Domestic Shorthair Moggie lying on a blanket

Domestic Shorthair (Moggie) Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Domestic Shorthair cat or Moggie as they are also affectionately known, is a non-pedigree cat of mixed or unknown ancestry. It’s the feline equivalent of a mongrel dog. Friendly and low maintenance, they make ideal pets for families with children and other pets, single households and first-time pet owners.

So, it doesn’t come as any surprise that they’re the most common cat in the UK. If you want to know more about the Moggie, we have all the information you need.

Domestic Shorthair Cat Facts

Cat breed type icon
Type
Domestic
Cat breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
15 - 20 years
Cat breed size icon
Size
Medium
Cat breed weight icon
Weight
3.6 - 4.5 kg
Cat breed height icon
Height
20 - 25 cm
Cat breed temperament icon
Temperament
Varies, but generally friendly and placid
Cat breed exercise icon
Exercise
30 mins per day
Cat breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Domestic Shorthair Right for Me?

The Domestic Shorthair is a great choice for most households. With minimal grooming needs, they’re suitable for busy households, first-time cat parents, families with children and other pets as well as people living on their own.

A cute ginger Domestic Shorthair Moggie cat lying on it's back in the garden

What Are Domestic Shorthair Kittens Like?

Moggie kittens are playful and outgoing. Kittens should be kept with their mothers until they’re around 8 weeks old so they can learn their all-important socialisation skills. The ‘sensitive period’, when kittens are most responsive to learning and forming positive associations and bonds with humans or other animals, starts at 2 weeks and finishes when they are around 7 weeks of age.

Socialisation prepares the kitten to cope with being part of a household and to develop positive personality traits for them to become a happy and confident adult cat.

An adult Domestic Shorthair Moggie cat looking into camera

Life with a Domestic Shorthair

Domestic Shorthairs are easy to live with, but they have a strong hunting instinct and make great ‘mousers’ so be prepared for them bringing home small ‘presents’ on a regular basis. They’re a good all-round cat breed that can adapt to your lifestyle. They can be quite independent, and will enjoy spending time outdoors, Moggies are not a full-time house cat.

Caring for Your Domestic Shorthair

Domestic Shorthairs like their food and often hunt for extra treats as well, so can be prone to getting a bit tubby round the middle. It’s best to hold back on snacks and feed at set times instead of allowing them to graze all day.

Measuring out their food according to the recommended portion size on the food packet can help to maintain them at a healthy weight. If this doesn’t keep the weight in check, ask your vet or vet nurse for advice.

Moggies are pretty good at grooming themselves so don’t need much grooming. Their short coats don’t shed much hair and a weekly brush is all they need to keep their coats in good condition.

If your cat is allowed outside, they’ll get lots of exercise spending their time hunting and chasing their prey. If kept as an indoor cat, they’ll love a perch or climbing tree where that they can practise their climbing, jumping and leaping skills and look down on their surroundings.

Make time for some playtime together to burn off any excess calories with cat toys like a laser pointer or a feather. Their hunting instinct will mean they'll find this great fun. Moggies are intelligent and easily trained so you shouldn’t have any problems with toilet or litter training.

Domestic Shorthair Insurance

This is one kitty that can slide into any environment and live their best life. To help them and you out when they need it most, there can be Everypaw’s Lifetime Cat Insurance. For the times they don’t land on their feet, or when a brand new illness strikes, our kitty cover may just be able to help.

There’s a range of Domestic Shorthair insurance cover levels to choose from. And every policy comes with additional benefits including help to find your Moggie if they decide to stay out a lot longer than anticipated.

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Common Domestic Shorthair Cat Health Problems by Vetstream

Domestic Shorthairs have mixed parentage and a varied genetic makeup, so tend to be healthier than pure-bred cats. However, they can be prone to obesity and various health problems linked to this, as well as the usual issues associated with ageing.

Obese cats are more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes mellitus, liver issues, and lower urinary tract disease. If your cat is gaining weight, consult your vet or a weight management nurse for a proper weight loss plan.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in middle-aged cats, particularly those that are overweight. Diabetic cats have high blood sugar levels and excrete glucose in their urine. They also experience increased thirst and weight loss despite eating normally.

Most cats with this condition require regular insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar levels. Untreated diabetes can have severe consequences and may lead to fatality.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a term used to describe the various conditions that can cause cats pain and discomfort when they urinate. These conditions include bladder stones, blockages, and bladder inflammation (cystitis). To prevent these issues, ensure that your cat stays hydrated by providing plenty of water and consider feeding it wet cat food.

Regular check-ups are essential for middle-aged and elderly cats, who are more susceptible to health issues like kidney disease. If you observe any changes in your cat's behaviour or health, it's best to consult your vet as soon as possible.

Quick Domestic Cat Q&A

The Domestic Shorthair Cat lifespan is between 15 and 20 years if well-cared for. Mixed breed and non-pedigree cats tend to be healthier and have a longer life expectancy than pure-bred cats.

A Domestic Shorthair cat is a mixed breed cat, often referred to as a Moggie. This means that it doesn’t belong to a particular breed of cat and are a lot less expensive to buy than a pure-bred cat. The result of the mixing of breeds is that Moggies come in a wide a variety of markings, colours and personalities.

The Domestic Shorthair Cat shouldn’t be confused with the American Shorthair, British Shorthair cats or other ‘shorthair’ breeds which are recognised as separate breeds of cats.

Domestic Shorthairs can come in various shapes and sizes but are generally a medium-sized breed. They tend to be muscular and weigh up to around 4.5 kg with males generally being larger than females. 

In general, Domestic Shorthair cats are affectionate, but it does vary. Just as their coats comes in a variety of markings and colours, their personalities can range from outgoing to aloof. If the parents were friendly, and the cat well socialised as a kitten, the chances are that the cat will be easy going, sweet-tempered and will enjoy lots of cuddles.

That’s All You Need to Know About Moggies

Friendly and low maintenance, what’s not to like about the Moggie! They make great pets for just about every household. Moggies will spend all their time outside hunting if they're allowed. Kept indoors, and they can easily put on weight, so make time for playtime together and hold off on treats to keep them fit and trim.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis.

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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