British Shorthair

Published on 1 Feb 2021

Cat Breed Facts & Characteristics

Personality 

The British Shorthair are known for being friendly cats who like to spend time with their human families but aren’t always tolerant of being picked up. This is something to keep in mind when teaching small children how to interact with the British Shorthair. 

A calm disposition means the British Shorthair well suited to apartment living but encouraging play and having plenty of activities for them to do is essential to keep their mind and body healthy. Playing with your cat also strengthens your bond. Be sure to provide your cat with plenty of cat trees and toys to play with and climb on.

Grooming 

They have short, dense fur with no undercoat which sheds. They don’t need a lot of grooming, but gentle, regular brushing helps to remove shedding fur as well as strengthens your bond with your cat. A cat grooming glove is a great option for your British Shorthair cat. You may not notice your cat scratching like you would with a dog, but the cat flea "Ctenocephalides felis" is the most common flea found on both dogs and cats. So, make sure your kitty is on flea and tick control all year round to prevent these nasty parasites.

Feeding

When choosing a food for your British shorthair, select a premium food appropriate to your cats age and life stage. As British shorthair cats can have digestive problems, consider foods for sensitive stomachs. 

Ensure that you follow the recommended feeding guides on the food appropriate to your pet's size to help avoid obesity and ensure your fur baby gets appropriate nutrition. 

Always ensure your British shorthair has a constant supply of fresh water available, and consider providing them with a water fountain, as many cats prefer drinking moving water.

Common health concerns

The five most common reasons for a British Shorthair to visit the vet (excluding routine care visits) according to PetSure data (from 2019) include digestive upsets, skin and ear infections, traumatic accidents and arthritis. It may be possible to lower the risk of your British Shorthair having a traumatic accident by keeping them indoors or in a cat safe enclosure. 

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Most popular British Shorthair names

1. Luna
2. Oreo
3. Max
4. Bella
5. Blue
6. Bruce
7. Little
8. Louis 
9. Momo
10. Mr

Most popular female names  

1. Luna
2. Bella
3. Blu
4. Cleo
5. Coco
6. Lucy
7. Molly
8. Nero
9. Phoebe
10. Sophie

Most popular male names

1. Max
2. Oreo
3. Bruce
4. Little
5. Louis
6. Momo
7. Mr
8. Oliver
9. Shadow
10. Alfie

Did you know?

The original illustrations of the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll’s famous Alice in in Wonderland book is thought to have been inspired by a British Shorthair cat when drawn by illustrator John Tenniel. 

British Shorthair FAQs

How long does a British Shorthair cat live?

The British Shorthair breed lives around 14 to 20 years and have been known to live comfortably with lots of exercise, healthy diet and annual medical checkups.

Do British Shorthair cats shed a lot?

Compared to other indoor breeds, British Shorthair cats do not shed excessively even during shedding season. They also do not have an undercoat which reduces shed and makes cleaning up easy.

How much are British Shorthair cats?

In Australia, registered breeders usually price British Shorthair cats around $1200 to $2000 and unregistered breeders ask around $300 to $700 for the hardy breed.

Are British Shorthair cats friendly?

British Shorthair cats are independent and enjoy having space. Though they are known to adore their human partners, the hardy breed will not stay around long in laps rather they will show their love by following you room to room, being playful with guests and staying loyal to your company.

What to feed British Shorthair kittens?

A general guideline to keep most cat breeds purring happily is to have them on a high-quality dry feed mixed with the occasional wet feed. British Shorthair cats are easy to take care of and do not require specialty foods to keep their health in check.

Where can I get a British Shorthair cat? 

Your local animal shelter or rescue organisation is the best place to look for a cat as shelters generally have many cats looking for loving homes. It may also be possible to find a British Shorthair through a breed specific rescue organisation. 

References

1. Wikipedia, British Shorthair, accessed on 21/10/2020
2. Cattime.com, British Shorthair, accessed on 21/10/2020
3. Playful Kitty, Who was the Cheshire Cat? 2017, accessed on 21/10/2020
4. VetStreet, British Shorthair, accessed on 21/10/20

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