I say, Old Chap: Is a British Shorthair Cat for you?

British shorthair cat

• Black British shorthair cat
• Golden British shorthair cat
• Orange British shorthair cat
• White British shorthair cat
• Brown/Chocolate British shorthair cat

Relaxing British shorthair

• Friendly.You’ll find this cat is affectionate without being clingy and will attach herself to everyone in your family. She’s intelligent and will get along with other pets in your household. In addition, she can be playful – if she’s in the mood.
• Relaxed.Your furry friend will love to nap on your couch and isn’t overly athletic or energetic (think “Garfield”). We can almost guarantee you that he will not be exploring the top of the refrigerator.
• Unbelievable coat.They are known for their exceptionally soft and luxurious fur. Some people say their thick, velvety coat is so remarkable that when you pet them, it feels “plush” rather than “fluffy.”
• Not an outside cat.He typically likes to stay indoors and adapts well to house or apartment living. Moreover, he really shouldn’t be outside at all, as he’s not fast enough to avoid predators (shivering at the thought).
• Relatively large.A fully grown British shorthair cat weighs between 8-18 pounds or more and stands about 11″-14″ inches tall.Note that you won’t know how big yours will be for a while.  This is because he won’t reach full size until the end of his third year. He is stocky and sturdy in physique.
  Low maintenance.Best of all, this paw-some pal doesn’t demand attention 24/7 like some of your human pals or relatives might. They’re good at entertaining themselves with interactive toys and being alone while you’re at work all day. That’s a relief to the caring owner!

They are the OLDEST breed in the WORLD

• British shorthairs are one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Roman soldiers brought them to the British Isles to keep mice and rats away from their food supplies.
• The Cheshire cat fromAlice in Wonderlandis thought to be a British shorthair. (Don’t worry, though: Your smiling companion will not be smoking a “hookah”!)
• The British shorthair is ROUND: Round head, round eyes, rounded paws, even a short tail with rounded tip. Some people say it looks like a living teddy bear.
• While males tend to be more happy-go-lucky and laid back, females are more attached to you and less friendly to strangers.

Be aware of genetic health issues

• Heart issues.British shorthairs can have a genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This isa thickening of the heart muscle often caused by an overactive thyroid gland.
• Hemophilia B.Thisblood clotting disorder causes wounds to bleed a lot, continuously. And British shorthairs are more prone to hemophilia than other cat breeds.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD).This is caused by a defective gene that can be diagnosed early (and we recommend you get this done!). Kittens born with PKD have cysts inside their kidneys. The cysts grow as your kitty gets older and can cause problems with kidney function.
• Cataracts.British shorthairs can have some eye problems, including cataracts, which are the most common cause of blindness in older kitties.
• FIP Susceptibility.British shorthairs seem to be more at risk for developing Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. This disorder causes damage to the blood vessels and fluid build-up inside the abdomen or chest.

Hungry cat

1. They’re not super cuddly.They prefer to show their affection by being near you, rather than sitting in your lap (possibly because their coat makes them too warm).
2. They don’t like to be picked up or carried.Consequently, if you have kids, you’ll need to train them to be respectful of your kitty.
3. They get along with other pets butaren’t necessarily into playing with them.
4. The breed is prone to some health issues(see above), so in addition to the cost of buying a purebred, be prepared to pay some hefty vet bills.
5. British shorthairs are not hypoallergenic. If someone in your household is allergic to cats, this one is not for you. Their fur is short, but they do shed, especially in spring and autumn. And the undercoat is so fine, it can get everywhere, including in your eyes.

Irresistible British shorthair kitten

• Buy it from a reputable cat breeder.You need to do your research. “Dodgy” breeders might notperform the health certifications necessary to screen out genetic health problems. In addition, watch out to see if kittens are always available, or if there are multiple litters on site, and/or if you can pay by credit card. These can be warning signs.  While these apparently innocent advantages may add to your convenience, they are Not generally hallmarks of a reputable breeder.
• Is adopting from a shelter an option?Since the British Shorthair is not an ordinary breed, your chances of finding one in an animal shelter or through a rescue group are slim. However, it’s still worth checking.  There are in fact several British Shorthair Rescue Groups in the USA! (see below) Sometimes cats just need to be adopted due to the death, divorce or other problems of an owner.
• Other options.Ask a breeder if they know of a British shorthair who needs a good home, or visit these websites: Petfinder [https://www.petfinder.com/], Adopt-a-Pet.com [https://www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-a-british-shorthair], or Fanciers Breeder Referral List [https://www.breedlist.com/retired-friends.cfm].
• Get him checked out.After you bring your British shorthair home, be sure to take him or her to a veterinarian. The subsequent examination could point out some potential problems that can be prevented with the right preventive care.

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