Brazilian Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison

This attractive purebred cat is the first cat from Brazil to get international recognition.

It is amazing that this cat goes back to the streets of Brazil as a feral cat. Centuries ago, when the Portuguese arrived in Brazil, they brought cats with them.

It was in the 1980s that a Brazilian cat breeder wanted to transform certain street cats into purebred cats and the Brazilian Shorthair emerged from these efforts. In 1998, the World Cat Federation gave the cat ‘approval breed’ status.

The handsome American Longhair cat is thought to be the result of attempts by breeders to have a cat that portrayed some Persian varieties.

American shorthairs have characteristics and looks from both breeds. The American Longhair, although it comes from champion bloodlines, isn’t actually recognized by larger cat organizations.

The Brazilian Shorthair is a purebred, medium to large sized cat that can weight between 5 nd 10kg. He is a thick-set cat that is muscular and strong and elegant to look at. The short coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns such as grey, black, orange, white and tan. The coat doesn’t require much grooming, but it is always beneficial to your cat to gently brush him to remove any excess hair there is. This cat has got such beautiful expressive eyes that you feel as if he wants to communicate with you sized cat

Temperament

This is an adaptable cat that is able to adjust to the lifestyle you provide him with. He is an outgoing, intelligent, and inquisitive cat and enjoys the company of his human family, whether that includes children and other pets.

He gives a lot and expects lots of attention back from his humans. He is an inquisitive cat and loves to be going on his own adventures exploring.

He loves life and won’t enjoy a lifestyle where he is expected to lie around most of the day. He is intelligent and can learn tricks, and even though he is an elegant looking cat, he likes being active, spending time outdoors, and putting his hunting skills to the test.

You’ll find that there are quite a few American Longhairs that have the snub nose of the Persian cat which is part of its ancestry.

This is a well-muscled, medium to large sized athletic cat with a thick double coat of many colors and patterns that sheds fairly heavily.

Temperament:

This isn’t a particularly vocal cat, but in true cat-fashion, it is independent and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

This cat will make a nice companion for older people and it is calm enough to enjoy a leisurely stroll outdoors with a harness on. They’re adaptable to different situations, but the American Longhair isn’t the ideal choice for children as it isn’t your playful, lover of noise and games type of cat, preferring the attention of other animals.

They love going into barns and being buffeted and licked by the cows and other barnyard animals.

The Brazilian Shorthair makes a great choice for a loyal feline companion and he is a good looking cat too. They love human contact and love spending time with their human family, getting on well with the children in the home as well as other pets.

They don’t shed a lot either and therefore require little grooming. They’re adaptable pets too and become used to their different environments, loving to explore new places and even meeting new people.

They’re intelligent and can learn a few tricks that you’d normally teach a dog. As an intelligent cat, it loves to be challenged.

With so much going for him, no wonder the friendly, adaptable Brazilian Shorthair cat is such a popular breed as a domesticated house cat.

Your American Longhair is an easy-going, friendly social cat that doesn’t demand a lot from his human owners.

These cats are intelligent too and you can even teach them a trick or two. They enjoy the company of their humans and will even follow you around.

Bringing one into your home promises to be a rewarding pet-ownership experience.

The Brazilian Shorthair is a robust cat and doesn’t suffer from many health issues.

Like several other cats, one of the common health issues to watch out for with the Brazilian Shorthair is polycystic kidney disease, where cysts form on the kidneys and eventually lead to kidney failure.

The American Longhair doesn’t have many health concerns and you can expect him to live up to 18, 19 or 20 years of age with good care.

There are some American Longhairs that come with that shortened face of the Persian, and this may mean him battling with breathing problems.

Also, be aware of Polycystic kidney disease where you get cysts that form in the kidneys and which can become larger over time and eventually affect kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

The Brazilian Shorthair has a short coat and won’t require too much grooming, although a gentle brush once a week is enjoyable. It becomes a bonding time with his owner and it keeps the coat free from dust and loose hairs.

Check inside your cat’s mouth and make sure that all his pearly whites are just that. Sometimes a rotten tooth that he can’t tell you about can be a tremendous course of discomfort and pain. Also, check inside the ears for dirt and infection.

You can learn to clean the inside of the ears yourself but if you don’t want to do it, your vet or pet groomer can do these things for you – clip the nails of your pet, check the teeth for dental disease and check inside the ears.

Diet:

Cats are carnivores, so they require animal protein for good health. Wet or dry commercial manufactured cat foods are super convenient and the best ones are excellent for your pet.

If you feel clueless about what to feed your cat, speak to your veterinarian who will guide you on the right food to give your pet. Certainly, your cat will need meat to get the nutrients he so badly needs.

The amount of food your cat needs to eat each day will depend on his age, weight, and activity levels. You want to get the correct amount of food right as obesity is a common health issue with cats and can contribute to a shorter life span. Always make sure your cat has access to fresh, cool drinking water.

The long coat of the American Longhair will require some brushing to keep it shiny and smooth and free from dust but also to remove all those loose hairs.

Make sure your cat’s food and water dishes are in an appropriate spot and keep them separate from your cat’s litter box. House train your cat immediately on how to use a litter box. Keep the litter box clean and rake up your cat's droppings regularly and dispose of them.

Before you get a cat, know that they scratch. It is normal for a cat. Provide your cat with a scratching post as well as climbing equipment such as a cat climbing tree.

Diet:

Always feed your cat a meat-based diet, after all, cats in the wild are carnivores. There are some ingredients that a cat must have and they require certain amino acids found in meat-based proteins or else they could become ill.

The top quality cat foods provide cats with all the nutrients they need to keep them healthy. There are some cat owners who opt to feed their cats home-prepared meals because then they know exactly what’s going into their beloved pets food.

There are other cat owners who choose to provide their pet with a raw diet because they believe that this comes close to the cat's natural diet in the wild.

Always speak to your vet if you are in any way uncertain about the best foods for your cat. He should always have access to fresh cool water.

Parasites:

Check your cat for problems such as parasites such as ticks and fleas. You will also need to have your cat checked for worms. Your vet can diagnose worms with a physical exam. If it is discovered that your cat does have worms, the vet will recommend some safe, effective medications for your pet.

You will also need to check its body for skin problems such as unusual lumps.

If you are able to, get your cat regular veterinary examinations to ensure he is always in tip-top condition.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwelcome kittens in a world where there are just too many unwanted kittens. These procedures can have health benefits for your cat as well.

American Longhairs are lively playful cats so give your cat toys to play with to ensure mental stimulation.