How to care for short-haired cats?

The British have an instinct for cleanliness at the genetic level. But in order to achieve lasting and positive results in the behavior of these pets, it is very important to raise them correctly. In this article we will tell you what is needed to keep a British cat in an apartment, how to train him to use a litter box, and also how to wash and comb British cats. By following the basic rules of caring for the mustachioed inhabitant of the house, you will raise a truly luxurious animal with the manners of an aristocrat. What is the difference between a British cat and a Scottish cat >> British Fold - reality or myth >>

Raising British cats

Note! All the bad habits of a Briton are formed and reinforced in childhood. Therefore, it is very important to have time to raise an animal up to 2 years old.

Conventionally, the entire training process is divided into 2 stages:

Stage 1.

Establishing a strict chain of command between you and the kitten. At this stage, the British cat must clearly understand who is in charge in the house and who should be obeyed. Outline all acceptable limits of pet behavior in relation to you and your home. If the rules are followed well (for example, you saw that the animal is sharpening its claws on the scratching post that you showed it), reward the cat with a tasty treat. If a Briton stubbornly does not follow the rules, punish him with a severe reprimand, but without the use of force. The pet should respect you and recognize your leadership, and not be afraid.

Stage 2

Cleanliness training. As a rule, British cats love a clean house and take good care of themselves. But caring owners should help them with this and raise them properly. First of all, you need to tame your pet. A small kitten should be able to easily endure all the daily manipulations of caring for its eyes, ears, fur, etc.

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If your Briton breaks out, bites or scratches, grab him by the scruff of the neck and, looking into his eyes, make a hissing sound with a menacing look. Raising an animal in this way will not be difficult for artistic people with a sense of humor! If the British cat does not believe your “cat’s voice” and still struggles, continue to persistently hold your pet. It may be difficult to train a cat this way, but if you give up, the animal will remember it and it will happen again next time.

How to train a British dog to use the litter box

Despite the fact that British cats are unusually clean, some of them still like to misbehave in inappropriate places. As a rule, the main reason for this is an incorrectly selected location for the toilet. The British, like most representatives of the cat family, value safety and privacy in this matter.

There should be no loud sounds that could frighten the pet, nor any prying eyes. In addition, the place for the toilet should be chosen in advance, since it is almost impossible to accustom a British cat to a litter box in a new place in the same house. So, when you have chosen a truly secluded and calm place, you can begin the educational process - put the animal on the potty several times a day at regular intervals. After each useful visit to the toilet, rinse the tray with tap water and add new litter if required according to the instructions.

If it is not possible to accustom your British dog to the litter box in this way, and the animal “out of spite” shits in another, already favorite place, try to disinfect this place with bleach or other detergents with a strong smell. According to most breeders, this is the most effective way to wean a British dog from shitting in the wrong place, because this breed never goes to the “smelly” toilet, in their opinion.

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Do Scottish cats have a lot of hair? What kind of hair do Scottish cats have?

If you purchased a shorthaired Scottish cat, then most likely one of the arguments will be that it produces less hair. This is true, but the hairs are shorter and therefore fly more in the air than long hairs. Don't expect that there will be very little wool. Scottish cats also shed in winter and summer, sometimes they experience problems with excessive hair loss, and it even happens that there is simply nowhere to get rid of the hairs in the apartment if the shedding is excessive, for example, due to a lack of vitamins. Owners of Scottish Shorthairs also complain that during shedding it becomes impossible to stay in the apartment, because... All furniture is covered with a layer of hair. There are few of them during the periods between molts. Although there are cats that shed all year round.

Caring for British women

Caring for cats of the British breed cannot be called special, and keeping these plush creatures is not at all difficult. However, you still have to take some nuances into account, especially if you want your pet to shine at exhibition events and participate in breeding.

Wool	The coat is the main advantage of the British, so it should be looked after very carefully. Get ready to brush your pet 1-2 times a week with a special massage brush called a slicker brush. With its help, you can remove all the dead hair that is creeping in, and also give a great massage, even when cats sleep on their backs. The structure of the coat and its condition largely depend on the pet’s diet. It must contain all nutrients, calcium, vitamins and microelements. It is enough to wash a short-haired blue cat 1-2 times a year.
Claws	Any domestic cat does not have the ability to sharpen its claws properly, even if it has a scratching post. Therefore, a Briton’s nails need to be trimmed 1-2 times a month. Cut them carefully, about half the entire length, no more.
Eyes	A Briton's eyes should be looked after at least once a day, since dark secretions should not accumulate in them. Wipe your pet's eyes with a damp cotton swab, starting from the outer corner and ending with the nose.
Ears	The ears should be examined 2 times a month. Contaminants are removed with a regular cotton swab dipped in boiled water. The exposed ear surface can be wiped with a small amount of Vaseline or cosmetic cream.
Teeth	Inspect your British woman's oral cavity daily. Due to the fact that at home the cat cannot chew twigs and grass to clean its teeth, over time it may develop tartar. To prevent this from happening, try to accustom your kitten to brushing its teeth using a special product from an early age. Ready-made dry food also helps dissolve plaque. It is worth noting that feeding in this case should occur regularly, and not just to remove dental plaque.

If British kittens have everything they need for full development, and the owner takes care of them on time, no problems will arise in keeping these animals.

Arch-comb

For sale on the Internet you can find such a device as an arch for combing wool. This is something like a curved brush that is placed on the floor on a special stand. An animal, eager to scratch itself, begins to rub against this arch, thereby putting itself in order.

But whether your cat wants to use such a device is purely individual. To attract the animal to the unit, it is recommended to use catnip.

However, in any case, the arch is only an additional, and not the main tool when combing cats. She cannot comb it properly.

What does a British cat need in an apartment?

Before bringing your Briton to a new place of residence, prepare all the necessary accessories for him:

• Sleeping area. Decide in advance where your pet will sleep. Representatives of the British breed are quite independent and like to be alone, so it would be advisable to buy your pet its own bed or cat house.
• Tray. For the toilet, it is better to use a closed plastic tray. When purchasing, you should take into account the large dimensions of the British - the tray should be high and as comfortable as possible. It is better to use silica gel or wood filler; they absorb moisture well and prevent the occurrence of unpleasant odors.
• A bowl. A special drinking fountain or ceramic bowl is perfect for water. And for food, you should choose a tall metal bowl with a wide bottom.
• Scratching post. British cats do not want to spoil your furniture at all, they just love freedom very much. However, we all know how dangerous the street is for purebred animals. In order for your pet to be able to independently care for its claws in the apartment, it needs to purchase a scratching post or a play set.
• Comb. For the plush fur coat of the British, massage slicker brushes or oval rubber combs, which can remove static electricity, are best suited.
• Cloth. An additional accessory for your pet can be cool clothes that will not only emphasize the important appearance of the British cat, but will also warm you up during a walk in the cold. After all, short-haired cat breeds have a hard time withstanding frosty winters. Clothing for a British person should be comfortable, high quality and easy to wash.

Create a cozy atmosphere for your pet in your home, and then he will be able to feel at ease.

British cat hair care

The famous plush fur of the British cat evokes a lot of positive emotions from simply touching it. But to achieve such a result, the owner has to properly care for his pet.

Important! The coat of a British Blue cat can be combed infrequently - 1-2 times a week.

The main principle of care is to remove guard hairs as thoroughly as possible with minimal trauma to the thick undercoat. To do this, the cat is combed according to the growth of the hairs, periodically changing direction. First of all, scratch the back, sides and chest of the animal, and then move on to the paws, tail and muzzle. The necks and chubby cheeks of the British Shorthair are always combed against the grain.

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By the way, representatives of the British breed are one of the few who enjoy this procedure - they begin to purr loudly and prop up their back to continue the massage.

How to brush British cats

To care for your pet's fur, it is recommended to purchase 2 brushes:

1. An ordinary metal comb with medium-frequency rounded teeth. It is advisable for her to comb the British first, slowly and strictly in the direction of hair growth.
2. Rubber massage brush or slicker brush. This is an excellent option for brushing British cats without electrifying the hair. It is recommended to brush the animal vigorously with such a brush, massaging all areas of the body.

Operating instructions and how to use correctly

In order to properly comb a cat and not cause it any discomfort, you need to know how to use a furminator. Simple recommendations:

1. Select a location for the procedure. It should be easy to clean because there will be a lot of hair. Alternatively, a hallway or kitchen. But first you need to remove the covering from the floor. This will make it easier to clean it of cat fluff.
2. The cat needs to be examined. There should be no foreign objects in the wool - twigs, sticks. The skin should be completely healthy. If there are wounds, rashes, or any crusts, then grooming should be abandoned. It is necessary to examine your pet even if it looks and behaves like a completely healthy cat. Damage may be hidden by fur.
3. It is necessary to remove all tangles or existing nodules. The Furminator is not used as a comb or scissors. Its task is to comb out dead hairs, and not to sort out tangles. If the blades get stuck, it will cause pain to your pet due to stretching of the skin. The cat will begin to worry and will not let you finish the session.
4. Then the cat must be washed and the fur thoroughly dried. Using the device on wet hair will not have any effect.
5. When brushing, the cat should be laid on its side. In this case, she will take a position that is comfortable for herself and will allow her to complete the procedure.
6. The wool is combed strictly in the direction of its growth. If you do this incorrectly, you can damage the guard hairs and pull out still living hairs. You need to be especially careful when processing the paws, tail and belly. A cat may react inappropriately if it doesn’t like something and scratch or bite.

The cheska is carried out in layers, in the direction from the abdomen to the spine. Movements should be smooth. No jerking is allowed. You can’t rush, because the furminator may get stuck.

Combing is a rather lengthy procedure, especially if it is the first time in your practice. On average, its duration is about 30 minutes. But the duration depends on the quality of the cat’s fur and the degree of grooming.

Once completed, the instrument must be cleaned and covered with a protective cap. If you do not use the case, the teeth will become dull and the furminator can be thrown away because it will become useless.

Brushing an angry Persian cat

Shedding in British cats

A British cat sheds its first coat at 7-8 months.

During this period (usually about a week), it is necessary to more carefully and carefully care for your pet's fur. Perform massage movements using two brushes daily. This must be done very carefully so as not to damage the vulnerable skin and undercoat of the British cat. Next, walk a damp rubber glove over the animal’s body and collect all the hair that falls out.

Each Briton's next molt begins individually. Its intensity and timing can be affected by factors such as age, health status, quality of nutrition, etc. In addition, sudden hair loss in a pet can be caused by an allergy to any medications, food, vitamins, shampoos, etc.

As a rule, most allergic reactions manifest themselves in the fact that the fur begins to come out very much. Moreover, a lot of hair comes out from the undercoat. In this case, try changing any animal care products. During shedding, also keep in mind that the nutrition of a short-haired cat should be as balanced as possible. This is also very important if you do not want your cat to be allergic.

Feeding

Proper nutrition is also a kind of cat care, because the general condition of the animal and its appearance largely depend on it. For good health, well-being and an impeccable appearance, a British cat needs not only a balanced diet, but also a certain regime. Do not forget that the British are dense and massive carnivores, whose main food should be protein food. For your cat's diet, you can use the scheme developed in one of the British breeding nurseries. So, experts recommend the following schemes.

For kittens from two to four months

1. Breakfast – a little unsweetened cottage cheese without additives with a fat content of no more than 5%
2. Second breakfast – boiled chicken or canned meat for baby food
3. Lunch – dry food for kittens
4. Dinner – finely chopped, planed or minced raw meat (lean beef, veal)

For cats four months and older

1. Breakfast – cottage cheese without additives and sugar with a fat content of up to 5%, a little boiled chicken meat
2. Lunch – dry food
3. Dinner – raw meat

Naturally, your cat should always have a bowl of clean water.

Of course, the proposed scheme is not a guide to action and not the only possible diet option. Cats, like people, have different taste preferences. Therefore, you can create a menu for your pet yourself, including fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits, cereals and fish. But you must always know and remember what you cannot feed cats of any breed. So, you should not include the following foods and ready-made food in your cat’s diet.

• Ready-made dog food, as well as specialized types of food for other purposes. That is, you should not give your cat food for pregnant cats, or adult animals food for kittens.
• Bones (except beef marrow for cleaning teeth). Poultry or fish bones can injure the intestines, become lodged in the esophagus, and even cause suffocation.
• River or raw fish. It has been proven that eating the fish so beloved by cats disrupts the functioning of their urinary system and contributes to the formation of kidney stones. If you give fish to your cat, then you should do this infrequently and give preference to boiled, low-fat sea fish.
• Fresh milk, butter, cheese. All this can cause intestinal upset with unpleasant consequences.
• Smoked, fried, pickled, canned, spicy, sweet, fatty, spicy, salty foods. In a word, everything that we most often use to prepare food for ourselves. Food from our table is simply dangerous for cats!

And most importantly, follow the three basic principles of feeding your British dog: consistency, separateness and naturalness. Don't forget that only proper nutrition and attentive care will help keep your cat healthy. But only a healthy and well-groomed animal is able to make a show career or become a progenitor or successor of a breeding line. However, if your cat is not of elite blood and impeccable appearance, then you still need to take care of it. After all, we are responsible for those we have tamed.

How to wash Britons

The British themselves take great care of the cleanliness of their bodies, so they don’t need to be bathed too often. In nurseries, cats of this breed are washed once every 2 months. However, if you do not plan to exhibit your pet to the public, that is, to take part in exhibitions, then you can bathe it 2 times a year. The Briton should be washed additionally only if it is heavily soiled or infested with parasites.

Important! When bathing, it is recommended to use a special shampoo for wool with a two-level structure. Also, choose a shampoo according to your pet's color.

To bathe a British cat, take water into a low bowl, dilute a small amount of shampoo in it, and massage the animal with massage movements. Please note that the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. After the procedure, thoroughly wipe the British cat's body with a dry towel, wrap it in a blanket and place it in its own corner. Make sure there are no drafts in the house.