The English Shorthair cat - also called the British Shorthair cat - is a charming gray cat breed (but it can be found in other colors)! In addition to its exuberant and fluffy appearance, the cat has several qualities that make it a unique pet. No wonder that, despite its English origin, the English Shorthair cat has won the sympathy of many cat owners around the world.With a docile and affectionate manner, he is the ideal companion for families with children and the elderly.

How about getting to know this short-haired gray cat better? To help you in this mission, the Paws of the House has prepared a guide with all the information you need to know about the English Shorthair cat: price, care, physical characteristics, cat behavior and much more!

What is the origin story of the English Shorthair cat?

This is one of the oldest European breeds in existence, although there are no records of its exact date of appearance. History, however, tells us that the English Shorthair cat began to be developed around the 19th century. The first felines were allegedly brought to the country by the Romans during their invasion of Britain to hunt small rodents and other animals in the UK butit took some time to arrive at the English Shorthair cat - or British Shorthair - that we know today.

The cat breed almost became extinct in the first half of the 20th century because of wars, and to save it from extinction it was necessary to make new crosses between the species and other breeds, such as the Russian Blue, Persian and Burmese. It was then that, in 1967, the American Cat Association officially recognized the British Shorthair breed.

Gray cat? English Shorthair breed can have other colors and resembles Scottish Fold

When we think of the English Shorthair cat, the first image that comes to our mind is that of a grey cat, because this is the most popular version and has become the "official" face. But did you know that this breed has a huge variety of colors? Yes, that's right: the English Shorthair cat's coat is super diverse, and can be found in the following shades:

• White
• Cream
• Grey
• Scale
• Brown
• Orange
• Silver
• Black
• Gusty
• Smoke

As the name implies, this is a short-haired breed. What few people know is that, despite being short, the hair is super dense and has a velvety appearance, mainly due to the undercoat. This is a cat that sheds a lot of hair (especially at the change of seasons) and requires constant maintenance. It is worth mentioning that the Shorthair cat gave rise to another variation of the species, which is the British Shorthair.Longhair (also known as English Longhair cat), but many confuse the English Shorthair cat with Scottish Fold.

Regarding its physical size, the English Shorthair cat has a size that varies between medium and large. It usually weighs 4 to 8 kg and measures 56 to 64 cm in length (not counting the tail, which is not very long).

British Shorthair cat has a calm and friendly personality

This is a kitty that exudes calmness and tranquility in its behavior. The breed is far from being agitated and active like most felines. Therefore, do not expect the English Shorthair cat to climb on all the furniture or make mischief when you are alone at home, because it is much more likely that he will enjoy this moment in a much more relaxing way (sleeping, possibly).

As for his relationship with humans, the British Shorthair cat is very friendly and gets along very well with children, the elderly and other animals. He enjoys interacting with his family and has a very kind personality, but he doesn't like to be touched very much and prefers to show his cat love "from a distance". So avoid cuddling or trying to pick up the cat on your lap, because the furry one may not like it andtry to escape from his arms.

This is an animal that has a horizontal behavior pattern, not a vertical one, so it is important to promote an environmental enrichment directed to the needs of the pet. One idea that can be put into practice is the installation of cat nets or burrows scattered on the floor. In addition, the ramp-shaped scratcher or rug are excellent options, as well as sofa scratcher for cats.cats.

4 curiosities about the English Shorthair cat

1) The English Shorthair cat was the inspiration for the character "Cheshire Cat" from Alice in Wonderland;

2) Still in the cinematographic universe, the film "Cursed Cemetery" (1989), by Stephen King, had the participation of seven gray cats of the British Shorthair breed to play Church;

3) Because of the shape of the cat's mustache, many people think that the English Shorthair cat is always smiling;

4) The Shorthair cat breed gained notoriety after an exhibition held in London in 1871 by artist Harrison Heir.

English Shorthair kitten: how to care and what to expect from the kitten?

Living with the English Shorthaired cat is a delight from the start! This is a super quiet and adaptable breed, so it doesn't usually take long to get used to the new house. However, it is important to prepare the entire environment to receive the furry: the installation of protective screens is essential, and one of the first precautions to be taken to prevent escapes andaccidents.

In addition, the guardian must remember that the cost of having a cat is something that will last for the entire life of the animal, whether it is a British Shorthair cat or not. Food, hygiene, litter box, cat toys and other basic items, such as a cat bed to sleep in, are some expenses that must be taken into account before opening the doors to a pet. Oh, and of course: the guardian...must be prepared to give lots of love, attention and care to the English Shorthair cat kitten or adult!

The British Shorthair cat needs a few essential precautions

Hair brushing: even with a short coat, it is important to maintain a constant brushing routine with the English Shorthaired cat. Ideally, this should happen every two days, and during the hair change period the frequency should be daily. This helps to avoid feline trichobezoar and keeps the pet's coat beautiful and healthy.

Teeth: your pet's oral health needs attention. To avoid unpleasant problems such as tartar or periodontal disease, the guardian should brush the Shorthair cat's teeth at least three times a week.

Ears: don't forget to clean your English Shorthair cat's ears with veterinary products. This helps prevent infections in the area. You can check the need for this every two weeks.

Nails: even with scratchers available around the house, it is important to keep in mind that clipping the British Shorthair cat's nail is sometimes necessary. One should trim the claws with caution and whenever they are too long.

Sandbox: Another important aspect of cat hygiene is keeping the litter box clean. Don't forget to change the litter regularly and clean the accessory with soap and water at least once a week.

What do you need to know about the health of the English Shorthair cat?

Unlike other breeds, the British Shorthair has no genetic predisposition to many pathologies, but can suffer from polycystic kidney disease. However, this does not mean that the little furry is invincible and never gets sick, so it is important to perform regular check-ups and visit a trusted veterinarian at least once or twice a year. This is also necessary forensure the application of the booster doses of the cat vaccine, which should be done annually.

Special attention should be paid to the diet of the English Shorthair cat. The breed is usually sedentary and can gain weight easily if there is no proper control of the amount of food offered. Therefore, to prevent feline obesity, a tip is not to overdo it with snacks and invest in a balanced diet for the pet. To stimulate it even more, games for cats andPhysical exercise is also recommended to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and the risk of putting on weight.

English Shorthair Cat: kitten value can reach R$ 10 thousand

If you fell in love with the breed and are now interested in acquiring an English Shorthair cat? The price of the species varies a lot, but it is not the cheapest: you will need to spend at least R $ 6 thousand to buy a kitten. The maximum value can reach R $ 8 thousand for males and R $ 10 thousand for females. The genetic lineage and the sex of the cat are the factors that most influence the final cost.Also, when it comes to the British Shorthair cat, price can become more expensive if the kitten has already been vaccinated, neutered and/or dewormed.

But remember: to get a pedigree cat safely - whether it's an English Shorthair or any other breed - it's essential to assess whether your chosen cattery is trustworthy. Make a few visits to the place and make sure they treat all the animals well, including the kitten's parents.

X-ray of the English Shorthair cat

• Source: England
• Coat: short, dense, velvety and with undercoat
• Colors: white, cream, gray, scale, brown, orange, silver, black, striped, smoke
• Personality: calm, independent, sociable and adorable
• Energy level: low
• Life expectancy: 13 years