British Shorthair Kittens

British Shorthair kittens are sweet, gentle, and loveable animals. Let’s learn more about the breed.

As its name states, British Shorthair originated in Rome and was transplanted to the British Isles. During World War II, the British Shorthair was been mixed and inter-breed with the blue Persian cat as people grew tired of maintaining pedigreed felines. Currently, the breed is no longer bred with Persian cats.

Physical Appearance

The British Shorthair breed is a muscular, stocky lot. They have round shaped eyes. They also have a very thick dense coat of fur which protects them from the elements. Brits have large heads and broad shoulders. Female British Shorthairs have a smaller build than their male counterparts. Brits are not particularly large cats. However, they are quite strong and powerful in stature. They have rather short legs in comparison to their bodies. They also have well-defined chins and jaws.

Colors

British Shorthairs come in many different colors: solid, tabby, bicolor, tortoiseshell, tipped, smoke, and pointed. Solid color ranges from white to blue to black. Eye color varies and depends on the color of the coats.

Temperament

British Shorthair kittens tend to be quiet kittens. They do not meow very often. But, when they do, they have soft, gentle meows. They are calm kittens that get along well with kids and other pets. British Shorthairs are less active than many other breeds. They do well in small spaces like apartments due to their less activity. They are very affectionate with their owners. And although not a true lap cat, they love be with and near their owners.

British Shorthairs are natural leaders and love to help out around your home. Don’t be surprised if your Brit takes a leadership position among the animals in your home.

British Shorthair kittens are relatively easy to care for. Since they have short hair, weekly brushing and nail clipping are really all that’s needed to keep a kitten in top shape. Your may want to use a comb to detangle the roots of the hair.

Bathing may be needed if your kitten’s fur is soiled or needs to be refreshed. Just make sure your kitten is at least 3 months old. Younger kittens have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Therefore, bathing should be avoided in newborns. Make sure to keep your kitten’s nail trimmed and clipped to prevent scratching. Most Brits are compliant to nail trimming.

Development

British Shorthair kittens often develop later than other breeds. It may take up to 3 years for Brits to mature fully into adulthood. Brit moms are loving and gentle with their offspring. They socialize their kittens how to interact with each other and with humans.

Like human teenagers, Brit kittens may go through a gangly stage. Since they develop later than many other breeds, it may take a while for British Shorthairs to grow into their stocky physical form. Like most kittens, British Shorthair kittens open their eyes by two weeks of age and may start to eat solid food around 3 weeks of age. Brits tend to have large litters; up to six kittens in one litter.

Health Issues

British Shorthairs are an overall healthy stock. However, there are inherited health conditions that can affect the breed.

• Newborn Isoerythrolysis

  Newborn isoerythrolysis is a type of feline anemia. British Shorthairs are born with one of three blood types: A, B, or AB. A problem arises when a type B female cat breed with a male type A. If at least of the offspring has type A blood, mom cat cannot nurse her type A kittens. Mom cat’s milk contains antibodies against type A blood.

  This may cause severe life-threatening anemia in her type A kittens. Most kittens will not survive. That is why it is important to check the genetic profile of cats before breeding them.

• Congenital Deafness

  White coat British Shorthairs with blue eyes are susceptible to born deaf. While not all white kittens with blue eyes are born deaf, they face a higher risk than other kittens without the trait.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

  In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the cat’s heart chambers become thickened and fill with fibrous connective tissue. The thickened enlarged heart becomes weak and cannot pump blood efficiently. Felines with this disorder may have difficulty breathing, may not have energy to play, and face death. Even kittens as young as 3 months can be affected by this disorder.

• Hip Dysplasia

  Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joints do not connect properly. The condition may cause a cat pain or discomfort. Hip dysplasia is common in larger feline breeds and is a genetically inherited condition.

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