How to Select an American Shorthair

Many American shorthairs arrived on the Mayflower - brought along to hunt rats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Carriers
• Cat Litters
• Litter Boxes

1. Find a responsible breeder who will guarantee that your American shorthair is in good health and does not have feline leukemia virus (FeLv) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

2. Expect to pay from $200 to $500 for your American shorthair.

3. Pick up and hold the cat or kitten to check for good muscle tone.

4. Make sure the cat is not sneezing or sniffling, that her eyes have no discharge and that her ears are clean and pink inside.

5. Examine the cat's fur, which should be soft and shiny, and should have no bald patches or signs of dry or flaky skin.

6. Check for fleas behind the ears and at the base of the tail. Flea debris, which looks like black sand, is a sure sign.

7. Get a written sales agreement from the breeder that contains a health guarantee.

8. Take your American shorthair to your own veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm that she's healthy.

9. Don't take home a kitten younger than 12 weeks of age.

Tips & Warnings

• The American shorthar is excellent with children and dogs, has a quiet disposition, is generally healthy, lives a long life, and is low-maintenance.
• Plan to keep your American shorthair inside, and plan to have your pet neutered or spayed unless breeding is in your plans. Vets say this is the best way to keep any cat happy and disease-free, and to prolong the cat's life.