Easy to groom, kid-friendly and generally healthy are just some of the traits of the British Shorthair cats. When you own a pet, it is always important to study them and everything about them to make sure you are doing all the right things to keep them and happy and healthy.
This guide below will help you to know more about your newly adopted feline so you are not left in the lurch trying to figure out what he is all about.
A Bit of History
If you were born and brought up in Britain, chances are you would have either grown up with one or seen one in the neighbour’s backyard. The British Shorthair cats are some of the most common amongst households not just in the UK but also around European countries.
You may not realize it, but in most cases if you have been born and brought up in England, chances are you have either had one in your home as a kid or seen one around the neighborhood. This clever pussycat is documented as the famous kid’s character in Puss in Boots as well as the children’s story “Alice in Wonderland” where she has him as her pet friend, find out more about that cat here.
During the Victorian eras, this cat was popular amongst the fancy lot and was also included in cat shows and pedigree cat exhibitions. Perhaps it was their eye colour or their thick short-haired coat which comes in an assortment of colours, that got them the winning prize in most shows.
These were also brought to America in the early ’80s and the American cat Association placed them on their list of recognized cats for their cat fanciers’ associations. Nowadays everyone recognizes them, be it a cat’s association or a community, as a popular breed kept in many homes.
Facts About the British Shorthair
A few facts about these felines include there:
About Their Health: Both the mixed breeds and the pedigrees may vary in their health problems.
The common ones amongst them include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is a condition that affects their heart and leads to the thickening of the walls which obstructs proper blood circulation leading to breathing problems and gingivitis which is a disease of the gums, also known as periodontal disease. Both, however, can be treated with the right medication, diet and exercise: https://cattime.com/cat-facts/health/277-cats-and-gum-disease
About Their Personalities: If you are looking for a mellow and calm companion, you may have hit the jackpot with these guys. If your looking for an excellent addition to the family, look no farther than these felines.
They are easy-going, don’t put up much of a fuss and are independent to a point. The bonus is also that they do not whine or scream like most other cats and have a very quiet voice. The more mature ones tend to be attracted to the couch a lot. They can lounge on it all day undisturbed, and don’t like to be carried around but rather, will sit next to you on a comfortable spot.
While they are kittens, they have more energy than when they get older, so it is a good idea to take them outside once a day to run around and give them toys they can play with, otherwise, they risk becoming lazy and overweight. Perhaps because they are British or it is just an inbred character trait, they are very polite cats and are happily welcoming to any type of human guest, as well as other animals you may have around the house.
About Caring for Them: Caring for them, or any other pet goes hand in hand with adopting them. If you are not keen on looking after a fussy pet, these felines are a good option. As long as you groom them once in a while, keep their litter boxes clean and trim their nails every week, they won’t bother you much.
According to this British Shorthair cat breeds guide you can wipe their bodies, including their eyes and mouth with a warm damp cloth dipped in a little apple cider vinegar once a week, to keep their coats healthy and themselves clean. Careful not to get it into their eyes.
Taking them outdoors needs to be done with caution, not only because they are such beautiful creatures that anyone would want to snatch them and keep them for themselves, but also because they are prone to get attacked by dogs or coyotes and also becoming dirty and full of fleas from other stray cats.
About Your Children with the British Shorthair: No need to worry if your kids will get along with them because these are friendly and harmless kittens that can be rubbed and played with anytime, however, your kids need to be gentle with them and not pick them up or drop them down frequently.
There is no doubt that these guys love as much attention as they can get, so having them around kids is the best thing for them. If you have other animals in the house it is always recommended not to throw them in the midst of the others but rather slowly introduce them to the other four-legged creatures, until they become accustomed to each other.
Besides the above information, make sure you have the right equipment for them, such as their playpen, beds, warm blankets, and ensure they are kept on a strict diet so they do not overeat. Always have a fresh bowl of water next to their feeder. Don’t skimp on getting them loads of toys too!
