British Shorthair
The British Shorthair cat is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. And for good reason! As cuddly as teddy bears and with a friendly and easy-going nature, these pedigree cats are medium to large-sized, with a broad chest and sturdy muscles and bones.
The thick, dense fur of the British Shorthair breed can come in more than 30 different colours and patterns. The most famous is the classic British Blue coat, which is a distinctive grey-blue colour. Other common colours are chocolate, cream, lilac, white and red/ginger.
An ancient breed, the origin of the British Shorthair is traced back to the domestic cats of Rome and Egypt, first arriving in Britain during the spread of the Roman Empire. Following centuries of interbreeding and refinement, cat fanciers featured the British Shorthair at the first organized cat show in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London. The breed was introduced to the United States around the time of World War I and began to participate in cat shows there from the 1950s onward. Today, the British Shorthair is a beloved family pet, recognized as the most popular pedigree breed in Britain and accepted by cat registries all over the world.
Understanding the breed-specific needs and proper care of your British Shorthair cat will help increase the longevity and enjoyment of your furry family member.
British Shorthairs At A Glance
| Lifespan | Generally, British Shorthairs have a life expectancy of 12 to 20 years. A well-looked-after cat with a good diet and proper exercise can live well past 12 years and even reach into its 20s. |
| Temperament | Relaxed, even-tempered and devoted, British Shorthair cats show plenty of affection to members of the household and are also content when left alone. Are British Shorthair cats aggressive? On the contrary, they are very patient and respect their humans. |
| Suitable | Are British Shorthair cats affectionate to all members of the family? Very much so. Rather than picking out one favourite, this breed is loyal and loving to each family member. Because this cat doesn’t constantly need attention and can play by itself, it’s a great companion for single people and well-suited to apartment living. |
| Health | While prone to health issues like any other pure breed, they are considered one of the healthiest breeds when given proper care and attention. |
*Pet Insurance Australia Data 2022/2023
Trainability
The good news is that British Shorthairs are very intelligent and are well known for their ability to learn. Here are some tips to help with their training
- Litter training is quite straightforward. Put the litter box in a quiet area that is easy to access, and place your kitten in the box after naps and meals to encourage its use.
- If your British Shorthair kitten seems overly energetic, don’t be concerned. After 12 months, your kitten will begin to settle down and become mellow.
- Methods like clicker training and treats work well with the British Shorthair, but don’t overindulge in the treats!
Grooming
When it comes to grooming, many people ask, “Are British Shorthair cats hypoallergenic?” The short answer is no. However, being a shorthair breed, this cat doesn’t require as much brushing as long-haired cats. Its soft, dense coat needs minimal grooming. A weekly brush is usually enough to remove any dirt, loose hair and dead skin cells. Like any cat, they are also self-grooming and will keep themselves neat. Check inside the ears each week for any wax build-up. To clear any wax, use cotton balls and a good-quality ear-cleaning solution. When you need to trim your British Shorthair’s nails, remember that short sessions are best and clip only the nail tips so as not to damage the nerve endings. To avoid dental problems, try to brush your cat’s teeth once a week. You can also provide treats in the form of cat dental biscuits.
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Common Health Complaints - British Shorthair Cat
The British Shorthair is generally a healthy breed. However, a number of health conditions might crop up in your cat during its lifetime.
- Hyperthyroidism: This can particularly affect older British Shorthairs. This condition is caused by the thyroid gland in the cat’s neck, which produces too many thyroid hormones. Because the thyroid regulates your cat’s metabolism, too much of this hormone can play havoc with it. This increased metabolism can result in weight loss despite increased appetite and high blood pressure. Hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed by your vet, and treatment is typically very successful.
- Arterial Thromboembolism: This condition occurs when a blood clot develops in a distant part of the body and travels through a blood vessel toward the major arteries, such as the aorta. The clot then becomes lodged and causes severely reduced blood flow. These clots can be formed due to an underlying heart disease. Your vet can diagnose the condition and prescribe medication to prevent clots.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): British Shorthairs have a genetic makeup that leaves them susceptible to a type of heart disease called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM causes the muscles in the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken over time. This can lead to blood clots or heart failure. While HCM isn’t curable, your vet can treat it with lifelong medication to control heart rate and prevent the formation of blood clots.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): PKD is a slow-forming disease that is the most commonly inherited disorder in domestic cats. It occurs when cysts form in the cat’s kidneys and fill with fluid. These cysts progressively increase in number and size, causing a gradual decline in kidney function. Your vet can recommend diet changes, medications, and fluid therapy to help reduce nausea and vomiting.
- Cataracts: British Shorthairs can be genetically predisposed to cataracts, a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in hazy or blurred vision. If your cat becomes more cautious when walking or bumps into furniture or other objects, you can get your local vet to do an assessment and prescribe any treatment, such as eye drops.
- Urinary Tract Issues: These can be painful for your cat and lead to other issues. They are typically caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria that have worked into the urethra (the small tube that ejects urine from the body). Some signs of a possible infection are increased licking of the genitals, whining during urination and blood in the urine. Treatments can include antibiotics (for a bacterial condition) or other medications.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): This tends to occur in older cats. It can be caused by factors such as bacterial kidney infections, damage to the kidney’s filtration membrane, tumours or amyloidosis (build-up of an unusual protein in the kidney). Some early signs of kidney disease are weight loss and drinking excess water. Treatments can include therapeutic diets, phosphate binders (to help lower blood phosphate levels), antibiotics and B vitamins.
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): This is caused by a strain of coronavirus that is present but dormant in most cats. Like other cats, the British Shorthair can develop FIP whenever this coronavirus mutates. It can cause damage to the blood vessels, causing a fluid build-up in the chest/abdomen area, amongst other signs. Treatments include anti-viral drugs and anti-inflammatories.
- Arthritis: This is a chronic and painful joint disease in cats. It can develop over many years and can be caused by a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint, leading to the bones rubbing together, as well as other causes. Treatments include weight-reduction diets, supplements and anti-inflammatories.
- Obesity: A cat is considered obese when it weighs more than 20% above its ideal body weight. Obesity can lead to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. This is treated, obviously, through exercise and a vet-approved weight-reduction diet. Because the adult British Shorthair is not a very active breed, you can encourage it to play more often with you to help shed the excess pounds.
Depending on your level of cover and any caps/limitations on your policy, Pet Insurance Australia can help with vet care and ongoing medications associated with these health issues in your British Shorthair.
Exercise Requirements
The British Shorthair is not a highly active cat, so care must be taken to give them daily exercise in the form of three or four 15-minute exercise (play) periods throughout the day. They love to play, so pick out some engaging toys and have 15 minutes of fun bonding with your furry family member!
Intelligence
You’ll find that your British Shorthair is very smart and enjoys being encouraged. This breed is very good at solving problems and enjoys puzzle-solving games. They have excellent memories and will soon learn and anticipate your daily routines. Because they have a desire to please you, it’s also very easy to teach this clever breed to do tricks.
Family Friendly
British Shorthairs are ideal family-friendly cats. Loyal and affectionate, they form a special bond with each member of their family. Calm and undemanding, they are equally happy to be left alone while family members concentrate on other activities. In a home with younger children, it’s best to introduce them to each other gradually at first, allowing them to bond.
Indoor/outdoor?
A British Shorthair is primarily an indoor cat, ideally suited to apartment living. It likes nothing better than curling up on the sofa while its humans go about their activities. However, this cat is not well-suited to the outdoors. Because it’s not very energetic, it might not be agile or quick enough to escape easily in the case of predators,
To protect your British Shorthair cat indoors or outdoors, visit Pet Insurance Australia.
Responsible Breeding
When anyone decides to ‘breed’ a British Shorthair for any purpose, that decision always carries a degree of responsibility. For example, a reputable British Shorthair cat breeder will guard against genetically inherited health problems by screening their adult British Shorthairs for these conditions before they put them into breeding.
Contact PIA to Get Pet Insurance for British Shorthair Cats
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their British Shorthair Cats. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
