British cats, both baby kittens and adult cats, need proper and healthy food. It is believed that this cat breed originates from the Cheshire cat from the famous Alice in Wonderland. In fact, the British cat breed was first recognized in 1871. This happened at the first London Cat Show.
Representatives of the British breed have a strong build, well-developed chest muscles, a not too long tail, strong dense paws, and a round head. The main features of the British are their dense coat, which looks like a plush coat of a special color, and a slightly flattened nose on the muzzle. There are more than 229 coat color options, each of which has its own standards. The blue shade of wool was considered classic, although other color options have now gained popularity.
British kittens of different colors.
How to choose the right British kitten
Sometimes you have to wait several months for a good pedigree baby from a specialized nursery. Usually kittens older than three months are given away from nurseries. At this age, babies receive all the necessary vaccinations. In the first month, the state of his health becomes clear. When choosing a baby, it would be a good idea to look at his parents along with photographs of the baby himself. You shouldn’t give up on the animal’s pedigree. Without this, even the most purebred cat becomes an ordinary yard cat. When choosing a little Briton, you cannot rely solely on his photographs.
It is better to find time and come to see your future pet in person. It is important to see it in your usual home environment. It is important to pay attention to his diet, what he is fed and what he likes. It is important to personally make sure that the animal knows what a litter box is. To do this, you will have to wait until the kitten goes to the toilet. Veterinarians advise listening to the cat - holding the cat to your ear and making sure that your furry friend does not have glanders.
At first glance this may seem strange, but the British breed sometimes has natural errors. The kitten may have deviated nasal septums and blocked tear ducts. This usually comes from the structural features of the skull.
If this is present, the animal’s eyes will constantly water and a characteristic noise will appear when breathing, similar to a quiet sniffle. When choosing a furry friend, many people advise checking the condition of his gums for the presence of gingivitis. This is not an uncommon occurrence for this breed.
Together with the animal, ask for its passport, which contains all the vaccinations given since birth. Many breeders give away his litter tray, favorite toys, and scratching posts along with the pet, but this depends on the person from whom the British baby is purchased. The breeder will also give some recommendations on care, feeding habits and other tips.
How to determine the sex and breed of a kitten
Usually cats give birth to several kittens. Immediately after lambing they are very small and wet. Outwardly, newborns do not at all resemble representatives of the cat family. Their appearance changes greatly within a few days after birth. They become covered in soft fluff and become tiny, cute little balls. The average weight and height of kittens up to one year old is shown in the table.
Average weight and height of kittens up to one year old.
After birth, questions arise about the gender of the kitten. It is possible to accurately determine gender only after several weeks. During this time, the baby will already be formed. Many people think that gender can be determined by the behavior of an animal. However, this is a misconception, as girls and boys can behave in exactly the same way.
It is best to entrust this issue to a veterinarian or an experienced breeder. There were cases when the owners believed that they had a cat Vaska. And a year later it turned out that this was Vasilisa’s cat.
Another erroneous method is to determine gender by the nipples on the stomach. This opinion is also incorrect. Both females and males have nipples, sometimes nipples can be more pronounced on girls, but this is also not the most objective or reliable way to determine gender. The sex of a kitten can be determined by the size of the animal. As a rule, males are larger and boys have larger heads than girls. Females have a more proportional build. This method also does not guarantee an accurate result.
British classes
Breeders use conditional classification to determine the qualitative characteristics and subsequent functional activity of pets.
Pet class kittens fully comply with the recognized breed standard. Babies have no shortcomings or have some, but not significant ones: irregularly shaped ears, insufficiently thick undercoat. There are no signs by which the baby can be classified as a defective version. Kittens are sold subject to sterilization. Usually not used for breeding careers. The cost of such British kittens is lower than others: from 13 thousand to 32 thousand.
Show class favorites are the undoubted standard of the breed. Representatives of the category most often remain in nurseries and are used in competitions and exhibitions. The price of animals is maximum. Purchasing a pet from this group is considered a great success. Price from 40-60 thousand and above.
Breeding class is the main backbone of the breed. Healthy pets with good pedigree take part in exhibitions and are allowed for breeding. The price is average. They are usually classified as cats. Cats are classified as Pet. Pets cost: from 30 thousand.
Shorthair
How much a British shorthair cat costs and what color options breeders offer can be found on the websites of clubs and nurseries. Average price of animals: 25-30 thousand.
Longhair
Cats of this species are the owners of the long hair gene, which is indicated in the advertisement from experienced breeders. Price from 25 to 95 thousand.
Where is the best place to get a kitten?
The choice of a cat of the British breed should be taken very seriously. You cannot purchase a pet from street vendors, markets, or in passages or subways. A self-respecting breeder who values his reputation will never take his “wards” out onto the street or into a public place. It is better to choose specialized breeders or nurseries. Be sure to check the reliability of this nursery. Breeders involved in the British breed can be found on special websites.
What to buy for a British kitten
Before a new resident appears in the apartment, you need to purchase the items that the kitten will need. You need to have everything you need in advance. This is necessary for the animal to cope well with the move to a new place of residence. This way the adaptation will be as comfortable as possible. The most necessary things to buy are:
- tray;
- tray filler;
- claw point;
- food bowls;
- water bowl;
- carrying;
- various toys;
- animal care items.
It is better to choose metal or ceramic bowls for food.
The cat should have at least three bowls - for water, for dry food, for wet food. It is better to choose a tray for the animal with high sides so that its contents do not spill out onto the floor or walls. To make cleaning the tray easier and more hygienic, you can purchase a special scoop for cleaning up waste. To prevent your pet from damaging furniture and walls, you need to purchase a special scratching post. It can be a single column or a whole complex consisting of various blocks, houses, shelves. The scratching post should be covered with sisal or jute.
How to care for a British kitten
There are several rules in caring for a British cat, following which, the cat will feel comfortable and safe. Proper care of a cat is the key to its health and long life. The main rule concerns nutrition. Since cats have developed muscles, they need a diet high in protein. The diet should also contain biotin, vitamins (especially groups A and B), and micro-macroelements. These elements have a positive effect on the color of the animal and the condition of its coat. The second rule of care is grooming. A cat needs to be accustomed to grooming procedures from childhood. The stages of grooming are:
- ear cleaning;
- teeth cleaning;
- combing;
The cat must be examined regularly. It is recommended to check the condition of your ears once a week and clean them if necessary. If there is a rash, irritation or unpleasant odor in the ear, you should seek veterinary help.
Nails need to be trimmed twice a month. Before doing this, you need to check the condition of the paws. You need to clean your eyes regularly. Black plaque accumulates in the corners of the eyes and needs to be removed. It is better to do this with a piece of cotton wool or a cloth soaked in warm water.
The British cat needs to be brushed regularly. It is often not necessary to carry out such a procedure, but some representatives of the cat family really like this procedure. You will need to purchase a comb. It is better that its teeth are made of soft rubber. Combing can be done according to the growth of the coat or against it. Such movements are an excellent massage; they improve blood circulation. You should not wash your animal frequently; it is better to carry out regular dry cleaning with special shampoos that do not require water.
Material on the topic: what is the British cat breed.
When do kittens' eyes change color?
When purchasing an animal, many people pay attention to the color of its eyes. Indeed, this breed is distinguished by a beautiful shade of not only its coat, but also its eyes – gray-blue. But it is worth paying attention to the fact that as the cat grows up, it may change. It is impossible to determine the future eye color of small kittens. This can only be done a few months after birth, since by this time the animal will have completed its first molt.
It is possible to give a more accurate assessment of eye color only at one year of age, but by four months it is possible to predict the color. For the British, it depends on the coat color. At this age, experts will tell you whether the eye color will be yellow or dark orange. When choosing a small pet, it is best to pay attention to the health and condition of the eyes. They should not water, be cloudy, and the third eyelid should not be visible. The gallery below presents a selection of British kittens of different coat and eye colors.
Prices
Prices for British kittens, for example, in Moscow range from 85 to 850 dollars .
In Perm you can buy a British one second-hand for less than a dollar , or they’ll even give it away for nothing. But these, of course, are kittens for the soul, without documents or guarantees.
The price for kittens with a confirmed breed varies from 20 to 500 dollars .
The cost of a fluffy miracle depends on veterinary documents, the kitten itself and pedigree.
“Rejected” kittens are the cheapest. “Purebloods” are the most expensive.
Purebred kittens are divided into three classes - “pet”, “breed” and “show”. Each class has its own price.
Pet-class kittens cost from $400 , breed-class - 600 , show - 800 and more .
Have you chosen? See how to name a British kitten →
Toilet training a kitten
Domestic cats usually have no problems with litter box training. In order for the kitten to understand this as quickly as possible, you need to approach this issue correctly and in a timely manner. The tray must be prepared before a new “tenant” appears in the house. As a rule, breeders train small kittens to use the litter tray in advance, before they are given to a new owner. In this case, all that remains is to buy a new tray and filler for it.
According to physiological characteristics, kittens go to the toilet immediately after eating. At first, you need to take your baby to the toilet immediately after eating. This way the kitten will understand what is required of him. You need to carefully grab the fluffy one by the belly and make sure that the kitten does “its business.” If the kitten went to the toilet in the wrong place, you should not shout at it, much less hit it. It is also not recommended to poke an animal into a puddle it has made.
Interesting read: all the information about British cats.
It is enough to tell the little one in a stern voice that they are unhappy with him. Cats understand human intonation. After this, you need to take the animal to the tray and rustle with the filler. The place where the “crime” occurred must be quickly treated with special cleaning agents so that the kitten is not drawn there by the smell. It must also be remembered that good toilet behavior is fully formed by six months. In order for a kitten to use the toilet correctly, the tray must first of all be comfortable.
Mating
Although many people get purebred cats for the hobby, the time comes when the pet grows up and the need for mating arises. If mating involves the further sale of kittens, then this issue should be approached with all responsibility so that the offspring retain all the characteristics of the British Fold cat breed. The prices of small fluffy balls with hanging ears on the market are not the same, they range from 6 to 20 thousand rubles.
Puberty of cats of the fold breed occurs when they are 7-8 months old. It can be identified by characteristic signs: the animal’s behavior changes, it will sometimes become aggressive, begins to leave marks and tries to use soft things for its needs. However, experts do not recommend mating until the animal reaches one year of age.
The male can cover a cat at any time of the year, but the peak of activity usually occurs in the spring months, when the concentration of sperm is especially high. To get the ideal offspring, you need to choose the right partner. To do this, it is best to contact a club that breeds a breed such as the British Fold cat. Mating is carried out only with animals that have straight, erect ears. If both partners have pinned ears, the offspring are guaranteed to have congenital defects in the paws, spine, and others.
Only healthy animals are allowed for mating, without signs of illness, cough, discharge from the eyes or ears, etc. All necessary vaccinations must be completed.
The British Fold cat does not cause much trouble in keeping, and if you care for it according to all the rules, the animal will be healthy, playful and will bring a lot of positive emotions to its owners.
Raising British kittens
Individuals younger than 6 months are more amenable to training, and most of their skills are acquired before the age of three months. But this does not mean that it is impossible to accustom and educate a Briton older than this age. You can raise any pet and correct already acquired habits and habits. British cats have a good and developed level of intelligence and with sufficient attention and effort, she can be trained to meet her requirements.
Already existing bad habits cannot be unlearned with a simple “Don’t.” At the moment when the cat does something forbidden, you need to shout loudly, whistle or make any other loud sound. This will create a feeling of fear in the cat. But we must not allow the cat to become afraid of its owner. If the goal is to re-educate and, even more so, change the character of a British person, you need to be patient. This may take a long time. Don't scold the cat.
When the cat does what is required of it, the cat should be praised and given something tasty. If a cat sharpens its claws in the wrong place, for example, on furniture, walls, or chews on indoor plants, you can use several tips that work for British cats:
- You cannot scream or hit the animal. The pet may harbor a grudge against the owner or begin to be afraid of him.
- If he behaves badly, you can sprinkle water on him.
- Suddenly and imperceptibly clap your hands if the cat begins to do the forbidden.
- Spray the crime scene with an air freshener, preferably one with a citrus scent. Cats cannot stand this smell.
Raising British kittens is a simple process. This breed is easy to train and very intelligent. The main thing is for the cat to understand who is in charge in the house.
Differences in habits and behavior
Differences in appearance are not the only way to recognize representatives of different cat breeds, in our case, British and Scottish. There are also many differences in the behavior of pets. Both have special habits that distinguish one breed from another.
Many cat lovers even choose the breed of their pet not based on external differences, but on character. During the process of evolution, animals developed behavioral habits.
The behavior of animals largely depends on the conditions in which their ancestors grew up.
Behavior and sociability
The British are true aristocrats. In games, they prefer to be carried in their arms, but they themselves are reluctant to run after a bow. Their massive body structure is not adapted to fast movement, but they can jump high.
The Scots are a completely different matter. They enjoy spending time with children if they are in the house. They also get along well with other pets, even if there is a dog in the house. The Scots are very active, inquisitive and ready to play with children all day long.
The British, on the contrary, are unsociable and love solitude - this is a difference in their character.
However, they are flexible. If you take your pet in your arms at the moment when he wants to be alone, he will not show aggression and try to escape, and even more so, he will not scratch you. He will endure until you get tired of your pet’s passivity and you leave him alone. In this case, he will rather hasten to hide from the excessive attention of his owners.
Special habits
The Scots have a special habit of standing on their hind legs. One such behavior for a graceful animal is a necessity that has formed over many centuries of development. In this way, your pet stretches its back and puts its vertebrae in order.
Another difference in the behavior of the Scots is “sitting on its butt”: the animal bends one leg and sits on the thigh of the other leg. Their relatives lack these two features.
Relation to height
Even things that for all members of the cat family can distinguish representatives of two related breeds. Strange is the fact that Scots are afraid of heights. These animals very rarely climb high, although academics cannot find a rational explanation for this difference.
British women, on the contrary, love to jump on high cabinets. Their torso allows them to push off the floor strongly and climb high. They usually do this in order to hide from everyone and get a good night's sleep. The difference between British women is their love of silence.
From this article you will learn how to distinguish a British cat from a Scottish one.
A couple of decades ago, British and Scottish cats cost incredible amounts of money, there were very few of them. Now you can afford to buy kittens of these breeds. What do these cats look like? We'll find out in this article.
Feeding a one-month-old British kitten
Proper nutrition for a British person is a key factor in healthy development. There are two feeding methods - cooked food and ready-made food. Veterinarians are confident that the first option is better. With proper nutrition, the kitten receives all the necessary substances required for its small body. A one-month-old baby should be fed finely pureed meat. It is better to use beef and chicken for this.
You should not choose pork for this, as it contains too much fat, which negatively affects the animal’s digestive system. The diet should also include fermented milk products - kefir, sour cream, low-fat cheese. You need to feed your baby at least 6 times a day in equal portions. If you don’t have the time or energy to carry out these operations, you need to choose specialized food for small kittens. The main thing is that it is of high quality.
Feeding a one-month-old kitten.
Kitten over six months old
For a teenage kitten, any products that he likes are suitable. The main thing is not to use products that can harm your health and cause suffering. Cats should not be given bones as they can damage their digestive organs. The diet should not contain poultry, lamb, or pork. These types of meat are poorly digestible for animals and can cause harm to them. Also, you should not give British leather all types of smoked meats, sausages, and frankfurters.
You should absolutely not give your pet sweet, salty or peppery foods. Products containing pepper can damage your cat's sense of smell. You should not add beans and potatoes to your food. These products negatively affect metabolism.
British kitten six months old.
Prohibited Products
To properly prepare a diet, you should know the list of prohibited foods, which will help not harm your pet. The use of the following products is strictly prohibited:
- fresh meat;
- pork is a too fatty product, rich in pathogens;
- river fish, as it contains small bones that can injure;
- milk;
- onions, potatoes and herbs – contain substances toxic to cats;
- confectionery;
- salted, smoked products;
- dry food, canned food, preserves from Whiskas, KiteKat, Friskies, as they contain cheap products that turn into carcinogens when processed.
These foods should not be fed to Britons as it will immediately affect their health and can lead to obesity and bacterial contamination. You should not feed your pets human food. Salted or smoked ingredients will cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
