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As its name suggests, the British Longhair is originally from Britain.
Similar to the British Shorthair, this cat breed is actually rare and not known by too many.
Although a very easy cat to live with, here is a list of things to know in order to take good care of your British Longhair.
Temperament
British Longhairs are laid-back, relaxed and independent cats, and will enjoy the company of other likeminded pets. They are affectionate, but not as demanding as some other breeds.
They are happy to stroll around on their feet and don’t mind being left alone for a long time. This makes them an ideal breed for busy people. But British Longhairs do get along with children and families, and they’re usually really playful as kittens.
Grooming
British Longhairs are easy to groom, and their coat should be brushed every week to prevent tangles and to remove dead hairs. A daily combing should be considered as their coat gets thicker during fall and winter. Brushing will also help to prevent hairballs, and occasional baths should be introduced while they’re still kittens, as well as claw trimming, ear cleaning and tooth care.
Exercise
Even though they’re not known as an active breed, British Longhairs should be encouraged nevertheless to play and exercise. A cat tree, a toy mouse, or some teaser toys are good ways to keep them entertained. Laser pen are good to make them run and chase, which will provide them a great way to work out while still having fun.
Training
British Longhairs are clever cats and are social, which makes them easily trainable. Training them to fetch and obey commands when they’re young will help them developing their behaviour in a positive manner.
Feeding
Because they are prone to overeating, taking good care of British Longhairs’ diet is important to avoid weight gain. Providing quality dry kibble with the occasional treats will keep them healthy. It is recommended to divide their food into two to three meals each day. Ideally, they need about 70 calories of food every kg of weight per day. It is also crucial to motivate them to drink plenty of water and to avoid giving British Longhairs milk, as it may give them stomach aches.
Health
Aside from being prone to obesity due to their sedentary life, British Longhairs usually don’t suffer from severe diseases. But if left uncontrolled, their obesity can cause hepatic lipidosis, arthritis, and diabetes. Few health conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Poly-cystic Kidney Disease (PKD), and thickening of the heart tissue can occasionally occur. But British Longhairs are strong cats, and many get to live to a very good age in the mid-teens. Generally speaking, like any other breed, they need annual vaccination against the common feline ailments of flu and enteritis, as well as against Feline Leukemia if they go outdoors.
Want to know more? Don’t forget to download our My Cats extension for pictures and additional interesting facts about all sorts of cat breeds.
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