The British Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in Europe. With its sturdy build, thick coat, and calm nature, the British Shorthair has a special charm. It is considered well-balanced, uncomplicated, reserved, and self-confident: an ideal cat for people with a more relaxed lifestyle.
As its name suggests, the British Shorthair originally comes from Great Britain. However, its history dates back to the Roman Empire. The Romans brought their cats with them to the island. These mixed with native cats and developed into robust domestic cats over the centuries. After World War II, the British Shorthair was crossed with other breeds. The reason for this was that the British Shorthair population had been severely decimated by the war. In order to ensure the survival of the breed, other breeds were deliberately crossed in, including Persian cats. This also influenced the breed's appearance: the coat became thicker and the face rounder. Many people are familiar with the breed today because it served as the model for the legendary Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland."
The British Shorthair is a compact, muscular cat with a stocky body. Its shoulders are broad and its chest is strong. Its legs are also short and strong, and its paws are round. The tail is thick, medium-length, and has a rounded tip.
Its round head with a broad skull, short ears, and flat forehead is characteristic. The eyes are large, round, and often bright orange or copper-colored, but depending on the coat color, they can also be blue or green.
The coat is short but very dense and has a firm, almost plush texture. The color "British Blue," an even gray-blue, is particularly popular. This coloring is known as the trademark of the breed. The British Shorthair with this blue-gray coat is often confused with the equally popular Russian Blue or Chartreux breeds. However, the British Shorthair comes in many other colors and patterns, from cream to black to white, including tabby and spotted.
The British Shorthair is calm, well-balanced, and friendly. It is independent but not aloof. It often observes its surroundings attentively without pushing itself into the foreground. Compared to other breeds, this cat is not particularly playful. It likes peace and quiet and likes to retreat. Nevertheless, it enjoys the company of its caregivers. Once they have gained confidence, they are very affectionate without being intrusive. British Shorthairs rarely meow. They communicate more through looks and body language. Their calm nature makes them a good choice for families, couples, or individuals looking for a relaxed life with a cat.
The British Shorthair has special requirements due to its physique and breed history. It tends to gain weight, especially if it is neutered or lives indoors. It therefore needs food that takes its energy requirements into account and helps it maintain a healthy body weight. The protein content should also be balanced to support the muscles. Due to its short nose, the British Shorthair can have difficulty eating. Kibble should therefore be adapted to the structure of its jaw in terms of shape, size, and texture. This makes chewing easier and encourages thorough chewing. Like all cats, British Shorthairs depend on good urinary tract health. A balanced mineral composition supports this.
The coat also has certain requirements: although short, it is very dense. A balanced content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet can help support skin and coat health. Grooming the British Shorthair is straightforward. Despite the dense undercoat, regular brushing is sufficient, especially during the spring and fall shedding seasons.
The breed is generally robust, but there are certain health issues to be aware of. Due to their body structure, they can be prone to joint problems and obesity. A healthy weight is therefore essential, both to support the joints and for general quality of life. Incentives to exercise, such as scratching posts or toys, help to keep cats active.
Another issue is dental health. Like many cats, British Shorthairs can be prone to tartar build-up. Kibble with a special structure and texture can help support natural teeth cleaning. Regular visits to your vet are important to monitor your cat's general health.
Are you looking for a calm, balanced cat with a friendly nature? Then the British Shorthair could be just right for you. It doesn't need constant attention, but loves to be close to you. Its adaptability makes it ideal for apartment living, even in smaller households. It is important that it has enough places to retreat to and opportunities for activity. If you offer it a quiet, stable home, it will reward you with lots of affection and charming reserve.
Leech therapy has been known since ancient times. Leeches are now recognized as a medicinal remedy and are used in both human and veterinary medicine to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and thin the blood.
It is natural for your horse to occasionally shake its head to ward off insects or because it is excited or tense. However, involuntary, persistent head tossing without any apparent cause is no longer natural. It is characteristic of headshaking syndrome. Unlike cribbing or weaving, headshaking syndrome is usually not a behavioral disorder, but a neurological condition that should be investigated by a veterinarian.
Do you like rabbits? Then it's best to get two or more, as these little hoppers feel very lonely on their own. Before you bring your rabbits home, you should make sure you have enough space for them.
Does your cat suddenly seem unwell and lethargic? Or is it behaving differently than usual, perhaps avoiding being stroked? You should pay close attention to any unusual behavior. Keep a close eye on your cat's health and take it for regular check-ups at your veterinary practice.
Whether human or pet, preventive check-ups are important. Prevention is the best medicine, because when detected early, diseases can often be cured quickly. So be attentive, take your dog to your veterinarian for preventive check-ups, and keep a close eye on your dog's health yourself.
High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, is not usually a separate disease in domestic cats, but is often the result of other general illnesses. Older cats in particular often suffer from a pathological increase in blood pressure, which can have serious consequences.
This widespread viral infection is named after the Hungarian veterinary pathologist Aladar Aujeszky, who first described the disease in 1902. It is caused by the porcine herpesvirus and can affect dogs and cats, as well as cattle, sheep, and goats, and is almost always fatal. The disease, also known as pseudorabies, cannot be transmitted to humans. According to current legislation, pseudorabies is a notifiable animal disease and is controlled by the state.
You love sports—and you love your dog. So why not combine the two? Even if you're looking for competition or new challenges, or want to take your sport to the extreme, you can do it with your canine partner.
The family has agreed that it's time to get a pet. However, it should be an animal that doesn't require too much work. It should bring joy, but not demand too much attention – and ideally, it should be something that even a primary school child can help look after. Does this sound like a familiar list of requirements? Then a small group of guinea pigs could be just right for you.
Animals also require blood transfusions in cases of significant blood loss due to accidents or surgery, coagulation disorders, and various diseases. Blood is collected from donor animals for this purpose. As with humans, animals also have different blood types that must be taken into account.
If the nictitating gland, located under the inner corner of the eye, protrudes outward, this is referred to as nictitating gland prolapse. It appears like a cherry and is therefore also known as cherry eye. Short-headed breeds are particularly affected.
If your cat has a runny nose and is breathing noisily, there may be a harmless cause. However, sometimes this can also be a sign of an illness that requires urgent treatment
