Brazilian Shorthair Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

4-5.5 kg

Length

22-25 cm

Lifespan

14-20 years

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About the Brazilian Shorthair Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

If love the energy of the South American Samba, then the beautiful Brazilian Shorthair Cat might just be the carnival kitten you’re looking for.

Admired for their beautiful coat and intelligent, sociable nature, these purebred street cats are a fantastic addition to households of any shape and size. But what exactly makes them so special, and how did they come into being?

Well, hold onto your cats as we take a deep dive into the origins, habits and needs of the Brazilian Shorthair cat.

What Is the History & Origin of the Brazilian Shorthair Cat?

To explore this affectionate breed’s development, we must first retrace the steps of the earliest European explorers to arrive on Brazilian shores in the 1500s. Yes, it is widely believed that, in the 16th century, Portuguese sailors arrived in Brazil and brought with them a host of cats used to protect their food from rats.

Soon after, many of these feral cats would establish a large population on the streets of Brazil, and thus, the Brazilian Shorthair genealogy slowly and organically started to arise.

Left untouched and to run amock for hundreds of years, it was only in 1980 that New York-based Brazilian cat breeder Paulo Samuel Ruschi took it upon himself to establish fixed genetic and characteristic parameters for the breed.

Following Ruschi’s work, in 1998, the World Cat Federation finally saw fit to declare the Brazilian Shorthair an officially “approved breed”; the first (and currently, sole) Brazilian purebred cat.

What Is a Brazilian Shorthair Cat Breed?

As we’ve established, the Brazilian Shorthair finds its origins on the streets of Brazil. However, more specifically, its genealogy can be traced back to Felis Iberia, a small breed of cat used by European sailors to protect food stocks from rodents.

Who Is a Brazilian Shorthair Cat Best For?

Due to their fun-loving nature, robust build and high intelligence, the Brazilian Shorthair is a perfect partner for people of all ages, including families with children. Likewise, they also get along fantastically well with other animals and, thanks to their aforementioned solid build, should thrive with interaction with the majority of larger domestic animals.

That said, no cat likes to have its tail pulled or ears probed, so it is recommended that smaller, rough handed children are monitored around your Brazilian. Additionally, it’s also worth noting that, like all cat breeds, the Brazilian Shorthair has an inherent instinct to hunt, so extra care and training around smaller house pets, such as rodents and birds, should be taken.

Finally, the Brazilian Shorthair is defined as a hypoallergenic cat which means that it’s a suitable breed for people with allergies to keep. However, we’d still recommend a cautious, staggered introduction for those with severe allergies as a reaction can still be triggered in rare cases.

What Does a Brazilian Shorthair Cat Look Like?

A medium-sized feline, Brazilian Shorthairs boast large rounded eyes and muscular bodies and come in a variety of colours.

Coat

With their beautiful array of colours and patterns, these shorthaired kitties are especially unique in that no two cats’ short and soft coats are the same.

Colours

Most commonly, the Brazilian Shorthair’s coat shows in silver, white or brown. Therein, eye colour usually matches the coat; silver cats tend to have dazzling green/yellow eyes, white cats have sharp blue eyes and the majority of other coloured cats have rich, golden brown eyes.

Patterns

Each Brazilian Shorthair has its own unique coat pattern. However, it’s fair to say that, by and large, the breed’s coat shows a beautiful blend of stripes and blotches of varying size and regularity.

Brazilian Shorthair Cat Grooming & Shedding

We stated above that the Brazilian Shorthair is a hypoallergenic cat breed, and, as a result, it sheds very little fur even during the moulting season. Happily, this means that grooming once every few weeks should be sufficient to keep your cat’s coat in sparkling form.

On the theme of grooming, the Cat Federation also advises that owners trim their adorable South American kitty’s claws every two to three weeks as they can grow quite quickly.

How Do Brazilian Shorthair Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

The Brazilian Shorthair is a very friendly, energetic, yet gentle cat breed. As a result, the bonds they forge with their human owners and other pets can be incredibly strong, potentially resulting in constant and, sometimes, obsessive attachment.

Naturally, this means that the Brazilian Shorthair requires heaps of attention, and if they don’t get it, they can become agitated and resort to scratching and biting. This loving yet needy breed is probably best reserved for those who can maintain a regular presence at home.

Living Needs

While this special breed traces its lineage back to Brazilian street cats, in truth, the Shorthair can lead a fruitful, happy life both in and out of doors. As such, if you choose to keep your Brazilian Shorthair is a house cat, as long as you provide a lot of care, attention and stimulation, it should remain happy and healthy.

So, if you purchase a pet Brazilian for your home, it’s worth investing in accessories such as a cat tree and various interactive toys to keep your new cat alert, active, and content.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Brazilian Shorthair Cats?

Habits

Pet owners can expect their Brazilian Shorthair to split its time between care and attention and inquisitive, playful fun. That goes for both house cats and Brazilian Shorthairs that are able to roam outside.

Furthermore, you may notice that your cat becomes so attached to you and your family that it takes to habitually follow its favourite family member around the house.

Activity level

The Brazilian Shorthair’s activity levels are split between relaxation and snuggle time, and play. With that in mind, regular play solo and owner-led play time is the perfect answer to their active nature.

Charmingly, these street-wise cats are even known to have a cheeky side, so don’t be surprised if yours starts to play pranks during play! However, never fear; with the right amount of physical activity and stimulation, the Shorthair will also be ready to relax on the sofa once playtime is done.

Vocalness

As an inherently clever and cheeky cat, the Brazilian Shorthair can be quite vocal, particularly when at play or seeking attention.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Brazilian Shorthair Cat?

Height

The Brazilian Shorthair tends to have a height of between 22-25cm. Within that range, female cats tend to be slightly smaller than males.

Weight

Brazilian Shorthairs tend to weigh in between 4-5.5kg.

Size

The Brazilian Shorthair is a muscular, medium-sized cat that is slightly larger than its American and British Shorthair counterparts.

Are Brazilian Shorthair Cats Easy to Train?

Thanks to their intelligence and fondness for people and other pets, simple training, such as litter training, comes quite easily to Brazilian Shorthair Cats. For that reason, they’re also great cats if you want to try to teach tricks.

However, they can also be quite stubborn, so more complex tricks can take a while to master. Positive reinforcement and persistence should yield success, though.

Does the Brazilian Shorthair Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Due to their feral past, the Brazilian Shorthair has a robust, inherent immune system and very few breed-specific health problems. However, like many other cats, Brazilian Shorthairs are susceptible to the following:

Obesity (prone to gaining weight)
Digestive issues

Be sure that your Brazilian Shorthair Cat has a healthy diet and regular exercise.

What Is the Lifespan of a Brazilian Shorthair Cat?

A healthy Brazilian Shorthair cat has a life expectancy of between 14-20 years.

How Much Does a Brazilian Shorthair Cat Need to Be Fed?

The Brazilian Shorthair will eat most things that its owner places in front of it. However, ideally, a high protein diet of premium-quality cat food should suffice. If you’re unsure which food to provide, simply seek veterinary advice or head to a quality pet food store.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Brazilian Shorthair Cat in Australia?

While Brazilian Shorthair Cats are relatively common in Brazil, outside of the country, they are less readily available. As a result, prospective buyers should expect to pay between $1,000-$2,000 for a kitten.

Brazilian Shorthair Cat FAQs

Are Brazilian Shorthair cats rare?

As mentioned above, Brazilian Shorthair Cats are quite commonly bred within their country of origin. However, despite gaining international recognition, their availability is much more limited outside of Brazil. Generally speaking, yes, Brazilian Shorthairs are an uncommon breed.

Do Brazilian Shorthair cats get along well with dogs?

Brazilian Shorthairs get along well with the vast majority of people, other cat breeds and even dogs.

Do Brazilian Shorthair cats suffer from separation anxiety?

As the Shorthair can develop a strong, sometimes even obsessive bond to its owners, they can experience separation anxiety. In turn, this can lead to aggressive or reclusive behaviour, and thus, this breed of cat can only be recommended to households who will maintain a consistent presence at home.