Inherited diseases are quite prevalent among the cat breeds and some are more predisposed than others (take the Peke-face Persian as an example). If you were to rank the cat breeds not by appearance and popularity but by inherited health, the American Shorthair would feature around the top.
To be clear I am referring to inherited diseases specific to each cat breed not a general, background predisposition to inherited diseases affecting the general domestic cat population including American Shorthairs and other cat breeds.
On this measure, the American SH does very well. People thinking of purchasing a purebred cat should, ideally, factor in inherited health as a priority and at least on a par with appearance in the interests of their caregiving budget 😊 and the contentment of their cat. Chronic illnesses can only be detrimental to a feeling of wellbeing.
American Shorthair inherited diseases? Infographic. by Michael BroadI have to conclude that the American Shorthair is a relatively healthy cat breed. The word ‘relatively’ is important because, in general, the purebred cats are more prone to inherited, genetic, health issues that non-purebred cats because of selective breeding, aka inbreeding which reveals deleterious recessive genetic mutations causing health problems.
