by Stacie Moyle

Created on: June 29, 2010

The American Wirehair Cat is one of the most unique and intriguing cat breeds in the world. These cats, sometimes called “kinkies” are so named because of their coat. Instead of the silky smooth hair that most cats have, American Wirehairs have crimped hair that curls, hooks and bends particularly on the whiskers.  The unique coat pattern is the result of a random genetic mutation that has never occurred anywhere but in the United States of America.

In 1966, a litter of cats was born in a barn in upstate New York.  Seeing the strange coat on two of the kittens, a male and a female, the owner took them to a local cat aficionado, Joan O’Shea. When she bred the male, named Council Rock Farm Adam to his littermate, more kittens with the odd coat pattern were produced.  The mutation is a dominant pattern, but occurs in only half of the offspring of a litter of similarly bred kittens.

Close line breeding and careful out crossing on American shorthair cats to increase hybrid vigor, established the American Wirehair as a distinct breed.  By 1978, the Cat Fanciers Association recognized it as a championship eligible breed.  Today, the cat resembles an American shorthair in body type with a muscular build, and a body that is slightly longer than it is tall. It is a medium to large cat that weighs 8 –11 lbs when mature. Adult male cats are slightly larger than their female counterparts.  The eyes can come in a variety of colors depending on the coat pattern, but are large, nearly round, bright and set well apart. Like most other domestic shorthair cats, the American Wirehair is affectionate and people oriented, making it a good pet with a coat that gives it a very literal unique twist. 

Due to the hybrid vigor of selected out crossing, American Wirehair cats are generally free of disease and genetic problems. They have an average life span of 15-20 years. However, these cats seem to have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. Owners will find it important to keep the coat clean with regular grooming and bathing.  This is also helpful in dealing with the slightly oily skin of the breed, something they have in common with the breeds of Rex cats.  Along with the oily skin, there seems to be more production of dark earwax that should be routinely cleaned from the ears. 

Because of the consistency of the hair and its implications in hairball formation, owners of American Wirehair cats need to follow regular steps to prevent hairballs including routine grooming, feeding of a hairball preventing food and other hairball remedies that may be purchased through a veterinary or pet supply catalog. 

 Sources: http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/ameri can-wh.html

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