Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Seattle
American Shorthairs fit Seattle's apartment and bungalow neighborhoods well, because they're happy living indoors. In a Columbia City townhome or a Belltown condo, this sturdy, calm cat will claim the best window and watch the rain. Most are easygoing, though personalities still vary from cat to cat. Plan on daily play with a wand toy, a tall perch and a good scratching post. If you adopt one in Seattle, expect a cat that's content with a quiet evening at home.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Seattle, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 6 mo., 376 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 455 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3-7 y., 499 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 499 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 499 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 499 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 499 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 y., 710 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
F, 1 y., 710 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair, Tuxedo
F, 6 mo., 710 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair, Tortoiseshell
The American Shorthair descends from working cats that crossed the Atlantic with early settlers to guard cargo, then kept barns and grain stores clear of rodents across North America. Today it's a medium-to-large, muscular cat, usually 6 to 15 pounds, with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense coat in dozens of colors. The silver tabby is the classic look, and many shelter cats share it without papers.
In Seattle, the breed's steady temperament suits both a Wallingford bungalow and a South Lake Union apartment. These cats usually enjoy hunting-style play and quiet company, but they gain weight easily, so measured meals and daily games matter. The thick coat sheds moderately, with a heavier shed in spring, and a weekly brush handles most of it.
Having an American Shorthair in Seattle
Expect a calm, sturdy cat that enjoys company without demanding it. In Seattle, care centers on indoor play, a healthy weight and a coat that copes with damp weather, while personality still varies from one cat to the next.
American Shorthairs are often even-tempered and quietly friendly, happy to sit nearby rather than be carried. That suits Seattle's busy apartment buildings, where hallway noise rarely bothers a relaxed cat. Many get along with children and calm dogs after slow introductions, though a cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed.
Aim for a few short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. Rainy Seattle days make indoor play the main outlet, so add a tall cat tree and a window perch for watching birds. Regular activity helps this food-loving breed stay lean.
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 a veterinarian can check the heart and kidneys at the first exam. Dental care, measured meals and yearly checkups help. Indoor living also keeps a cat away from Seattle's coyotes and traffic.
A medium-sized cat that adapts to Seattle's apartments, townhomes and older houses alike. Provide vertical space, hiding spots, a scratching post and daily play. Secure windows and balcony doors, especially in hillside buildings, since these strong hunters will chase birds. An indoor home or an enclosed catio keeps the cat safe.
| 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* | $480 to $1,180 per year | $480 to $1,180 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,230 to $2,730 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $30 Seattle license for an altered cat, cat litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, and simple brushing at home.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Seattle.
Seattle's shelters and rescues care for cats of every age, including shorthairs that share the American Shorthair look. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Seattle area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Shorthair is coming in.
Yes, you can own an American Shorthair in Seattle. The city has no breed bans, and Washington law limits them statewide anyway. You'll need a city license for your cat, $30 a year if altered, plus rabies vaccination. Households can have up to three dogs and cats combined on a typical lot, so count your pets before adding another.
Yes, with a carrier. Sound Transit allows pets in small containers on Link light rail and buses, and Metro requires cats and other non-dog pets to ride in a carrier, with no fare. Keep the carrier closed and under your control. The Water Taxi and state ferries also take cats in enclosed carriers or crates.
Yes, an American Shorthair is a good apartment cat. Because Seattle has so many rentals, read your lease for pet rent and pet-count limits. In a hillside building, add window perches and secure screens or balcony doors, since these hunters will chase birds. A tall cat tree and daily play keep a calm, food-loving cat fit.
Yes, Seattle's mild, damp climate suits an indoor American Shorthair. The dense coat handles cool weather, and summers are short. Expect less play on gray days, which can lead to weight gain, so schedule short sessions. On rare heat waves or smoky days, close windows, offer fresh water and cool floor spots, and plan for windstorm power outages.
Very little. The short, dense coat needs brushing about once or twice a week, a bit more in spring when the undercoat sheds. Seattle's damp weather rarely matters for an indoor cat. Professional grooming is seldom necessary, so plan on home brushing rather than salon fees, with a few dollars for brushes.
Yes, if you want a calm, adaptable cat and can provide daily play. Seattle's rainy stretches mean most exercise happens indoors, and coyotes in the city's larger green spaces make an indoor or enclosed-catio life the safer choice. An American Shorthair suits both a Queen Anne apartment and a Beacon Hill bungalow.
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.
Plan on roughly $1,230 to $2,730 a year for an adult American Shorthair in Seattle: $25 to $50 a month for food, $25 to $50 a month for insurance, $150 to $350 for routine vet care, and $480 to $1,180 for other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and the city license.
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