7 Ways to Identify an American Wirehair Cat Breed

The American Wirehair cat is the conquest of a random mutation of the American Shorthair that happened in 1966 in Vernon, New York. Where the mutation occurred among a litter born to a pair of barn cats. 

Moreover, the American Wirehair is an easygoing, friendly, and medium-sized cat breed. So, they are an adorable pets due to their adaptability with adults, kids, and seniors. 

We found that American Shorthair and American Wirehair characteristics are almost the same. The only feature that differs is their coat type.

American Wirehair cats must regular grooming. Then doctor visits to stay healthy for a long time. 

They are well-known cats breeds whose characteristic crimped coats began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of New York farm cats.

These affectionate and good-natured cats make adorable and attractive pets. To understand if your cat is an American Wirehair, see its physical appearance and observe its temperament.

Characteristics of an American Wirehair

As American Wirehairs are furry cats with an athletic build. So, the average American Wirehair size of an adult cat is around when standing.

Males weigh more than females, but the estimated weight of both is between 6 to 11 pounds. More American Shorthair: Top 14 Ways to Identify Cat Breeds.

These cats are in all common colors, particularly full tabby or tabby with white variations.

Physical conditions

American Wirehairs have a strong body with well-defined hindquarters and chest.

They are normal-sized with broad heads, and males have well-developed cheeks.

Their noses and faces are also medium-sized, with wide-set eyes and ears. Males are larger than females.

The American Wirehair has a hard, wiry coat, which is quite different from an American Shorthair’s regular, short coat. Their muzzles give a squarish effect to their faces.

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American Wirehair traits contain being loyal natural, friendly, and easygoing cats. They love human of all age groups, making them one of the best family cat breeds. Moreover, they like human attention and companionship, so they improve in crowded homes. 

This types of cats are also curious, so they can get into trouble. American Wirehairs are so active cats that like to play games with their owners as well as cuddle with them. 

How to Care for American Wirehairs

The hard, wiry coats of American Wirehairs must minimal grooming. It’s better not to brush or comb your cat’s coat or you may damage it. Thus, only brush the cat when the coat starts shedding and, due to seasonal changes.

If your American Wirehair can have sensitive skin that immediately reacts to outside factors, resulting in any types of allergies or infections.

To escapes these risks, you should bathe your cat and clean their coat and skin.

Regular bathing sessions will resolve loose, dead hairs from your American Wirehair’s skin that may cause irritation. So, this routine can also drop extra oil from the cat’s coat. 

As other cat breeds, you must trim American Wirehair’s nails and brush their teeth with toothpaste. 

Vaccination of cat

As American Wirehairs must both core and non-core vaccines to stay safe from pathogens. The American Association of Feline expert recommends giving these core vaccines to all pet cats that stay indoors:

• Panleukopenia. This virus results in vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fever in cats.
• Feline herpesvirus. There are causes upper respiratory infection, inflammation of the inner eyelids and cornea, and lethargy. 
• Calicivirus. The causes upper respiratory infection, frequent sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, loss of appetite, lethargy, sore gums, lameness, and pneumonia (rarely). The virus can be deadly in more than half of affected cats.
• Rabies virus. This deadly virus spreads through bite wounds or the saliva of an infected skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, or bat. Rabies can become fatal for humans and cats once symptoms develop.
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). That’s what a retrovirus that damages the cat’s immune system and may lead to cancer. It can spread through an infected cat’s saliva or nasal secretion and can be life-threatening for household cats.
• Then, every kitten needs to be vaccinated against FeLV until they turn a year old. After all, only those cats that come in contact with FeLV-infected or outdoor cats must continue receiving this vaccine.

Your American Wirehair may also need a set of non-core vaccines. A cat needs more vaccines based on the intensity of its exposure to an infected object or organism. Some non-core vaccines your cat may need include:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Chlamydia felis

Some of these vaccines may not be effective for your American Wirehair. Thus, your doctor will only give a vaccine to your cat after a comprehensive check-up.

Exercise of Cat

American Wirehairs are active cats that love to play with their owners. Since they enjoy their owners’ company, you can take them to your backyard for regular outings. They are friendly, so you may not find them fighting with other cats. 

Regular exercise will keep your cat in shape and in a good mood.

Training of Cat

This cat breed is easy to train. They like playing fetch, so you can begin their training with this exercise. Keeping  low-key is better, as these cats prefer cuddling and sitting with their owners. 

They are smart and won’t take much time learning basic things like using a litter box.

Nutrition

We know that American Wirehairs like to have many varieties of food. These cats eat a little food at a time, As you can give them a small amount of wet food once a day. You also need to give your cat dry food in a bowl, which they can eat whenever they like. 

The regular nutritional diet of your cat depends on its activity level and age. To help them learn and train faster, you can offer your cat a limited quantity of treats. So, giving your cat too many treats may get them obese. 

Say that your American Wirehair always has access to clean and fresh water. If you think your cat is drinking too little water, try putting the water bowl at least three feet from its food bowl.

Cats have sensitive noses. Moreover they may be attracted to the smell of food instead of drinking water.

You may want to have your American Wirehair diet plan developed by your vet. 

Health Problems To Watch For With American Wirehair

American Wirehairs are strong and healthy cats. But, they are crossbred with the American Shorthair, so they may develop or inherit health conditions common to Shorthairs. Normally hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), skin allergies, and obesity. 

Remember that all cats can have health issues. Don’t trust breeders who claim otherwise.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

As Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac condition that thickens the muscular walls of a cat’s heart, in the left ventricle. As a result, the heart chamber decreases in volume, and the heart muscles relax .

A cat with HCM may have the following symptoms is given below-

• Firstly Increased heart rate
• More oxygen consumption, leading to open-mouthed breathing
• Arrhythmias (irregular rhythm of the heart)
• Lethargy
• Congestive heart failure

Obesity

Obesity or excessive weight is a common health issue for almost all types of pets, including the American Wirehair. This condition can cause many health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and digestive disorders. 

This is why it’s recommended to limit the treats you give your cat. 

Make sure your American Wirehair’s treat intake doesn’t exceed 10% of their total calorie count. When spending time with your cat, you can pet and play with them as appreciation instead of giving them food or treats. 

Keeping an American Wirehair at an appropriate weight is the most effective way to ensure their well-being. 

Skin Allergies

American Wirehairs have unusual wiry coats with fragile hairs that can easily fall out or break with brushing. The skin of these cats can also get greasy.

Oily skin is vulnerable to allergens and yeast infections. Regular bathing and grooming sessions can help you maintain your cat’s skin oil balance and deal with frequent shedding of the coat. 

Cheek your American Wirehair with skin allergies may show these signs: 

• Itchy skin
• Inflammation or redness
• Frequent hair loss from the coat
• Over-grooming, such as excessive licking, chewing, and biting
• Rashes

Special Considerations for American Wirehairs

Cheek your American Wirehair grooming routine must include cleaning their ears. Use cotton swabs or balls to swab the inside of your cat’s ears to keep them clean.

History of American Wirehairs

American Wirehair Cat history express that New York in the 1960s, when a random mutation occurred in a litter of kittens belonging to a barn cat pair. So, the resulting cat was a red-and-white American Wirehair male with a sparse, wiry coat. The cat’s parents, Fluffy and Bootsie, were domestic shorthairs with normal coats owned by Nathan Mosher. 

The pet’s owner sold him for $50 to a local breeder named Joan O’Shea, along with a normal-coated female kitten for breeding purposes. O’Shea named the male “Council Rock Farm Adam of Hi-Fi” and the female “Tip-Top”. 

Whenever their population started to grow, cats got exported to Germany and Canada. The breeding between Adam and Tip-Top became popular, leading to its recognition in 1967 by the CFA. In 1978, the cats qualified for a championship competition. 

How to Identify an American Wirehair

Examining Physical Appearance :

Feel for a dense, kinky coat:

This types of breeds are famous for their unusual wirehaired coats, which means the hair will have a textured, crimped appearance. So, the coat’s ripples often make it stand straight up on the back of the spine. To the touch, the coat will feel thick and dense.

Look for rounded ears with crimped inner hairs:

As American wirehairs have medium sized ears with rounded tips. Inside, the hairs of their ears will exhibit the same characteristic crimp of their coat. Observe your cat’s ears gently when you stroke it to get a better look.

Look for kinked or curled whiskers :

They are often look as though they’ve put their paw in an electrical socket. For their whiskers have exaggerated kinks and curls, almost like in the cartoons. To make a better look at your cat’s whiskers, scratch under its chin so you can examine them better.

Check your cat for bright, round eyes :

American Wirehairs have round, bright eyes that turn into upward. Their eyes can come in a variety of colors but always exhibit a little enlarged, rounded shape.

Weigh your cat :

They are muscular cats of medium build. American Wirehairs weigh 6-11 lb or 2.5-5 kg. If you want to weigh your cat at home, a good method is to weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your cat. The difference will be the cat’s weight.

Look for rounded paws with heavy pads:

This cats have medium-size rounded paws. Because they are good hunters, the cats often have heavy pads that are good for grasping prey.

Note your cat’s desire to hunt:

They also are skilled hunters who enjoy chasing small birds or mice. They may even bring you a “gift” or two. If your cat is not an outdoor cat, this hunting behavior may manifest itself indoors in stalking toys. Then pay attention to your cat’s desire to hunt, and try to coax out its inner hunter with feathered toys to gauge its interest.

Finally, the American Wirehair is definitely a friendly and affectionate breed. They thrive on attention from their owner and spending one-to-one time together.