Known for being friendly and playful, the European Shorthair are considered as the original "house cat" and one of the most popular cats in Europe. The domestication of the European Shorthair goes back many years to the times of the Roman Empire.
Although they make great house pets, each cat comes with it's own unique personality. In this post we are going to teach you everything you need to know on the European Shorthair cat breed.
European Shorthair
WEIGHT: 10 - 15 pounds
LENGTH: Medium
COAT: Short
COAT COLORS: brown, black, tan, gray, cinnamon, white and tabby patterns
EYE COLOR: Blue, Amber, Green, Yellow, Copper, Hazel, Odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 - 20 years
The European Shorthair cat breed fall into the average weight and height category but they come in a wide range of patterns and colors. They have medium ears and large heads and adult males can get a bit larger than females.
The European Shorthair has a firm chin and cheeks with a straight nose. They also have a firm, rounded body with a beautiful shiny coat. Regular brushing can make their coat even more sleek and shiny but they are generally conscientious self-groomers.
One of the most fascinating features is the European Shorthairs eyes which come in a large range of colors, and can also have odd eyes or a different color in each eye.
Characteristics of the European Shorthair
Temperament Of The European Shorthair
European Shorthair are loyal pets who are very friendly and intelligent. This along with their ability to adapt quickly to new environments makes them a great pet if you have children, other cats, or even dogs living in your household.
Although they are very adaptable, they can be very shy around new faces and people they are not used to. The European Shorthair are territorial creatures and they love to play which means you will need to provide plenty of stimulation in the form of toys such as cat food puzzles.
Children And Other Pets
If you have children then they will have a great relationship with a European as they are a loving cat breed. Just make sure that socialization takes place in the early stages and that it is supervised.
The European Shorthair will make a great pet even if you have other animals in your home. Just make sure to supervise early interactions if you have things such as hamsters or guinea pigs because of the breeds natural hunting instincts.
European Shorthair Living Needs
With their love of the outdoors and exploring nature, it's a great idea to provide cat trees and cat perches in various locations around your home. This will provide a perfect solution to stimulate their natural instinctive behaviors.
As mentioned previously, the European Shorthair can be a little shy around strangers which makes them very nervous. It's important to provide plenty of hiding places around the home where your cat can retreat to feel safe.
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History of the European Shorthair
Although they are house cats who curl up and sleep most of the day, European Shorthairs are territorial hunters at heart, who go all the way back to ancient Rome. Their athleticism and intelligence allowed them to protect food supplies.
With the development of the first modern farms, European shorthairs were used for their hunting skills as life in Europe in the middle ages began it's transition into an agrarian society.
After these early times, the modern European Shorthair first came about in Sweden where they still remain very popular to this day. Although bred with different traits, there is always a lot of confusion between the European Shorthair and the British Shorthair.
Genetic testing was performed on many different cats around the world. The research from testing shown that "North American cats were closely linked to European cats". The reason for this being that European domestic cats made their way across their with North American settlers.
The European Shorthair was first recognised as an official breed in the early 1980's when the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) recognised them as being different from other Shorthairs and a set of breed standards were developed.
European Shorthair Cat Grooming And Care
European Shorthairs are notorious for self-grooming which keeps them very clean. This behavior is more frequent in younger cats and gradually declines as they get older. It's good practice to brush their coats on a weekly basis which helps to keep it smooth and shiny.
Other maintenance includes cleaning their ears and trimming their claws every few weeks. If you do not feel comfortable doing this then you should seek the help of a veterinarian. Regular veterinarian checkups are very important to ensure that any health concerns are detected early.
Another great way to keep their nails in good condition is to provide multiple scratching posts in different locations around your home. Scratching posts also provide a solution to a cats natural scratching instincts.
As mentioned previously in this article, it also a great idea to invest in cat trees, perches, and a selection of interactive toys to provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation for your cat.
Common Health Problems
With an impressive lifespan of 15-20, the European Shorthair are typically very healthy creatures due to their natural development. The only real things to be concerned about is brachycephalic syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, heart disease, and respiratory distress syndrome.
Diet and Nutrition
European Shorthairs will need high-quality cat food that is packed with protein and other essential nutrients. Food is available in both wet and dry form with both choices providing high quality nutrients.
Th main advantage of wet cat food is that the added moisture helps to keep your cat hydrated. As cats have a very low thirst drive, it's a good idea to provide a cat water fountain, as the flowing water encourages your cat to drink more.
If you are unsure on which food to choose for your cat then seek the advice of a vet.
