American Shorthair Enrichment: How to Prevent Boredom and Boost Happiness

Short answer: give your American Shorthair daily interactive play, puzzle feeders and a few places to climb and watch. Purina describes the breed as smart and moderately active, with a preference for interactive toys and puzzles, and it adds that the breed's laid-back nature raises the risk of obesity. Hill's Pet says interactive play may be needed to keep the breed fit and that it will make toys from household items if none are provided.

Why this breed needs enrichment

Purina says the American Shorthair was originally kept to hunt rodents and still enjoys using its hunting skills on insects. A cat with hunting instincts but no outlet can become bored, gain weight or find its own entertainment, which Hill's Pet says may mean your belongings. The AAFP and ISFM guidelines, summarised by VCA Animal Hospitals, list the basics: a safe place, several separate resources, play and predatory behaviour, positive human contact and respect for scent. Our five pillars guide explains each one.

Signs of boredom

• Sleeping more than usual, or gaining weight; see how much cats sleep.
• Scratching furniture; see why cats scratch furniture.
• Biting hands or ankles in play; see play biting.
• Night-time yowling; see why cats meow at night.

These can also be signs of illness or pain, so check with your vet if the change is sudden.

Ten ways to boost happiness

1. Wand toys. Move the toy like prey and let your cat catch it at the end. Two or three sessions a day of five to ten minutes work well.
2. Puzzle feeders. Purina says the breed enjoys puzzles. Put part of the daily food in a puzzle feeder or scatter it around the room.
3. Clicker or target training. Purina says the breed enjoys learning tricks. See our training guide and the Toronto Humane Society's trick-training guide.
4. A cat tree or shelves. The breed is muscular and agile (Purina), so offer sturdy places to climb.
5. A window perch, safely secured, with a view of birds or trees.
6. Hide-and-seek. Hide a few treats or toys around the room.
7. Cardboard boxes and tunnels. Cheap and popular.
8. Toy rotation. Keep a few toys out and swap them every week or two.
9. Scratching posts in several places, at least as tall as your cat when stretched.
10. Quiet company. Purina says the breed may prefer to sit alongside you, so just being in the room can be enough.

Play safely

• Put away strings, ribbons and small parts after play, because swallowing them can be dangerous.
• Never use your hands as toys.
• Keep birds and other small pets out of the hunting zone; Purina notes the breed's hunting instincts may take over with them.
• Let older or heavier cats rest, and give them low, stable steps instead of high jumps.

Play and weight

Play does not replace portion control, but it helps. Both Purina and Hill's Pet warn about obesity in this breed. See our food guide and preventative care guide for more.

Quick checklist

• Two or three short play sessions a day.
• Part of the food in puzzle feeders.
• Climbing, hiding and window spots.
• Rotate toys weekly.
• Watch for sudden behaviour changes and see your vet.
• This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading

• Understanding American Shorthair personality
• American Shorthair grooming 101
• The history of the American Shorthair
• 7 creative ways to keep your British Shorthair entertained
• 7 enrichment activities for your cat
• Indoor cat enrichment: the five pillars

Sources

• Purina: American Shorthair cat breed profile
• Hill's Pet: American Shorthair cat breed
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Feline environmental needs guidelines
• Toronto Humane Society: Trick training your cat