Best Food for American Shorthair Cats: A Complete Nutrition and Diet Guide

Short answer: feed an American Shorthair a complete and balanced, meat-based food in measured portions, and watch its weight. Purina says a complete and balanced cat food is generally enough, suggests a weight-management formula if inactivity leads to weight gain, and recommends kitten food for the first year or so. Hill's Pet says the weight of this heavily built, muscular breed "must be closely monitored and managed" to guard against obesity.

Why weight is the main issue

Purina says the American Shorthair's laid-back nature raises its risk of obesity. The breed is medium to large and muscular: males 11 to 15 pounds and females 8 to 12 according to Purina, a little different from Hill's Pet, so use your cat's body shape, not a number alone. The PDSA's body condition score guide shows how to check: you should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. VCA Animal Hospitals has more on overweight and obesity in cats.

What a good diet contains

VCA Animal Hospitals explains that cats are obligate carnivores that cannot make enough taurine, so they must get it from their food. A "complete and balanced" label means the food has what a cat needs, taurine included. Dog food and unbalanced home-made diets can fall short, so do not use them as a main diet. See VCA's page on why taurine matters. For general portions, see our feeding guide.

Feeding by life stage

• Kittens. Purina recommends complete and balanced kitten food for the first year or so, then adult food after the first birthday. It adds that the breed matures slowly, with many cats not reaching full size until 3 or 4 years old, so ask your vet about portions as your kitten grows.
• Adults. Choose a complete and balanced adult food and measure it. If your cat gains weight from inactivity, Purina suggests a healthy-weight formula; ask your vet which suits your cat.
• Seniors. Appetite, thirst and weight can change. Check with your vet before changing diet; our senior cat guide lists the signs.

A practical feeding plan

1. Measure the day's food with scales or a proper measure, starting from the label and adjusting to your cat's shape.
2. Divide it into several small meals, or use puzzle feeders to slow eating and add activity.
3. Include some wet food for water intake; see our hydration guide.
4. Count the treats. They should be a small part of the day's calories.
5. Weigh or score monthly and adjust.
6. For frequent hairballs, Purina suggests a hairball formula, together with regular brushing; see our grooming guide.

If your cat is overweight

Do not cut food suddenly. Ask your vet for a target weight and a gradual plan, and add play, since Hill's Pet notes that interactive play may be needed to keep the breed fit. See our enrichment guide for ideas.

Mistakes to avoid

• Free-feeding a relaxed, food-motivated cat.
• Measuring by eye or letting several people feed.
• Replacing play with treats.
• Using dog food or unbalanced home-made meals.
• Starting supplements or a diet without your vet.

Quick checklist

• Complete and balanced, meat-based food.
• Kitten food for the first year; slow maturity.
• Measured meals, puzzle feeders, some wet food.
• Monthly body check.
• Vet-guided weight loss if needed.
• This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading

• Preventative care for American Shorthairs
• American Shorthair enrichment
• Understanding American Shorthair personality
• The best diet for British Shorthairs
• How much should you feed your cat?
• Managing your Russian Blue's weight

Sources

• Purina: American Shorthair cat breed profile
• Hill's Pet: American Shorthair cat breed
• VCA Animal Hospitals: What is taurine and why is it so important?
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Overweight, obesity and pain in cats
• PDSA: Your cat's body condition score