American Wirehair

Coat & Grooming: The American Wirehair is well known for its coat, which is crimped, thick and coarse, and requires very little maintenance. Minimal brushing or combing will keep it in top shape, except for the spring, when old growth sheds and some extra care might be involved. “Sometimes the lighter hair cats may need sunblock if they spend any time outside as they are prone to getting sunburned,” Ochoa adds.

Shedding: The American Wirehair sheds minimally, except for seasonally in the spring when old growth sheds.

Temperament & Behavior: This is a calm and reserved cat, perfectly willing to go with the flow. Some may enjoy sitting on the laps of their owners, while others prefer to relax by themselves in a window and watch the world (and birds, in particular) go by. The American Wirehair is an active hunter, and they enjoy a good hunting game, as well as tracking down any insects that dare to enter their space.

Personality: American Wirehair cats are loving, patient and adaptable. While some are known to be lap cats, others love nothing more than sitting in a sunny windowsill, watching the birds fly by.

Behavior with Kids: The patience and adaptability of this breed makes them perfect for a house with kids, as long as the kids are taught how to properly handle and play with a cat.

Life Span: The average American Wirehair lives between 13 and 20 years.

Inherited Health Issues: The American Wirehair is typically healthy, but may develop heart disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most commonly diagnosed heart condition in cats. This disease causes thickening of the heart muscle. An echocardiogram is used to help diagnose HCM. Avoid breeders who claim that they have HCM free cats as it is impossible to guarantee that a cat will never develop HCM.

Preventive Care: Many cats suffer from obesity, which can lead to many other secondary health problems such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, etc. So how can you help keep your cat healthy and trim? Well, understanding your cat’s dietary habits is the key. The average cat tends to eat many times per day (approximately 10-12 times) and just a few nibbles of food each time. In these cases, free feeding works well as the cat does not tend to overeat. Boredom may increase the amount of times your cat visits the food bowl. Keeping your cat active and playing more will help your cat stay healthy and trim! For really tough cases of overeating, you will have to put your foot down and take a firm stance on regulating your cat’s food intake. Many cats are prone to renal disease later in life so it is imperative that you begin annual blood testing once your cat reaches the age of 7. Dental disease is another common problem amongst many cats. By bringing your cat in for a professional dental cleaning once yearly, you will help prevent the accumulation of tartar.

Nutrition: As with all cats, obesity can pose a problem for cats leading to arthritis, diabetes, etc. It is important to ensure your cat is getting a high quality age-appropriate diet and feed for the most ideal weight. Ensuring your cat is on the appropriate amount of food per day and on a well balanced age appropriate diet will help in the long run with overall health.

Daily Consumption: An adult American Wirehair eats 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day.

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: The American Wirehair is beloved for its relaxed and laid back demeanor. They are a relatively quiet breed, and prefer to let their preferences be known with a look, rather than by chirping or meowing. Most can be happy on their own for long periods of time, although they are likely to also enjoy bouts of active play with their people.

This breed is moderately active, happy lounge around but ready to spring into action if a feather is dangled in its face or a bug happens to walk by. “American Wirehair cats are perfectly content to play with themselves and do not need constant companions,” said Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian with Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital. “This makes these great for single cat houses or people who live very busy lives.”

Climate: Although the American Wirehair’s coat grows longer and thicker in the winter, they still prefer a more moderate climate.