Encouraging your American Shorthair cat to be more active and playful can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. Here are some tips you can try to help your cat become more active:

1. Provide interactive toys: Offer your cat a variety of toys, such as string toys, feather wands, and balls, to encourage play and exercise. Rotate the toys regularly to keep them interesting.
2. Play with your cat regularly: Set aside time each day to play with your cat using interactive toys. Engage in a game of “chase the string” or “catch the feather” to encourage exercise and playfulness.
3. Create an enticing environment: Place scratching posts and climbing trees in your home to provide your cat with opportunities to climb, scratch, and explore. Place toys in various locations to encourage your cat to hunt and play.
4. Provide a safe outdoor area: If you have a safe outdoor area, consider providing your cat with a harness and leash so they can explore the great outdoors. Be sure to supervise your cat while they are outside to keep them safe.
5. Offer food puzzles and treat toys: Food puzzles and treat toys can help engage your cat and encourage them to play. Fill a puzzle toy with treats or kibble and watch as your cat tries to figure out how to get the goodies inside.
6. Encourage exercise: Offer opportunities for your cat to exercise, such as hiding treats around the house for them to find, or set up a simple agility course using boxes and obstacles.
7. Make playtime social: If you have more than one cat, encourage them to play together by offering interactive toys and engaging in playtime as a group.

In conclusion, encouraging your American Shorthair cat to be more active and playful can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. By providing interactive toys, playing regularly with your cat, creating an enticing environment, offering food puzzles and treat toys, encouraging exercise, and making playtime social, you can help your cat become more active and playful.