Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

British Shorthair Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

Blue British Shorthair Cat laying on a white background

The British Shorthair is the purebred version of the standard British domestic cat or “generic” British cat breed. They have a lovely, calm temperament and are friendly with most people at a short distance, yet they still retain the classic cat independence and love their time apart! They’re not excessively social but tolerate other pets well, making them one of the ultimate family cats. For more detailed info on their characteristics and physical traits, read on.

Breed Overview

Height:

12 to 14 inches

Weight:

8 to 17 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 20 years

Colors:

White, black, blue, cream, red, lilac, chocolate, bicolor, tortoiseshell, calico, tabby

Suitable for:

Any home, with or without kids or other pets

Temperament:

Calm, loving, independent

The British Shorthair is one of the most recognizable and yet diverse cat breeds in the world, tracing its ancestry back to cats kept around in ancient Rome to hunt vermin that plagued essential grain stores. They’re widely known for their round head, stocky body, and dense plush coat that can display a startling array of colorations.

British Shorthair Characteristics

Energy
+
A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
+
Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
+
Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
+
Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

divider 2 cats

British Shorthair Breed Kittens

British Shorthair cat kittens
Image Credit By: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock

Due to the wide variety of colorations in the breed, British Shorthair breeders tend to focus on one or a few specific-colored bloodlines. Solid lilac is possibly the rarest color of all, while the pineapple-headed solid blue is the most iconic when you think of the eponymous British Shorthair kittens.

Finding a reputable cat breeder or cattery isn’t terribly difficult, but it can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. It’s sad to say, but some breeders are little more than kitten mills, and you want to avoid them at all costs.

divider 3 paws

Temperament & Intelligence of the British Shorthair

Golden-british-shorthair-kitten-in-orange-background
Image Credit: OksanaSusoeva, Shutterstock

The British short hair tends to be a placid and easy-going cat. They are some of the most loyal and loving cats, and they will often attach themselves to several family members. While they enjoy playing, they also don’t mind spending time by themselves. Better yet, they tend to get along with many other pets.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Yes, they make ideal family pets for families with or without children. Unlike some breeds, the British Shorthair is remarkably tolerant toward children and will run away rather than exhibit aggression. They’re affectionate toward all members of the family and have a gentle spirit that fits in wonderfully with any household.

Most cats of this breed don’t like being picked up and carried around, but they might like to cuddle or settle by your head on top of the couch. Though very friendly and mild-mannered, British Shorthairs do like their alone time and need space to explore, play, hang out, and rest in private.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Yes, British Shorthairs are fairly social felines that get along with other cats and many dogs, but socialization is key in tempering skittish streaks. Cats that have negative encounters with other animals during kittenhood are more likely to be afraid of other animals later in life. To prevent this and make for a happier kitty, expose your British Shorthair kitten to as many sights, sounds, places, people, and animals as possible. It helps them to learn what’s normal, so to speak, and helps them learn house manners around other pets.

That said, they are absolutely pureblooded felines, making them poor housemates for small prey animals. Hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even reptiles are all tempting targets for these born hunters

Golden Retriever and British Shorthair accompany their owner
Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

divider 1 paws

Things to Know When Owning a British Shorthair:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Like any breed, British Shorthairs need high-quality cat food with at least 30% protein, beneficial fats, amino acids, taurine, and a lesser amount of carbs and trace nutrients. You can continue using the cat food sent home with your kitten by the breeder, as suddenly changing their diet can cause gastric upset. What you want to look out for is overeating because British Shorthairs are less active cats that can put on pounds quickly if you don’t portion their food correctly.

Providing enough hydration is essential too, as cats that don’t drink enough can develop kidney-related problems. Always make sure your British Shorthair has access to fresh, clean water, and consider offering canned wet food multiple times weekly as a healthy and hydrating treat. Canned wet food contains 70% moisture compared to the average kitty kibble containing just 10% water.

Exercise 🐈

The British Shorthair isn’t a hyperactive kitty, and their exercise needs are pretty minimal—30 minutes a day should do the trick. They enjoy the same types of things other cats do, like stalking, exploring, and climbing to high vantage points, so make sure you invest in some good cat toys and look into a cat tower to keep them happy. Personally, we love cat towers with built-in scratching posts to help encourage healthy scratching and mitigate potential furniture destruction.

Keeping your British Shorthair moderately active with mentally stimulating toys and games can help stave off obesity, too, especially if your cat has a habit of overeating and tends to be sedentary. Making sure they’re active enough and have access to enough water are both key in preventing kidney problems as well.

White british shorthair cat jumping on the lawn with dandelions
Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

Training 🧶

British Shorthairs aren’t as dog-like as, say, Maine Coons, but they’re intelligent felines with the potential to learn tricks. Start by teaching them their name, and always have an enticing treat like tuna on hand to incentivize cooperation during training sessions.

Grooming ✂️

Like most cats, British Shorthairs are fastidious about self-grooming and take care of their coat very well without human assistance. Their plush short coat doesn’t shed very much at all, but we suggest brushing them with a soft brush once a week to remove any dead hair. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, you may want to groom their coat twice a week to minimize the amount of fur shed on the ground or on your furniture.

The other major grooming involves your British Shorthair’s claws and teeth. Some cats despise toothbrushes and will rebuff attempts to manually clean their teeth, but dental treats help keep those chompers healthy. To keep their claws neat and healthy, trim their claws every 6 weeks or when they get uncomfortably long.

The girl combs the hair of a british shorthair cat
Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock

Health and Conditions 🏥

British Shorthairs are generally a healthy breed, but like any breed, they’re more vulnerable to developing certain health conditions than others. Your vet will help you look out for signs of major health conditions with periodic wellness checks throughout your cat’s life, but for now, you can check out a few of the British Shorthair’s most common health issues below.

Minor Conditions
  • Hyperthyroidism
Serious Conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Visual impairment
  • Obesity

divider 2 cats

Male vs. Female

Female British Shorthairs are a little smaller than males and, on average, tend to live for a year or two longer than males. As far as personality, males are a little goofier and loving, while females are more quiet and thoughtful. That’s just a generalization, though, because genetics are more important than breed as far as specific behavioral traits like an affectionate nature or reclusiveness.

divider 1 paws

3 Little-Known Facts About the British Shorthair

1. The Cheshire Cat Was a British Shorthair

It might have never occurred to you that the famed Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland was based on a real-life cat, but just look at him! He has the same familiar and famous round head, wide eyes, and stocky body as the British Shorthair.


2. The British Shorthair Has Roman Ancestors

Genetics take turns and swerves, but the British Shorthair bloodline as a whole can be traced back to the first-century A.D. Romans who used cats to keep their war camps clear of vermin and snakes. From there, they became the modern British Shorthair and offshoots became the ubiquitous but not purebred British domestics.


3. It’s the Most Popular Cat Breed in the UK!

The British Shorthair remains the most popular registered cat breed in their home country of Britain, with a quarter of all kittens registered yearly belonging to the breed. They’re mainly known for their blue variety, hence the name British Blue, and are frequently mixed with the Russian Blue to create a more plush blue coat and friendly demeanor.

divider 3 paws

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a family pet with a calm, loving personality who won’t shed a lot, the British Shorthair might be the perfect fit! They’re not very hard to find and get along with nearly any type of housemate, furry or small humans alike. As a bonus, they come in an astoundingly wide color palette.

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Brazilian Shorthair Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Brazilian Shorthair Cat is a breed native to Brazil that descended from feral street colonies in the cities. Although they have only...

Brazilian Shorthair Cat Playing on the top of a black car

Tabby British Shorthair Cat: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

British Shorthair tabby cats are some of the most beautiful cats you’ll ever meet. The round faces and soft fur make the British...

British Shorthair Tabby Cat

Ojos Azules Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

The Ojos Azules Cat is an extremely rare and possibly extinct breed that has deep blue eyes and a friendly personality. If you...

Portrait of a Ojos azules with blue eyes

10 British Cat Breeds: An Overview (With Info & Pictures)

The British may be known for their staunch tradition, but they’re also pioneers of progressive breeding techniques that have produced some incredible British...

British Shorthair

More related

Golden chinchilla british shorthair cat

Chinchilla British Shorthair Cat: Info, Pictures, Facts & History

The Chinchilla British Shorthair has a gorgeous white coat with silver highlights. If you’ve ever seen one of these kittens, you’ll be struck...

colorpoint shorthair cat sitting on a cat tree

Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese cat of a different, non-traditional color. The breed was developed in an attempt to create a Siamese...

Persian Scottish Fold Mix

Persian Scottish Fold Cat Mix: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

The Persian Scottish Fold mix is not popular, even though their fluffy coats and turned-down ears make for a delightfully cute appearance. The...

Persian cat with eyes closed

7 Adorable Short Eared Cat Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

Modern domestic cats still resemble their ancestors in many ways, from leopard-like spotted coats to tiger-like stripes and large, lynx-like ears. But there...

Keep reading

Why Does My Cat Keep Getting UTIs? 7 Vet Reviewed Reasons

Although feline urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren’t common in cats, it can be terrifying if one strikes your feline companion. While UTIs are technically caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, bacterial UTIs are quite rare. Most cats with difficulty...

brown cat peeing

How to Clean Cat Paws: Vet-Approved Step-by-Step Guide

Cats are typically considered naturally clean creatures. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t experience some poor hygiene problems, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. A cat’s feet are vital for its health. After all, they need...

close up of a cat paw

8 Best Cat Foods for Healthy Skin & Coats in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

We all want our felines to be happy and healthy. However, sometimes they have problems with their skin and coat. It may be due to skin sensitivities or food allergies. Often, it is difficult to treat, and flare-ups are common....

Devon Rex tabby cat eating wet tuna food

How to Tell If Cats Are Bonded: 6 Vet-Verified Signs to Look For

There is no doubt that cats are mystical creatures that often march to the beat of their own drum. Some felines prefer to be left completely alone, even shunning their humans, while others enjoy the pleasure of their owners’ company....

two cats side by side each other

Will My Male Cat Be More Affectionate After Neutering? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

An unneutered male cat can be… a handful, to say the least. Otherwise known as tomcats, there are a multitude of reasons to have them neutered. To answer the question, yes—a male cat will most likely be more affectionate and...

cat playing with its owner

Can Cats Eat Ranch Dressing? Vet-Approved Nutritional Facts & FAQ

Ranch dressing is popular in the United States. It was once only used as a salad dressing, but now, the tangy mixture is often a marinade for meat and seafood, dipping sauce for fried food, and a flavoring for processed...

Can Cats Eat Ranch Dressing

The Honest Kitchen Cat Food Review in 2025: Pros, Cons, Final Verdict

Choosing high-quality cat food made with fresh, whole ingredients is becoming increasingly important for many people. The Honest Kitchen is a brand that is making high-quality food for cats widely available. Some of their products are premium priced, but the...

CAT_SAPR_The Honest Kitchen Cat Food

How to Prevent Tick Bites on a Cat: 6 Vet-Approved Methods

The winter season will soon be winding down, and the warmer temperatures will descend. If you have a cat, you know that spring and summer are prime tick seasons. It’s no fun having to get a tick off your cat...

large kitten or cat getting tick or flea treatment