With their sweet temperament and distinctive physical traits, it’s no wonder the British Shorthair Kitten is one of the most popular feline breeds among cat fanciers. There’s a lot to like about these adorable British Shorthairs—from their easy-going personality to their cuddly rounded body to their mild-mannered ways. Get to know more about the British Shorthair Kittens and learn why they make great companions.
1. Prone to overweight
The British Shorthairs are classified as a medium to large cat breed that can weigh anywhere from 3 to 8 kg. Obesity is a common health problem observed in this breed because they tend to favour a less active lifestyle. To prevent the excess weight, it’s important to keep an eye out on what they eat and serve food that meets their nutritional needs and schedule interactive playtime daily to keep them fit.
Start your British Shorthair kitten on a premium cat food with no grains and high protein content. It is not recommended to free-feed British Shorthairs kitten. Avoid putting too much food in her bowl and limit the number of treats you give.
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2. Calm and affectionate
The pudgy British Shorthairs are calm around children and love to follow their humans around the house to show their affection. Although they like to stay close to their human family members, they also have an independent streak. So expect your British Shorthair to explore and do things on her own. From a young age, British Shorthair kittens are excellent companions in a household with children or other pets.
3. Love to keep it relaxed and carefree
Because of the British Shorthairs’ laid-back personality, they spend most of their time lounging on the sofa instead of being active. They usually have a lower energy level compared to other cat breeds, but they do show bursts of feline energy and slight playfulness from time to time. What’s good about this is that they are quite good at keeping themselves entertained and are less likely to feel bored and anxious.
4. Long lifespan
The British Shorthairs can live from 9 to 13 years. They live relatively long lives and there are even records of British Shorthairs that lived for up to 20 years. Although they are generally a healthy breed, they are not impervious to diseases. Make sure you buy a British Shorthair Kitten from reputable breeders to avoid developing genetic health problems. Caring for a British Shorthair is a long-term commitment. With proper care and attention, your cat can enjoy a long and happy life.
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5. Not a lap cat
British Shorthair kittens are generally affectionate, but they can shy away from cuddles and most of them are not fond of being lap cats. British Shorthairs prefer sitting beside their human companions than on them. Instead of forcing hug and cuddles on British Shorthairs, which can cause distress, it is best to wait for them to initiate affectionate gestures.
6. Got the smarts
British Shorthairs are smart felines. Because of their intelligence, these felines are highly trainable. Train your British Shorthair kittens from a young age. They can learn how to walk with a lead, play the game of fetch, and do other nifty tricks.
7. Hairy situation
Although British Shorthair kittens require minimal grooming, it is important to pay attention to their thick coats. Whilst their fur hardly ever get matted or tangled, these felines frequently shed.
Unlike other felines, British Shorthairs tend to not move around so much since they usually lack the energy, so they end up moulting their coats on the furniture or the floor. As a result, they end up ingesting large amounts of fur when they groom themselves. To prevent this, it is recommended that you brush or comb your British Shorthair’s coat once a week.