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The British Longhair is a long-haired breed of domestic cat that originated in Great Britain (United Kingdom). These cats have charming personalities with sweet faces and peaceful character.
They are friendly, and loyal, and come in more than 300 different colors and patterns. If you want a cat for your home but you don’t have enough time to spend with them, then the British Longhair cat is the perfect choice for you.
They do not require their owner all the time; they can even enjoy themselves in the absence of their owner. They love food and like to sleep for hours.
As a result, they gain weight quickly. Hence, you have to keep an eye on their diet so that they do not gain weight. In this blog, you will read about the British Longhair cat.
The Origin and History of the British Longhair Cat:
In the early 20th century, British longhair cats originated in Great Britain. In the mid-20th century, there was a shortage of British short-haired cats, so these cats were interbred with long-haired Persian cats.
The motive was to produce a more stout and round-faced cat. But the result was that British kittens produced semi-long-haired offspring, which was considered to be unwanted.
In recent years, these cats have been crossed with each other as well as with standard British Shorthairs to create the British Longhair breed.
The Character of the British Longhair Cat:
- These cats are calm, sweet, and friendly, so they like the company of their owner.
- If you keep them alone, they don’t mind and indulge themselves in other activities.
- They play wonderfully with other animals and show affection to their owner.
- They are described as lazy cats that sleep a lot, and because of this, they gain weight quickly. Hence, it is very important that their owners monitor their cat’s diet.
- They enjoy sitting along with their owner, but they do not appreciate it if someone holds them in their lap.
- They can live in a small space, like an apartment, without any problems.
- British Longhair cats have the characteristics of both British Shorthairs and Persian cats.
Also Read:- Everything to Know About the English Cocker Spaniel
The Physical Appearance of British Longhair:
British Longhair cats are large and have a deep, broad chest and, their heads are rounded, and their ears are wide at the bottom and rounded from the tip.
Their eyes are rounded in shape and have blue, green, yellow, and brown colors. Their legs are strong and their paws are rounded in shape. And their tail is fluffy and has a rounded tip.
12-14 inches tall in height.
Weight range: 8-16 pounds
Life expectancy is 12–15 years.
Coat Length: Long
Colors: chocolate/brown/sable/cinnamon/silver/blue/cream/beige/tan/white/red/orange.
Bi-color solid tabby pattern
Eye color: Blue, Green, Yellow, Brown, Odd-eyed
The temperament of the British Longhair
British Longhair cats are loyal, friendly, intelligent, and undemanding. They are very social and get friendly toward humans, other pets, and strangers.
They prefer to sit next to their owner instead of sitting on their lap and, they are known for their calm, tolerant, and affectionate behavior.
As they are lazy and inactive, they gain weight quickly. Hence, the owner has to take care of their cat’s diet.
Friendly with humans, children, and other animals.
Intelligence Level-High
Activity Level: Lazy and Inactive
Playfulness-Low
Training and grooming are required.
Care of the British Longhair:
1. Nutrition:
British Longhair cats do not have any special nutritional requirements, and they are not too much different from other cat breeds.
As they are inactive and lazy, this increases the risk of being overweight and other health issues such as diabetes, etc.
Hence, it is very important that the cat owner himself monitor the diet of their cat and give them a balanced diet recommended by the vet.
You should feed your cat a high-quality diet, which should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
2. Exercise:
British Longhairs are less active than other cat breeds, and they require some kind of encouragement to play.
Their owners should motivate them by providing cat trees for climbing and also cat toys for playing.
This type of exercise helps them to be in shape, and it will also help in developing a good relationship with your cat.
Exercise is necessary for British longhair cats because this will protect them from obesity and other health issues such as diabetes etc.
3. Grooming:
British Longhair cats require more care to maintain their healthy, soft, and smooth coats.
Their owners should cut their cat’s toenails and brush their teeth weekly, at least with a bristle brush.
Regular brushing is necessary to remove their dead hair and just make sure that knots do not develop in their hair, as their fur gets a bit matted.
British Longhair cats need occasional baths, which will remove the loose hairs and also keep their coats healthy.
For better grooming, cat owners can give hairball-controlling treats, supplements, and cat food to their cats.
4. Health:
British Longhair cats are a healthy breed and they are not more prone to illness.
Due to their laziness, they usually suffer from obesity and diabetes.
Feed them a high-quality diet, which will make them healthy and free from diseases.
Hence, it is recommended that you should have a regularly scheduled appointment with a vet and take their advice for your cat’s better health.
Are Cats Good for Families?
British Longhair cats are calm, reserved, kind, and show no aggressiveness. Hence, it is suitable for families with children.
In addition, they are very social and get friendly with other humans and pets.
They do not require your full time and they make them busy with other activities.
Most importantly, they can live in a small space, so you don’t have to worry if you do not have a big house.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a cat but you don’t have enough time to spend with them, then the British Longhair is the perfect choice for you because they are very friendly, loyal, and affectionate towards their owner.
They do not demand anything; they are happy if they sit next to you. You just have to give them a high-quality diet so that they do not become obese.
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