British Shorthair: A Fluffy & Cute Cat Breed Information

British Shorthair – A cat breed that doesn’t need any introduction, as it’s one of the oldest recognized cat breeds! The British Shorthair, also known as the British Blue Cats, is a lovable, generous, and attention-loving feline. With their charming looks and friendly personalities, they have captured the hearts of millions of people. If you are looking for a dynamic cat with an affectionate nature, consider getting a Blue British shorthair feline! Today, in this blog, I will explain everything about the British Shorthair feline. From its origin and temperament to its cost and health problems, I’ve tried to cover all the information you’ll need to know before getting one. So, keep reading till the end.

Let’s begin.

History 

• Just like its name suggests, the British shorthair cat is also native to the United Kingdom.
• The most surprising thing is that the roots of this breed can be traced back to ancient times.
• This is why British Shorthair is possibly the oldest cat breed in Great Britain. 
• Initially, these adorable cats were brought to Britain by the Romans, and in the late 19th century, they quickly gained immense popularity.
• Initially, they had a unique blue-gray coat; this is where they got the name “British Blue.” 
• To enhance the features, later breeders crossbred British Shorthair with Persian cats. 

Appearance (Size and Height) 

• The British shorthair feline is a medium-to-large-sized cat breed.
• These cats have a round face, broad chest, strong legs, rounded paws, and a blunt-tipped tail. 
• They also have large ears, which are widely set. 
• These features give this breed a fluffy teddy bear appearance. 
• Males have a more prominent appearance than females, as male British Blue is between 7 and 17 pounds and females between 6 and 12 pounds.

So, how big do British Shorthair cats get? 

Here is the British Shorthair general weight chart for your reference: 

Cat’s Age	Weight Male	Weight Female
3 Months	1.8 kg – 3.9 lbs	1.4 kg – 3 lbs
4 Months	2.1 kg – 4.6 lbs	1.9 kg – 4.1 lbs
5 Months	2.5 kg – 5.5 lbs	2.3 kg – 5.0 lbs
6 Months	2.7 kg – 5.9 lbs	2.5 kg – 5.5 lbs
7 Months	2.8 kg – 6.1 lbs	2.6 kg – 5.7 lbs
8 Months	2.9 kg – 6.4 lbs	2.7 kg – 5.9 lbs
9 Months	3.0 kg – 6.6 lbs	2.8 kg – 6.1 lbs
10 Months	3.2 kg – 7.0 lbs	3.0 kg – 6.6 lbs
11 Months	3.3 kg – 7.2 lbs	3.1 kg – 6.8 lbs
1 Year (12 Months)	3.5 kg – 7.7 lbs	3.3 kg – 7.3 lbs
3 Years (36 months)	4.5 kg – 9.9 lbs	4.2 kg – 9.2 lbs

Coat Colors

British shorthair felines have plush, dense, and short coats, originally only available in blue with a gray hue. However, today, this breed is widely available in various solid colors and bi-colors, including: 

• White
• Black
• Tortoiseshell
• Cream
• Smoke
• Silver
• Calico
• Golden
• Blue
• Red
• Cameo
• Tabby

Characteristics and Temperament

• British Shorthairs are playful and active felines who constantly need their owners’ attention. 
• These cats are calm, gentle, and affectionate towards kids, elders, and other pets.
• Give them enough playtime, and they will be so thankful to you. 
• This is why they’re excellent pets for everyone. So, whether you live alone or with a family of kids and seniors, you can get a British Shorthair without thinking much. 

British Shorthair Characteristics
Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	Medium
Energy Level	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Vocalize	Low
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Health and Nutrition 

British Shorthairs are generally a healthy breed; however, they also suffer from several medical issues, such as:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Gingivitis
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Feline hypertrophic osteodystrophy (FHO)
• Diabetes 
• Obesity 

This is why regular veterinary checkups and examinations are vital to detect and prevent these conditions. Apart from this, providing a healthy diet is also necessary. 

Give your British shorthair kitten a balanced diet that consists of all the proteins and nutrients to keep it healthy. A good diet should contain the following vitamins and minerals: 

Vitamins	Minerals
Vitamin A	Calcium
Vitamin D	Phosphorus
Vitamin E	Potassium
Vitamin K	Sodium and chloride
Thiamin	Magnesium
Riboflavin	Iron
Pantothenic acid	Copper
Niacin	Manganese
Pyridoxine	Zinc
Folic Acid	Iodine
Biotin	Selenium
Vitamin B12
Choline

So, how much should you feed a British Shorthair?

• British Shorthair (Kittens): 3 times a day
• British Shorthair (Adult): 2 times a day

Exercise and Training 

• Along with regular health checkups, exercise also plays a significant role in improving British Shorthair’s life. 
• Even though these felines are active, they’re still prone to obesity. 
• This is why keeping them moving with the help of exercises and interactive games is essential. 
• You can get your kitty interactive toys, fishing wands, fluffy balls, lasers, and climbing structures like cat shelves and cat trees. 
• These activities will keep your British shorthair kitten physically and mentally fit.

How to train a British Blue cat? 

• When it comes to training, these felines are smart and intelligent, meaning they can quickly learn things.
• While training these felines, remember that patience is the key. Use positive reinforcement methods and treats to encourage their good behavior. 

Grooming Needs 

• The good thing about the British Shorthair cat is that it requires less grooming and minimum maintenance. 
• You have to brush their fur a few times to remove dead hair and skin cells.
• Also, include regular nail trimming and dental care in your cat’s grooming routine.
• You can also visit the vet or professional groomers for regular vaccination and grooming services like haircuts and ear cleaning.

Are British Shorthair hypoallergenic?

British Shorthairs aren’t a hypoallergenic cat breed, so they are not recommended for cat allergy sufferers.

Price 

How much is a British Shorthair cat? 

Purebred British shorthair prices can range anywhere from $1000 to $1500. However, remember that these cat breeds are expensive, so their price can go up to $3500. Generally, the cost depends on lineage, coat color, breeder reputation, and location. 

Where can I buy a British Shorthair cat?

If you want ‘British Shorthair for sale’ or ‘British Shorthair kittens for sale’ check out your local British Shorthair adoption centers and rescue clubs. 

Life span

On average, the British Shorthair lifespan is about 12 to 17 years, and some can also live up to 20 years with proper care, regular vet checkups, and a loving environment. 

FAQs

Get a British Shorthair! 

British Shorthairs are gentle, loving, and easygoing felines, making them excellent family pets. They shed moderately, require minimum maintenance, and are easy to train. After reading this blog, you have learned everything about the British Shorthair cat breed, which will help you make your final decision. 

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