My American Shorthair is well over the average size

My American Shorthair is well over the average size

by Kari
(PA, USA)

My American Shorthair Cat

My American Shorthair Cat

My American Shorthair (at least this is what the vet has him listed as) has always been a bit above average in his size (length as well as weight). We have just measured him and he's 31 inches from his nose to the tip of his tail, 22 inch waist, 21 inch chest, 10 inch neck, and he weighs approximately 18 pounds. Kitty is now 10 years old.

Hi Kari: Thanks for sharing. I remember working with Helmi Flick at a cat show in Texas, when she photographed an American Shorthair show cat and he was very much smaller than your boy. So, I would say he is at the top end of the scale on size and weight for this cat breed. Of course the range is wide. -- Michael (Admin)

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My American Shorthair is well over the average size

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Mar 25, 2011 My American Shorthair Beaner
by: Janieray

What a happy looking fellow. He reminds me of my beloved cat Beaner, who was the resident expert in puppy training , and lived to be 17 years old. My veterinarian always lectured me about him being big, but it didn't affect is his life span. He was always large and in charge.


Dec 18, 2010 nice
by: missvallie

My 14 yo girl looks very similer but she goes 22lbs just a BIG cat and her name is Queenie


Dec 14, 2010 Oh my gosh!
by: Anonymous

This cat is the EXACT clone of my cat, Rufus! I've been trying to figure out what type of pedigree he may have, being that we found him as a stray when he was approximately 6-8 weeks old. When he was sick with pneumonia, he was 12 pounds, and the vet said that was a heavy weight for an outdoor cat. He couldn't believe he was 18 pounds the next time we brought him in, healthy and happy! A few people have said he may be mixed with Maine Coon, but he's short-haired all around. I'm not sure how cat genetics works in that respect. He is a massive block of a cat at 3 years old :o)


Apr 30, 2010 my AS is 20 to 25 lbs
by: darlene k

My Boy Shadow is 20 to 25 lbs. he was 10 lbs when i had him fixed at 6 months old. He is bigger than his father but looks just like him! His father is all silver and his mother was tan. Shadow is mostly silver with tan on his belly. you should see him cuddle under my chin when i sleep. this big cat curled up like a baby! He doesnt overeat and i give him a good dry food made with chicken as the first ingredient.


Mar 27, 2009 measurement
by: Kari

From tip of nose to base of tail my kitty measures 24". From tip of nose to end of tail he measures 31". That was a best measurement with one of us holding his side and a quick measure. He could be longer or shorter, but not by more than an inch either way.

I would love to get his standing height measurement, but he rarely stands. He had his front leg broken as a kitten that never healed properly and he had the ligament in hind leg replaced with nylon last year after it tore.


Mar 25, 2009 Long Maine Coons
by: Anonymous

Hi VG, Maine Coons are big cats but they are long and sometimes quite skinny below all that disheveled fur. Helmi's Zak, a lovely cat, is exactly that, big, long and skinny.

I guess for length measurement there are a range of ways to do it and one has to state which way before we present the measurements! Poor answer but my answer. I suspect that there is not one formally accepted method. But perhaps from tip of nose to base of tail might be a good one!

Got to Maine Coon Cats


Mar 24, 2009 How to measure the length of a cat?
by: Valley Girl

Hi Michael-

Could you explain exactly how the length of a cat is measured? I got out my measuring tape, but Tootsie wouldn't let me get near her (had to do an unsubtle maneuver to give her medicine, and she is not happy with me). But my guesstimate is that she is possibly 28" long, or more. She only weighs 8 lbs. plus a bit. She's a Maine coon, with long body, but still- ?!


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