American Shorthair Grooming 101: Maintaining Their Iconic Dense Coat

Short answer: the American Shorthair has a short, dense coat that sheds, and it needs regular combing. Purina recommends combing a couple of times a week to remove dead hair and spread skin oils, while Hill's Pet advises daily brushing, especially when the coat thickens or thins with the seasons. Start with a couple of sessions a week and go daily in heavy shedding periods.

What the coat is like

Hill's Pet describes the American Shorthair coat as short, dense and relatively hard in texture, growing longer and thicker in winter. That seasonal change explains why shedding is heavier at certain times of year. Purina confirms that the breed sheds. Hill's Pet also says the coat can still knot without regular brushing, and does not list the breed as less allergenic.

How often to groom

• Normal weeks: comb a couple of times a week (Purina).
• Seasonal coat changes: brush daily (Hill's Pet).
• Any time you notice mats, loose hair on furniture or a dull coat: add a session.

Combing also spreads the skin's natural oils, which Purina says keeps the coat shiny and helps prevent dry, itchy skin.

Step by step

1. Pick a calm moment, when your cat is relaxed, perhaps after play or a meal.
2. Start with a soft brush or a rubber grooming glove and move in the direction of the hair.
3. Use a comb for the dense undercoat, especially behind the ears, under the legs and around the tail base.
4. Work gently around knots. Never pull; hold the skin near the knot and tease it apart, or ask a groomer or vet for help.
5. Reward your cat with a treat or praise and stop before it gets annoyed.

Purina says the breed dislikes being carried and is fairly independent, so keep sessions short, let your cat leave when it wants to and build up gradually. Our training guide shows how rewards can make handling easier.

Hairballs

More shedding can mean more swallowed hair. Purina suggests a hairball formula for cats with frequent hairballs, but regular brushing is the first step. Our hairball guide explains when they are normal and when to call the vet.

Beyond the coat: the rest of the routine

• Nails. Trim gently when needed; see our guide to trimming claws at home.
• Ears. Check regularly and never push anything into the canal; see how to clean your cat's ears safely.
• Teeth. Purina says the breed is genetically prone to mouth and gum disease, so see our dental care guide.
• Skin and fleas. Part the coat as you groom and look for flakes, redness or fleas; see fleas on cats.

When to see the vet

Contact your vet if you find bald patches, sores, constant scratching, a bad smell, lumps or a sudden change in the coat, or if your cat stops grooming itself. These can point to a skin problem or another illness. This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Quick checklist

• Comb a couple of times a week; daily when shedding is heavy.
• Use a comb for the dense undercoat.
• Short, calm, rewarded sessions.
• Check nails, ears, teeth and skin while you groom.
• Call the vet about patches, sores or lumps.

Keep reading

• Best food for American Shorthair cats
• Preventative care for American Shorthairs
• The history of the American Shorthair
• Hygiene essentials for British Shorthairs
• Cat hairballs: causes and brushing tips
• Maine Coon cat guide

Sources

• Purina: American Shorthair cat breed profile
• Hill's Pet: American Shorthair cat breed