How To Choose British Shorthair Cat Breeds
As a cat lover you probably already know that this is one of the most popular breeds worldwide. It was developed by Harrison Wier who is considered to be the first professional cat breeder. He took a street cat from Britain and transformed it into the impressive currently known British Shorthair. It has ever since faced great rivalry from other breeds such as the Persian but always manages to remain the favorite of most people. There are a number of things that you should consider before getting one to ensure that you prepare well. Here are some of them.
Preference
The cats of the same breed won’t necessarily have the same traits. Their general attributes such as body size and how they are built might be similar but other characteristics such as color, pattern, and length will be different. Thus, it is important that you consider your preference and not just go for any that is available. This is particularly of importance if you are getting it as a pet for your loved ones. Ask them the qualities that they would like. While most people do not care about gender you can still ask them if they’d like a male or a female one.
Maintenance
It is important that you consider the maintenance needs of the pet so that you know what to expect. Your lifestyle should be able to cater to that so as to keep them healthy and happy. Luckily, the British Shorthair is an undemanding pet that won’t consume much of your time. It is a social creature but also an independent one that can take care of itself. As opposed to others that require petting all the time and always seek attention, this one is calm and reserved. It is not destructive either, so you won’t have to worry about having your furniture ruined. However, it is advisable that you take your time and get them to exercise so as to keep them in good shape. During the early stages of their life, they tend to be very active but this slows down as they grow older. To ensure that they don’t overfeed and get obese, ration their food. Give them a balanced diet that mainly comprises of dry foods. Buying them a toy to play with can also help keep them active.
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Age
This also depends on preference as some people love younger kittens than older ones. Others prefer older ones because the young ones are delicate and looking after them can be a lot of work. Most breeders like holding onto their kitten until they are at least 12 weeks old. By then they are grown and can be able to take care of themselves to some extent. Adopting a kitten basically separates them from their mother hence they should be well-developed physically to be able to fend for themselves and socially to be able to get along well with others. Weaning occurs by the age of eight weeks.
Sleeping place
Cats do like a warm fuzzy place to sleep on. That’s why most of the time you will find them on the couch or your bed. It is recommended that you get them their own small cozy bed to sleep on. There is a variety of beds being sold that you can choose from. The British Shorthair likes the Cat Chesterfield among others. Be sure to wash the beddings or spray them with pesticides to kill the bugs that might be hiding there. You can also put some indoor plants nearby that are known to repel pests.
Health
You should make sure that the cat is healthy before acquiring it. A healthy cat will have a clear coat, look lively, and in good shape. To be certain that it has undergone medical checkups you should request for the health clearance certificates. Be careful as some people usually forge such papers and you might end up with a sick pet without knowing. You should also schedule a visit to your vet so that they can conduct another test just to be sure that the animal is indeed in good health. During feeding sessions, you can also administer CBD oil to them as this is known to promote good health.
Training
Although the British Shorthair is not a demanding pet proper training is still required for good behavior. Make sure that it has been trained on the basic stuff such as knowing when and where to relieve themselves and also how to get along with others. This will make your work easier. Good training will also help keep the pet out of danger.
Price
It differs depending on the breeder. The total cost is inclusive of additional expenses such as vaccination, medical checkups, and training fees. Avoid going for cheap breeders as they usually provide low-quality services and might even skip on important matters that will end up costing you a lot in the long run.
Conclusion
The British Shorthair is an amazing breed that provides good company. It was originally meant to keep away small rodents hence its strong legs and well-built body. One of the good things about it is that it is easy to take care of. As long as you feed it well, groom it properly, and give it time to exercise it will be in good health. If you decide to get one from a breeder, be sure to choose a competent breeder.