Description
Size: 8-12 pounds
A small to medium-sized cat, the American wirehair has a rounded head, medium-sized ears, and huge eyes. Despite resembling the American shorthair in appearance, the wirehair stands out thanks to its coat and higher cheekbones. The texture of the parents’ coats can influence how bouncy and rough the American wirehair’s coat is. Others can have extremely coarse coats, while some have significantly smoother coats. All over their bodies, the cats with the finest reputation in the breed have hard, wiry hair. According to breed standards, the American wirehair breed’s colors and patterns can differ significantly. The only exceptions are a Himalayan design, chocolate, and lavender.
Origin and History
In Verona, New York, a litter of six domestic shorthair kittens with typical coats contained a surprise: the first American Wirehair. He was a male with a thin, wiry red-and-white coat, and every hair, including his whiskers, were crimped. The kitten had potential, so local cat breeder Joan O’Shea bought him and bred him with a female cat from the area. The offspring had wiry coats as well. The presence of wiry coats in kittens resulted from a second breeding with an unrelated female, proving that the gene responsible is a dominant gene. The American Wirehair coat is distinctive and not genetically related to the Cornish Rex or Devon Rex, according to additional research by renowned British cat geneticists A.G. Searle and Roy Robinson.
Behavior
Activity Level: Moderate
Social Needs: relaxed, loving, sweet
The American Wirehair is a calm, loving, and affectionate dog who makes a great pet for households with kids and other animals. Although calm back and playful, this breed is nevertheless quite aware of her surroundings. Wirehairs love being lap cats, but they also relish their independence. They are avid purrers and regarded as mild talkers.
As Pet
Grooming
The American wirehair’s coarse coat requires little upkeep. Since it doesn’t shed much, a light weekly brushing will be sufficient to get rid of any stray hairs. The wiry hair may break more quickly than the silky coats of other cat breeds, so take care not to rake through the coat too aggressively. Because of the coarse hairs that grow close within the ear canals, the wirehair’s ears frequently develop a little amount of wax buildup. The ears should stay healthy and infection-free if you check them once a week and use a mild ear cleanser when required. An American wirehair will also benefit from regular dental cleanings and nail trimmings.
Diet and Nutrition
The American wirehair cat has to be fed a high-quality diet, just like any other cat. As natural carnivores, cats require a diet heavy in protein and carefully balanced in vitamins and minerals.
Exercise
The American wirehair is not a breed that enjoys spending the entire day on your lap. While wirehairs adore being petted, they are also quick and vivacious. They thrive on activity and enrichment to prevent boredom. The American wirehair might not be the breed for you if you spend the majority of the day away from home. These cats prefer being among known people, including well-behaved kids and even family dogs, given that they are properly introduced. This breed is not well known for being loud, but it is a prolific “purrer,” so you won’t have any trouble figuring out whether your cat is happy.
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