British straight-eared cat character. What is the character of a British cat? Video: amazing breed

Pretty appearance, charm, intelligence - all these qualities perfectly characterize British cats. But this is not entirely true. The animal’s homeland is Great Britain, so its character is fully consistent with the aristocratic and reserved English.

Along with sociability and friendliness, you can see a stubborn disposition and inflexibility. A British cat will become a true devoted friend only to those who can find the right approach to it and respect its personality.

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Character

The first thing that catches your eye when you see a Briton is his incredibly smart, meaningful and at the same time arrogant look. The important and respectable appearance is reinforced by a proud and slightly imposing gait, emphasizing the aristocracy and royal roots of the animal. The owner must respect her personal space: not impose his affection and not force her to do what she does not want.

The pet decides for itself when and what to do, so if someone wants to have a living toy at home that they can constantly pet and hug, this is not for the British. At the same time, the animal easily makes contact, quickly adapts to a new environment, and respects the daily routine of the household. The cat will never allow himself to wake up his owners ahead of time in order to feed him. He demands the same attitude towards himself.

Among the characteristic features of the British are:

independence;
cleanliness;
livability;
incredulity
stubbornness and resentment;
impressionability.

Independence

The British cat is an ideal option for business and busy people. She tolerates being alone and does not need her owner to always be nearby. Of course, she rejoices at his arrival and will happily spend time with him, lying next to him on the sofa, but when he is absent, she will find something to do to her liking. Adult cats spend most of their time alone. They can sleep on the sofa for hours or remain half asleep.

A British boy treats all family members equally, without singling out a specific member of the household, while a British girl expresses her affection to 1-2 people who pay special attention to caring for her. Representatives of this breed show their feelings very restrained, even if they love their owner very much. The Briton will not hover around the owner for a long time and rub against his legs: he will simply go into the room and wait for people to come talk to him and play with him.

A Briton can tolerate anything, but not humiliation of his dignity. If the owner severely punished the pet (yelled at it, hit it, poked it with its muzzle, etc.), it will express its protest by refusing food, hiding in secluded places, and not responding to the nickname. The owner can only sincerely apologize for his behavior and try to make amends with his favorite delicacy.

Cleanliness

No breed can boast such a passion for cleanliness: the English cat will not tolerate an uncleaned litter box, dirt in the apartment or unbrushed fur. For owners, this is a big plus, since the pet will not allow itself to go to the toilet in the wrong place. He gets used to the tray within 2 days, especially at a young age.

Amenability

Both British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds are tolerant of other pets: not only cats, but also dogs. If the pets have established contact with each other and have established a close and warm relationship, the British will show his love by licking his friend. An important point: representatives of these breeds are not used to competing with anyone, so each pet should have its own bowl and its own food. Otherwise the British will go hungry.

Cats are very reserved towards children. In order to avoid provocations from the child (pulling the tail, dragging him along the floor, suffocating hugs), the animal tries to avoid his company. An adult pet, understanding that it is dealing with a baby, will never bite him and will not harbor a grudge, making allowances for his age. When children do not show such persistent affection, the British may not hide, but look at their younger comrade with curiosity.

Mistrust

The British are very selective in their relationships and will never go into the arms of a stranger. They can look at a stranger from afar, sniff him carefully and, at best, let him touch him with his hand. Even if a pet is affectionate and gentle with its owners, this does not mean that strangers will receive such an honor. The cat's favor must be earned, and this requires time, effort and patience.

Stubbornness and touchiness

The British perceive any coercion as violence, so forcing them to do something is fraught with negative consequences. The relationship between the cat and the owner worsens when the person begins to dictate his terms and change the pet. This is unacceptable with the British: they will certainly harbor a grudge or immediately express dissatisfaction by biting the hand or completely ignoring the owner.

Fold cats are particularly touchy: after their self-esteem is humiliated, they begin to avoid their owner. An animal can lie under the sofa for days until a person begins to worry about its health and makes concessions.

Impressionability

Despite the outward calm and confidence, emotions are boiling in the British soul. Representatives of this breed are not at all stress-resistant. They become tense, nervous and anxious during:

exhibitions;
moving, short trips, any movements outside the home;
noisy parties and get-togethers in an apartment with a lot of people;
quarrels between household members.

Even if the screams do not refer to the British, the noisy atmosphere still frightens him and plunges him into a stupor. The animal begins to lick itself with triple force, trying to calm itself down and get rid of discomfort.

Features of behavior

Up to 1 year of age, kittens are active and mobile. They join in the gameplay with pleasure, showing incredible dexterity and ingenuity. Their movements are graceful, precise and swift. Their ardor is pacified by the mother cat, who by licking makes them calm down and get out of the state of overexcitement. The kids, adopting the habits and behavior of the parent, also begin to lick each other, but not for hygienic purposes, but in order to establish a closer connection.

During the game, little kittens copy the behavior of adults and play out all sorts of situations:

meeting with an opponent;
fight between adult cats;
threat of attack;
production protection;
hunting process;
behavior of a mother who protects her offspring.

The object of the game is any object that happens to be nearby: a ball of thread, rustling paper, a cork, a piece of fur, etc.

British adults are moderately active. They don’t need company when playing: it’s enough to equip a play corner with hanging toys, a bed and a scratching post so that your pet has the opportunity to have fun on his own. If the owner does not play with the animal and does not provide toys, the pet splashes out its energy by jumping on cabinets and tables, sweeping away all objects that fall under its paw from surfaces. The game of hide and seek is especially attractive to representatives of this breed: they can involve the owner in the process on their own initiative.

The older the animal gets, the less it moves and needs entertainment.Adult pets can sleep up to 20 hours a day. Individuals with a phlegmatic character are prone to obesity, so you need to try to control their diet, not overfeed, and involve them in gameplay.

The British love freedom very much, so it is unacceptable to limit them in space. British girls are especially offended by owners who close the doors to other rooms. By their nature, animals are very curious, so they will still enter a forbidden room.

They like to relax next to their owner, but not lying on his lap. An animal must have its own private corner with a cozy bed: this will allow it to feel its importance and satisfy its own ambitions. It is advisable that the resting place be located on a hill.

The British are very easy to care for, and this feature is their main advantage. By nature, a clean cat, if properly raised, will never peel off wallpaper, scratch furniture, sofas, or go to the toilet in the wrong place. If this happens, it is either a lack of education on the part of the owner, or a way to take revenge on the person for the insult caused. There is another characteristic feature: the cat always responds only to its name and ignores the abstract “kitty-kitty,” forcing the owner to address her personally.

Habits

In British cats, the formation of habits that influence the further character and behavior of the pet occurs before 12 months of age. If a kitten is raised by a cat mother, she teaches him the basic rules of behavior from childhood, and the obedient baby clearly copies the habits of the parent. If the kitten was separated from its mother early, responsibility for raising it falls on the owner. It is recommended to begin the educational process at the age of 2-3 months, when the British cat is already strong enough and understands many things.

Positive habits include a love of play and interesting toys, as well as catching mice. The appearance of bad habits is due to the characteristics of the pet’s character and upbringing.

Catching mice

The British have a well-developed hunting instinct. They catch everything that moves, so at a young age they grab the owner’s arms and legs. If there are mice at home or in the country, there is no doubt that they will end up in the powerful and strong paws of a cat. It is noteworthy that the British, who are prone to obesity, catch mice better than their slender relatives.

This habit can be channeled into a constructive direction, giving the animal the opportunity to frolic, and at the same time get rid of annoying rodents. The cat will not miss a single mouse. If a pet ignores a rodent, this is temporary: he is just tired or lazy. When he regains his strength, he will complete his hunting mission.

Biting and scratching

The British begin to bite and scratch their owner's hands at 4 months of age, when they are teething. This habit should not be ignored, since the animal must understand that hands are not a toy. If you ignore this behavior, in adulthood the cat will also scratch, but the wounds will be much deeper and more painful, and the animal will believe that it is behaving correctly.

As soon as the kitten starts scratching, you need to give him a toy, such as a sisal mouse. If the baby holds your hand tightly, you need to relax and freeze, then slowly move your hand towards the pet, approaching him with a hiss. This will scare the animal away, and the hand will cease to interest it.

Dropping items

The British are fascinated by the process of an object falling from a height. As a result, the owner discovers broken vases, bottles of perfume, figurines, and goes after the cat to punish him. In fact, you can only punish an animal at an early age. As soon as the cat wants to climb onto the table, you should make a sharp loud sound or spray water in the face from a spray bottle.

With adults you need to do things differently:

Rub the countertop with orange peel or apply a few drops of citrus-scented oil. Such smells scare away any cats, so the animal will not come close to such an unpleasant place for it.
Place empty tin cans on the table, which will fall with a crash when the British tries to jump on the table. You can use an aluminum tray with water - no cat likes to find itself in a puddle of water.
Do not leave any foreign objects on the tables. To satisfy your pet's desire to watch the fall, you can leave a pencil, his toy or any other unnecessary and harmless object.

Sniffing things

The British are very curious by nature, which is why they love to sniff guests' things. It should not be surprising that there is a cat in a bag left by a friend in the hallway. And if your pet finds something tasty, he will certainly treat himself.

This habit is quite harmless and does not require the use of educational measures, because punishing a cat for its natural instincts is unacceptable. You need to remember that bags should definitely be put in a closet, hung on a shelf, and taken with you so that the British have no way to get to it. If he wants to sniff her, let him do it in front of the owner. Then the animal will be in the field of view and it will be possible to control the process.

The British cat is an unusual breed and quite popular among both domestic and foreign breeders. This is a powerful and well-built pet with a largely undocumented origin story.

History of the origin of the breed

There are several versions and different assumptions about the genealogy that try to explain the emergence of the “British”, but they do not claim to be documented and the only true ones. It is assumed that cats of this breed were brought to different countries from France on merchant ships, where sailors kept such animals to protect transported food from rodents.

In the 19th century, exotic breeders paid close attention to the graceful and outwardly very attractive “British” cats, but a special contribution to the development of the breed was made by Harrison Fair, with whose direct participation the first exhibition with a British shorthair blue tabby cat was held in 1871. In 1950, the breed was approved in America, and the British cat deservedly gained worldwide fame. “British” were brought to our country in the last century, but they became popular relatively recently.

Description and appearance of a British cat

The breed is characterized by the presence of a well-developed body and head, as well as many different colors. Some of the most popular colors include solid blue-gray, black and chocolate, as well as tabby and its varieties, including spot, stripe or merle.

Breed standards

The breed is distinguished by a rounded head with fairly well developed and pronounced cheeks, wide in the cheekbones. The neck is thick and short. The short nose has a wide and straight shape, and also forms a vertical line with a strong and level chin. The ears are small, rounded, set wide and low on the head. The eyes are large, round in shape, well open and fairly wide set. Eye coloring depends on the characteristics of the main color.

This is interesting! The second name for the “British cat” is a positive or optimistic cat. It is believed that this is the only cat breed that can smile. This feature is explained by unusually plump cheeks and a protruding tongue.

The body is squat, cobby-type, with a straight and short back, as well as a broad chest. The shoulder part is wide and massive. The limbs are short, powerful and thick, ending in round, strong and dense paws. The tail is thick, medium in length, rounded at the end and wide at the base.

The short and thick coat has a shine. The coat is quite dense, with a thick undercoat. It should be remembered that the “British Fold” breed does not exist in nature.. All "British" breeds belong to the "British Shorthair" and "British Longhair" breeds.

British cat character

True “British”, unlike most other breeds, are independent animals. An adult pet can easily tolerate loneliness and almost never fawns over its owner or asks to be held. However, the British cat loves its owner very much and gets bored when apart.

Important! A “Britishman” is a true English gentleman, characterized by characteristic restraint and self-esteem.

The breed is very distrustful of strangers and prefers to keep a sufficient distance from strangers. This is a calm, moderately affectionate and absolutely non-intrusive pet, naturally intelligent, clean and very smart. Loyal "British" dogs do not scratch or bite, and are somewhat melancholy, so the breed is well suited for keeping in a home with small children or elderly people.

Lifespan

Good health, and as a result, the life expectancy of any pet, are the result of proper animal care. British cats belong to the category of healthy and strong breeds that can live in home conditions for more than ten to fifteen years. It should be remembered that it directly depends on a large number of external factors, including good nutrition, quality care and regular veterinary examinations.

However, it is very important to take into account some nuances that will allow the “British” to shine at exhibitions or participate in breeding.

Care and hygiene

An unusually attractive coat is the main advantage of all “British” dogs, so caring for your pet in this area will require quite careful and competent care. A couple of times a week you need to comb your British cat using a special massage slicker brush.

This procedure will allow you to promptly remove all dead hair and at the same time plays the role of a kind of massage. Short-haired animals can be washed a couple of times a year or when dirty. Long-haired specimens require more frequent brushing.

Important! Even if you have a scratching post, it is important to trim the nails of an adult “British cat” to half their total length about a couple of times a month.

British cats require daily eye care. Hygienic measures should be aimed at removing natural secretions using a damp cotton pad. Movements should be carried out in the direction from the outer corner to the nose. Preventative ear examinations are performed every two weeks. Accumulated dirt and earwax should be removed with a cotton swab or disk soaked in a special hygienic solution.

The domestic cat's oral cavity is examined daily to detect tartar and other pathologies. It is recommended from an early age to accustom the kitten to hygiene procedures in the form of brushing its teeth with special means.

Diet - what to feed a British cat

The structure of the coat, as well as its condition and general well-being of the British cat largely depend on a properly formulated diet. The composition of the feed should be as complete as possible and contain not only the nutrients necessary for the animal, but also microelements and vitamin complexes.

The diet can be represented by ready-made food, as well as natural products. The type of food and its components must be selected based on the age and gender of the pet, as well as its health status and preferences.

This is interesting! At an early age, the need for mother's milk persists for up to one and a half months, after which the animal can be gradually transferred to cow's or goat's milk, semi-liquid milk porridges, as well as scraped or thoroughly ground beef.

If there is absolutely no opportunity to prepare your kitten’s food yourself, then it is advisable to purchase special ones, focusing on the age category.

The natural diet of an adult animal must include:

lean meats such as chicken, beef, rabbit or turkey;
meat by-products, represented by kidneys, lungs, liver and heart;
boiled low-fat sea fish, cleaned of bones;
quail eggs;
buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, semolina and wheat porridge;
sprouted grain crops, represented by wheat or oats;
special cat grass.

Starting from three months, natural food must be enriched with special vitamin and mineral preparations, the quantity and composition of which varies depending on the age characteristics and physical activity of the pet. It is strictly forbidden to feed your cat “from the table” regular food..

Diseases and breed defects

Real “British people” are characterized by a fairly strong immune system, but are highly sensitive to cold and drafts, so it’s enough.

British cats are extremely rarely affected by various mutations or diseases of a genetic nature, and therefore are among the healthiest and most robust breeds of domestic cats currently registered.

This is interesting! British cats, compared to other breeds popular with breeders, are least susceptible to various cancers, and neutered and neutered animals live much longer than their relatives who are capable of having offspring.

Breed defects include insufficient fullness of the cheeks, due to which the main charm of the “British”, represented by thick plush cheeks, disappears. Common faults of the breed include excessively long or soft hair, too pronounced stops or whisker pads.

Animals with a severe underbite or an anomaly in the position of the jaws and teeth, as well as skeletal deformation and cryptorchidism, are excluded from breeding work. It is prohibited to use for breeding animals with deafness, blindness, strabismus, eyelid abnormalities, or significant deviations from color standards.

The character of British cats is valued not only by breeders, but also by those who want to have a cheerful, smart and independent cat at home.

The character of a British cat is determined by several criteria:

Low level and activity;
Playful mood;
No need for constant attention;
Moderate attachment to owner and home;
High level of intelligence and independence;
Relative ease of care;
High level of compatibility with children;
Absence of pathological and characteristic diseases.

The character of British cats does not depend on what type it is: shorthaired or semi-longhaired. The British cat was bred in England and is positioned as a fairly peaceful, independent animal that does not require special care or constant attention.

Such a cat will be an excellent pet for busy people who want to have a furry companion at home, and he will not suffer due to the constant absence of his owners.

Anatomy

The anatomical features of the British cat are a fairly wide bone system, plush fur and a large number of colors. The most common color is called British Blue.. Considering that there is no standard color, the presence of a non-standard color is not regarded as a deviation from the standard characteristics of the breed.

Main character traits of a British cat

If we consider the main character traits of a British cat, it is worth noting friendliness and calmness. Such a cat will not suffer at home alone without its owner and will not do dirty tricks in order to attract attention. The character of the British cat is characterized by a calm disposition, but at the same time the cat meets its owners quite emotionally, and during the game you will be able to notice a surge of energy and love.

You will never be bored with such a cat, since she is quite unobtrusive, but at the same time becomes quite strongly attached to her owners, without reacting very painfully to a change of situation or the absence of other household members for a long time.

Owner

A house is a cat’s personal territory, where he will always feel comfortable. In addition, a distinctive feature of the British cat’s character is that he does not choose one owner, but views the family as a single whole and treats all members equally.

This cat will delight you with his independence, since he definitely needs personal space - these are the habits of the British, which you will have to accept. The interesting character of the British cat attracts attention to this breed along with its unusual color and appearance. It is worth noting such features of British cats as the lack of love for long games; such a cat will not get a lot of pleasure from being carried in their arms, but at the same time they are quite sociable, they easily find a common language with other guests at home, even with a dog.

Main features

The character of a British shorthair cat can be described by several characteristics:

Calm;
Independence;
High level of affection;
Moderate activity;
Contact.

Having assessed all the features of British cats, you will understand that such a pet is perfect for families with a child, and the kitten will not bring you any special worries and will easily adapt to the new environment and rules of your family. Such a pet will delight you for many years with its play, love, affectionate mood and calm disposition.

Advantages of the British cat's character

The owner of a British dog can fully appreciate the advantages of this pet’s appearance, which ideally complement its pleasant character. Features of the appearance of this cat are a fairly friendly look, a large number of colors, which can vary from pure black to tortoiseshell.

At the same time, the cat is quite large and looks solid; it exudes confidence and nobility, which, combined with a calm character, have ensured the popularity of this breed for many years.

Despite the fact that she is a fairly independent cat, a description of the character of British cats cannot be called complete without paying attention to the care that the cat shows to its house guests. If you observe your pet, you will notice that the pleasant character of British cats extends not only to family members, but also to guests, since the cat is practically not aggressive and extremely rarely shows hostility even towards strangers.

Attention

British cats love to get away from the whole world and hide in their own secluded corner. However, this will happen exactly until they feel that the owner needs them. And in case if there is a child in the house, a cat will always calm him down and will take care of it as if it were your own kitten.

At the same time, if a cat is quite sensitive to excessive love and affection from its adult owners, then it will endure all games with the child patiently and heroically, realizing that the baby is not only its owner, but also a child in its own way. The character and habits of a British cat can be seen from childhood, because after you bring a kitten home, it will rarely crap in the wrong place or scatter food and toys, this is determined by the high level of cleanliness of the kitten and its character traits of British cats.

Characteristics of a British cat

If you decide to purchase a kitten of this breed, you should learn to accept and respect the character traits of British cats; they are inherent in all representatives of this breed, regardless of age and upbringing.

Firstly, such a cat is quite independent, so it is not suitable for those who want to constantly cuddle and play with their pet.

If you show too much tenderness and attention to a Briton, he will run and hide until he becomes aggressive. But at the same time, the character of a British cat will never allow her to show her weakness and show how much she missed you in your absence.

Watching such a cat, it is worth noting that the character of British cats is characterized by a certain aristocracy and arrogance, and you should also be prepared not only for positive emotions, in the sense that this character of British cats will never allow them to sharpen their claws on furniture or wallpaper , but at the same time. if she doesn’t like something, you will have to put up with all the preferences.

Peculiarities

In addition, a characteristic feature of the character of British cats is stubbornness. If you hurt the pride of a British cat, the cat will definitely be offended, refuse to eat and may completely refuse contact with its owner, because obstinacy is one of the character traits of British cats. Also This breed is characterized by quite strong jealousy and if a new pet appears, the cat can also change its usual style of behavior and withdraw into itself, but if it is not limited and deprived of attention, then soon everything will return to normal.

Summarizing what has been said, it is worth noting the following negative traits that appear in the character of a British cat:

excessive stubbornness;
rancor;
predominantly depressed mood;
demanding food and proper care.

This breed is great for those who want to have a pet, but at the same time need an animal that has a high level of cleanliness. Such a cat, due to its innate nobility, will never allow violations of hygiene rules - this is the character of British cats.

Another distinctive character trait of British cats is the need for sufficiently long sleep without interruptions.

Final characteristics

This characteristic of British cats can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. If you are constantly at work and want a calm and loving pet to greet you at home, then the British cat is the best choice, and the character of British cats will meet all your needs. However, if there are children in the house and you can be sure that such a cat will never show aggression towards him, even with increased activity, she will simply leave and hide, thus regulating contact with herself.

Character

The character of the British cat is an ideal choice for a family or single owner. Very often, what breed is called a cat that is ideal for a businessman, taking into account the character and habits of a British cat, ease of care, autonomy, independence and at the same time a large amount of affection and love that the cat gives to its owner - this is all the character of British cats.

When you come home, you will always meet a peaceful animal that has rested in splendid isolation while you were not at home and will happily play with you for a short time.

The character of the British cat does not allow her to be intrusive, but at the same time she does not lead to apathy and always breaks off contact on her own if you show too much love and care to her.

Do no harm

The character of British cats will not allow mischief, even if they harbor a grudge, this is expressed in the absence of contact with the owner. Despite its vindictiveness, such an animal will delight you because the character and behavior of British cats is characterized by unpretentiousness in care; the main thing is not to suddenly change the environment or the cat’s way of life and you will get a loyal and peaceful pet.

Fans of this breed also pay attention to the unusual appearance and how such a cat looks in the photo. He always looks well-groomed and noble, even a little arrogant, but at the same time quite friendly. When choosing a kitten of this breed, you should take into account the characteristics of British cats, namely whether the kitten is sanguine or melancholic, or belongs to another psychotype, because this will directly affect its behavior.

The British cat attracts with its softness, grace and endurance. Care and care from the owner is what cats need. Proper nutrition and adherence to the vaccination schedule will help you maintain good natural health. When buying a British kitten as a pet, you can count on a loving and devoted friend. The owner should not allow a familiar attitude towards the animal and must understand that this is not a soft toy.

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British cat

Despite the fact that the British cat appeared relatively recently, it has rapidly gained popularity. Unlike many other breeds, it is mobile, active, and has a calm character.

The British are attached to their owners, and especially to children. Cats are easy to care for and quickly adapt to any living conditions. There are sixty-two types of colors in the breed.

The peculiarities of this breed include its self-sufficiency. She communicates with the owner only if she considers it necessary. British cats get used to the order prescribed by the owner. When everyone leaves the house, the cats sleep, and when their owners arrive, they begin to lead an active lifestyle. Cats of this breed are clean.

Chocolate Briton - photo, description and character

History of the breed

The breed was first bred in England at the end of the nineteenth century. The Briton was obtained by crossing a Persian and an English cat. Since then, the British cat has gained the greatest popularity and has become the most beloved pet in the UK.

Recently, British cats have gained popularity in Russia. The plush animal has extraordinary fur and a straight and rounded tail tip. Round ears and wide-open eyes give the British a look of absolute calm. There is a fold around the round head, which gives the rock massiveness.

Description

The British cat has different colors. There are solid shades and with a pattern. A cat's eyes depend on its color. If the pet has a white coat, the eyes will be blue. It is worth noting that the color of cats of this breed is not always what they call it:

1. Blue color - gray.
2. Red - red:
3. Lilac - blue:
4. Golden chinchilla - red.

It is quite common to see cats that are silver or gold in color. This color is usually called “whiskas”. The name appeared thanks to a popular advertisement for Whiskas cat food.

The British cat comes in two varieties: shorthair and longhair.

The following characteristics should be included in the breed standard:

The animal's body is compact and powerful.
The shape of the head is round and thick.
The British have a rounded muzzle and cheeks.
Eyes wide open.
The chin is firm and the nose is short.
The limbs are small and the paws are round.
Thick at the base and rounded at the end of the tail.
The coat is short, thick, does not lie close to the body, and has a fine structure.
Any color can be used.

Character

The owner of a British cat is a lucky person. Cats of this breed have excellent sociable qualities. These are smart and undemanding animals. When meeting people, they behave with restraint. But after getting to know each other and undergoing a period of adaptation, they will become devoted and loving pets. But you can only get a best friend in exchange for the love and devotion of the owner.

The British should spend more time. The more attention they receive, the better the relationship will be. Many British people have a calm character. They are characterized by unobtrusiveness and playfulness. The distinctive features of the breed include love for all family members, and not just the owner.

The British cat is never tame; it walks on its own. But most of the time she likes to sleep in a lounger or be close to her owner. The British do not like to be held, but will not refuse to be stroked. Unlike other breeds, these dogs do not accept excessive affection, such as kissing. Excessive attention will only anger the cat, and he will go to a secluded place to rest.

Cats of this breed are friendly and willingly accept other pets into their family. They are confident and not shy. They can live near other animals. The main thing is that both pets are suitable for each other in character.

Care and maintenance

Despite its plush appearance, the British cat is not much different from an ordinary cat. Therefore, it is easy to care for her, just like a mongrel animal. Kittens are no exception. The only thing they need is increased attention, education and feeding.

Before you get a British kitten, you need to make sure that he has everything he needs. These things include:

1. Food bowl. The owner of a kitten will need three bowls: for dry food, natural food and water.
2. Litter tray. He can be anything. The main requirements are ease of washing and durability. It is not recommended to give preference to plastic trays. They are lightweight, leave scratches, and are difficult to clean. The Briton is a clean cat, so the main thing is to stay clean.
3. Scratching post. From a young age, you need to accustom the animal to grinding its claws. Otherwise, the kitten will find a place for this - walls, a sofa or something else. If you can’t purchase this accessory, you can make it yourself. To do this, you will need a small cardboard cylinder, which needs to be wrapped with woolen threads.
4. House or bed. Previously, bedding was placed under the sleeping area. Today, instead of ordinary rags, you can buy a soft lounger, which you can make yourself from an unnecessary sweater. You can buy a house or you can buy a basket or box. The main thing is that the kitten likes its place to rest and sleep.

There are other accessories that a Briton may use. You don't have to buy them, but they may come in handy:

Carrying. You should not leave a Briton at home alone during a vacation or a trip out of town. In this case, a carrier will definitely come in handy. You will need it for a trip with your cat to the veterinarian. The main thing is that it is sized and comfortable for the pet.
Toys. A cat needs them, especially at a younger age. Kittens are so playful that their day does not come without an exciting activity. To prevent the cat from having fun with the owner's things, you need to purchase several toys.
Comb or brush. Regardless of whether a Briton's coat is long or short, it needs grooming. The comb should have infrequent and non-sharp teeth. The brush can have a massage effect, but the main thing is that it is made of natural bristles. It is not necessary to brush your cat every day; several times a week is sufficient.

Feeding the British

Until six months of age, British kittens are fed at least six times a day. Every month the number of feedings decreases and new types of food are added. During the first month, the kittens are fed by their mother.

British cats have a delicate sense of smell, so feeding and caring for them involves not only choosing the right diet, but also keeping the feeding area and its utensils clean. There should be no foreign odors.

Upbringing

Kittens are easy-going and easy to care for. The main task of the owner is to explain to the baby where he will sleep, sharpen his claws and where to go to the toilet. Purebred animals quickly get used to the tray. It will be enough to show the place and the kitten will quickly get used to it.

You can stop your cat from walking in the wrong place. To do this, you need to coat this area with formaldehyde, mustard, garlic or horseradish. Cats cannot stand these smells, so they will not want to go to the toilet there anymore.

It is quite difficult to accustom a kitten to a scratching post. This will take more than one day. To begin with, it is advised to take the Briton to the scratching post and play with him there. The game should involve stimulating the cat to tear its claws on the proposed accessory. It won’t work the first time, but if you play daily, then after a while he will remember the place and will scratch his claws on the scratching post.

Any pet is not only soft, flexible and fluffy. In relationships with the owner, there are times when he does not listen. In this case, the British need to be punished. It is important to understand that for a purebred animal, the dissatisfied, sad tone of the owner is a punishment. Yelling at a cat is not recommended, as the British will not associate this with punishment. Such a tone will only leave resentment in the kitten’s soul. Hitting a pet is unacceptable, as it has an excellent memory. He will remember this moment and will definitely harbor a grudge against the owner in his soul.

Raising a British kitten requires patience from the owner. With proper care and maintenance, a British cat will grow up not only to be a beautiful animal, but also to be the best and most devoted friend.

British health

The British have excellent health. But, like many other animals, they can get sick. Common symptoms to watch out for include:

lack of appetite;
redness of the eyes;
hair loss;
rapid breathing;
cough;
vomit;
diarrhea or constipation;
low temperature.

If you notice one of the symptoms, you should definitely contact your veterinarian, as this could be the beginning of a serious illness.

The first sign that a Brit is feeling unwell is a lack of appetite. With serious illnesses, symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are not uncommon. If any of the signs are detected, you need to measure the animal’s temperature. This can be done using a special thermometer. The normal temperature for a Briton is 38–39 degrees. An increase in temperature indicates pneumonia or problems with the central nervous system.

You shouldn’t judge your pet’s health problems by a hot nose. For the British it can be wet and cold, but the temperatures are still high. Moreover, even the eyes of cats will not show any signs of disease. An experienced owner should always have a thermometer on hand to measure temperature.

Genetic diseases

British cats are healthy and hardy cats. But they are prone to certain diseases that can be transmitted genetically:

1. Two types of blood in the population. This problem is common in the UK and cannot be cured. When a cat with blood type "B" is mated with a cat with blood type "A", this results in the birth of kittens with two types of blood. Such offspring live for two days and then die. In our country there are no methods that determine this pathology in the womb.
2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy develops in adult cats. If kittens are found to have little weight gain, they should regularly perform heart ultrasounds and monitor this problem.
3. Obesity is a common problem in British cats. Develops with poor diet and insufficient physical activity. At the first symptoms of obesity, the animal should be forced to move as much as possible.

Diagnostic measures

If symptoms of illness are detected, the cat should be taken to a veterinarian. The examination helps determine the clinical picture:

1. Examination by a veterinarian. By examining and palpating the cat, the condition of its internal organs is determined. Depending on the symptoms of the disease, a vaginal or rectal examination is performed.
2. The doctor measures the animal’s body temperature. Correct measurement can only be done rectally.
3. Examining the cat with a stethoscope. This device allows you to determine pathologies of the heartbeat, digestion, sounds in the intestines or air movement during breathing. A healthy cat's heartbeat is between 110 and 140 beats. A healthy animal can take 24 to 42 breaths.
4. The animal can be examined with an otoscope. This tool allows you to identify ear diseases. An otoscope is a cone-shaped instrument with a built-in light at the end. It is inserted into the cat's ear.
5. Ophthalmoscopic examination is necessary for eye diseases.
6. Endoscopic examination is carried out for pathologies of internal organs in cats. An endoscope can be used to examine the respiratory organs and stomach. The instrument is a bendable tube that is inserted inside under general anesthesia. The examination result is displayed on the screen.
7. X-rays are prescribed for various pathologies and injuries.
8. Ultrasound examination is the process of examining the insides of an animal.
9. An electrocardiographic study is carried out to diagnose the work of the British heart.
10. A blood test determines the chemical composition of the blood.
11. A urine test is carried out to determine the functioning of the kidneys in cats. This examination may show the presence of diabetes mellitus or diseases of the genitourinary system.
12. A biopsy is a study that determines the presence of neoplasms in cats.

Prevention methods

In order for the cat to suffer from a general or viral disease as little as possible, the owner of the British cat must follow the vaccination schedule. The best means of prevention are vaccinations. They need to be done from the age of two months. At this point, kittens are not receiving milk and are not able to produce antibodies that strengthen the immune system.

The British Shorthair cat is loved by many. This is one of the oldest breeds. Its history goes back to the 1st century AD. e. However, in its familiar form, this breed has been known only since the 19th century. And the best representatives of these cats are registered in special stud books, many of them are more than 100 years old.

British is popular not only in its homeland, but throughout the world. And the main features that this cat has are:

stocky body;
thick “plush” wool;
wide muzzle.

The most popular color of this breed is rightfully blue. However, today these cats can have other colors and patterns; a great variety of them have been developed.

Origin story

The British Shorthair cat traces its history back to Ancient Rome and Egypt. There they played the role of man's faithful companions. Historical chronicles have preserved a lot of information about powerful cats with sharp fangs and gray fur. There is a possibility that the British shorthair cat came from them. Thanks to Roman legionnaires, these cats moved to the British Isles, where they began to interbreed with the forest cats that lived there. Such animals were very fond of the local residents (the British). This was due to their aristocratic appearance. The cat of the British breed had excellent hunting qualities, good health and excellent endurance.

The 19th century was marked by the fact that English experts, cat lovers, decided to create true British cats, the characteristics of which would be ideal. For this purpose, only the most beautiful cats were selected. Harrison Weier even created a breed standard on purpose, and later even organized the first exhibition of these cats. The British Shorthair cat was officially registered as an independent breed only about 100 years ago.

British: a variety of colors

British a cat can have a wide variety of colors. All of them are divided into the following options:

Accepted breed standards

The description of the British cat breed meets the following standards:

This cat breed may have the following disadvantages:

Now, even from a photo, you can determine whether it is truly British.

Description of the character of the British

The British Shorthair cat has its own unique character. It is unlike the habits and characteristics of any other breed. But, like anyone else, the British cat has its fans and haters. Every Briton values independence very much. That's why they don't like it when even their owners pick them up, not to mention strangers.

A cat of the British breed does not allow affection to be shown towards them. In exceptional cases, they will allow themselves to be petted. Otherwise, the Briton will turn around, hide, and run away from his affectionate pursuer.

This breed is quite self-sufficient. Such the cat will never ask, cast a vote. If he wants to get food, he will sit for a long time waiting near his bowl.

The British are very arrogant. He will respond exclusively to his nickname. There is no need to say any “kiss-kit”, he will not respond to these clicks.

The British cat breed has a complex character. Main features:

British cats

Characteristics of British behavior

The British Shorthair cat must be raised for up to one year. At this time, you can instill in him some character traits. After a year of life it will be too late to change anything. And if a cat behaves badly, this is a consequence of poor upbringing in childhood.

The Brit is acting very lazy. He can sleep for a very long time. In this case, the owner is forbidden to disturb him. Otherwise, the British cat will begin to show aggression and become irritable.

This noble breed means that its representatives spend a lot of time on their appearance. Licking is a favorite pastime of these cats.

Despite the fact that the British breed is quite positive regarding its behavior and character, there are still features that cause a lot of discontent among British owners:

Scattering things and objects. Even in childhood, kittens need to be weaned off this “cute” behavior. Indeed, at first it looks charming both in the photo and in reality. However, in the future, flower pots, vases, etc. will be used. To do this, you need to treat your “favorite” things with special compounds.
Playing with the hands and feet of its owner. It is better to offer your baby a scratching post or special toys.
The British are incredibly curious. Therefore, they can easily be found in packages, new things, and hard-to-reach places. You can often come across photos like this that only cause tenderness.

The British breed is one of the most popular in the world today. Such cats attract attention not only with their cute appearance, but also unpretentious character.