Domestic Shorthair
The mixed-breed house cat: sturdy, variable, and still at risk for teeth, weight, and urinary blockage. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult. A licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 12–18 years |
| Grooming | 2 of 5 |
| Energy | 3 of 5 |
| Apartment | Suitable for many apartments |
Which registries describe this breed?
Registries such as CFA in the United States, GCCF in the United Kingdom, and ACF in Australia publish a conformation description for many pedigreed cats. That description covers coat, size, and typical temperament. It does not diagnose heart disease, urinary blockage, or any other illness in the cat you live with.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult Domestic Shorthair starts near 260 kcal/day, with about 20 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
Mixed-breed cats vary. Start from a lean adult portion and change it when the waist changes, not when the bowl looks empty; measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target. Ask a veterinarian before you add supplements or switch to a homemade recipe.
Calculate Domestic Shorthair's Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Urethral obstruction in males
UrgentWatch for: Straining with little or no urineCheck this sign in symptom triageDental disease
CommonWatch for: Bad breath or pawing at the mouthCheck this sign in symptom triageObesity
CommonWatch for: No waist and a reluctance to jumpCheck this sign in symptom triageHyperthyroidism in older cats
CommonWatch for: Weight loss despite a strong appetiteCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should Domestic Shorthair owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical Domestic Shorthair, including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
Is a Domestic Shorthair a breed?
It is a mixed-ancestry cat with a short coat, not a closed pedigree. Temperament and size vary more than in a single breed. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.
What emergency is easy to miss?
A male cat crying in the litter box may be blocked, not constipated. No urine is a same-hour emergency; these points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them. Confirm this before you bring the animal home.