What is the difference between the British Shorthair and the Blue Cat? How do you care for them?

The British Shorthair is a very old cat breed, with origins dating back to Roman times. The British Shorthair has a rich variability, with many coat colors and eye colors, and some can even have heterochromia. So what is the difference between the British Shorthair and the Blue Cat? How do you care for them?

I. The difference between the British Shorthair and the Blue Cat

The Blue Cat is also called the British Shorthair. In earlier times, Chinese people called it the British Shorthair Blue Cat, and its scientific name should be the British Shorthair Blue. It is the purebred version of the traditional British local cat, with a distinctly stocky, chunky body, a dense coat and a broad face. “British Blue” is the most familiar color variant, with a solid blue-gray coat and copper-colored eyes, but the breed also comes in a wide range of other colors and patterns. This cat has the “five shorts”, namely: short coat, short body, short tail, short limbs and short ears.

So, the British Shorthair is actually the same breed as the Blue Cat. The Blue Cat is a color variant of the British Shorthair and has all the morphological characteristics of the British Shorthair, with no other differences.

II. How to care for a British Shorthair

1. Feeding

Choose nutrient-rich cat food, and supplement it from time to time with canned cat food and boiled chicken breast to ensure a balanced diet for the cat. Also be sure to provide clean drinking water.

A food bowl and a water bowl are essential supplies for keeping a cat. Cats are usually very sensitive about their own dishes, especially older cats, and it is best never to change their dishes throughout their lives. It is best to choose a sturdy plate with a thick, blunt rim for the food bowl, and you can place a layer of newspaper or a towel under the food bowl to make cleaning easier.

2. Preparing a litter box

A litter box is one of the essential items for keeping a cat, and almost all cats can learn to relieve themselves in a litter box. Litter boxes are generally basin-shaped to make it easy for the cat to get in and out. Normally, pay attention to the cleanliness of the litter box and remove the feces promptly. British Shorthair cats love cleanliness very much; if the litter box has not been cleaned for a long time, they will choose to relieve themselves somewhere else.

Choose a brand of cat litter with good quality and little dust. The British Shorthair has a very short nose and is very sensitive to dust, which can easily cause allergic reactions.

3. Other items

(1) Cat scratching board and nail clippers: Cats need to sharpen their claws every day, so you need to prepare a dedicated cat scratching board for it, which can greatly reduce the chance of it scratching the sofa. Once a cat's nails grow long, they can easily scratch their owner, so the cat's nails should be trimmed at regular intervals.

(2) Cat-specific shampoo: A cat's skin thickness and pH are different from those of humans, so never use human shampoo to bathe a cat, otherwise it can easily lead to skin diseases. Be sure to prepare a special cat shampoo.

(3) Pet comb: The British Shorthair's fur is thick and fluffy, so regularly combing its fur is essential. Prepare a pet comb, and the cat will really enjoy the feeling of being groomed!

(4) Cat toys: Cats like colorful ball-shaped toys. You can prepare some balls of yarn, as well as small stuffed toys and teaser wands. They are cheap and cats will love them very much.

The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to the difference between the British Shorthair and the Blue Cat. The article above also introduced how to raise a British Shorthair. You need to prepare many things for it, but it will also bring you endless fun!