10 Facts About British Shorthair Cats

It would be very easy to say that British Shorthair cats are among the most beloved and favourite of all breeds of cats, and these adorable little critters prove that there is nothing they cannot do when it
comes to their cuteness and fluff. But before you would get or adopt one as your lifelong companion, here are a few facts about them which you might have to first consider.

After all, it takes a lot of responsibility in bringing up another member of the family, so these might be useful in your search for a fluffy companion.

      10 Facts About British Shorthair Cats

1- THEY ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF THE CATS OF ROMAN CONQUERORS

When the ancient Romans boarded the ship that would take them to Britain, they have brought with them these adorable floofs meant to be the stronghold against mice and other rodents that plagued the food of early centuries. And as these cats are highly versatile both in the homes and in the streets, it wasn't difficult for them to roam their way around their new country and breed with the native cats, bringing about what we now know as the British Shorthairs.

2-  THEY’RE HERE TO STAY, AND SO ARE THEIR SKILLS

Even when centuries have already passed, the highly admirable trait of catching pests is still attributed to the British Shorthairs.

They have a knack of running around and catching things that pique their interests, and where their energies go, so do trails of victims that follow. Just kidding. They are mostly laid-back cats, but when they are energized enough to run around, better be prepared for the aftermath.

3-  WITH THE STRONGEST SURVIVAL GENES

British Shorthair Cats are reported to survive for up to 20 years, with the average span of about 14 years for most. Still, this does not excuse human companions to be rather lax about their welfare.

After all, their survival rate still depends on their health and on the attention being given to them, so as with most domesticated animals, they still have to be constantly brought to the vet for their maintenance check-ups and consultations to ensure a smooth transition from their younger to older stages.

4- HEAVY SLEEPERS

Relaying that these types of cat love to sleep may just be the understatement of the year. British Shorthairs tend to sleep for 14 to 16 hours per day, and that only means that once they wake up, everyone would have to expect sharp bursts of energies when they feel like running up and about.

Still, they are typically considered as laid-back, so there should be not much problems when it comes to their behavior and discipline.

5- WITH GREAT POWERS COME GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

The extended survival rate of British Shorthairs may be a trait that would make just about anyone want one, however, they are also very prone to obesity and other weight-related problems.

 Due to their laid-back attitude and their knack of sleeping for very long periods, their body fats tend to stay in their bodies, allowing for stagnation to occur. With this, it must be remembered that the human carers should closely monitor their cats’ diets to ensure that they would not be given too much, and that they should be encouraged to move around and exercise to shed off those extra pounds.

It is also recommended that they would be given the chance to interact with fellow felines – a bit of playful roughhousing and a game of tag would encourage running around, keeping their health and their muscles as active as can be.

6- A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLORS

While their breed is known to boast the blue color when it comes to their vibrant fur (with their breed name even originally referred to as the British Blue), there has been a record of British Shorthairs exhibiting 30 different colors and patterns.

From red chinchilla to silver patched tabby to even a very unique shade of silver or smoke, anything's possible. So if you spot a cute little one with very rounded eyes, never doubt that it may just be this favorite type of breed.

7- ICY EYES

Similar to their various combinations of fur colors and patterns, the British Shorthair Cats’ eyes also have a number of shades, not just copper or gold. More distinct eye shades are those of blue green, hazel, sapphire blue and even green, and some cats would even have two different-colored eyes. But they don’t just come off randomly.

If, for example, your white British Shorthair has two eye colors, one must be deep sapphire blue and the other must be gold—nothing else. Blue British Shorthairs should also just have either gold or copper eyes.

8- VERY LAID BACK

As previously mentioned, these types of cats are mostly just lounging here and about and would most likely not cause much rowdiness in the house. And it is this very reason that British Shorthairs are actually good as companions for children.

They aren’t noisy and they only prefer to be with you to cuddle, so parents need not worry that your children will get scratches or rough bites from these cats. And to keep them engaged, they are satisfied enough with interactive toys, so they shouldn’t go amiss when getting a British Shorthair.

9- HAIR SO FINE, SO DIVINE

British Shorthair Cats are known to have very dense and furry coats, so proper upkeep for these strands to not be tangled is a must. Still, they do not mat or tangle easily – think of deep pile carpets and you’ll know how their bodies would feel against your hands.

They are very easy to maintain and would not be needing much time with the groomers, so that’s convenience at the palm of your hands, quite literally!

10- CAT IN WONDERLAND

It may not be as apparent, but the British Shorthair is the primary inspiration for the beloved Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. With chubby cheeks, short hair and a pudgy body, the feline that constantly grins has already reached a steady place in all our hearts. And just another fun fact, it is said that even Puss in Boots also takes after our beloved British Shorthair breed.