How to Care for British Shorthair Cat Breeds?

Have you recently adopted a British shorthair? These round-headed, chubby creatures are easy to care for as long as owners groom them regularly. 

Regular combing, claw clipping, and teeth brushing are essential for keeping your pet good-looking and healthy. These felines should be fed high-quality food appropriate for their age, providing them with all the vital nutrients. Regular exercise is also necessary to avoid obesity and other health issues. 

The following tips will help you take good care of your darling British shorthair.

Brush their fur regularly

Although the coat of these fluffy felines is short, it still requires regular combing, a minimum of once per week. The moment you notice mats and tangles in your pet’s fur, brush them as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that the longer you leave its fur not brushed, the higher the risk of hairballs. When felines lick themselves, they ingest all the loose hair. 

Regular brushing minimizes the likelihood of hairballs while promoting an optimal distribution of natural skin oils. The frequency of combing should be increased in spring and autumn when British shorthairs tend to shed the most. Also, senior felines should be combed more frequently due to their negligence regarding self-grooming. Visit this website to see how to comb your cat the right way.

Clip their claws

Despite taking good care of their coats, British shorthair owners are expected to clip the claws of these felines every ten to fourteen days. Unless this grooming habit is practiced regularly, the claws of your cat might become ingrown and overly sharp. Owners need to be careful when clipping the nails of their companions, as felines don’t find this activity very amusing. 

Therefore, during the clipping process, make sure to remove just the tip of the claw. Never do both paws simultaneously in order not to frustrate your cat. Instead, try accustoming your pet to this object by leaving it beside its food bowl or bed. Given the curiosity of felines, your British shorthair will most likely lick and sniff the clippers, even play with them. Such behavior will make it feel more comfortable and unafraid during clipping.

Brush their teeth 

Another way of caring for British shorthairs is by brushing their teeth every day. This breed is prone to cavities and gingivitis, thus requiring regular dental hygiene. Since brushing the teeth of your companion can be a challenging task, make sure it gets used to the presence of the brush in its mouth. The most effective way of acclimating your companion to the brush is by letting it lick something delicious off it, such as chicken broth. 

In addition, there are various types of feline toothpaste available in different flavors like tuna or malt. If your feline is still reluctant to open its mouth, try using a finger brush. These plastic brushes are designed to be very small so as to fit the fingertips of owners. Additionally, these gadgets have small bristles, which makes the process more comfortable.

Change their litter boxes daily

Another important tip British shorthairs should follow is emptying the litter boxes of their pets daily. Litter tray hygiene is essential for keeping your British Shorthair happy and healthy. As soon as you notice signs of dampness and foul smells coming out of the box, it means you have to change the litter. 

The location of the litter box is also significant, as it should be placed somewhere safe and secure. If your home has multiple stories, the best solution would be placing one box on each floor. Adding too much litter isn’t recommended since felines are reluctant to boxes filled over two inches. 

Feed them properly

British shorthairs should be fed in accordance with their age, as kittens and adult cats eat different types of food. Until your pet turns one, you should feed him/her special food formulated for kittens. It’s paramount for the food you choose to be rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, all of which are required for proper nutrition. 

Furthermore, your British shorthair companion is supposed to enjoy the meals he/she eats. Make sure to try different flavors and types of food before identifying its favorites. Salmon and chicken are some of the most preferred choices. To keep your feline hydrated at all times, don’t forget to change its water daily. The majority of cats are picky about drinking unclean water, sitting in the bowl for days. 

Perhaps the most important tip to follow regarding the diet of your British shorthair friend is avoiding overfeeding. This breed is at tremendous risk of obesity because of its laziness and low activity levels. The average weight of adult cats is between 9 and 18 pounds. Don’t give your feline large portions to prevent osteoarthritis and diabetes. See this URL, https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-if-Your-Cat-is-Overweight, to check out how to determine whether your cat is overweight.

Instead of overfeeding your feline, try stimulating it with teaser toys like a fishing pole by holding it over its head. You can also toss a ball for your pet to chase it around the house. British shorthairs have a lot of fun while chasing a laser pointer or playing with paper bags. 

There is no point in adopting a pet unless you plan to look after it. 

Your British shorthair deserves all the attention, love, and care in the world!