British Shorthair Cat – Characteristics, Classification, Colors, Care, and Prices

The British Shorthair cat, chubby like a cotton ball, with a large round face, and a friendly personality, is loved by many. The article below will summarize all the information about this adorable cat breed.

I. Origin of the British Shorthair Cat

The British Shorthair cat, known in English as the British Shorthair and referred to as ALN in Vietnam, is one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. This breed was formed from the random combination of ancient Egyptian cats and street cats in England. According to recorded information, the British Shorthair cat once faced the threat of extinction due to breeding difficulties and the influx of other cat breeds. Cat lovers found ways to preserve this breed, striving to breed and maintain the current purebred cats. In 1967, the British Shorthair was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Although the British Shorthair is now quite popular, the breeding process is complex, making them very expensive.

II. Characteristics of the British Shorthair Cat

1. Appearance The ALN is a relatively large breed compared to other cat breeds. They have a relatively large head, a short muzzle, wide cheeks, a small puckered mouth, triangular ears, and round, sparkling eyes. Their eye colors vary, including orange, amber, emerald, blue, copper… and some have two different colored eyes.

The face of the British Shorthair looks serious but is very humorous due to its chubby, amusing appearance. Their bodies are relatively rounded with a large bone structure, combined with a muscular chest that looks very strong and healthy. This breed has four short, stubby legs, with large, round paws and thick, soft pads. This allows them to walk gently, gracefully, and without making noise. Their tails are covered with a very thick layer of fur. The fur of the British Shorthair cats is shiny, smooth, and dense.

British Shorthairs grow slowly compared to most other cat breeds. They reach full physical development around the age of 3. On average, adult males weigh between 4-8.5 kg, and females weigh between 3-5.5 kg.

2. Personality British Shorthairs are extremely easygoing, not hyperactive, and very lazy. They are very loyal and affectionate with their owners, friendly with children and other pets. However, they do not like to be held but enjoy being cuddled and petted. When no one is home, they will quietly wait for their owners to return or play endlessly with their toys. Due to their lazy nature, this breed needs to exercise to avoid obesity.

III. Types of British Shorthair Cats

1. Purebred British Shorthair These cats have short noses and mouths, and very round cheeks, making them extremely adorable. They resemble the Chartreux or Russian Blue cats. Their common eye color is copper. The fur of the purebred cats is very thick and soft, growing evenly and resiliently.
   
2. Crossbred British Shorthair The biggest difference between crossbred and purebred cats is the coat. Crossbred British Shorthairs have thinner and uneven fur. The most popular and loved crossbreed currently is the Scottish Fold Shorthair, a cross between a purebred British Shorthair and a Scottish Fold.
   

IV. Colors of British Shorthair Cats

1. White British Shorthair A crossbreed between a purebred white British Shorthair and other white-coated breeds. For the most beautiful white crossbreed cat, try breeding them with a Persian cat!
   
2. Tabby British Shorthair A combination of purebred British Shorthairs and tabby cats. They have gray fur with beautiful, strong stripes.
   
3. Bicolor British Shorthair A breed with two colors (bicolor), the most famous being the Tuxedo cat. A cat is considered bicolor if it has a white fur strip on the lower body starting from the nose bridge, and the upper body will have a different color. They are a combination of purebred British Shorthairs and other bicolor cats. The color distribution depends on the bicolor gene percentage of the parent cats.
   
4. Hyma British Shorthair A cross between a purebred British Shorthair and a Siamese cat, though they carry more characteristics of the Siamese cat. They have faint black spots on the face, ears, legs…
   
5. Silver British Shorthair A crossbreed of purebred British Shorthairs and Persian Chinchilla cats.
   
6. Blue British Shorthair The simplest way to have a blue British Shorthair is to breed two purebred blue British Shorthairs.
   
7. Golden British Shorthair A crossbreed of purebred British Shorthairs and Persian or other red-coated cats.
   
8. Lilac British Shorthair A crossbreed of purebred British Shorthairs and other lilac-colored cats. This color is similar to grayish-cream with a pinkish hue and is very popular. This color can easily be confused for inexperienced owners. They resemble the silver color but the black spots are not as clear as silver.
   
9. Black British Shorthair They have jet-black fur without any other colors or brown patches. The classic orange eyes of this breed combined with jet-black fur make a striking combination.
   

V. Prices of British Shorthair Cats

1. Domestically bred British Shorthair Domestically bred cats are more affordable compared to imported ones, around 200$. Cats with full documentation, vaccination records, birth certificates, health tracking… cost from 300$
2. European imported British Shorthair Imported British Shorthairs can cost from 500-600 USD. They come with guaranteed pedigrees, full documentation, and meet standards for purity and health. To buy this breed, you need to contact the seller in advance and cover the transportation costs to Vietnam.
3. British Shorthair imported from other countries British Shorthairs imported from Thailand, China, the Philippines, Singapore… usually cost more than domestically bred cats but less than European imports. Cats with full documentation typically cost 400$ – 600$
   

VI. Caring for British Shorthair Cats

1. Food This breed is easy to adapt and not picky eaters, but you need to note the following points:

• They can eat a wide variety of food from homemade to dry food like kibble, pre-packaged food. But no matter the type of food, ensure to supplement with enough protein, vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates. You can feed them chicken, beef, offal, eggs, cheese… all essential nutrients for their development.
• Pre-packaged food often has high starch content, so pay attention to the ingredient list, choose those with low fat and starch to avoid obesity.
• Wet food like pate or cheese is very good for this breed’s development. You can buy them from stores or make them yourself to save money. Ensure the food is cooked, not fermented, and does not contain cow’s milk or chocolate, which can negatively affect the cat’s digestive system.
• Due to their laziness, excess fat can accumulate, leading to obesity or severe cases causing kidney, heart diseases, reducing their lifespan. Therefore, their daily diet should be divided according to their development stages to ensure enough nutrition and calorie intake.

2. Grooming and Massage The ALN has short, smooth fur, making grooming easier, but they shed a lot and need to be brushed 1-2 times a day to remove dead hair, dust, and help new fur grow better. Check for any issues like cat fleas, mites, or skin inflammation. Use coconut or olive oil to massage your cat, making their fur shiny and giving them a comfortable, relaxing feeling.
3. Bathing and Hygiene

• Bathe your British Shorthair 2-3 times a month to keep them clean and fragrant. Use cat-specific shampoo and dry their fur thoroughly after bathing to avoid itching and skin inflammation.
• Brush their teeth at least once a week to prevent periodontal disease. You can buy treats that help clean their teeth.
• Clean their eyes daily, using a damp cloth to wipe around the eye corners to remove tears or eye discharge, preventing yellow stains and bacteria buildup that cause eye diseases.
• Check and clean their ears weekly, gently using a damp cotton cloth to wipe around and inside the ear canal. Do not use cotton swabs as they can easily injure the cat’s ears if they get startled.
• Trim their nails when they are too long, about once every two weeks. This should be introduced to them when they are young, or if your cat is not cooperative, take them to a pet spa for assistance.
• Note: The litter box needs to be cleaned regularly, replaced 3-4 times a week. British Shorthairs have a strong odor when they relieve themselves, so ensure their litter box is clean to protect them from bacteria and keep the room fresh.

4. Exercise British Shorthairs are very lazy, often lying in one corner. To burn off excess energy and prevent obesity, make sure your cat exercises regularly. Activities to keep them active, agile, and happy include:

• Cat wand: A soft, flexible wand with feathers or a dangling fish will stimulate their jumping ability and quick reflexes.
• Laser pointer: Your cat will constantly jump to catch the red dot from the laser

VII. Health Care for British Shorthair Cats

1. Common Diseases of British Shorthair Cats

• Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy can be detected through ultrasound, EEG, and X-ray imaging. Medications can help alleviate and slow the progression of the disease.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: This disease forms a cyst in the cat’s kidney, causing organ failure. There is no cure for polycystic kidney disease, but there are medications that can reduce its impact and progression.
• Hyperthyroidism: Generally, older cats are more prone to this disease. Some signs include weight loss, panting, weakness, and a greasy coat. Cats with hyperthyroidism need surgery and medication.
• Cystitis: Some symptoms include frequent urination and blood in the cat’s urine. Cats with cystitis need to drink plenty of water and follow a special medical diet. Treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

2. Vaccinations for British Shorthair Cats

Vaccination helps prevent dangerous diseases that can affect health and prevent diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Note: Only vaccinate when the cat is healthy and deworm the cat before vaccination.

Essential vaccines for British Shorthair cats include:

• Rabies vaccine.
• Feline Panleukopenia vaccine.
• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus vaccine.
• Herpesvirus vaccine.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions about British Shorthair Cats

1. Do British Shorthair Cats Shed Hair?

Although the coat of this breed is short, it is very thick and sheds frequently, especially in spring and autumn. You need to groom and brush them regularly to ensure hygiene and prevent skin and fur diseases.

2. Do British Shorthair Cats Catch Mice?

Despite their friendly and lovable nature, these cute furballs still have hunting instincts. They can catch mice like other cats and are extremely enthusiastic and diligent. One day, you might be surprised when your beloved cat brings you a “gift” to show its appreciation.

3. How Long Do British Shorthair Cats Live?

According to the UK Breeding Committee, British Shorthair cats live quite long, with a lifespan of 14-20 years.

4. Can British Shorthair Cats Tolerate Cold Weather?

Originating from the UK, where the climate is harshly cold, these cats have good cold tolerance. Their thick coat helps retain body heat effectively. In hot weather or when living in tropical climates like ours, cats will shed their fur to cool down.