British Shorthair Cat: Breed Profile, Personality, Care, Price & Breeders

The calm, independent British Shorthair is quite self-sufficient and doesn’t really need its owner around all the time. These cats handle being alone wonderfully, and that’s exactly why busy working people choose them.

What else sets the British Shorthair apart from other cats, what care does it need and how much money should you budget for it, and what food does it prefer? You’ll find the answers to these and other questions in our article.

British Shorthair Personality and Traits at a Glance

Affection for family	★☆☆☆☆
Shedding	★★★★☆
Health	★★★★☆
Playfulness	★★☆☆☆
Vocality	★★★☆☆
Good with kids	★★★★☆
Friendliness toward strangers	★★★☆☆
Ease of grooming	★★★★☆
Gets along with other pets	★★★☆☆
Intelligence	★★★★★

Tolerance for being alone: 5

If you leave for work early in the morning and get home only in the evening or at night, this breed is for you!

British Shorthairs don’t feel any discomfort when you’re not around. They’ll always find a toy or something to do to keep boredom away. They won’t pine for you or act out to get attention; that’s beneath their royal dignity. But they’ll greet you warmly when you come home. When you leave for work, don’t forget to leave your pet food, water, and a clean litter box.

Shedding: 4

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the British is a short-haired breed: it sheds.

It sheds often and a lot. Be ready to pick up fur all over the house and brush your pet daily.

Activity and playfulness: 2

The British Shorthair is a great choice for people who can’t or don’t want to spend hours playing with their pet.

This breed is active only as a kitten. Grown cats are calm and even-tempered; they won’t race around knocking you off your feet, climb the curtains, or leap across the cabinets.

Purring: 3

Reserved British Shorthairs aren’t affectionate purr machines; they purr rarely and very quietly. However, some members of the breed meow a lot and loudly.

If you want a cat that rubs against your legs, sits in your lap, and purrs soothingly, look at other breeds.

Good with kids: 4

British Shorthairs are tolerant of kids but indifferent; they don’t seek out the little members of the family. A British Shorthair will never become a plaything for toddlers.

It’s important to explain to kids from day one that they shouldn’t squeeze or carry the cat around; British Shorthairs may put up with it, but they don’t like it. Don’t worry that the cat will hurt a child: these cats simply hide in quiet corners of the house from overly persistent little ones.

Attitude toward guests: 3

These plush beauties are wary of strangers. Noisy, overly active guests may scare them, sending the cat into hiding.

Ask your guests to give the cat time to watch them from a safe distance, and then they may get a chance to pet your cat.

Gets along with other animals and dogs: 3

The British Shorthair is selfish and jealous. It won’t be thrilled with your idea of getting a new pet.

If a British Shorthair comes into a home that already has other animals, it can live alongside them, on one condition: they mustn’t pester His British Majesty too much. British Shorthairs live peacefully with calm dogs and cats; they’re not aggressive by nature.

Ease of care: 4

It will be hard for people who aren’t ready to brush their cat regularly, at least once a week; they’ll be fighting fur all over the house.

Litter box and scratching post training won’t be a problem; this cat understands right away where to do its business and where to sharpen its claws.

Intelligence: 5

Cats of this breed are incredibly intelligent. If you get a British Shorthair, be ready for it to train you, not the other way around.

You may get the feeling that these cats understand human speech; they do what their owner says, but only if they think it’s sensible and necessary. Like dogs, they can understand and follow commands, and they love to fetch toys and chase balls.

Health concerns: 4

Health is the British Shorthair’s weak spot.

They’re predisposed to certain genetic diseases. Buy kittens from reputable breeders and always ask for genetic test results.

History of the Breed

The breed developed naturally. The ancestors of the modern British Shorthair were the cats of Roman legionaries, who brought them to the island during their conquests. That was a very long time ago, in the 1st century AD. The Romans needed cats to protect their food supplies from rodents.

The Romans left Britain in the 5th century, but the cats stayed. At first they were street cats and farm cats that won over the English with their plush charm, strength, and stamina. Later, when breeding purebred cats became fashionable in Victorian England, these street cats became the foundation of a new breed, the British Shorthair. The first members of the breed had the classic blue color.

The breed barely survived two World Wars; most of the cats died of starvation during those years. After World War II, breeders restored the breed by crossing the surviving British cats with other breeds. During this selective breeding, a separate branch emerged: the British Longhair. These cats are still bred today, but only one international cat organization, TICA, recognizes them.

British Shorthairs are included in every international cat registry. The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) was the first to recognize the breed, in 1967. In 1979 it was recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA), and a year later, in 1980, by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).

Appearance

A description of the British Shorthair’s appearance and traits is found in all the major international standards. Let’s look at how the European WCF system describes the breed.

WCF Breed Standard

Body. Muscular, cobby, solid, and low-set. Medium to large. Strong sexual dimorphism: males are much larger than females.
Chest. Massive and broad.
Back. Straight and short.
Shoulders. Broad and massive.
Hips. Broad.
Head. Round and massive, with well-developed cheeks (more pronounced in males). Broad cheekbones. A round forehead is required.
Muzzle. Short, not narrow. The chin and the tip of the nose form a vertical line. A smooth transition from nose to forehead. Large, round whisker pads.
Nose. Straight, broad, and short.
Chin. Firm and level.
Ears. Rounded and small. Set wide apart and low.
Eyes. Round and large. Set wide apart and wide open. A rich eye color that matches the coat color, most often orange (gold). A green ring around the pupil isn’t allowed. The expression should be serious and appraising.
Neck. Thick and short.
Legs. Muscular and short.
Paws. Round and strong, with tightly closed toes.
Tail. Broad at the base. Medium length, thick. Rounded tip.
Coat. A “crew cut” type: plush and springy. Short and dense, with a pronounced thick undercoat. Glossy. Long-haired British cats exist, but most international cat organizations don’t recognize them.
Color. All colors are allowed, as well as colorpoint without white. The classic color is solid blue.
Weight. Females: 5.5–12 lb. Males: 10–18 lb.
Height at the shoulder. 11–13 in. Not measured at shows.
Average lifespan. 10 to 16 years.

Important!

A distinctive feature of an adult British Shorthair is its full cheeks (jowls) and its “Cheshire Cat smile.” Only British Shorthairs know how to smile.

Experts consider the following to be breed faults:

a whisker pinch, when the whisker pads stand out too sharply;
an “Exotic-like” face, when the short nose meets the forehead with a noticeable bump. Along with the deformed nose, the proportions of the cheekbones and eyes change;
a face too close to that of an ordinary house cat, with a flat forehead, prominent brow ridges, and a long nose;
a “fox face,” lacking the full face typical of the breed and with a narrow nose tip. It often comes with a bad bite.

British Shorthair Photos and Colors

Any color is allowed for British Shorthairs, but colorpoint with white isn’t.

A solid color means every single hair is evenly colored. But some shading, smokiness, and sheen may be present, and the breed standard doesn’t forbid them.

Experts identify 30 colors in British Shorthairs! Among the solid colors, the most popular kittens are black, white, blue (gray), cream, red, and lilac (a mix of pink, dove-gray, and gray tones).

Among the two-tone colors, the most common are silver-blue, marbled, tabby, and ticked. Ticked is a type of tabby that’s sometimes called the Abyssinian pattern. It looks like freckles, and it’s very cute!

The silver tabby, the color made famous by Whiskas cat food ads, is at the peak of popularity today. Its official name is mackerel. The tiger look comes from three required wide stripes on the back and thin stripes along the body. The base color is silver, and the stripes are always darker.

Living With and Caring for a British Shorthair

British Shorthairs are called “cats for businesspeople”: busy city dwellers can easily keep them. They’re also fairly low-maintenance and don’t need much space or attention. Still, proper care is the key to your pet’s health and long life.

Coat Care

Once a week, remove the loose undercoat and dead hair with a deshedding tool or a soft brush. You’ll have to put in extra effort during shedding season. If you don’t brush the cat regularly, mats may form. Heavy shedding will be very noticeable on your furniture and clothes, so it’s worth brushing your British Shorthair daily.

But that’s not all. Cats groom themselves constantly, and their stomachs fill up with hairballs (bezoars). Don’t wait for your pet to get rid of them on its own, since hairballs can block the intestines. During shedding season, give your cat special hairball tablets, pastes, or foods that help pass hair through the stomach.

There’s no need to bathe kittens or adult cats unless it’s really necessary. Bathing is a must for show cats before shows. Ordinary cats are bathed if the coat gets very dirty (paint, oil). But even then, it’s best not to bathe the whole cat, only to wash the dirty spots.

Eye, Ear, and Nose Care

Light discharge from a British Shorthair’s eyes is normal. But it can leave unwanted tear stains on the fur. Remove the tears with a cotton pad moistened with a special eye-cleaning solution. Soak the pad and gently wipe the area around the eyes, moving from the inner corner to the outer corner. If the discharge becomes heavy, colored, or foul-smelling, see a vet right away.

A healthy British Shorthair’s ears don’t need frequent cleaning; they should be clean on their own. The owner just needs to check the ears regularly to spot signs of trouble early: pimples, dark brown wax spots, or redness. If you notice any of these, take your cat to the vet.

If your cat produces a lot of earwax, you’ll need to clean the ears once a week. Do it gently with a cotton pad moistened with a special ear-cleaning solution. You can also put a little petroleum jelly on the pad. Make sure not to push the pad in too deep, so you don’t injure the eardrum. If the ears are very dirty, use a vet-approved ear cleaner.

A healthy cat’s nose should be clean, with no discharge. In British Shorthair kittens, crusts in the corners of the nostrils are fine; they’re just dried secretions. Remove them with a damp cotton ball or pad moistened with plain room-temperature water. A runny nose, redness, or small injuries (cracks) are reasons to see the vet.

Dental Care

The main thing owners need to do is make sure the teeth get enough work. Cats on a natural diet should get large pieces of food to encourage chewing. For cats on dry food, your vet may recommend a special brand. This helps the mouth and teeth clean themselves. Brush the teeth with a special brush and toothpaste no more than once or twice a week; kittens need to get used to this gradually. Brushing massages the gums and removes soft buildup. Tartar is removed only at the clinic, as prescribed by your vet.

Claw Care

Check your cat’s claws regularly for fungus as a precaution. Trim the claws only when they’ve grown too long. If your cat moves a lot, climbs cat trees and activity centers, and is trained to use a scratching post, there’s no need for trimming.

How Much Does It Cost to Keep a British Shorthair?

Keeping a British Shorthair will take a certain budget, and you need to be ready for that when you decide to get a kitten.

What to Buy for Your Kitten

Essentials:

Food and water bowls. Deep bowls won’t work; choose wide bowls with low sides. Ceramic bowls with a ridged bottom are best. Price: $10–$25.
A litter box. A covered box or a large open box (without a grate) with inward-curved sides works well, since British Shorthairs have big paws and love to dig. Price: $20–$80.
A comb and a massage mitt. These will cost you $10–$20.
A scratching post. Choose stable models or ones that mount on the wall. Price: $15–$50.
Toys (to play with your pet and keep it busy while you’re away). Price: $5–$40.

Extra accessories:

A bed. It will cost $15–$45.
A carrier. Plastic models with a soft pad inside are best, since they can double as a hideaway. Price: $30–$90.
A ridged rubber mat under the litter box. It helps keep your home clean. Price: $10–$20.
A deshedding tool (such as a FURminator). This grooming tool costs $20–$40.
A harness, for walks outside. Price: $15–$30.
Nail clippers. Price: $8–$15.

Caring for a British Shorthair may cost $600 to $1,100 a year.

The total depends on how you feed your cat, the brand of food, the type of litter, whether you need professional grooming, the number of vet visits, and the care products you use.

Health and Common Diseases

British Shorthairs are sturdy, physically well-developed cats. But selective breeding has left the breed predisposed to a number of inherited (genetic) diseases.

Genetic Conditions

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A condition that can’t be cured. It’s a disease of adult cats that’s easier to prevent than to treat. Its symptoms:

loss of appetite;
loss of interest;
a weak heartbeat;
difficult or noisy breathing;
sudden paralysis of the hind legs;
bluish paw pads.

It’s recommended to have your cat’s heart checked with an ultrasound twice a year starting from the first year of life. If the disease hasn’t appeared by age 8, you can breathe easy.

Christmas disease (hemophilia B). It causes excessive bleeding after injuries or surgery.

Non-Inherited Diseases

Gingivitis. It usually starts with inflammation around one tooth and, without treatment, progresses over time. At the second stage, it affects 25% of the teeth; at the third stage, 30%. Then advanced periodontitis sets in: the gums recede, and the disease spreads to the tooth roots.
Claw fungus. It looks like spots on the claws and deformed claws. Check your pet’s paws regularly.

Prevention

The most important preventive measure is vaccination!

Vaccines can practically eliminate the risk of panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, rabies, and chlamydia.

Have your kitten vaccinated at the ages your vet recommends, and stick to the vaccination schedule.

Before vaccination, the cat is given a dewormer. If worms are found, deworming is repeated 10 days later, and the cat is vaccinated 10 days after that. If no worms are found, the cat is vaccinated on the usual schedule 10 days after deworming. After each vaccination, keep your cat at home and away from other animals for about 2 weeks.

Rabies vaccination is repeated on the schedule your vet and local law require.

Of course, vaccines are powerless against genetic conditions. To be safe, get to know the kitten carefully, ask the breeder about the health of its parents, and request genetic test results.

To protect your pet from disease as much as possible, give it a balanced diet, don’t skip preventive vet visits, and stick to the vaccination schedule and parasite treatments. Give vitamin and mineral supplements and immune boosters only as prescribed by your vet.

On average (not counting spay or neuter surgery), preventive care will cost $300 to $500 a year. Add to that the cost of spay or neuter surgery, about $150–$500, and microchipping, about $45–$55.

Important!

Genetically healthy British Shorthairs can live up to 15 years. Their lifespan depends not only on health but also on living conditions and diet.

Feeding

British Shorthairs can be fed either natural foods or commercial food. Each owner chooses the type of diet based on their means and preferences. Most often, owners keep feeding their pets the way the breeder did.

The main rules for any type of feeding are balance, quality, and the right portion size. British Shorthairs are lazy, so they tend to gain weight; don’t overfeed them!

Raw and Homemade Diet

The ancestors of the British Shorthair ate rodents and fish, so a natural diet should be based on meat: meat, organ meats, and fish. Besides meat, be sure to include vegetables, kefir, cottage cheese, eggs, and vegetable oil.

Cats can’t control their portion size, so you’ll have to do it for them. As a general rule, a British Shorthair’s daily food intake should be 5% of its body weight. So an 11 lb female needs to eat about 8.8 oz a day, and a 15.5 lb male needs about 12.3 oz. Split the daily portion into two meals and serve them at the same times each day, morning and evening.

Meat should make up as much as 80% of the daily portion:

rabbit;
turkey;
lamb;
veal;
beef;
chicken drumsticks;
chicken necks;
chicken heads (beak removed);
udder;
tripe;
lung;
ocean fish.

The other 20% of the diet consists of:

vegetables;
cottage cheese;
kefir or another fermented dairy drink;
quail eggs;
cheese;
vegetable oil.

Feeding one cat this way will cost about $60–$110 a month.

Important!

Calcium supplements, brewer’s yeast, dried kelp, and vitamin and mineral supplements are given additionally, as recommended by your vet.

How to Serve Natural Food

Serve fish cooked and boneless, no more than 1–2 times a week.
Run raw meat and organ meats through a grinder. Shape the ground meat into portion-sized balls and freeze them for 2–3 days. Thaw them to room temperature before serving.
Grate vegetables and serve them raw or steamed.
Serve quail eggs raw or as an omelet, no more than 1–2 times a week.
Serve fermented dairy, cottage cheese, and cheese along with the main portion. Kefir can be poured into a separate bowl.
Serve chicken necks raw after freezing, pounded with a mallet first.

Commercial Cat Food

Super-premium and holistic dry foods meet the needs of the British Shorthair perfectly in terms of ingredients and balance. Calculate the portion individually. A feeding chart by weight, age, and activity level is printed on the package.

On average, adult British Shorthairs weighing 5.5–18 lb need 1.8–3.5 oz of dry food a day. Split this amount into two portions for the morning and evening meals. Some cats prefer three meals a day.

The best foods for British Shorthairs available in the US:

ACANA Grasslands Grain-Free Cat Food;
GO! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Cat Recipe;
Hill’s Science Diet Adult;
Instinct Original Grain-Free;
Royal Canin British Shorthair Adult.

Depending on the brand of food you choose, feeding a British Shorthair will cost about $35–$75 a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do British Shorthairs live as house cats?

Genetically healthy cats with proper care live 10 to 16 years.

How much do adult cats and kittens weigh?

At three months, a male British Shorthair kitten weighs 3.3–5.5 lb and a female 2.2–3.3 lb. At six months, male kittens weigh 6.5–12 lb, while females are much smaller at 5–8 lb. Adult males reach 10–18 lb, and females 5.5–12 lb.

Do they like being held?

British Shorthairs don’t like being held. Almost all members of the breed avoid human laps and arms. These well-mannered Brits prefer to be close by, without physical contact.

Can they live outdoors?

Yes, the British Shorthair’s ancestors lived outdoors, but that was many centuries ago. Modern cats aren’t suited to living outside. But you can take them for walks if you get them used to a harness.

How aggressive is the breed?

The strong-willed British Shorthair can show aggression if it doesn’t like something. If you’re worried about that kind of behavior, get a Scottish cat; that breed is gentler and more peaceful.

Do they like to scratch and climb?

British Shorthairs are well-built and fairly agile, but their short legs don’t make them the best jumpers. Like other breeds, they may scratch furniture or wallpaper, so it’s important to get a scratching post right away and train your kitten to use it. If they climb vertical surfaces or curtains at all, it’s only when they’re young. Adult cats are calm and not very active.

Is this breed hypoallergenic?

No.

The British Shorthair’s saliva and sebaceous glands contain the Fel d 1 protein, which is an allergen for people. When a cat grooms itself, it leaves this allergen on its fur, which triggers allergic reactions. Spayed and neutered cats produce less of this protein, so they’re less allergenic.

Does the coat need grooming?

When you get a British Shorthair, be ready to brush it constantly. Without brushing, the thick coat and dense undercoat can form mats. Plus, the breed sheds heavily.

What eye colors do they have?

British Shorthairs have richly colored eyes, and the color depends on the coat color. The classic is bright orange (copper or gold) eyes. Yellow, green (emerald), and blue eyes also occur.

Is the breed prone to heart disease?

The British Shorthair’s health problems are mostly genetic. These cats can inherit heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

At what age do they stop growing?

British kittens fill out very quickly, but they mature slowly. A kitten keeps growing until 4 years old, and its personality and appearance are fully formed only by age 5. By then, an adult male weighs 11–18 lb and a female 9–13 lb.

Photos

The British Shorthair is famous for being photogenic. No wonder: it’s the only cat in the world that can truly smile! And since these smart cats are easy to train, camera crews love working with them, and these natives of Foggy Albion appear more and more often in ads, photos, movies, and more.

Reviews From Owners and Vets

Lidia Sergeevna: “I fell in love with my beauty at first sight. Those serious, intelligent eyes, the manners, the plush coat, and that famous smile: how could anyone not fall in love? I named her Milady. Milady still amazes me with her unflappable personality and her devotion: she follows me all over the house, step by step. She sits and watches everything I do. But she doesn’t like being picked up. She just doesn’t, period! But she’ll happily sit next to me on the couch and watch a show. She greets me after work, but she’s so sleepy, as if she’s just woken up. I guess she sleeps all day while I’m gone.”

Denis Romanovich, veterinarian: “People often ask me whether it’s true that British Shorthairs get sick more often than other breeds. My answer: it’s not true. Any cat can get sick, most often the ones bought from irresponsible breeders. All genetic disorders and excessive sickliness come first and foremost from breeding defects. That’s why it’s important to find a reputable breeder and learn about the health of the kitten’s parents and of kittens from other litters. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but it lowers the risk of buying a weak or sick animal.”

Nikita: “We adopted our British Shorthair from a shelter after his previous owners gave him up. Marquis was just over a year old. He settled in quickly and found his litter box and sleeping spot on the very first day. The most interesting thing is that the cat chose my mom as his owner; he considers her the boss. He listens only to her and follows her around. The downside: he won’t let us pet him. You can only do it while he’s asleep. He doesn’t come to sit in your lap and won’t let you pick him up. If something’s not right, he hides under the couch and can stay there for a very long time. When guests come over, the cat disappears immediately. It’s hard to show him off to friends. But we love him very much. He’s such a sweetheart!”

British Shorthair Kitten Price

In the US, a British Shorthair kitten from a registered breeder typically costs between $1,200 and $3,500. Kittens in rare colors can cost up to $5,500.

What Affects the Price of a Kitten

The price of a kitten depends on its paperwork, pedigree, and class:

SHOW: kittens for professional breeders or collectors who can afford them. Show-quality kittens start at about $2,500;
BREED: genetically healthy cats with a good pedigree and good traits. These cost about $2,500–$3,500;
PET: companion kittens that aren’t allowed in shows. They’re usually sold with a contract that requires spaying or neutering. You can buy a pet-quality British Shorthair for about $1,200–$2,500.

Where to Buy a British Shorthair Kitten in the US

If you want to save money, you can look for a kitten through classified ads. But keep in mind that a 100% purebred cat with a pedigree and papers can only be bought from a good registered cattery.

Start with the breeder directories:

CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/
TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/

British Shorthair Catteries

Blue Brits Cattery (CFA; blue and lilac British Shorthairs) – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/listing/blue-brits-cattery
Lazi Blues (Westchester County, New York; CFA, TICA, and ACFA) – http://www.laziblues.com/
British Cat USA (Minnesota; TICA; golden, silver, and blue golden colors) – https://www.lovebritishcat.com/

Adoption

Retired breeding cats are sometimes available from breeders, and British Shorthairs occasionally turn up at shelters; check Petfinder and local rescues.