Character Features of British Cats

British cats, covered in numerous legends, are the favorites of many people. You will find a description of these graceful animals, their habits, character, and educational recommendations in this article.

There is no doubt that the writer L. Carroll in his world famous book "Alice in Wonderland" described a British cat. If you see a graceful animal nearby with a velvet fur coat, attractive eyes and a sweet and meek smile, this is a true Briton.

This breed of cats won worldwide popularity in the 20th century. There are 2 known varieties of the British:

• British Shorthair (British Shorthair);
• British Longhair

Many believe that there are British fold cats, but this is not so. According to accepted international standards, there is no such breed, so do not confuse it with Scottish fold.

The build of this animal is squat and powerful: a wide and muscular chest, back, shoulders, strong and strong legs. The weight of an adult animal can reach 8 kg. Despite the “wrestling” physique, the appearance of the British cat is aristocratic. The animal has a graceful neck and head of a round regular shape with lovely cheeks-meshes and a famous mysterious smile.

Her eyes are large, round, bright yellow, orange or deep green.

British Shorthair cats are erect. The rounded ears of the animal are located not on the crown, but far from each other, and are covered with a soft six.The nose of cats is short, wide, on the nose there is a barely noticeable dimple - a sign of a purebred breed. Curvature of the nose in a healthy and purebred animal should also not be.

The British longhair cat differs from its shorthair cousin only in the length of its coat. In our usual understanding, the hair of representatives of this breed is far from the longest. Pile has an average length, which gradually increases from the upper body to the tail of the animal.

As with the short-haired British, the coat of the long-haired cat is soft, velvety with a very thick undercoat, pleasant to the touch. Caring for such a cat is quite easy compared to the Persian breed. The remains of animal fur never fall into tackles, the struggle with which requires a lot of effort.

Initially, the world community of lovers of these wonderful animals recognized only blue cats as true British. Over time, everything has changed. The color scheme of their wool is very rich.

Popular options:

• traditional blue
• aristocratic lilac;
• snow-white without the slightest hint of yellowness;
• magic black;
• gourmet chocolate;
• very rare brown color - cinnamon;
• rare faun;
• beautiful silver;
• no less spectacular gold;
• “Whiskas” with delicate thin dark stripes on a light silver background (British women of this color became the stars of television screens, starring in commercials of the same cat food);
• exquisite tortie, most often characteristic of cats;
• color point, very reminiscent of the color of Siamese cats;
• colorful tabby with tiger-like patterns;
• harlequin - a two-tone color with a maximum proportion of white, as well as the coloring of biocolour.

In particular, fans of this breed have an exotic color that resembles chinchilla fur.

A cat that walks on its own is the surest characteristic of the nature of the representatives of this breed. The British are independent and proud animals, real English aristocrats. They do not like around themselves the hustle and bustle, obsessive attention and excessive affection.

Despite such a wayward character, a cat has a lot of advantages for which breeders appreciate and love it.

The animal is distinguished by great devotion and love for its owners. During separation from loved ones, cats may not show this and behave as usual, but the long-awaited meeting will be stormy and joyful.

For this, the British are called companion cats. They are restrained in English in emotions, but kind and loving in their hearts.

Patience is one of the main advantages of these cats. They may not allow much in relation to themselves, but they can endure for a long time and persistently. The British are condescending to young children, especially the long-haired British. No matter how the “little tormentors” mocked the animal, it will steadfastly endure all the tricks of the kids.

These animals are friendly to others, avoid conflicts, quarrels with households and their brothers. They will be happy to take part in children's games, they are very peaceful in relation to dogs, they will never touch a bird, a hamster, and a fish living in the house.

The British calmly relate to strangers, do not have the habit of suddenly attacking guests, showing aggression. If the cat does not like the guest, she will most likely express her indifference to him completely, but will not show discontent with the visitor.

Cats quickly become accustomed to order, learn to walk on a tray without problems and do not make mistakes. A cat can “nabble” past to express its indignation for some reason. Kittens living with their mother also quickly become accustomed to order, adopting good habits from her.

The cat will quickly understand, "what is good and what is bad." If the kitten gets used to doing what you do not like, it will be difficult to wean him from bad manners: the British are very stubborn.

Stubbornness is one of the qualities that does not please the owners. If the cat is unhappy, does not want to do what you require, you can not get anything from her. In response, the animal may be offended and angry, refuse food and may not wish to communicate with you.

The British cat remembers the insult for a long time. You will already forget about the quarrel, and the animal remembers this and seizes the moment to “take revenge” on you. The best way is to solve all problems with kindness and affection.

British girls are considered less vindictive and more affectionate than boys. They are more playful and sociable. The British boys are very attached to their family, and strangers in the house are not welcomed and can express their displeasure.

If you think that the "British aristocrats" are arrogant and clumsy, then you are deeply mistaken. The behavior of representatives of this breed often depends on their mood. If the cat is healthy, she is active and cheerful, likes to chat with others, sit in her arms, caress and play.

The British love and sleep well. Sometimes the cat is inaudible and not visible for 20 hours. The owners knock down in search of the missing pet, but in fact their treasure sleeps somewhere in a quiet secluded place where no one bothers him.

The British can sleep anywhere:

• on top of the chiffoniers;
• on the upper shelves of racks;
• climb into hard-to-reach places under sofas, armchairs, on the mezzanine;
• in boxes and suitcases, if they are open;
• in the oven or in the drum of the washing machine, if you can climb into them.

The British feel like masters in the house. They move freely around the apartment, moving from room to room, so it is better to keep all the doors open so that the animal does not get nervous, and you do not worry.

The cat is a full member of the family. He perfectly feels the psychological situation in the house. If there is a conflict between households, family members quarrel among themselves and scandal, this will affect the behavior of the animal.

The Briton will begin to get nervous, may hide or, on the contrary, express a protest in any way possible. If your cat does not have the habit of "getting dirty" past the tray, he can do this, expressing indignation at family contention.

Pets of this breed are not peculiar to make a commotion, they are almost silent, rarely meow, mainly only during the mating season. However, there are cats of this breed who like to "talk" with the owners: mew if hungry, want attention or complain about something.

Washing and licking a cat is not only a hygienic procedure, but also a way to relieve stress. Having experienced unpleasant emotions, the animal begins to polish and so gradually calms down.

Young cats are more active than animals older than 5 years. They are more sedate and calm. Significantly changes the behavior of females before childbirth. They become more affectionate, want participation and sympathy, ask to scratch and stroke their tummy.

If the animal is worried and does not find a place for itself, then the kittens should be born.

Help the animal:

• find a spacious box for the "maternity hospital" and cover it with disposable diapers;

• provide the cat with a cozy secluded place without drafts and be near the animal if it wants to;

• if your pet chose a place for childbirth on her own, transfer the box there and help her get comfortable;
• after the birth of kittens, change the dirty diaper;
• put water and a favorite treat in an accessible place for the cat;
• Be sure to praise the animal and caress.

British cats are good moms. From the first minutes of birth, they begin to take care of the babies, being separated from them only by urgent need.

If the cat is young and inexperienced, let her know that raising kittens is now her main concern. Praise the animal when it licks and feeds the babies, but do not scold it if it does not understand what is required of it. Achievement can only be persuasion and affection.

If you purchased a kitten that is already accustomed to the tray and scratching post, you are very lucky. The kid will not be outrageous: the walls, furniture and curtains will remain in perfect order.

A kitten who does not know the rules of good form, you will have to raise yourself from the "young claws":

• introduce the kitten to the house and its inhabitants;
• show him his toilet and sleeping place;
• Bring it to the claw point, which is better to get in advance, or immediately after the kitten has arrived at your house.

If you don’t want the baby to climb onto your bed, table, don’t eat your favorite flowers on the window and go to the toilet where it’s not supposed to, you should scold the kitten at the crime scene.

The cat will not understand why he received a slap in the face.

Raising a hand on an animal is not worth it. This method with British cats is completely ineffective.

By intonation, the cat will quickly understand that she did something wrong, and will try not to repeat the mistake. Congenital intelligence will not allow the baby to harm, if he realized that he blundered.

To cope successfully with the tasks of education, you need to eliminate the "places of temptation" for the animal:

• rearrange the furniture so that the kitten could not get to the walls and tear the wallpaper;
• to block the approaches to the curtains on which he wants to ride;
• to put a claw-claw into the field of the animal’s vision and move it there when it sharpens its claws on the furniture;
• spray with a special spray the places where the kitten mistakenly did its “business”;
• spread mustard on the ends of the leaves so that the animal no longer eats the plant;
• praise the pet for good behavior, treat it with a treat immediately and in the same place to consolidate success.

It must be remembered that:

• the British are afraid of noise, so you can’t shout at them;
• to beat a cat means to lose her trust and love forever;
• any prohibition - once and for all; the system “today is possible, but tomorrow is not” is unacceptable;
• do not let loved ones allow the cat to do what you forbid;
• like a small child, the kitten also needs time;
• a cat will grow up kind and obedient if you are patient and attentive to it.

Reviews of the owners of British cats are very different. It is easy to explain: each animal has its own character, and each family has a special life situation. These things greatly affect the behavior and habits of the animal.

Disadvantages.

• The character of the British is “one more”: squeeze, crush, press and stroke, pick up without her consent pussy will not allow. Carrying a British woman in her arms is an insult to her personality.
• Can raise a paw on the owner, but without claws.
• If the cat is unhappy with life - wait for trouble. You can find a “protest” in your bed, and it will be impossible to do anything with it.
• Pickiness in food and toilet - The main disadvantages of the animal. These are “masters” to sort out food, bury and turn away from it until they serve their favorite dish.
• These cats are curious, they should be everywhere and everywhere, they love to be "outrageous" - throw various objects from tables, shelves, sideboards down and drive them anywhere.

Merits.

• The British always want to be with their family. Being close to the owner is the main thing for them.They accompany him everywhere, like a faithful dog, and if he leaves, they wait at the doorstep.
• Cheerful and active if desired, they are happy to play and communicate.
• Do not meow persistently and brazenly. They don’t get what they want by organizing concerts, they just tactfully remind of themselves.
• Carefully take care of themselves, licking a plush fur coat.
• Never get in the way or get underfootif the owners are busy.
• Do not offend children even if they don’t have warm feelings for them, but more often they become good friends with them. Affectionate and kind, if the owners are not imposed on them.

If you decide to get a cat of the British breed, be patient and sincerely love the animal, then your feelings will be mutual.

About how to live with a British cat in the same house, see the video.