Description of the breed and character of British Fold cats

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Lop-eared cats and cats do not leave indifferent neither adults nor children, as the unusual shape of the ears gives them a special attractive look. But there is still confusion between the breeds of fold cats, as experts say that there is only a Scottish species that is generally recognized. And the British Fold cat breed does not exist at all. Therefore, it is worth figuring out whether this is true or not. And if it does exist, what features does it have.

Features of breeding

The British Fold exists, although it remains unrecognized by official kennels. This is due to the fact that she was bred against the rules of the international cat communities.

This variety was obtained as a result of self-crossing by the owners of animals. It was based on representatives of the Scottish Fold and British Shorthair breeds. As a result, the resulting offspring receivedcombination of unusual color and lop-eared shape of the ears. Therefore, among cat lovers, the breed began to be called the British Fold.

Despite the lack of documents confirming the pedigree, representatives of this variety of cats are very popular. But you can buy a cat or a cat of this type only from private owners.

The photo above shows a British Fold cat, which is still not officially recognized.

Description of appearance

Despite the high similarity with Scottish Fold cats, the British still have differences. Representatives of an unrecognized breed are distinguished by a harmonious rounded shape of the muzzle, they are also characterized by a large head size with ears pressed to it. The eyes are expressive, slightly surprised. This feature is manifested due to the unusual structure of the skull.

According to the classic description of British Fold cats, animals are large in size. At the same time, they are characterized by muscular short legs and a strong chest. The weight of an adult animal reaches 8 kg. But if the pet is neutered and leads a measured lifestyle, then the indicator can grow rapidly, which negatively affects its he alth.

The coat of representatives of this species is thick and short. The nose is medium in size, wide. The eyes are large, set far apart. Mostly they have an orange tint, but there are representatives with blue and green eyes. The chin is strongwide.

According to the description, the British Fold cat is characterized by a thick tail rounded at the end. The combination of a rounded body with short legs gives the impression of a pet's clubfoot. But this is a feature of this breed.

The photo shows a British fold cat. The difference between the breed lies in the stocky body structure.

Color varieties

The classic color of the British Fold cat is plain blue, gray, lilac.

But there are representatives with the following coat colors:

• white;
• redhead;
• silver;
• tabby;
• bicolor;
• tortoiseshell;
• black.

British Fold cat breed. Character

By character, representatives of the British Fold breed differ from their ancestors. At the same time, behavioral differences are also present between cats and cats. But you should not focus on this when buying a pet, since its character and behavior will largely depend on the upbringing and attitude of the owner.

The cat of this breed is characterized by an independent disposition and waywardness. He is very attached to his master and his family members, but at the same time he keeps a little apart. He does not like being picked up and being forced to play any game. Remembers the offense and, if possible, will try to teach the offender a lesson.

According to the description of the breed, the character of the British Fold cat is more gentle andaffectionate, so she prefers to be the center of attention. Whenever possible, it is located closer to the owner and takes part in calm, measured games with pleasure.

All representatives of the British fold breed are characterized by English pretentiousness. This is expressed in their special grace and narcissism. But this trait is weakly manifested if the cat is not spoiled and properly brought up.

By their nature, British fold cats are distinguished by patience and restraint. Therefore, they prefer not to enter into open conflict with other animals. In the event of a conflict situation, they decide to retreat and find a secluded place where their peace will not be disturbed.

It is not uncommon for representatives of an unrecognized breed to show a strong sense of jealousy. The trigger could be another pet, a child, or a new family friend. And sometimes jealousy reaches a critical point. As a result, the cat refuses to eat, critically loses weight, licks itself until bald patches appear, and becomes apathetic to everything.

To fix the situation, it will take the love and attention of the owner. Only by returning the location and trust of the cat, the condition of the pet will improve.

Features of behavior

Cats of the British Fold breed are distinguished by their intelligence and calm disposition. It will not be difficult to accustom her to a scratching post and a tray. Representatives of this species easily accept the rules of living in the house they fall into.

According to reviews, the character of British fold cats is measured andcalm, so even kittens will not jump on the closets and hang on the curtains.

Lop-eared Brits prefer the company of the elderly and children. In this environment, they allow themselves to relax and enjoy life. In addition, they calmly endure coexistence in the same house with a dog.

Cats of this breed can stand on their hind legs for a long time. Moreover, this habit is due to their physical structure. Thanks to this stance, the animal kneads the spine.

Also, the British Fold breed is characterized by a fear of heights, which justifies the lack of desire among representatives of this species to jump from cabinets and windows. This feature is due to the specifics of the vestibular apparatus.

Development and mating

Offspring differ in the specific qualities of their parents. Kittens have the same short strong paws, a large head and a strong chest. The coat is dense and short.

The growth of kittens is uneven: paws grow first, then the body and finally the head. But this is the norm, so there is no cause for concern.

Mating cats under the age of 1 year is not carried out, as the British Fold breed is characterized by a late development period. Ignoring the length of the waiting period before the first mating can have a deplorable effect on the he alth of the offspring and delivery. After the second birth, the formation of a cat is completely completed. The duration of estrus is individual for each animal.

For the first time, a cat of this breed is recommended at the age of three. Earlier mating leads to loss"male power" and infertility. The final formation of the cat occurs at the age of 6 years.

Direction in cats of an unrecognized breed is normal. At the same time, cats show themselves as clean, caring and attentive mothers.

Hygiene and care

Keeping a British Fold Shorthair does not cause much difficulty.

Basic care and hygiene advice:

1. Special attention should be paid to cleaning the ears. This is due to their unusual structure, which leads to the accumulation of sulfur, dirt and dust in the auricle. It is recommended to check the cleanliness of the ears once a week. In this case, it is necessary to clean with a cotton swab dipped in a special hygienic liquid for cats. If the cleaning results in an unpleasant smell from the ears, and the sulfur has a dark color, then you need to contact your veterinarian, as this is most often a symptom of a pet's illness.
2. Combing a cat is recommended once every 7 days. To do this, use a special brush that does not cause irritation to the pet. It is impossible to forget about this procedure, as this can lead to clogging of the stomach with hairballs when licking. Lop-eared Brits love combing against the wool, which is a kind of massage for them.
3. Eye care does not require special skills. It is enough in the morning to wipe the corners of the eyes with a clean cloth dipped in boiled water. But if there is purulent discharge, you should visit a veterinarian.
4. Cut nailsrepresentatives of this breed is recommended 1 time in 20 days. To do this, use special tools: a claw cutter and a scratching post. In this case, you need to cut off no more than 2 mm. It is forbidden to use ordinary scissors for the procedure, as this can cause injuries and damage to nerve endings. Before cutting the nail, you should carefully look at it in the light. This will clearly show where the blood vessel is located so as not to hurt it.
5. Bathing cats should be rare, no more than once every six months. But if the pet is very dirty or has fleas, then the water procedure should be carried out as needed. In this case, the water temperature should be within 40 degrees. For washing, it is recommended to use special cat shampoos. After the water procedure, the cat should be wrapped in a dry towel and protected from drafts. It is worth remembering that cats are not afraid to swim, but do not like the moment of immersion in water. Therefore, instill a love for bathing necessary from an early age, and then this procedure will not cause any particular difficulties.

Features of food

You can feed the lop-eared British with both natural and dry food. But at the same time, it must be balanced and contain all the useful vitamins and minerals.

When using natural products, you need to create a diet for your pet:

1. The basis of nutrition is lean meat. Used freshbeef liver, and in boiled fish and poultry without skin and bones. Also, the British love to feast on boiled eggs.
2. The diet should also include cottage cheese and kefir. Dairy products with a high percentage of fat (sour cream, cream) should be given no more than 1 time in 2 weeks. Ignoring this rule leads to liver dysfunction.
3. From vegetables, preference should be given to zucchini, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers.
4. From cereals it is better to choose rice, oats millet. It is recommended to cook porridge with milk or meat broth. When serving, you can add a little meat.

When using dry food, it is not worth additionally feeding the animal with other products. Powdered nutritional formula contains the full range of essential vitamins and minerals, and in an accessible form and in the correct ratio.

It is recommended to feed a cat no more than 3 times a day, giving food in small portions. Fresh drinking water should be in the drinker at all times, and it must be changed regularly. Wide bowls for food and drink should be chosen so that the pet does not get dirty while eating.

Seasonal molt

Shedding in the British Fold occurs twice a year: in spring and autumn. Its duration is 1 month, but this process may be delayed due to temperature changes.

To speed it up and reduce discomfort, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Maintain indoor temperature stability.
2. Protect your pet from stressful situations.
3. Bath the animal regularly during this period with a hair care shampoo.
4. Comb out gently daily with a massage comb.
5. Ensure a complete and balanced diet.

Often the owners of this breed are concerned about the winter shedding of their pets. This process may be associated with various provoking factors:

• moving to a new house, stressing the cat;
• childbirth, which takes a lot of strength and energy from the animal;
• allergic to dry food;
• hormonal failure during the period of feeding kittens;
• presence of concomitant diseases;
• malnutrition.

How long do they live?

The life expectancy of the British fold is 12 years. But if from the age of 10 you regularly visit the veterinarian at least 2 times a month, then this figure can be significantly increased.

British Fold cat: character traits, reviews

According to reviews, this breed is very popular. This is due not only to its unusual appearance, but also to other advantages.

The main advantages that pet owners highlight:

• friendliness;
• independence;
• unobtrusive;
• tolerates loneliness easily;
• smart;
• low maintenance.

The disadvantages of the breed include excessive shyness and a tendency to be overweight.

Based on this, we can say that not only due to their appearance, but also to their character, British fold cats stand out significantlycompared to other breeds. And if you want to have a smart, obedient and sedate pet, then this is just about them. However, these qualities can be instilled only by proper upbringing.