The American wirehair cat is a rare, developing cat breed. Native to upstate New York, and born in a barn, the wirehair carries a natural genetic mutation that creates its unique wiry coat.

Although generally wary of strangers, this cat reserves their affection for family and makes a great pet for a loving, laid-back home with plenty of opportunities for exploration and play.

Learn more about the American wirehair cat, including their temperament and care needs.

American Wirehair Characteristics

Known for being shy or reserved with unfamiliar people, the American wirehair may take their time getting to know you. But, once you're friends, this cat's true personality shines through. The wirehair is extremely affectionate, friendly with family members and can be quite silly and kitten-like.

While this breed has a generally calm, quiet temperament, it also has a lot of energy for exploring and playing. According to The International Cat Association (TICA), the American wirehair is extremely tolerant of children.

History of the American Wirehair

The discovery of the American wirehair cat breed can be traced back to 1966 when on a farm in upstate New York, a domestic shorthair barn cat had a litter of kittens from which only two survived. The little ginger-and-white male kitten caught the farmer's eye because of his unusually wiry coat.

The farmer contacted a reputable local breeder to come and take a look, and she was also surprised by the kitten's appearance. She bought both kittens to attempt to replicate the wiry coat characteristic in her breeding program with American shorthair cats.

The kitten's wiry hair is believed to have occurred as a result of a rare spontaneous mutation. It is a dominant gene mutation, meaning that at least half the kittens born from a parent with wiry hair will also be born with wirehair coats. Interestingly, the wirehair mutation has not been reported in cats from any other country in the world.

The American wirehair cat breed was promptly recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1967 and was accepted for championship competition in 1978. The breed was registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1979. Although still relatively rare, the breed is now being propagated across the United States and is well-loved by its enthusiasts.

American Wirehair Care

American wirehair cats have a great personality, in addition to an interesting appearance. These cats are active and a lot of fun, thriving on interaction with their family. They also don’t have complicated grooming needs. 

Exercise

The American wirehair is not a breed that is content with just lying around on your lap all day. While wirehairs do enjoy affection, they are also agile and energetic. They thrive on exercise and enrichment to keep them from becoming bored.

If you are away from home most of the day, then the American wirehair may not be the best breed for your household. These cats enjoy being surrounded by familiar company, including respectful children and even family dogs, providing they are introduced carefully.

While this breed is not known for being vocal, it is a prolific "purrer," so you will have no trouble recognizing that your kitty is content.

Shedding

The coarse coat of the American wirehair is low-maintenance. It does not shed much, so you won’t have to worry about a ton of fur all over your house and clothes.

Grooming

A gentle weekly brushing will suffice to remove any loose hair from the American wirehair. Take care not to rake through the coat too vigorously because the wiry hair may break more easily than the smooth coats of other cat breeds.

Some American wirehairs can have greasy or sensitive skin. Bathing your cat gently with an appropriate shampoo that’s safe for them can help keep their skin clean and healthy.

The wirehair's ears tend to accumulate a bit of wax, presumably because of coarse hairs growing just inside the ears. If you inspect them weekly and use a gentle ear cleaner when necessary, the ears should remain healthy and infection-free.

Additionally, routine nail trims and teeth brushing will also help keep an American wirehair in tip-top shape.

Common Health Problems

The American wirehair is one of the healthiest cat breeds. They have been bred via a rigorous and reputable breeding program that is dedicated to perpetuating their hardy genetics. However, they might be susceptible to the following conditions, so be sure to work with a breeder who screens for potential problems to help reduce the risk, and have your cat examined regularly by a veterinarian to catch problems:

• Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic condition affects the hip joint, and occurs because of abnormal development. Symptoms include trouble jumping, stiffness, lameness, and exercise intolerance.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This condition causes vision loss that begins when a kitten is around 7 months old. It can result in blindness.  
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is a type of heart disease that impacts cats. It targets the left ventricle, affecting the ability of the heart to pump blood. When symptoms occur, they include labored breathing, weakness, and irregular heartbeat.  
• Sensitive or oily skin: This breed can have sensitive skin and allergic reactions, and some cats may have skin that’s oily or greasy. Bathing the cat regularly can help in these cases.  
  

Appearance

The American wirehair is a small to medium-sized cat with a rounded head, medium-sized ears, and large eyes. While similar in appearance to the American shorthair, the wirehair's coat and more prominent cheekbones give it a distinctive appearance.

The springy, rough nature of the American wirehair's coat can vary according to the texture of the parents' coats. Some have slightly smoother coats; others can be quite coarse. The cats that are considered the best in the breed have hard, wiry hair all over their bodies.

The colors and patterns of the American wirehair breed can vary widely according to breed standards. The only exclusions are chocolate, lavender, and a Himalayan pattern.

Diet and Nutrition

Like any cat, the American wirehair should be fed a high-quality diet. Cats are natural carnivores and, as such, they need a high protein diet with a careful balance of vitamins and minerals.

Where to Adopt or Buy an American Wirehair

In general, American wirehair breeders are known for being very responsible—the trouble is finding one. Both CFA and TICA maintain breeder lists but currently feature no listings for the American wirehair cat.

Because this breed is still relatively rare and has few breeders, you may be subject to a waiting list when you locate a source. Also, these cats can be expensive, costing as much as $1,200 on average.

American Wirehair Overview

The rare American wirehair cat has a uniquely coarse coat that sets them apart. This is a shy cat at first, but they bond deeply with family and love children. The breed has no specific health problems and is low-maintenance in terms of grooming. The only problem with this cat is finding one because breeders are few and far between.

Pros of American Wirehairs

• Affectionate and playful
• Quiet
• Generally healthy
  

Cons of American Wirehairs

• Rare (few breeders)
• Needs a lot of attention
• Skin can become oily
  

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More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• British Shorthair
• Devon Rex
• American Bobtail

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.