European Shorthair vs Domestic Shorthaired Cat - Breed Comparison

The European Shorthair is a cat breed that hails from Sweden but it also has roots that go back to the Roman Empire.

It is referred to as a natural cat breed, which means that the cat came about naturally without any human intervention.

The cat has had great hunting skills and this has what has made it sought after as a cat to keep rodents at bay. It became a famous housecat as well.

The Domestic short-haired cat has also got mixed ancestry and can have lots of different looks. In the UK they are often referred to as Moggie.

It is one of the most common cats in the United States. The roots of this cat go back to the pioneer settlement in North America where they were thought of as working cats. Nobody seems clear on where they originated from.

Hardy and unaffected, they quickly became a sought after cat that stood up well to all kinds of conditions. Even though this cat is a non-pedigreed cat, it is accepted by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the Household Pets category.

These domestic cats of Europe are a medium- to large-sized cat, weighing between 4 and 6kg, though some can be heavier.

The European Shorthair has a fairly large head and medium-sized ears. The body is robust and round shaped. The cat’s short coat without an undercoat comes in a range of colors and patterns such as white, cream, red, black and blue with eyes that are green, yellow, brown or copper or blue.

Temperament:

The European Shorthair is known for its adaptable nature and the cat is able to fit into different lifestyles with ease. It's a cat that will live happily with children, pets, adults and seniors.

The cat loves his human family and loves becoming involved with fun games and activities. It's an intelligent cat too and cat food puzzles help him to think about how to get his food.

Even though your cat is social with his human family, it becomes fairly shy and nervous of strangers.

The Domestic short-haired cats can be so many things – different coat colors and different patterns as well as being different shapes and sizes.

They can all have different shaped eyes and colors and their ears and tails can differ from cat to cat. The reason for this is that these cats don’t belong to a specific breed.

It has a mixed ancestral history. The Domestic Shorthaired varies in colors and size and their coats can be any color, solid or patterned. The length of the coat is short and is silky and shiny.

It’s a low shedding cat and grooming will be easy. Every cat has its own physical characteristics, and some can have a slight build while others are heavier built and more muscular.

You could find their eyes can be different colors too – blue, green, copper or brown.

Temperament:

Just like the Domestic Shorthair has lots of different looks, the temperament too varies. There is no set standard for these cats and when you choose a kitten, you can’t really be sure how they will turn out.

Your cat may be quiet, very vocal, active, placid, loyal loving, independent, playful or lazy – who knows with these wonderful cats?

Certainly, most of them are friendly, loving and loyal. They make wonderful pets for new cat owners, singles, couples, families and seniors.

People love them as they aren’t high maintenance pets – they are undemanding.

The European Shorthair is such a sweet cat and he is able to adapt fairly easily to new environments. It is such an ideal cat for households with singles, couples, families, and seniors as it adapts its personality to suit, getting on well with other pets as well.

The cat loves his human family and wants to please, but loves to play too, being active and playful. Having one of these cats in your home is like bringing in a treasured gem.

As we’ve already suggested, the Domestic Shorthaired has an easy-going personality, not demanding much from you except nutritious food and lots of love and attention.

It’s important to provide your cat with a lifestyle that keeps him happy and content.

Rather than buy your pets lots of expensive cat accessories, your cat will be happier to do with less but to have more attention from you. This cat is willing to give you so much love and companionship ad he asks the same from you.

Even if your European Shorthair appears to be well, it is a good idea to get used to taking your cat to the vet for an annual check-up.

To provide your cat with the best chance to remain healthy, good diet and exercise is imperative. Look out for an itchy skin too as this could well be a sign that your cat is being plagued by parasites. Parasites can be a terrible problem and it will need to be attended to by your vet.

Parasites and an itchy skin can be a nightmare for your pet and make him most miserable with excessive scratching and licking as well as thinning of hair.

A new kitten will also require being vaccinated to ensure he remains healthy. These injections protect your cat from life-threatening diseases. Usually, vets start vaccines at between 8 – 12 weeks of age to protect your cat against the likes of Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu.

There are also other vaccinations you might want to consider such as rabies and chlamydia.

Because of their mixed breed, these Domestic Shorthaired cats don’t sicken easily and they are healthy cats and robust – less vulnerable to the genetic problems that plague purebred cats.

Nonetheless, he can succumb to illness and then you need to get him to the vet immediately. There are come cat illnesses that can kill your cat in just a few hours. Look at bloat as an example – this is when your cat’s stomach becomes swollen and your pet is weak and vomiting. It’s a life-threatening condition that can kill your cat in half an hour,

European Shorthairs like to groom themselves, but even so, you want to brush your cat once a week to keep the hair shiny and healthy. Make sure to trim your cat’s claws at the same time. It’s your time to feel for any unusual lumps or scratches on your feline friend’s skin. Check his eyes and make sure they are still bright and clear, look inside the ears to make sure they aren’t becoming clogged with dirt and wax and look inside the mouth to ensure no signs of gum- and tooth disease.

Your cat may well be outgoing with his human family, but his nervousness with strangers will require you providing him with a safe haven of his own. This might be his own bed which should be in a safe, dry, quiet area where he can retreat and feel more secure.

European Shorthairs love being outdoors and particularly if you have a female you’ll want her spayed to avoid her becoming pregnant. Cat shelters are already full of unwanted kittens and you don’t want to add to the burden. Also, have your male neutered too as he is ar less likely to want to roam. Spaying and neutering come with many health benefits too.

Be very careful of your cat’s diet. This is because the domestic cat is a carnivore and still essentially a predator, liking to hunt for their meat. They require a meat diet. However, cats have special dietary requirements and they require a balanced diet. All cats are individuals and they have different food likes and preferences, but they all need the best food there is to remain in peak condition. If you feed your cat commercially manufactured food, always follow the instructions on the label.

Provide your feline pet with cat accessories – food and water bowl, collar and tag, soft bedding, a climbing tree, scratching post, litter box, grooming accessories and toys.

Just like you prepare for a human baby’s arrival, prepare for your Domestic Shorthaired’ arrival.

Have food and water bowls, a nice, dry, warm bed, toys to stimulate mind and body, litter box, scratching post, climbing tree and collar.

Have your cat neutered or spayed. This is to avoid unwanted kittens. You’ll often see these cats in animal shelters and you don’t want to add to the burden of these shelters. By neutering and spaying your cat, they behave in a better way. They are far less likely to want to roam away from home as well. A cat that have been neutered or spayed also enjoys a host of health benefits, and this common surgical operation is highly recommended.

Food for your cat is very important for good health. Do research and you’ll discover how imperative good gut-health is. A poor diet and the wrong diet can cause your cat to battle with a lot of poor health issues and digestive problems.

You’ll end up spending a fortune on your cat’s vet bills. A cat is a carnivore and it is most important to feed your cat meat. Check out the labels on the cat’s commercially manufactured food and choose the ones that make meat a top ingredient.