As it is not noticeable in our family, a desire to acquire a affectionate kitten was born. After digging around on the Internet, they decided on the breed and the color. As you may have guessed, the choice was made in favor of the British shorthair. This breed in the cat's documents is indicated by the abbreviation BRI. In the pedigree of the thoroughbred British shorthair cat there should be neither strikes, nor folds. Unsuccessful interbreeding with representatives of the lop-eared breed can lead to fragility of the offspring's bones and negatively affect the acuity of their sight.
After finding a suitable breeder, the whole family went for a blue kitten three months old. After receiving detailed instructions from the mistress of the mother cat, they brought the shivering gray creature home.
It turned out that caring for a British short-haired cat is not such an easy task. As the breeders warned, the kitten immediately got under the chair and did not get out for two hours. Then came timid and short-lived outings in the direction of a bowl left with food nearby. By the way, a bowl is better to use ceramic, with thick walls and wide enough. The first time is better to limit the movement of the kitten around the apartment with the scale of one room. At night our new pet finally got accustomed. He himself found a precautionally left tray in the same room. I finished the food, pawed the asparagus sprigs, which was on the table by the armchair, and fell asleep on the cushion. That's how our life began with the "owner of the apartment."
The first thing that turned out - we bought the wrong tray. The tray for the British should be with high sides (looks like a cradle of a baby carriage). This is because representatives of this breed like to rummage properly in the filler both before and after use for the intended purpose. Through trial and error, they concluded that the filler is better to buy either a lumpy type PiPiBent, or a conventional wood with an average granule size.
The second thing that turned out to be - cats of the British breed are selective in food, although unpretentious. Breeders recommended us to use for feeding the kitten Gourmet preserved food with rabbit, but our cat ate it reluctantly and we quickly abandoned it. Our "younger brother" prefers chicken to all other kinds of delicacies and does not want to eat liver. Yes, and dry food for eating refused flatly. Despite the fact that his parents were very willing to eat dry food for large cats, for example, RoyalCanin. In order to pamper the cat, we divide into portions of about 200 g of chicken breast fillets (it should not be stored in the freezer for more than a month). Then cut into slices about a little finger thick. Bring to boiling water without salt and throw there chicken slices for 5-6 minutes. After that, we cool to a temperature just above room temperature and give the cat. Do not give the kitten pork. It is believed that those pathogens that are contained in the raw meat of pigs are absolutely harmless to humans and dogs, but can seriously damage the health of a cat. They did not check, they believed the breeders and the vet for a word. And also our British short-haired cat loves vitamins Gimpet. Balanced feed for kittens does not require the use of additional vitamin complexes. But those owners, whose kittens prefer the usual food, the use of vitamins in the diet of pets is simply necessary. The vet strictly forbade the British to feed the fish. He also advised not to give milk, replacing it with kefir or diluted sour cream if necessary.
Do not forget about veterinarians. Even if you do not plan to release a pet from home, vaccinations and scheduled examinations can not be missed. After all, harmful dirt can get into the house from the street, for example, on the sole of shoes. Or get to the cat when he hunts flies in the summer. In addition, the veterinarian will teach you how to properly care for the ears and claws of the pet. The veterinary passport of the thoroughbred cat shows the main physiological data. In addition, the registration stamp of the veterinary institution and the vaccination notes against rabies, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calcivirus are stamped. And also data on dehelminthization.
When you care for a British Shorthair cat, remember that it quickly gaining weight. If you do not restrain the pet in food, it can become excessively thick. The stocky, squat British cats are quite agile, but prefer not to do unnecessary movements. Our cat easily jumps on furniture of any height, but does it reluctantly. He never used curtains as a Swedish wall.
Almost immediately after the appearance of a cat in the house, it turned out that it was unlikely that we would be able to sleep for work. Kotik remembers the regularity: the alarm clock ring - the rise of the owner. And that's why it helps the alarm clock in every way, if its signal was ignored. At the same time, no matter how hungry the cat was, wake up the owners before the alarm clock rings, he will not. This important advantage is especially appreciated at the weekend.
British cat - the animal is very smart. He understands about fifty words and sensitively captures the mood of the owner. Consoling the frustrated member of the family with purring and caresses, he does not become exactly the same as he does not fall under the hot hand. In such moments of emotional outbursts, one can easily forget that in the house there is an animal in general. As long as the owners do not calm down, the cat will not seem to be seen. If the child persuades you to buy a kitten, then remember - the representatives of the British short-haired breed differ in a wayward manner. They are calm, majestic felines, confident that you are created for them, and not they for you. The British are more suitable for maintaining the image of businessmen than for active games with children. In addition, their content costs a good penny. However, these cats will never allow themselves to scratch the baby. And on his persistent offer to play, most likely, will answer by simple leaving in the next room. Play this creature will be only when it wants.
By the way, as for toys. It is best to use a piece of fur on a rope or toys-fishing rods with feather "baits", sold in pet stores. All kinds of balls and mice are of little interest for both kittens and adult cats. It should be taken into account that with prolonged running in a cat, difficulty with breathing may occur.
It is an ideal breed for keeping in a city apartment. You do not need to squeeze out a lot, just hold the pet's body with wet hands several times to remove excess wool. If you do this often, then the nap will not have to be removed from the furniture, or from the floor. In any case, the short wool of a Briton does not fly around the house, but falls to the floor and is easily removed by a broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Problems with the safety of furniture we did not arise: the claw of a cat grinds about a nail. Our task is to update the disintegrated parts in time. Breeders advised to purchase flat nails with a mint filler, which are nailed to the wall or attached to furniture at a comfortable height for the kitten. However, we did not follow this advice, but bought a two-story cat house in the pet store. The cat does not use the house on the ground floor, but the second tier willingly uses it as an observation post. Details of such houses, designed for sharpening claws, are made on the principle of a designer and are easily interchangeable.
In conclusion, I want to say that we have never doubted the accuracy of our pet's choice for a second.