MyCatBreeds
Brazilian Shorthair is originated from Brazil but American Wirehair is originated from United States. Both Brazilian Shorthair and American Wirehair are having almost same weight. Brazilian Shorthair may live 4 years more than American Wirehair. Both Brazilian Shorthair and American Wirehair has same litter size. Both Brazilian Shorthair and American Wirehair requires Low maintenance.
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 American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.
The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.
Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.
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
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.
The American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.
The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.
It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.
With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.
The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.
The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.
He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.
The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.
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.
The American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.
He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.
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 Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.
Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.
Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.
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.
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.
Brush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.
Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.
Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.
Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.