Do British shorthairs have health problems?
As breeds go, the British Shorthair is one of the healthiest. He is only prone to a couple hereditary health problems: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a form of heart disease. Hemophilia B, a bleeding disorder, for which there has been a DNA test established to help breeders identify carriers and affected cats.
How many hours do British Shorthair kittens sleep?
Cats can sleep almost the whole day. It is not surprising to see a cat sleep for up to 20 hours in a single day. It is much more common for a cat to sleep for 10 to 16 hours.
Where can I get a British Shorthair cat?
Even if you’re not planning on taking your BSH on the show circuit, you should still focus on registered breeders if you’re looking for a kitten. While British Shorthair kittens do turn up on adoption registries or even in shelters, this is very rare.
When to buy a male or female BSh cat?
Younger cats are more trainable and offer more opportunities for showing. You will need to buy your BSH kitten from a registered breeder to ensure your new cat has a proper pedigree. When you’ve decided between an adult cat and a kitten, the next question is whether you should get a male or a female cat.
How big should a British Shorthair cat tray be?
To find the ideal length, take this measurement and multiply it by 150 per cent — that is to say, the box should be half-again as long as your cat. If your British Shorthair is at the upper end of the breed’s size, you may not be able to find a large enough tray in the pet store.
Why is British Shorthair bad for the environment?
Your pet is more likely to pick up pests, parasites and diseases if allowed to wander around outdoors. On the flip side, your British Shorthair also poses a significant hazard to the local wildlife; they are very skilled and effective hunters, well able to put a dent in breeding populations of songbirds and other creatures.
When to separate new British shorthair kittens?
This is the age at which you’ll probably meet your British Shorthair. A quality breeder will keep new kittens with their mother for at least 12 weeks, with some breeders preferring not to separate kittens before 16 weeks.
How big should a 16 week old British Shorthair kitten be?
Some 16-week-old kittens of this breed weigh as much as 2.27 kg (5 lbs). Continue feeding your kitten several times a day , ensuring that the food you provide is fresh and of good quality. Remember to keep feeding and water bowls very clean.
How much food does a British Shorthair cat need?
Kittens need small meals because their bodies can’t hold large amounts of food. When my own British Shorthair cats were kittens I gave them a pouch of wet food per day, divided into four or five portions with one quarter or one-fifth of a pouch per meal.
When do British Shorthairs start to gain weight?
This won’t be much of a problem in the first year of your British Shorthair’s life, as their kittenishly high activity level and rapid growth will make short work of any additional energy. Once your cat reaches maturity, however, the extra calories can contribute to excess weight gain.