Not a breed · Cat
Domestic Shorthair
Not a breed at all — the mixed-ancestry cat that makes up the overwhelming majority of the world's cats.
This page exists because leaving it out would be dishonest. Most people reading a breed encyclopedia should adopt a moggie. Mixed ancestry means a wider gene pool and generally fewer inherited problems, adult cats come with a known temperament rather than a prediction, and shelters are full of them. If you have a specific reason for a specific breed, the other pages are there. If you do not, start here.
At a glance
- Lifespan
- 12–20 years
- Adult weight
- 3–6 kg
- Daily attention
- Varies by cat
- Alone time tolerated
- Varies by cat
- Grooming
- Weekly
- Noise level
- Varies by cat
- With children
- Meet the cat first
- With other pets
- Meet the cat first
- Indoor only
- Recommended
Colours · 6 listed
No registry, no standard, no recognised colours — which is rather the point. What you see is what you get, and with an adult cat you can see quite a lot.
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Tabby
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Black
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Ginger
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Tuxedo
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Tortie
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Calico
Right for you if
- You want a cat and do not need a specific breed's traits.
- You would rather meet an adult cat than predict a kitten.
- You want the shortest path between deciding and having a cat.
- The price of a pedigree kitten would be better spent on the vet fund.
Wrong for you if
- You need a predictable adult size or coat for a specific reason.
- You have a genuine allergy strategy tied to a particular breed.
- You are showing cats.
- You want a kitten and want to know exactly how it will turn out.
Adopting well
- Adopt an adult if you can. Temperament in an adult cat is observable rather than hoped for, and adults are the ones that sit in shelters longest.
- Two young cats are usually easier than one. They exercise each other, and it costs less than double.
- Ask the shelter what the cat was surrendered for. A good shelter tells you, and the answer is usually about the people, not the cat.
Availability, registration and keeping requirements differ from place to place. Check the rules where you live before you commit to any animal — we describe animals, not law.