American Wirehair cat
American Wirehair cats immediate relatives American Shorthairs Cats. They are active and graceful, with a well-developed hunting instinct and a unique distinguishing feature – wiry fur. It's worth noting that this outward toughness is quite deceptive; to the touch, their coat is almost as soft as that of their relatives. Today, we've prepared a description of the breed, a selection of photos, and a video for you.
Content
History of origin
American Wirehair cats are the result of a natural mutation, and their history began in 1966 on a farm near New York, when an unusual kitten with twisted and curled fur was born in a litter of American Shorthair cats.
This red-and-white baby was purchased for $50 by breeder Joan O'Shea, who began developing the new breed. It was possible to consolidate the mutation and increase the population with the help of American Shorthair cats.
American Wirehair cats are common in the USA and Canada; in Europe, only a few catteries breed them.
Just a year after the unusual kitten's birth, a preliminary standard was registered with CFA and TICA. Since 1978, the breed has been officially recognized by CFA. Today, the breed is recognized by almost all international organizations, except FIFe and GCCF, which consider it a subtype of the American Shorthair.
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Description of the breed
Let's start with a description of the breed: the American Wirehair is a medium to large-sized cat, weighing between 3.5 and 7 kg. Its build is proportionate, strong, and muscular. Its movements are confident and graceful.
The head is rounded, with a smooth transition from the small chin to the muzzle. The ears are medium-sized with rounded tips. The eyes are also round, expressive, and fairly large, set wide apart. The iris is usually yellow or green. The limbs and tail are of medium length, and the paws are short and rounded.
Features of wool
The coat is elastic and of medium length. Individual hairs are wavy with curled ends and twisted together, which creates a “wire effect”. It manifests itself differently in different parts of the body: in the area of the stomach, chest and chin the fur is soft, while on the back the wiry texture is most pronounced.
The overall appearance is far more important than the curl of individual hairs. Overall, the American Wirehair cat's coat is thick with a well-developed undercoat. Kittens tend to have a more pronounced curl than adults. It's also worth considering that both wirehair and shorthair kittens can be born in the same litter.
Character
American Wirehair cats are calm and independent, moderately playful and curious, obedient and clean.
They love to hunt small insects and sometimes demonstrate enviable skill at hunting mice. They form strong bonds with their owners, appreciate their company, and enjoy being held, but can also be left alone quite comfortably. At a young age, they easily adapt to new environments and quickly adapt to new surroundings. In most cases, they get along well with other pets.
Maintenance and care
American Wirehair cats are sturdy and easy to care for. They thrive in an apartment and also adapt easily to a private home with easy access to the outdoors. Like any other cat, an American Wirehair needs a private resting area, a litter box, clean bowls, and a few toys.
Grooming a wirehaired cat isn't difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Brushing the wirehaired cat's coat is infrequent; it's best to use a massage brush with an anti-static coating. Avoid wetting the hair during grooming, as well as brushing immediately after washing. This can damage the fine curls that are the breed's signature feature. After brushing, comb the coat with a comb.
A cat is usually bathed before a show or when its fur is excessively greasy. Unnecessary water treatments are not recommended. Shampoo is suitable for short-haired breeds; conditioners and rinses are not used. It's best to rinse the foam off in a basin rather than under running water. After bathing, let the coat dry naturally, without using a hair dryer.
In addition to grooming the coat, it is necessary to pay attention to the hygiene of the eyes, ears and keep the teeth clean. Claws trimmed as desired using special pruning shears.
Diet and health
The optimal choice for American Wirehair cats is super-premium or premium dry and wet food. Those who prefer non-prepared food can adjust the diet and provide natural nutrition, but feeding table scraps is strictly not recommended.
Because these cats are the result of a natural mutation, they are relatively healthy, with no known hereditary diseases. With a well-balanced diet, proper care, and timely veterinary and preventative care, they rarely get sick. They live an average of 13-14 years.
Photos
A selection of photographs of the American Wirehair cat:
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