However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals emphasizes that they may be prone to overeating, which can lead to obesity and the constellation of health problems related to carrying extra pounds. The Domestic Shorthair requires minimal care and is not predisposed to disease or other illnesses. Because of this inherently strong pattern of behavior, your household kitty may be quite active at night, but try to keep in mind that it's just part of her nature to wake you up at 4 a.m. National Geographic shares that these hunting skills are particularly effective at night, when their light-reflecting eyes allow them to see better than much of their prey. A fun scratching post offers a place to trim her claws (scratching is a necessary and instinctual behavior for cats), and it is a great alternative to the fabric on your couch. Therefore, it's important to keep her occupied with creative cat toys like feather toys, jingly balls to roll around the house, and even an empty cardboard box in which to play hide-and-seek. With her keen sense of surroundings, the Domestic also knows when it's a good time to curl up in the nearest available lap for an afternoon snooze.Īs noted, the Domestic has an easy-going personality, but she does need an outlet for her cat instincts, such as hunting. She'll want to keep an eye on the birds in the garden and on her pet parents in the living room at the same time. She'll need an outlet for all this energy, so provide her with a safe perch from which she can observe the great outdoors and practice her balance and agility skills. These characteristics are often reflected in her playful personality. The Domestic Shorthair is considered a working cat because of her endurance skills, such as balancing and leaping, as well as her superb hunting instinct. She is not an aggressive cat by nature, which makes her a terrific companion for children and seniors, and, with a proper introduction period, she's a great playmate for cats, dogs and other pets. Domestics can be playful, affectionate, quiet, vocal, docile, or calm-but are often social, points out Trupanion.

TMuch like her color and pattern varieties, the Domestic shorthair cat personality spans a vast territory.

Short haired orange tabby cat