Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in San Bernardino
American Shorthairs fit San Bernardino's ranch houses and rental apartments equally well, since they're happy indoors with a good window perch. In Del Rosa or Arrowview, a calm, sturdy cat can watch the street from a sill all afternoon and save its energy for an evening round of wand-toy chasing. Summer afternoons here climb into the 90s, so a shaded, cool room matters more than any yard. A Shorthair also handles a one-bedroom as comfortably as a house.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
M, 0-6 mo., 3 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 3 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 3 miles
American Shorthair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 10 miles
American Shorthair
F, 3 y., 20 miles
American Shorthair
F, 0-6 mo., 26 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 26 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 y., 30 miles
American Shorthair
F, 5 y., 30 miles
American Shorthair
F, 5 y., 30 miles
American Shorthair
American Shorthairs descend from working cats that traveled with European settlers to keep rodents out of ships and grain stores. They became a recognized pedigreed breed in the early 1900s and were renamed in the mid-1960s. Expect a solid, muscular, medium-to-large cat of roughly 6 to 15 pounds, with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense, hard coat in dozens of colors. The silver tabby is the classic look.
The personality tends toward easygoing, quietly affectionate and adaptable, which suits both busy and calm households in San Bernardino. The hunting instinct means daily play and measured meals matter. Many shelter cats are random-bred shorthairs that look much the same, so a cat without papers can share the coat and the mellow manner. Cats vary, so get to know the cat in front of you rather than relying on a label.
Having an American Shorthair in San Bernardino
American Shorthairs are steady, low-drama companions with a dense coat and a healthy appetite. In San Bernardino, hot summers and indoor-friendly housing make play, weight control and a cool place to rest the main things to plan around.
An American Shorthair is typically even-tempered, friendly and independent, enjoying company without clinging. Many get along with respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions. They're usually quiet, and a soft chirp is about as loud as it gets. A cat's history and socialization shape its personality as much as breed does, so spend time with the cat before deciding.
Plan on a couple of short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games or food puzzles. Indoor play suits San Bernardino's hot afternoons, and a window perch supplies free entertainment in between. Because many Shorthairs are relaxed and food-motivated, regular play helps prevent weight gain, especially in indoor and older cats.
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 a first visit. Regular exams, dental care and measured meals help. Keep microchip details current, since wildfire or earthquake evacuations can separate pets from families.
An American Shorthair adapts to apartments, ranch houses and everything between, as long as it has scratching posts, perches, hiding spots and daily play. Indoor living or a secure enclosure suits San Bernardino well, since coyotes roam the foothill areas and these strong hunters are safest inside. Secure window screens and balcony doors.
| 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 currently have American Shorthairs available.
San Bernardino's shelter and rescue community cares for many cats and kittens, including shorthairs that look much like American Shorthairs. Here are the rescues & shelters in the San Bernardino area where you can find American Shorthairs and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, you can get an American Shorthair in San Bernardino. Households can keep up to five cats four months or older, so a first or second cat fits easily. Adopted cats usually come spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Browse the cats listed on this page, or save a search to hear about new arrivals.
Yes, an American Shorthair is a good apartment cat. Its moderate energy means a one-bedroom works well when you add vertical space, a scratching post and daily play. Secure window screens and balcony doors, since these strong hunters will stalk birds. Before signing a lease, get pet fees and deposits in writing.
Yes, with planning. The dense coat is built for cold, so dry heat above 90°F, common from roughly May through October, is the challenge. Keep the home cool, offer fresh water in several spots, schedule play for early or late hours, and never leave a cat in a parked car. Indoor living keeps cats out of the afternoon heat.
Only in a carrier. Omnitrans buses and sbX allow pets only in a secure carrier that fits on your lap, and Metrolink and Arrow trains allow small pets in a ventilated carrying case on your lap or under a seat. A sturdy American Shorthair can be a snug fit, so choose a roomy carrier and practice at home first.
Very little. The short, dense coat needs brushing once or twice a week, a bit more in spring when the undercoat sheds, and the fall shed is lighter. San Bernardino's dry heat doesn't call for trimming or shaving. Most owners brush at home, so grooming adds little to the yearly Other costs, which are mostly litter, prevention and supplies.
Yes, for many households. An American Shorthair's calm, adaptable nature suits San Bernardino's mix of apartments and houses, and it copes with the dry heat when kept in cool rooms indoors. Plan for daily play, measured meals and a ready evacuation kit with a carrier, since wildfire and earthquake risk is part of life here. Each cat's personality still varies.
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: City of San Bernardino Animal Services. 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 San Bernardino.
Expect food at about $25–$50 a month, pet insurance at about $25–$50 a month, and routine vet care of $150–$350 a year. Another $450–$1,150 a year covers litter, flea prevention, dental care and supplies. The short coat keeps grooming costs low. Adoption fees appear on the listings on this page.
Expand your search to find American Shorthairs available for adoption near San Bernardino.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in San Bernardino.
