Description of blue British cats and the subtleties of their maintenance
Many people choose the blue British cat as a pet, because this breed is one of the most popular in Russia. Representatives of this breed are very intelligent, calm and restrained, they perfectly tolerate loneliness. It is worth considering in more detail the history, characteristics and character of the cat, the nuances of feeding and care.
History
Today there are several versions of the pedigrees that explain where the British breed came from, but nevertheless, each version has a place in existence. Many argue that the British cat breed was brought from France to other countries. According to legend, sailors took cats of this breed to merchant ships to protect their products from rodents. Thus, representatives of the "British" ended up in various countries.
Interestingly: in the work of L. Carroll "Alice in Wonderland" as the prototype of the Cheshire Cat was the blue British cat.
Already in the 19th century, this breed attracted the attention of those breeders who were fond of exotic animals, because the blue British cat looks very elegant and beautiful. Garrison Weir made a special contribution to the development of this breed. In 1871 Tabby was the first blue shorthaired cat to win a prize in the show. Already in 1950, this breed was approved in America, after which it became world famous.
Basic information
To begin with, it is worth taking a closer look at the description of the breed. The British blue cat is quite large in size and is characterized by muscularity. She has small but wide-set ears. Straight-eared cats are liked by many.Representatives of this breed have almost round eyes, the color of which can be from yellow to deep orange. Their nose is rather short and wide.
The main feature of this breed is its large cheeks. Many people are attracted by the wool, because it looks like plush and stuffed, while being uniform. It is recommended to initially comb the wool in one direction, and then in the opposite direction, while it will lie down neatly. Representatives of this breed have a powerful body, wide chest and short legs..
A distinctive feature of blue British cats is their manners. They are quite loyal animals that can even be compared with dogs. They obey their masters, react to prohibitions, and are also able to fully adapt to the host's lifestyle. This breed is distinguished by high intelligence and unpretentiousness, therefore it is even called a businessman's cat.
If a person does not have a lot of free time, then a representative of this breed will be the best choice, since the cat has an independent character, and its coat does not require special care. The Briton perfectly understands the measure in everything, therefore, does not require increased attention to himself.
The blue shorthaired Briton is a loyal companion for all family members.... Of course, he needs care, affection and care from a person. Moreover, he may even be offended if he does not receive it in full. The feeling of resentment can manifest itself in the fact that the cat will completely refuse to caress, not even allowing himself to be stroked. But such an outcome is extremely rare, since the kitty tries to adapt to the rhythm of its owner's life.
Life expectancy is on average 12 to 15 years.
Color features
Blue British cats are mainly represented in blue color, which is why they got this name, but other colors are included in this subspecies. The British breed standard can be presented in 30 colors, and the monochromatic should not be adhered to. According to the standard, there may be deviations from monochromatic colors, which consists in smokiness, shading and a variety of tints.
The blue British breed includes, in addition to blue, cats of such color versions as:
- white;
- black;
- redheads (practical red);
- cream;
- chocolate;
- pink-blue (purple).
Important: each of the above colors can be represented in different shades. For example, the lilac color of the Briton can be light, medium and dark.
Special attention should be paid to the colors of the British, which combine different colors.
- Tortoiseshell. These cats usually combine two colors - it can be cream with blue or red and black. An interesting fact is that the tortoiseshell color is found exclusively in females, since cats cannot be found with such a color. There are also options with the addition of silver - these include chinchilla, shaded and smoky, with a large number of variations presented.
- Drawn. This color variety includes several varieties - spotted, harlequin, brindle or mackerel. This also includes British bicolor or bicolor and colorpoint cats.
Important: felinologists use a special coding by which you can find out the color, shade, eye color, and so on.
It is generally accepted, so every person who knows the conventions of the British can imagine the appearance of a cat to the smallest speck. The encoding consists of Latin letters, numbers and their combinations. For example, BRI ns12 62 is a Briton who has orange eyes and chinchilla color.
Blue British cats look quite harmonious, so a slight deviation from the standard requirements for appearance can significantly spoil the impression. Not every flaw becomes a serious reason to reject an animal, but breeders should be aware of them. If you make the right selection of a pair, then a small flaw can be easily leveled, which will allow you to get good offspring.
The prohibition on breeding is imposed on representatives of the breed, which are characterized by long hair, have a broken tail or some other flaws.
Character
The Briton is an independent cat that tolerates loneliness well in adulthood. She attracts attention by the fact that she does not require affection from the owner - she does not jump on her knees, does not flatter, and so on. But she is very attached to her master and is very bored with long partings. The British cat is often compared to the English gentleman as it is characterized by self-esteem, calmness and restraint.
An interesting fact is that blue British cats do not like strangers. They try to stay away from them. This pet attracts attention with calmness and affection, although he will not impose on the owner. He is quite smart, loves cleanliness and behaves like an intellectual. These cats are not prone to biting or scratching.
They will be a worthy option for families with small children.
It should be noted that the British blue cat is a dominant animal that will get along well with other pets, but will take the lead, taking a leading position. But he must understand who is the boss in the house. These cats are quite smart and clean, so there should be no problems with discipline. The British breed loves to play. They love to chase flies or butterflies. They love freedom in everything, including space. The British are very trainable.
Many experts emphasize that it was the harmonious combination of good behavior and attractive appearance that made British blue cats so famous. Cats are distinguished by aristocracy and majesty. Outwardly, the cat resembles a teddy bear - you want to stroke it, while it behaves quite restrained and patiently. The unobtrusiveness of the British is their constant virtue.
Feeding
The feeding of the British deserves special attention. Already in a month, the kitten begins to get acquainted with solid food. At 1.5-2 months, the kitten needs 5 meals a day. Already at 6 months, the number of feedings is reduced to three times a day. An adult cat should be given to eat only 2 times a day. It is not forbidden to treat your pet with various "snacks" between meals, but it is worth remembering the negative effects of overfeeding, which not only leads to obesity, but also significantly shortens the cat's life.
Important: blue Britons should be given vitamins, while courses should be followed.
First, you should contact your veterinarian, who will select the optimal vitamin complex for your pet, depending on many factors.
There are several feeding options available for feeding blue British cats.
- Ready-made feed. Today there is a wide range of ready-made food for both kittens and adults. Preference should be given to feed from reputable manufacturers. It is strictly forbidden to buy Whiskas products, as they contain a fairly large amount of harmful components. If we consider protein, which is the main component of ready-made feed, then it is made from carcass bones and skins.
- Natural food. If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, then it is worth remembering that a cat is a predatory animal that needs animal products. Initially, any meat, like offal, should be sent to the freezer for several hours. All food should be served warm.It is strictly forbidden to add salt to dishes.
It is worth adhering to the norm in fish, since its frequent use can lead to both kidney disease and the development of urolithiasis. But for castrated cats, in general, it is better to exclude fish from the diet.
- Combining meals. If desired, you can use complex feeding. In this case, dry food acts as the basis, but fish and meat products of natural origin are used as top dressing.
Care
Blue Britons need care that comes in several ways.
- It happens that discharge occurs around the eyes, and this is found in both kittens and adults. For cleaning it is worth using a cotton swab, previously soaked in a solution for rinsing the eyes. If the discharge is purulent, then the pet should definitely be shown to the veterinarian.
- The ears also require care. In normal condition, they should be clean, odorless and uniform in color. To clean your ears, you need to take a cotton swab dipped in a special solution.
- Special brushes are used for combing wool.that are equipped with either rubber or metal bristles, which should not injure the pet's skin. Brushing should be taught from a young age so that the kittens already understand what they are doing with them. The pet must be patient with this care. Brushing should be especially careful during the shedding period. This procedure will help to avoid the appearance of fur on furniture, carpets and other places. To collect wool after the procedure, you can use a special rubber glove or a damp hand. Bathing is not included in the set of mandatory actions.
If the pet is very dirty, it should be washed under warm water using a special shampoo.
Blue British cats are distinguished by excellent immunity. If properly cared for, they are practically not prone to disease. At the slightest change in the behavior of your pet, you should contact your veterinarian for help, then you can help the animal and avoid serious complications.
For information on the intricacies of keeping blue British cats, see the next video.