Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Tulsa
An American Shorthair fits comfortably into a Tulsa duplex or Craftsman bungalow. In Swan Lake, where 1920s duplexes and quadruplexes sit on a tight street grid, or in a Yorktown bungalow, this easygoing cat is happy with a sunny window and a wand toy after work. Shorthairs are quiet, so thin walls rarely cause trouble. Keep the cat indoors, because coyotes live throughout Tulsa, and a window perch gives plenty of entertainment. It's a good match for renters and homeowners who want calm company.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1290 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1290 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1290 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1290 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 1308 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1314 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 1314 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 1314 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo., 1315 miles
American Shorthair
F, 12 y., 1315 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
American Shorthairs descend from working cats that crossed the Atlantic with settlers to keep rodents off cargo, then guarded barns and homesteads across North America. In the early 1900s the sturdiest of them became a pedigreed breed, first shown as the Domestic Shorthair. 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.
Most American Shorthairs are easygoing and quietly affectionate, content to supervise the household without demanding constant attention. They enjoy hunting-style play and tend to gain weight without it. Many shorthaired cats in Tulsa homes are random-bred domestic shorthairs with the same look and traits, so adopters may meet similar cats under either name. Each cat's personality still depends on its history and socialization.
Having an American Shorthair in Tulsa
This is a sturdy, low-drama cat whose care centers on play, portion control and a safe indoor home. Its hunting instincts, dense coat and healthy appetite shape daily routines, whether you adopt a kitten or an adult.
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 Tulsa apartment that means few complaints from neighbors. A cat's history shapes it more than breed alone.
Plan on moderate daily play: wand toys, chase games and food puzzles satisfy the hunting instinct. Two or three short sessions a day work well. Window perches facing a yard or street give Tulsa's indoor cats something to watch, including birds. Because many are food-motivated, regular 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. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease have been reported in the breed. Yearly exams, dental care and measured meals help, and a vet can screen a newly adopted cat.
An American Shorthair adapts well to Tulsa's duplexes, midtown bungalows and apartments, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. The cat's calm nature suits busy and quiet homes alike. Secure screens on windows and balconies, and keep the cat inside, since coyotes can climb fences.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $100, one time | $100 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) | $1,300 to $2,800 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Shorthair listings in Tulsa on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, the $5 Tulsa pet license, 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.
Tulsa's shelters and rescue groups care for cats of every coat color and age, and the ones listed here serve the area. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Tulsa area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Tulsa
Tulsa
2910 Mohawk Blvd., Tulsa
6811 E 21st St, Tulsa
5201 S Yale Ave, Tulsa
Tulsa
Tulsa
9521 Riverside Pkwy, Tulsa
Tulsa
3031 N Erie Ave, Tulsa
Yes, you can adopt an American Shorthair in Tulsa. No breed-specific rules apply here, and Oklahoma law forbids local breed-specific regulation. Cats over six months old need a city license, which requires rabies vaccination and proof of spay/neuter. A household may have up to five dogs and cats combined.
Yes, American Shorthairs generally do well in Tulsa apartments. They're quiet, moderately active and content with perches and daily play. About half of Tulsa households rent, so get pet deposit and pet rent terms in writing. Oklahoma sets no cap on pet deposits, and refundable deposits must be returned within 45 days.
Usually, yes. An American Shorthair's easygoing nature suits Tulsa's mix of midtown bungalows, duplexes and apartments, and the cat is happy at home while you work. Plan for storm season with a carrier near a safe room, and keep the cat indoors because coyotes live throughout the city.
Yes, as long as the cat is in a secure carrier. MetroLink buses, including the Aero line on Peoria, allow pets only in carriers, with an exception for service animals. Choose a sturdy carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat, and keep the cat inside it for the whole ride.
Yes, indoor American Shorthairs handle Tulsa summers well with air conditioning, shade and fresh water. About 74 days a year reach 90°F and nights stay warm. Close blinds on sunny windows, watch for panting or lethargy, and never leave a cat in a parked car, even briefly.
Very little. Brush an American Shorthair once a week with a rubber brush or comb, and a few times a week during the spring shed, when Tulsa's humid weather turns warm. Professional grooming is rarely necessary, so the cost is mostly a brush, with occasional nail trims at home.
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: Bixby Animal Rescue Network. 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 Tulsa.
Expect roughly $25–$50 a month for food and $25–$50 for insurance. Routine vet care runs $150–$350 a year, and other costs, such as litter, flea prevention and dental care, run $450–$1,150 a year. Together that comes to about $1,200–$2,700 a year, or roughly $100–$225 a month.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near Tulsa.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Tulsa.
