A Domestic Shorthair cat is a cat of mixed ancestry. Therefore, they don’t belong to any widely recognized cat breed.
Historians believe the cats date back to 2000 B.C in Egypt. During those times, the Ancient Egyptians domesticated them. Furthermore, historians also believe people brought Domestic Shorthair cats to the United States with the Mayflower colonists to control the rodent population on the ship. Historically, people considered Domestic Shorthair cats as hard workers who were excellent at hunting their prey.
Domestic Shorthair cats come in a seemingly endless number of patterns and colours. You can find them in white, red, orange, tan, brown, etc. They’re mostly solid in colour: tricolour, tabby, bicolour, etc. Domestic Shorthair cats have various eye colours too. Their eyes can be brown, hazel, green, or even two different colours—something that’s striking on a cat.
What’s more, Domestic Shorthair cats come in an eclectic range of shapes and sizes. They span anywhere from 2.5kg – 7kg and males are typically larger than females. However, despite the differences, Domestic Shorthair cats have these similarities: muscular body types, medium-length tails, and rounded heads and paws.
The Persian Mix is one of the most popular Domestic Shorthair cats. Owners adore Persian Mixes for their notorious silky white coats. As a result, many owners call Persian Mixes “furniture with fur” because of their lazy nature and gorgeous fur.
The American Shorthair Mix is one of the most popular types of Domestic Shorthair cats. The world is home to countless descendants of American Shorthair Mixes.
Siamese Mixes are one of the oldest types of natural cat breeds. They’ve been a companion to ancient temple priests and a contributor to endless modern feline pedigrees throughout history.
Russian Blue Mix cats usually have vivid green eyes so it’s easy to identify them. However, sometimes Russian Blue Mix cats have yellow or brown eyes. Russian Blue Mixes are notoriously shy and playful, but they’re excellent low-maintenance cats.
Maine Coon Mix cats are very popular moggies. They are some of the world’s largest cats. And typically, they’re good-natured and adaptable.
Domestic Shorthair cats have a diverse range of personalities. Truthfully, it depends on the individual cat. However, Domestic Shorthair cats can be quiet, playful, docile, calm, lazy, affectionate, and vocal. Due to their hardworking nature, they often have playful, energetic personalities.
More often than not, they’ll require an outlet for their energy. For this reason, they must get enough exercise to satisfy their somewhat lively personalities. Whenever a Domestic Shorthair cat spends time outside, they like to hunt for prey. As a result, they love the outdoors. However, you shouldn’t feel surprised if they come home with some of their hunting prizes.
Domestic Shorthair cats are highly intelligent cats. That’s because of their natural breeding without human intervention, leaving them with a larger genetic pool. These highly intelligent cats are prone to breeding fast. They also respond quickly when you say their name because their memories are incredibly sharp.
A huge benefit of owning a Domestic Shorthair cat is its affection levels. If you keep them indoors, their lifespan will increase. However, due to their affectionate, friendly, and playful nature, Domestic Shorthair cats are ideal around kids and other pets. As a result, they are the best indoor cats, and they’re perfect if you’re looking for a companion.
The ideal Domestic Shorthair cat owner is a first-time cat owner. They are popular, and there are countless resources on how to care for them. Although Domestic Shorthair cats are great first-time cats, owners should have time to play with them because of their playful nature.
If possible, Domestic Shorthair cats should have plenty of time outdoors. If you have a big back garden, or you live in a rural area, you’re the ideal Domestic Shorthair cat owner. Remember, they love hunting and often have lots of energy. They prefer to exert that energy outdoors, when they can.
With that said, Domestic Shorthair cats remain one of the most low-maintenance cats. They’re ideal for any cat-loving family, single, families with children, and first-time cat owners. They’re likely to play with your kids, making them ideal for families.
Despite having short hair, Domestic Shorthair cats still require regular grooming. As we’ve established, these cats adore the outdoors, especially in the summer months, therefore owners should brush their fur occasionally. Once a week is an ideal amount.
However, staying cool isn’t the only reason Domestic Shorthair cats require regular haircuts. Often, they suffer from skin conditions, hairballs, shedding prevention, hygiene issues, and matted fur if they don’t maintain short hair.
It’s not uncommon for a Domestic Shorthair cat to suffer from constipation, and regular discrete trims can prevent faeces from attaching to their fur. Matted fur is common however you can prevent this by regularly brushing your cat’s hair. If your cat has matted hair, hiring a trained professional might be the best idea.
Domestic Shorthair cats, like many other breeds, are very good at ‘self-grooming’ which means that they don’t need bathing too often. Once every 4 to 6 weeks is usually enough. Their short hair prevents dirt from congregating on their body. That’s why they’re ideal if you’re busy and don’t have the time to regularly groom them.
