Gray british cats: description and rules of care

Numerous cat breeds are divided into longhair and shorthair. Among the latter, a British cat is of great interest. The history of its appearance is lost in the depths of centuries, and the fate of the future is very difficult and often even tragic.

There are two legends about the origin of this breeds.

• According to the first the ancestors of the "British" came from the mainland along with the Roman legionnaires, during the period of the wars of conquest that the Roman Empire waged. It was at the very beginning of a new era. As usual, cats protected the food supplies of the advancing army from rats and mice. After the colonization of the British Isles, the Romans began to build fortresses there, which also stored grain and other products. Some time later, the legions left Britain, and the animals remained.

• Second version, more modern. On it, cats came to England from French ships. The sailors took them with them to sail to save food supplies from rodents. Of course, while staying at the port, cats could go ashore and stay there.

For the first time, a gray British cat gains fame in 1898. But the breed received official recognition only after 84 years. For a long time, breeders worked to improve it. At the beginning of the 20th century, for this purpose, British cats were crossed with Persian cats, which were very popular in society.

During the two world wars, the population decreased significantly, at some time it was even on the verge of complete extermination. Since the mid-50s, attempts have been made to restore the breed. For this, Russian blue and Cartesian cats were brought to England.And only in the 70s the threat of extinction was removed.

According to the standard, British gray cats must comply with the following parameters.

• Dark gray or light gray coat color.
• Strong body with powerful muscular legs and a large spherical head, almost without a neck.
• On the shoulders there is a pronounced fold of skin, like a collar.
• The muzzle is round, the nose is straight, may be slightly flattened. A straight-eared cat has small low-set ears, wide-open eyes, their bright color usually corresponds to the shade of the animal's fur.
• The tail is short, at the base a little wider, thick along the entire length, with a rounded tip.
• The coat is short and thick, with a dense undercoat, similar in texture to plush.
• The weight of cats can be from 2.5 to 5 kg, cats a little more - an average of 4.5 to 8 kilograms.

The British are true gentlemen with English restraint and dignity. This breed has a calm, balanced and friendly character, as well as high mental abilities. They respond well to training, cats understand what the owners want from them, and obey the requirements. Adore their owners, become attached to them. They treat children quite calmly, they can let them play with them, they do not bite or scratch.

They go reluctantly into their hands, they do not allow themselves to be stroked. They distrust strangers and try to move away from them. Cats really like cleanliness and try to maintain it, “do their job” only in a specially designated place, do not spoil the wallpaper and furniture. If they remain alone for some time, they do not arrange a pogrom in the apartment. Of course, a small kitten, as befits all babies, constantly plays and runs, but an adult cat (especially a cat) begins to be lazy with age, moves less, prefer to lie or sit more, sleep a lot.

A characteristic feature - in adult cats, as if inflated cheeks (bryl) are distinguished. And their expression is such that they look smiling (“Cheshire cat”).

British cats do not require constant attention and communication from the owner, they can be completely alone for a long time. Therefore, they are quite suitable for busy people. However, the nutrition, health and well-being of the pet will need to be taken care of. Therefore, before taking a thoroughbred animal into the house, you should think carefully and decide who will take care of him and when.

What you need to purchase for a cat:

• bowls for feed and water;
• a deep and wide tray with a filler, as well as a rubber mat under it;
• scratching post;
• special comb for wool;
• carrying, it can also serve as a house where the cat will hide.

British cats need to be combed regularly - 1-2 times a week, and during molting, preferably daily. If you do not, the whole house will be covered with wool. In addition, when licking a fur coat, animals swallow wool, and they can gradually clog the stomach, which leads to illness. The feeding regimen is set twice - in the morning and in the evening.

A variety of foods are provided to maintain the health and vitality of a pet.

• Meat and offal should make up about 80% of the diet. Give in the form of ground meat.
• Sea fish - only boiled and boneless. Give no more than 1-2 times a week.
• Cottage cheese, dairy products - spread in a separate bowl.
• Eggs - better quail. Give raw or scrambled eggs once a week.
• Vegetables - raw, stewed, boiled. You need to grate, mix with meat, fish.
• You can add a little cheese, vegetable oil to the diet.

Adult cats are inactive, lazy, sleep a lot and are prone to obesity. Therefore, in no case should you overfeed them. An optimal daily norm has been developed, it is 5% of body weight. This volume is divided by 2 times and strictly adhere to such a power system. You can give cats and dry food industrial production. It contains all the nutrients necessary for the animal. Serving size, age category is usually indicated on the package.

Most often, diseases in cats arise from improper care or malnutrition. Timely vaccination also plays a very important role. Vaccinations for kittens and adults are done as prescribed by the veterinarian. In no case should you neglect them.

It is important to carefully monitor your pet, pay attention to any negative changes in its behavior on time. If something is not right, immediately show it to a specialist. Even if the alarm is false. It is better to be safe than to run the disease and then treat for a long time.

With careful and caring care, cats of the British breed can live at home up to 16 years. They have strong immunity, at the moment they are considered the healthiest and strongest breed of cats of all registered. In addition, they are very beautiful and intelligent animals.

Watch a video about gray british cats below.