy family, and they're happy to supervise OKC life from a window perch. Plan on a few minutes of wand-toy play every day, since many Shorthairs put on weight easily. A perch with a view of the street is usually all the entertainment one needs.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 3 y., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 10 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 10 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 mo., 225 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 238 miles
American Shorthair, Tuxedo
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that traveled with early settlers to keep rodents off ships, then guarded barns and homesteads across North America. The breed became pedigreed in the early 1900s, was shown as the Domestic Shorthair, and was renamed in the mid-1960s. 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, with the silver tabby as the classic look.
Many are easygoing, adaptable and quietly affectionate, content to keep an eye on the household without demanding constant attention. They often get along with children and other pets and love hunting-style play. Most shorthaired cats in OKC homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs that share the look, so adopters may meet cats with very similar traits under either name.
Having an American Shorthair in OKC
American Shorthairs are low-drama, sturdy cats whose hunting instincts, dense coat and healthy appetite shape daily care. In OKC, that mostly means indoor play, weight management and a plan for storm season and winter cold.
American Shorthairs tend to be even-tempered and friendly, enjoying company without clinging. That makes them easy roommates in apartment buildings, where they're usually quiet and communicate with soft chirps. Many accept respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions. A cat's history and socialization shape personality more than breed does.
Moderate daily play keeps an American Shorthair fit. Wand toys, chase games and food puzzles tap into its hunting instinct, and short sessions at regular times work well. Cat trees and window perches add activity indoors. Because many are relaxed and food-motivated, structured play matters for preventing 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. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed, so a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at routine exams. Dental care and measured meals help.
An American Shorthair usually adapts well to apartments, townhomes and the ranch houses common across OKC, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. Indoor living or a secure enclosed patio keeps these strong hunters safe. Screen windows and secure balconies, and pick a quiet interior spot for storms.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $150, one time | $150 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) | $1,350 to $2,850 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Shorthair listings in Oklahoma City 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.
The rescues and shelters listed here serve the OKC area, and city shelter adoptions include spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip. Here are the rescues & shelters in the OKC area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
2811 SE 29th Street, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
9733 NW 4th St, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Yes. Oklahoma law bars cities from banning breeds, and OKC has no breed-specific cat rules. The basics are a rabies vaccine by 4 months with the tag worn at all times, and no more than four cats over 6 months per household. Shelter adoptions also include spay or neuter and a microchip.
Yes, American Shorthairs are among the easier cats for apartments. They're typically quiet, relaxed and happy with a window perch, a tall scratching post and daily play. Screen windows and secure balconies, since these strong hunters will chase birds. Check your lease for pet fees and any limits before you move in.
It works well for an indoor cat. The dense coat copes with cold, and summer heat is manageable with air conditioning, shade and fresh water. The real local risks are ice-storm power outages, spring tornado season and summer heat. Keep a carrier, extra water and food ready, and keep the cat indoors.
For most people, yes. The breed adapts to apartments, downtown lofts and suburban houses alike, and it doesn't need much space or constant attention. It does best with a household that offers daily play and measured meals. Cats vary, so spend time with the cat you're considering before deciding.
Brush about once a week with a rubber brush or comb. Spring brings a heavier undercoat shed and fall a lighter one, so brush a bit more often then. Baths are rarely needed, and no professional grooming is required, so grooming costs stay in the low end of the yearly Other range.
Don't count on it. EMBARK runs buses, the OKC Streetcar and a seasonal river ferry, and it allows trained service animals. Rules for pets in carriers aren't something to assume, so check EMBARK's current policy before planning a ride. For vet visits, a sturdy carrier in a car is the easier option.
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 2 rescues with American Shorthairs available: Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division and Crestwood Animal Hospital, Inc.. 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 Oklahoma City.
An American Shorthair typically costs about $25 to $50 a month for food and $25 to $50 for optional insurance. Routine vet care runs roughly $150 to $350 a year, and other yearly costs, including litter, parasite prevention and dental care, run about $450 to $1,150. OKC has no cat license fee.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Oklahoma City.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Oklahoma City.
