British Shorthair Cat Breed Information - Everything You Want To Know

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.

The British Shorthair is similar to the British domestic cat; the difference between these two is that the British Shorthair is pedigreed and has a sturdy body, thick coat, and a wide face. The British blue is one of the most popular variants of this breed, which has a distinct greyish-blue coat and orange eyes.

Skip To A Section - Click To Open

British Shorthair History

The British Shorthair is one of the most popular and ancient breeds. These adorable cats are the most frequently registered pedigreed cats in their native country, with more than one-quarter of all the cats registered with GCCF being a British Shorthair. The origin of this ancient breed can be dated back to the first century A.D.

This makes it one of the oldest identifiable cats in the world today. The cat became unpopular in the 1900s when cats with longer hair were imported like the Persian and other longhaired cats. And due to this, the stock for breeding the British Shorthair declined critically around W.W. 1. To keep the breed alive, breeders started introducing Persian cats into the mix, which eventually gave rise to the British Longhair.

British Shorthair Key Facts

The British Shorthair is considered one of the cutest cats in the world. Influencers can often post pictures of their British shorthair with the classic Cheshire Cat smile. These gorgeous cats have a crispy, dense, and unique coat developed to protect them from the harsh weather condition of their native Island.

One of the best parts about owning the British Shorthair is that they do not require much attention, as they are fairly self-sufficient. So, they can maintain themselves without being overly needy, which makes them a great companion for usually busy people.

How Big Do British Shorthairs Get?

The British Shorthair is a slow-maturing cat compared with most other cat breeds of its type. It can take up to three years to complete its physical development. Once fully grown, the males can weigh between 9 – 17 pounds, and the females can weigh 7 – 12 pounds.

British Shorthair Lifespan

British Shorthair is a healthy breed that can live a long life if properly cared for. They can live between 12 – 15 years, but some British Shorthair is also known to live more than 20 years.

How Much Does A British Shorthair Cost?

The British Shorthair is a common breed found almost at every breeder. But you can’t expect the same quality of cat from every breeder. You can expect to pay anywhere between $800 – $3,000 depending on the breeder’s reputation and the condition of the cat. The breeder might charge you extra for accessories like beds, litter, and bowls.

British Shorthair Personality

The British Shorthair is a dignified, self-sufficient, and easygoing breed. These cats love to lay around in their beds and sleep through most of the day. This means that they are okay with being indoor cats. The British Shorthair is also a favorite of every trainer as they are usually very devoted to their owners,

Thanks to their empathy and high intelligence, they form deep bonds with their owners. They are also very silent and vigilant and may require some time to develop trust with their owner. But once they develop trust, they will follow them around the house and become very affectionate.

Caring For A British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is a self-sufficient cat that doesn’t require extensive care. But there are several things that you should keep in mind to ensure that your cat lives a long and healthy life. Keep on reading to find out more.

British Shorthair Nutrition

The British Shorthair is not very active; this means that their energy requirements are quite low. Most people tend to overfeed them, leading to obesity and excessive weight gain. So, it is important to keep a strict feeding routine for your little fellow and not feed them excessively.

You can give them treats now and then, but it would be best not to overdo it. It is generally a good idea to feed them according to their weight, and if your cat is already overweight, visit your local vet for a detailed diet plan.

How To Groom A British Shorthair?

As its name suggests, the British Shorthair has a short coat that doesn’t require a lot of grooming. But as a rule of thumb, you should brush them at least once a week with a hard bristle brush, which can remove all the loose hair and dust from their dense coat.

It would help if you also brushed their teeth with a soft bristle brush to prevent gum disease. Clipping their nails every week should also be an important part of their grooming routine. The British Shorthair is not fond of water, so it is best to bathe them no more than once a month.

British Shorthair Activity Levels

If you ask someone who owns a British Shorthair about their experience with this breed, they will tell you that this cat is as close it gets to ‘Garfield’ as possible. This chunky cat is known for its laziness, spending hours lying in bed and sleeping whenever it finds the place and time. This laziness can be dangerous for them because it can lead to certain health conditions if it is not balanced with adequate playtime and exercise.

British Shorthair Health Concerns

The British Shorthair is generally considered a healthy cat. But it can develop certain g=health concerns if they are not cared for properly. As mentioned above, the low activity levels and laziness of the British Shorthair can lead to obesity, which is the root cause of many other health problems.

The most common disease is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which involves thickening the heart walls, leading to poor circulation. Polycystic Kidney disease is another health concern for this breed. But with the help of selective breeding, there is a sharp decline in PKD genes in this breed.

Sources

Recommended Reading