1
The color of a purebred British cat determines its belonging to a particular breed and is an important breed characteristic. Coloring | Coat coloring is always genetically linked to the pigmentation of the paw pads and nose, as well as to the pattern on the coat. Thus, a blue cat should have fully pigmented paw pads. If at least one pink spot is found on them, according to the rules of felinology, which approves breed standards, it will be considered not blue, but blue-cream.
Color is an important breed characteristic, along with the size and shape of the body, the location of the ears and eyes on the head, and the shape of the tail. There are breeds in which color is not one of the breed characteristics. These include sphinxes, devoid of hair as such. In other representatives of the domestic cat, color accounts for over 30% of the breed standard. These rules apply when evaluating the following breeds:
- Abyssinian;
- Bengali;
- Korats and a number of other purebred cats.
The British have a large number of colors recognized as the breed standard. The classic color is the monochromatic blue, which appeared with the breed. From her came other, including rare types of colors of the British breed.
Today, over 200 colors of British cats have been registered in felinology, which have their own coding and are necessarily indicated in the pedigree.
British Fold kitten
The main difference between fold-eared kittens is their small ears that hang down. They also have a hump on their nose . The head has a round shape and a clearly defined chin. The eyes of lop-eared kittens are widely spaced and slightly protruding. Since the cat's body is muscular and their legs are short, it seems that they are clubbing. The normal weight for them is considered to be 7-8 kg, so they are classified as large breeds.
In appearance, British kittens resemble a plush toy because their fur is short. The fur is usually colored one color. For example:
- Ginger;
- Blue;
- Cream.
The most popular among animal lovers are the British Blue Fold cats . This color is classic for them and comes in various shades of gray. At the level with these colors there are also such as:
- Tiger;
- Marble;
- Spotted.
And red is considered a particularly rare coloring for the British, so such a cat is considered very valuable. In addition, they have ingenuity and high intuition.
The history of the appearance of the blue British kitten
It is believed that Russian blue kittens, which were brought to England, are the ancestors of the British fold cat. In 1961, a cat was born on a farm in Scotland, whose ears hung down and was white in color. She was the beginning of the breed of British fold cats. They began to be considered a separate breed only in 2004, and before that they were classified as ordinary British.
History of the breed
Great Britain is considered the birthplace of animals. Hence the name of the breed. There are several versions of the origin of the breed, but there is no reliable data. Scientists and historians are more inclined to the following.
On the islands of Britain, unusual-looking cats appeared thanks to the Romans. According to historical data, attacks by the ancient Romans occurred from the year 43. That is, the breed appeared in Britain at the beginning of the 1st century AD. A distinctive feature of the cats was their thick, short hair and large size. A reliable coat protected the animal from moisture and cold, and the predator’s grip did not leave the cat without food. The animal has completely mastered the unusual terrain and adapted to its living conditions.
For a long time, British cats were used as the main weapon against rodents, small pests of fields, and agriculture. Due to their endurance, good health, massive body, and death grip, they quickly dealt with the victim.
In the 16th century, members of high society drew attention to these creatures. Since about 1870, official cat exhibitions began to be held. The British cat is among the first participants. From this time on, breed standards were clearly defined. Breeders began to intensively develop new breeds. The British Shorthair cat was often used as a basis. The strongest, strongest representatives were crossed with Persian cats. From here came the round, slightly flattened shape of the muzzle.
Then came the time of wars - World War 1, World War 2. During this period, the number of British cats decreased significantly. To renew the breed, they began to cross it with similar ones - Burmese, Scottish, Persian, Russian Blue, Chartreux. Thanks to this, several barely distinguishable varieties of the breed appeared. Despite this, the British Shorthair cat is considered one of the few that have been crossed in order to improve physiological and psychological qualities. Today this breed is known throughout the world.
British blue cat behavior
British cats get along well with children and can live well in the company of other animals.
They have no aggression at all and are very friendly. Even if they are not happy with something, cats will not show their claws. British kittens are also very calm when completely alone and the absence of their owner will not cause them to worry. But at the same time, it is a great pleasure for them to be close to their owner, and the kittens always greet them warmly. In their behavior, British cats show how well-mannered they are and will never climb into hands without permission. They are always reserved, although their physical condition allows them to instantly join in any game.
Like any other small animal, a British Fold kitten needs to prepare a place before it arrives in the house. This includes keeping the wires out of sight, because he can easily gnaw them, and hiding all the chemicals that are used in the house.
The kitten also needs to determine a place for him to rest and sleep; you can install a house and a scratching post. Thus, from the very first days you will be able to accustom your cat to order.
When a British Fold comes into your home, you need to give him time to calmly study everything and examine the entire house.
What you need to buy for a kitten
Before a little Briton appears in the family, you need to prepare the house for his arrival. From the very first days, the baby will need a litter tray, a food bowl, toys, and a place to sleep.
As for the toilet, it is better to first purchase a tray of low height. A filler is purchased for it. It is better not to purchase too cheap litters, as they do not absorb odors well and do not clump, which makes cleaning the cat litter difficult. You can use wood fillers or silica gel.
Caring for a blue British kitten
The British cat does not require any special care requirements. You will need to purchase a special brush and comb it at least once a week. Only when the animal begins to shed will it be necessary to do this daily. This period occurs once a year for cats. And since the British dog’s coat periodically becomes dirty, you can buy a special dry shampoo and rub it into the animal’s coat.
It is not recommended to wash a cat of this breed in water. Water procedures can be used extremely rarely, in cases where the pollution issue cannot be resolved otherwise. The water when swimming should not exceed 40 degrees, but should not be cold either. It is necessary to avoid getting water into the ears and eyes of the animal. The shampoo must be chosen in accordance with the color of the animal. Drafts in this process can be very dangerous for British Folds. Immediately after the procedure, you need to wipe it with a towel and plant it for further drying.
The cat must be examined every day . Clean the cat's eyes and ears. Thus, the kitten is accustomed to these procedures from childhood and it becomes a way of life. The ears should be cleaned with a cotton swab and make sure that there are no rashes or plaque on the ears. The eyes are also cleaned with a cotton swab and monitored for the absence of pus, otherwise it will be necessary to take the cat to the veterinarian. Your cat's claws need to be trimmed to half their length every month.
Breed varieties
There is only one type of breed - the British Longhair cat. In terms of appearance, the only difference is the long coat. It happens that short-haired females and males have weak genes responsible for hair. Therefore, the offspring appear with long hair. Cases became more frequent during intensive breed crossings. As a result of this process, that same weak gene made itself known.
When crossing with the Persian breed, they noticed that the skull became irregular in shape, and the depression on the bridge of the nose deepened. At this point, crossing with the Persians stopped; their persistent representatives continue to produce interesting offspring. Very often this cat is confused with fold-eared cats. Their appearance has a lot in common, however, these are 2 different breeds.
British blue cat nutrition
Like any other pet, a balanced diet is important for the British pet, which will help him ensure longevity, an active lifestyle and, of course, health.
You need to be prepared for the fact that cats of this breed are very picky eaters. They cannot digest spicy, salty and fatty foods. Food from the refrigerator is also dangerous for them, so before giving it to your pet, you need to heat the food to 26 degrees. The most important thing in a cat's food is lean meat . A Briton can eat meat either boiled or raw. It is preferable to feed your cat raw meat, as it contains more vitamins and promotes jaw development. When it comes to poultry, the British prefer to eat chicken that has previously been heat-treated and the meat has been separated from the bones.
It is also necessary to include plant foods in the cat’s diet. These include cereals, vegetables, and herbs. Of these, she prefers zucchini, carrots, cucumbers and even cabbage. Don’t forget about dairy products – sour cream, yoghurts, cheeses. Cheese for a kitten, of course, is better to choose only lightly salted varieties.
For vitamin supplementation, you can purchase seeds of a special vitamin-rich grass at a pet store and plant it at home.
Kitten toilet
In this matter you need to be persistent and patient .
The kitten needs to choose the most secluded place, for example, a bathroom or toilet. It is important that the toilet is not located near the place where the cat rests and eats. In the tray, which is selected according to the size of the cat, you need to pour a few centimeters of litter for toilets. It must be replaced frequently as it is used. It is better to wash the tray using baby soap and a sponge. If a small pet cannot immediately get used to the tray, under no circumstances should you shout or scold him. You need to put the tray in the place where it “shits” and gradually move the tray closer to the place that you have allocated for it.
The British Fold kitten does not require much hassle in keeping and caring for itself. And if you follow the simple rules of keeping it, the kitten will be active, healthy and will bring a lot of positive emotions to its owner.
British fold kittens
Breeding
British Folds do not yet have specific breeding standards, since the breed has not received official recognition. All breeding advice is considered only a recommendation from amateur felinologists.
Who to set up with
Today the breed is still unstable. It is recommended to improve the health of cats and diversify the gene pool by crossing British Shorthairs and British Folds.
Photo: British Folds are recommended to be mated with either British Straights or Scottish Straights
Not all kittens will have curled ears, but they will form without any abnormalities. You can also breed British Folds with Scottish Straights.
Only in such couples are healthy babies born. Felinologists strongly do not recommend breeding two British Folds: the offspring are often born underdeveloped and sick.
Mating
Seals of this breed reach sexual maturity at seven to nine months. However, mating must be done after the animal reaches one year of age. Otherwise, the animal itself may be injured, and the babies will most likely be born dead.
Photo: mating of cats of this breed can only be carried out from the age of one year
For mating, you can choose any suitable purebred cat (or cat). The couple is then left together for several days.
There is no need to worry if the young cat was unable to get pregnant during her first mating. This is completely normal! Don't be alarmed and don't take your animal to the veterinarian.
Features of pregnancy and childbirth
The pregnancy of British Folds lasts 9 weeks and proceeds approximately the same as in Scottish relatives. During the first days, the cat is in a peaceful state, and the animal’s appetite increases significantly.
Photo: British Fold pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks
The first signs of pregnancy are detected in the second week: the nipples become darker and swell. By the fifth week, the tummy is rounded, and you can even notice the babies moving. Before giving birth, be sure to prepare a shelter house for the expectant mother!
