American Shorthair and Exotic share the same origin. They both come from United States.

But honestly, breeds' origin doesn't reveal a lot about it, so please keep reading to learn more about these interesting breeds.

Although both breeds are very intelligent, it's important to consider their differences as well.

Here is some basic information about these breeds:

American Shorthair vs Exotic Appearance

Exotics are longer.

Exotics have an average length of 13 to 15 inches and a weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

On the other side American Shorthairs, have a typical length of 12 to 15 inches and an average weight of 7 to 12 pounds.

Temperament

No doubt, each cat has its own temperament, but we'll try to make some generalizations and help you choose the breed that will fit

Affectionate with Family

Looking for a perfect family cat?

Well, we'd strongly advise to choose Exotic over American Shorthair.

Exotics love their people, and being a part of a family is something that helps them thrive.

American Shorthairs, on the other hand, are more of an independent type, that will prefer to stay silent in the corner, or their spot and monitor closely what is happening around them.

This doesn’t mean that there is no love toward humans but instead means that they prefer moments of solitude. You can still expect American Shorthairs to come to you for cuddles - at their own pace.

Kid-Friendly

It's no secret that cats and kids tend to keep their distance apart, as kids often see them as moving toys and rush to grab them. This is something that cats aren't comfortable with, and will react in defense.

That being said, if you have kids, you shoud probably get a 4, as they are usually more patiente with children than 3s are.

Of course, each cat is different, and proper socialization and introduction is neccessery.

Friendly Toward Strangers

American Shorthairs are more friendly than Exotics. What does it mean to you?

Generally you should avoid Exotics in some cases:

• Your home is always full of people
• You like to make parties at your home
• You consider getting a cat for office or working place
• You travel a lot and plan to leave your cat with your friends
• You plan traveling or commuting with your cat in the transporter

Otherwise no worries, both breeds should do fine, just Exotics might be a more reserved in the beginning when meeting new people.

Pet Friendly

While some cats are fine with sharing a bed with dogs or even birds, some cats prefer to keep their distance from other pets. They might tolerate them, and try not to chase them, but they will ignore them most of the time.

If you are ready to make proper introductions, know for sure how pets might get along, and you have extended experience as a cat owner, both breeds are breeds to consider having.

You should choose a cat based on the other pet's personality, mental and physical needs, and your home's overall space.

Cats usually tolerate dogs because they are not so territorial beings as dogs are, but make sure that their introduction is done safely.

If you notice your feline moving away from pets, do not force them to mingle, or spend time together. As a general rule, cats and birds shouldn't be under the same roof.

Potential for Playfulness

If your future cat's playfulness is an important thing for you, be sure to read this carefully.

Let's get straight to the point:

Exotics are more playful, and they will require you to invest some time in keeping them entertained, otherwise they might get bored and eventully destructive.

American Shorthairs aren't described by feline lovers as a breed of high playfulness, so if you're looking for a more laid-back breed for your appartment, they might be a great choice.

General Health

A healthy diet, proper grooming, and exercise should keep your feline in top shape.

American Shorthairs are usually considered as a healthy and resilient breed and should reach their senior years without major issues, as long as you deal with responsible breeders and provide regular veterinarian check-ups.

Unfortunately, the same doesn't stand for Exotics.

Their health is considered as average or below average, so if you decide to get a Exotic, be sure to choose a reputable breeder, known for breeding cats with good genetics.

Grooming

Cats are natural groomers. They may love to hide, get into small holes, and explore different scents, but they will do their best to clean themself afterward.

Owning a Exotic will be more demanding than owning a American Shorthair as they require more grooming.

But don't let this fret you. Each breed requires grooming (brushing, trimming nails, hair trimming and combining, shaving mats, etc), it's just a matter of how frequently you should groom them.

Shedding

American Shorthair and Exotic are known as breeds with a medium shedding amount.

They may shed more during the shedding season which occurs in spring and autumn.

As medium shedders, American Shorthair and Exotic should have weekly brushing sessions.

If you are on the lookout for a breed that sheds in a fair amount and won’t make you sneeze, you are on the right track.

Tendency to Vocalize

There are two types of cats: talkative, and silent.

But there are also two types of people: people who like talkative cats, and people who don't.

Therefore, you should consider this characteristic when you're choosing the perfect cat breed.

With American Shorthair, you will probably deal with a breed with a medium tendency to be vocal, while Exotics are often described as a breed with a high tendency to vocalize.

Intelligence

It's a well-known fact that cats are among the most intelligent creatures alive. They are smart to react instinctively, fast to hunt, and smart to hide in a matter of seconds.

If intelligence is an important factor for you, you might prefer a American Shorthair. They are fast to interact, communicate, and demand a lot of your time and playtime to thrive.

Obviously, this doesn't mean that Exotics are dunderhead, they just don't tend to be smart as American Shorthairs.

The Final Word

We hope our American Shorthairs vs Exotics comparison helped you to choose the right breed for you.

You can use the tool below to make a new comparison.