The 6 Best Cat Foods For American Shorthair Cats

The 6 Best Cat Foods For American Shorthair Cats

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American Shorthairs have an interesting history. The breed’s ancestors arrived on the Mayflower alongside pilgrims and new adventurers, as ship mousers. This cat breed was once known as a strong, hardworking and sturdy farm cat. Once referred to as the Domestic Shorthair, the name was changed to American Shorthair in the year 1966.

This popular breed is now sought after because they are sweet, loving and gentle, making them ideal for families with children and other pets. American Shorthairs enjoy small meals throughout the day, so expect to leave bowls out so she can snack when hunger strikes.

If you are unsure what food should be in your kitty’s bowl, then keep reading to learn more about the best cat food for American Shorthairs.

The Best Cat Food For American Shorthair Cats Comparison Chart

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.

Best Rated Cat Food For American Shorthair Cats Reviewed

#1 Smalls Food For Cats

Smalls food for cats is a subscription service, prepared with 100% human grade ingredients. You can create a customized meal plan for your cats based on their age, health goal, and current food and have freshly prepared food delivered to your door.

Smalls buys all of their ingredients the same day they cook it and then freeze it right away. They also cook on a weekly basis so the food coming to you is never old. All of Smalls ingredients are sourced from 100% USDA certified human grade suppliers.

Smalls currently offers 3 fresh recipe flavors in pate or minced, and can mix and match the foods depending on your cats preference. Their food is free from preservatives, fillers, grains, and artificial flavors.

#2 Natural Balance Wet Cat Food

Natural Balance Wet Cat Food Formula offers complete and balanced nutrition for all breeds of cats. It is made with premium quality ingredients and has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This cat food targets the unique needs of  domestic cats, such as weight management and digestive health support which also helps maintain healthy weight in cats.

This formula is loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which help support healthy skin & shiny coats. There are many flavors to choose from and different textures as well.

#3 Royal Canin American Shorthair Dry Cat Food

Royal Canin dry cat food is for American Shorthair cats over 12 months old. This tailored cat food has a kibble shape adapted in size and texture to make it easier for the American Shorthair’s medium-short muzzle to grasp. The unique kibble also encourages chewing to help support oral hygiene.

It also helps maintain a healthy weight, supports digestive health and maintains skin and coat health. The 100% complete and balanced nutrition will keep your American Shorthair healthy.

#4 Fancy Feast Delights Wet Cat Food

Purina Fancy Feast Delights Grilled Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Feast wet cat food is made with grilled chicken and aged cheddar cheese in a gravy. The high-quality ingredients deliver a nice texture you can see, and the gravy adds to the rich taste.

It’s made with 100% complete and balanced nutrition for kittens and adult cats, meaning this wet cat food can follow your cat throughout the stages of life, giving her the taste she loves and the nourishment she needs to explore her world. Choose many Purina Fancy Feast Delights varieties to give your cat a range of meal choices.

#5 Blue Freedom Cat Food

For cat owners who want to feed their kitty’s a diet without grains, there’s few other choices than BLUE Freedom. It’s free from the grains and gluten’s that can trigger allergic reactions in some cats. Made with natural ingredients and features de-boned chicken, whole carrots, sweet potatoes and peas, blueberries and cranberries.

It contains no chicken by-product meals, no corn, wheat or soy and nothing artificial. It is also made with high-quality protein and natural fiber sources, meaning the BLUE Freedom recipe is made to support gentle digestion in cats. With the addition of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this cat food formula is made to support your cat’s healthy immune system no matter the age or breed.

#6 Nutro Indoor Cat Food

NUTRO Indoor Cat Food is a natural cat food that provides natural fiber for healthy digestion and essential antioxidants. Since it is for indoor cats, it helps control weight. It also contains vitamin E for a healthy immune system, plus vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

This cat food also is made with Omega 6 fatty acids, to promote healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat. All Nutro cat food is made with Non-GMO ingredients and has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Every cup of cat food is nutrient dense so your cat gets the right amount of calories.

Health And Issues

The American Shorthair is a generally healthy breed, but health issues that can affect them is hip dysplasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of heart disease in cats. It causes thickening  of the heart muscle.

An echo-cardiogram can confirm whether a cat has HCM. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary defect in the hip socket. It may be mild, causing little or no pain, or it can eventually lead to severe lameness.

American Shorthairs with hip dysplasia may move slowly or avoid jumping. Depending on the severity of the condition, medication or surgery can help to relieve pain or weight loss in obese cats helps.

Wet vs Dry Food ?

What is best food for cats, wet or dry food ? This is asked by almost all cat owners. You are likely to hear many different opinions on the pros and cons of both wet and dry cat food.

One argument is that wet food is bad for your cats teeth, while the opposition believe dry food is bad for your cats internal organs, due to a lack of moisture. The alleged negative effects of wet food on your cat’s teeth should not be an issue if you groom and look after your cats mouth.

Some cat owners believe feeding your cat wet food is healthier because dry food contains only protein meal or carbohydrate fillers as a source of energy.

This is not always true and there are many top quality food brands in the market which contain a good source of protein. But, many low-quality dry foods do contain a lot of fillers.

If your cat only eats dry cat food, she maybe getting less nutrition than a cat eating wet food. This does not mean wet food is better.

Cheaply formulated wet food is no better for your cat than a premium quality dry cat food. So then what is the best food choice for your cat?

Really there is no right or wrong answer. Cats can enjoy a nutritionally rich diet eating both wet and dry food. Always check the ingredients and determine what the best quality cat food is for you and your cat.

Conclusion

The American Shorthair is the ideal cat for owners who want a low maintenance and well-balanced breed. Providing a nutrient rich diet, exercising her regularly and keeping up with regular veterinarian check-ups, will ensure your American Shorthair cat stays healthy.