The British Shorthair is an attractive and muscular breed that is quite popular. While some experts state that they have only average intelligence, many cat owners believe that British Shorthair cats are smarter than most other cats. Keep reading as we list several reasons that people give to prove it.
Top 5 Reasons Why British Shorthair Cats Are Smarter Than Most Cats
1. They Are Good at Problem-Solving
Unfortunately, the British Shorthair doesn’t make many top 10 smartest cat lists on the internet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent. Many users report that their British Shorthair excels at problem and puzzle-solving. These cats often make short work of even high-level cat puzzles. Most cat fanciers rate the British Shorthair as a moderately intelligent breed.
2. They Have Excellent Memories
Many owners report that their British Shorthair has an excellent memory that enables them to know their owner’s routine down to the minute. Your pet will likely be waiting for you when you get home from work and will probably even wake you up if your alarm clock fails. They will also look for treats or come to play at the same time each day.
3. They Are Trainable
Many British Shorthair owners report that their cat is easy to train to do several tricks, which is unusual for cats of any breed. Many owners can train their cats to come when called and to fetch sticks or balls (sometimes by color!), and some cats can even give high-fives. Other favorite “tricks” to teach this breed are using the toilet instead of a litter box and walking on a leash.
4. They Have a Desire to Please
Unlike most cats that seem to think that you are their pet, the British Shorthair has a strong desire to please, which some owners describe as dog-like. This desire makes it easier for them to learn tricks, and it also makes them less likely to be underfoot while you are doing your daily chores.
5. They Have a Calm Demeanor
The British Shorthair cat breed is extremely calm and gets along well with children and other pets, especially if your cat spends time socializing with them as a kitten. They often form strong bonds with other cats and even dogs, and they usually like the attention that children provide. This calm attitude helps them look wise compared to many other breeds.
Other Interesting Facts About the British Shorthair
- The British Shorthair is a healthy breed that frequently lives to be 20 years old or older.
- British Shorthair cats are large and can often weigh more than 18 pounds when fully grown.
- British Shorthair cats don’t usually like being carried around, and they won’t usually sit on people’s laps. However, they will follow their primary caregiver from room to room and usually stay within a few feet of them.
- Due to their short coat, the British Shorthair is easier than many other breeds to groom, only requiring a weekly brushing with a slicker brush.
- While the short hair is harder to see on furniture, the British Shorthair is not a hypoallergenic breed, and their fur, urine, and saliva can still cause an allergic reaction in people with allergies.
- The British Shorthair can get cold quickly when the temperature drops because they don’t have the soft undercoat that many other breeds have to help keep them warm.
- The British Shorthair often has solid gray fur (called blue) and yellow eyes, but they can come in many different patterns and colors.
- The British Shorthair is possibly Great Britain’s oldest cat breed, originating from local shorthair feral cats that mated with cats brought by the Romans.
- The British Shorthair first arrived in the United States in the early 1900s, but the Cat Fanciers Association didn’t recognize them as a unique breed until 1980.
- Despite their name, British Shorthair cats are popular pets worldwide.
What Are the Smartest Cat Breeds?
Many of the internet’s top 10 smartest cat breed lists claim that the Abyssinian breed is the smartest cat. Other common breeds on these lists include the Balinese, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Havana Brown, Korat, Savannah, Siamese, and Singapura.
Summary
The British Shorthair cat has average intelligence compared to other breeds. However, they have excellent problem-solving abilities and usually make short work of cat puzzles and other activities that test the mind. Their strong desire to please also makes them easier to train than many other breeds, and owners can even teach them how to walk on a leash or use the toilet. Their calm and friendly disposition toward other animals and people also helps them seem wiser and smarter than other cats.
Featured Image Credit: OksanaSusoeva, Shutterstock
Top 5 Reasons Why British Shorthair Cats Are Smarter Than Most Cats
