Remember the grinning Cheshire Cat of Alice in Wonderland? If you answered yes, you probably grew up with the incredible British Shorthair!
The British Shorthair is very loyal to its feline owner. The cat makes a wonderful companion for single people.
You might be thinking what this amazing cat has to offer?
Well, this article will guide you about everything you need to know about British Shorthair cats.
Let’s get started!
British Shorthair Cat: Breed Characteristics
We have listed below some characteristics of British Shorthair cats. All cats are individuals whose temperament and appearances can vary. This list is meant to be a general guideline for British Shorthair cats:
- Affectionate with Family: British Shorthairs enjoy affection but they do not need a lap or being carried around.
- Amount of Shedding: British Shorthairs have a stock coat and are moderate shedders. Like other cats, British Shorthairs are known for being clean.
- General Health: The British Shorthair is a hardy cat breed with fewer health problems.
- Potential for Playfulness: These cats are easygoing and have a low playful potential. Adult British Shorthairs are typically couch potatoes.
- Tendency to Vocalize: These cats have a quiet voice and make a wonderful quiet companion.
- Kid-Friendly: British Shorthairs are comfortable with children. It’s always better to supervise the interaction of young kids with British Shorthair.
- Friendly Toward Strangers: British Shorthairs are stranger-friendly cats. They will welcome your guests happy.
- Easy to Groom: The stocky British Shorthair is easy to groom. However, regular grooming, once a week, is recommended to keep your cat’s coat in good condition.
- Intelligence: The cunning British Shorthair is one of those cat breeds who are considered moderately intelligent.
- Pet Friendly: British Shorthairs are very social feline companions. They thrive in households with other cats and dogs. So, if you already own another pet, chances are that the two will go along very well!
British Shorthair Cat: Highlights and Fun Facts
Some highlights and interesting facts about British Shorthair cats:
- The British Shorthair is an easy-going cat that loves affection, but not all the time.
- Based on British Shorthair ancestry, they are considered one of the oldest cat breeds.
- Blue is the most popular coat color for British Shorthair cats.
- The British Shorthair has a muscular body and is often known as the ‘Bulldog’ of the feline world.
- The Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland was indeed a British Shorthair.
- The British Shorthair can tolerate being left home alone for an extended period of time. These kitties will not suffer from separation anxiety.
- During the two world wars, the British Shorthair almost became extinct.
- The British Shorthair has a tendency towards obesity.
- They have got a built-in smile on their cute face.
Vital Stats About British Shorthair Cat
Let’s have a look at some vital stats of British Shorthair cats:
| Stats | Description |
| Cat Association Recognition | CFA, ACFA, FIFe, TICA |
| Origin | Great Britain |
| Temperament | sociable, affectionate, sweet-tempered |
| Length | 22 to 25 inches, not including tail |
| Weight Range | 7 to 17 pounds |
| Activity level | Calm |
| Height | 12-14 inches |
| Overall Grooming Needs | Moderate |
| Life Expectancy | 12-17 years |
British Shorthair Cat Appearance
The beautiful British Shorthair is a muscular medium-large-sized cat. This strong and powerful cat has a broad chest and a muscular neck. The most popular and desirable color of British Shorthair is blue.
Let’s have a look at the physical attributes of British Shorthair cat:
- Head: The head is broad with a round underlying bone structure. The cat has wide jaws and a well-developed muzzle.
- Ears: The ears are small and rounded at the tips.
- Eyes: The eyes are large, round, well-opened. Color: Blue, Copper, Gold, Odd-eyed.
- Nose: It is short, broad, and straight.
- Coat: short, dense, and crisp
- Coat colors: The British Shorthair cats come in a wide variety of colors including White, Blue, Black, Cream, Red, Brown, Silver, Cameo, Bluecream, Tortoiseshell, Torbie, Smoke, Shaded.
- Pattern: The British Shorthair cats come in a wide variety of patterns including Solid color, Tortoiseshell, Bicolor, Tricolor/Calico, Tabby, Smoke, Shaded.
- Body: They have a cobby and muscular body with a broad chest.
- Tail: This cat has a medium-length thick tail.
- Paws: They have round and firm paws.
History of British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is one of the oldest cat breeds and is native to England. A British breeder, Harrison Wier, is considered the first British Shorthair cat breeder, in the late 1800s. He domesticated the common British street to a particular standard. Through an extensive and careful breeding program, he developed the cat we call today the British Shorthair.
The British Shorthair was almost extinct after World War II. It was later revived with crosses to other cats and regained popularity.
The British Shorthair was first recognized by the American Cat Association (ACA) in 1967. Later, it was recognized by the International Cat Association in 1979 and by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1980. Now, almost all cat breed associations recognize the British Shorthair.
Temperament and Personality of British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is a calm and quiet cat with an easy-going temperament. It enjoys affection but doesn’t need attention all the time. British shorthairs consider everyone in the family as a good friend, including other pets.
British Shorthair is not a very active and playful cat. It enjoys sitting next to you. You will often find this couch potato laying solidly on the floor. British Shorthair is energetic during kittenhood but adult cats usually settle down and become less active.
The cat is a very loyal, loving, and undemanding companion. British Shorthair is well-mannered and is rarely destructive. When in a mood to play, British Shorthair also plays well by itself. This cat is a good companion for single people.
Major Health Concerns of British Shorthair Cat
British Shorthair cats are generally regarded as being pretty healthy and hardy. They don’t have many diseases like other cats.
- Gingivitis: In this disease, British Shorthair will experience inflammation of the gums. It can result in sore and swollen gums and may lead to severe dental problems.
- Hemophilia B: The British Shorthair is at risk of a hereditary bleeding disorder called Hemophilia B.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: It is a common cardiac disease diagnosed in British Shorthair cats. In this condition, the muscular walls of a British Shorthair’s heart thicken and decrease the efficiency of the cat’s heart.
How to Take Care of British Shorthair Cat
British Shorthair cats are easy to keep and maintain. They are not very demanding and are easy to groom. Let’s get down to the diet, exercise, and grooming requirements of British Shorthair.
Diet:
Feed a high-quality and well-balanced diet to your British Shorthair. The feline diet should be appropriate for your cat’s age and activity level. The cat’s diet must be carefully controlled so that your British doesn’t become obese or get out of condition.
Exercise:
British Shorthair is not a very active and playful breed. it’s a good idea to engage your British Shorthair in interactive play sessions. This will keep them in shape and stimulate their mind.
British Shorthair is a smart and trainable cat. It often loves learning games and enjoys games that stimulate intelligence. You can also play a chasing game with your British Shorthair.
Grooming:
Intensive grooming is not required for British Shorthair cats. They are moderate shedders and shed a bit more during summers.
- Brush your British Shorthair’s coat at least once a week. This will help to remove loose hair flying around the house. Brushing also helps to distribute their coat’s natural oils throughout the coat.
- You need to clip your cat’s claws at least twice a month.
- Brush your British Shorthair’s teeth once or twice a week. These cats are prone to teeth and gum diseases.
- Check your cat’s ears every week for wax, debris, or signs of infection.
- Keep their litter box clean and tidy.
- Wipe the corners of your British Shorthair’s eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge.
It’s best to keep your British Shorthair as an indoor cat. It will keep your cat clean and protect it from diseases spread by other outdoor cats.
Parting Shot on British Shorthair Cat
If you are looking for a cat that is calm and not over-demanding, the British Shorthair is for you! This is a dignified, intelligent, easy-going, and placid cat.
British Shorthair is an affectionate companion but not a lapcat. It tends to get along just fine with everyone.
Hope you enjoyed reading the article! If you have any questions about British Shorthair cats, please do let us know.