British Shorthairs are generally low-maintenance pets – this is true in most cases. They don’t have special dietary requirements and don’t need to be super close to their owner, they’re able to entertain themselves just fine. As for grooming – there’s nothing to complain about here either. Grooming a British Shorthair is not burdensome or time-consuming, although it does depend on the individual cat. For more details, please see our guide.
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Grooming a British Cat? The hair is the most important
British Shorthair cats, like all other cats, need to be brushed regularly. This is to remove dead hair and prevent not only the sight of tufts of hair on the floor, but also to protect your pet from hairballs (pilobezoars) forming in their digestive tract.
How often should you brush a British shorthair cat? Once a week should be plenty, with 2-3 times a week during shedding periods. It only takes a few minutes and is actually quite enjoyable for your purring friend, though you may need to get him used to it. You definitely shouldn’t try to hold him down on your lap by force. This could end in aggression from his side and will certainly make him lose trust in you (British shorthairs have very good memories).
British cat ears
The next necessary grooming step is cleaning your cat’s ears. British Shorthairs don’t usually have typical problems with this part of their body, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, and treat them to a short cleaning session every two weeks or so. Remove any wax or other dirt from the outer part of their ear using cotton swabs or a special animal-safe spray.
British cat’s claws
Regular nail care for British cats also includes trimming their nails. The frequency of this procedure depends on whether the cat willingly uses a scratching post and if they have a tendency to destroy furniture and floors.
Pet Facts!
For your cat’s first nail trimming, it’s best to visit the vet’s office. The doctor will show you how to properly perform the trimming so you don’t hurt your cat.
British cat eyes
A very important grooming procedure for British cats is washing their eyes. Unfortunately, representatives of this breed tend to block the tear ducts, which in a short time can cause severe watering and pus in the eyes. To avoid this, just wipe your kitten’s eyes with a cotton swab soaked in, for example, a chamomile decoction every morning.
Attention!
If this does not help and the eyes are getting more and more irritated, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible so they can flush out the tear ducts.
British Longhair Grooming
For long-haired representatives of the “British” family, we proceed exactly the same as with a short-haired cat. The only difference is of course the higher frequency of combing the fur. Except for the molting period, we do it 2-3 times a week, and during intensive hair loss every day. This will reduce the mess at home, and above all, it will allow you to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the cat and minimize the risk of hair balls forming in its digestive tract.
Jak widać pielęgnacja kota brytyjskiego nie jest jakoś szczególnie skomplikowana i na pewno nie zabierze Ci dużo czasu. Każdy z tych zabiegów może być natomiast fajną okazją do nawiązania bliskiego kontaktu z bardzo oszczędnym w okazywaniu uczuć „brytyjczykiem”.
