Best Food for American Shorthair (2026 Guide)

A breed-specific food guide for American Shorthair owners — what to look for, what to avoid, and our top picks based on this breed's size, energy and known health profile.

Photo: Danielle Daniel / Pexels

The American Shorthair is america's working cat. sturdy, healthy, easy-going, brilliant with families. Their nutritional needs reflect their 3.5–7 kg body weight, 15–20 years lifespan, and the breed-specific health considerations covered below.

Why feeding a American Shorthair is different

The American Shorthair is genetically vulnerable to hip + elbow issues. Your single biggest dietary lever to protect those joints is keeping them lean — every extra kilo of body weight increases joint load by 3–4× during walking. Diet matters here far more than supplements.

Cardiac issues are common — discuss taurine + L-carnitine supplementation with your vet, and be cautious about grain-free + legume-heavy diets (the FDA has linked them to dilated cardiomyopathy in some lines).

Below: a specific list of what to look for, what to avoid, plus our daily-calorie estimate for an average American Shorthair.

What to look for in food for a American Shorthair

A complete-and-balanced food labelled for cats that meets FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards.
Named animal protein as the first ingredient (e.g. "chicken", "salmon"), not "meat derivatives" or "animal by-product".
Added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support — especially important from puppyhood.
Foods with adequate taurine. Be cautious with grain-free diets — the FDA has investigated a possible link with DCM.

What to avoid

Untested boutique grain-free brands without taurine in the analysis.
Anything containing onion, garlic, raisins, xylitol or chocolate flavouring (common kitchen toxins for pets).

To keep your cat at a healthy weight, check their shape with our body condition score tool, then follow the feeding guide on your chosen food and adjust the portion for your cat's age and activity level.

Feeding a American Shorthair: common questions

How much should I feed a American Shorthair?

A American Shorthair typically weighs 3.5–7 kg, but the right daily amount depends on age, exact weight and activity — not the breed average. Start from the feeding guide on your chosen food, weigh the portion rather than eyeballing it, and adjust to keep your cat lean enough that you can easily feel the ribs.

How many meals a day should a American Shorthair have?

Two meals a day suits an adult American Shorthair; puppies need three to four smaller meals until around six months, then settle to two.

Do American Shorthairs need a special diet for their joints?

The biggest dietary lever for a joint-prone breed like the American Shorthair is keeping them lean — every extra kilo multiplies the load on the hips and elbows. A complete food with added omega-3s (or a fish-oil top-up) supports the joints; ask your vet about glucosamine.