Your guide to finding and caring for an American Shorthair in Denver
American Shorthairs fit Denver's apartment neighborhoods easily, because they're content indoors with a sunny window and a daily play session. Capitol Hill, with its mix of historic mansions, apartments and condos, is full of homes where a calm, medium-sized cat can settle in. A shorthair doesn't need a yard, just a perch, a wand toy after work and measured meals, since the breed puts on weight easily. It's a steady roommate for renters and homeowners alike.
Adopt an American Shorthair today
While we don't have enough cats near Denver, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 33 miles
American Shorthair
M, 9 y., 77 miles
Domestic Short Hair, American Shorthair
M, 7 y., 105 miles
American Shorthair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 118 miles
American Shorthair
M, 3-7 y., 118 miles
American Shorthair
M, 0-6 mo., 152 miles
American Shorthair
M, 2 y., 233 miles
American Shorthair, Domestic Short Hair
F, 7 mo., 234 miles
American Shorthair
F, 4 y., 234 miles
American Shorthair
M, 9 mo., 234 miles
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair descends from European working cats that traveled to North America on ships and later guarded barns and homesteads. Today's cats are medium to large, with a broad face, full cheeks and a thick, hard-textured coat that comes in dozens of colors, silver tabby being the classic. Males are usually heavier than females, and many cats take three to four years to fill out.
Many are easygoing, quietly affectionate and happy to supervise from a nearby chair. They love hunting-style play and tend to gain weight without it. In Denver, that means keeping a cat indoors or in a secure enclosure, partly because coyotes live in the metro area's parks and open space. Many shorthaired shelter cats are random-bred domestic shorthairs with a similar look and temperament.
Having an American Shorthair in Denver
Expect a sturdy, low-drama cat whose care centers on play, portion control and a safe indoor setup. In Denver, apartment living, dry air and big temperature swings shape the details more than the cat's size does.
American Shorthairs are typically even-tempered and sociable without being clingy, which suits Denver's mix of workday schedules and busy apartment buildings. Many adjust to respectful children and calm dogs after gradual introductions, and most are quiet. A cat's history and socialization matter as much as breed, so judge each cat on its own behavior.
Plan on two or three short play sessions a day with wand toys, chase games and food puzzles. A tall cat tree by a window gives an apartment cat a place to climb and watch the street. Because many shorthairs are relaxed and food-motivated, regular play helps keep their weight in check, especially as they get older.
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 visit. Fresh water matters in Denver's dry climate. Keep up dental care and measured meals.
An American Shorthair usually does well in Denver's apartments, condos and bungalows alike. Give it scratching posts, perches and hiding spots, and keep window screens and balcony doors secure. Indoor living or a secure enclosure keeps this strong hunter safe from traffic and coyotes, and protects local wildlife.
| 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* | $465 to $1,165 per year | $465 to $1,165 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,215 to $2,715 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Cat litter, flea and tick prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratching posts and other supplies, simple brushing at home, and the $15 Denver cat license.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Denver.
Denver's city shelter and nonprofit rescues list cats of every age, color and personality, and the listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Denver area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Shorthair is coming in.
Yes, an American Shorthair is a good match for apartment life in Denver. The breed is calm, fairly quiet and content with a window perch, a tall cat tree and daily play, so it doesn't need a yard. Secure screens on windows and balcony doors, especially on upper floors, and offer hiding spots if the building is noisy.
Yes, you can own an American Shorthair in Denver, and the city's breed-specific rules cover certain dog breeds, not cats. Cats 6 months and older need a city license, a rabies vaccination, and spay or neuter surgery. A license costs $15 for one year or $40 for three, and you should get it within 30 days of moving in.
Yes, if the cat travels in a carrier. RTD prohibits animals on its vehicles other than service animals, but it permits small pets in carriers. American Shorthairs are medium to large, so choose a roomy, secure carrier. On commuter rail, keep the carrier on the floor without blocking the aisle, or on your lap, not on a seat.
Yes, indoors they usually handle Denver summers well. Days can top 90°F, but nights cool off, so keep blinds closed on hot afternoons and leave fresh water in several spots. The real danger is a parked car, where temperatures can reach 120°F within minutes, so never leave a cat inside, even briefly.
Not much. The short, dense coat needs brushing once or twice a week at home, and a little more during the spring undercoat shed and the lighter fall shed. Trim the nails every few weeks. Professional grooming is rarely necessary, so grooming adds little to the yearly Other costs, which are mostly litter, flea prevention and dental care.
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.
American Shorthairs commonly live about 12 to 17 years, and many reach their late teens with good care. Some sources quote 15 to 20 years. Keeping the cat at a healthy weight, living indoors or in a secure enclosure, and keeping up with dental care and annual veterinary exams all help support a long life.
Most American Shorthair owners in Denver can expect about $100 to $225 a month in total, or roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year. That covers food, insurance, routine vet care and other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and the city license. Illness or emergencies would add to that.
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