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Devon Rex cats

Origin

The first Devon was discovered by Beryl Cox in Buckfastleigh, Devon, UK, in 1959. The breed was initially thought to be linked with the Cornish Rex; however, test mating proved otherwise.

Colors

Devon Rex cats may be of any color or pattern. Nose leather and paw pad color should complement the coat color.

Size

Devon Rex cats are small to medium-sized with a fine frame. They are muscular and lively, with broad chests.

Personality

The typical Devon is active, mischievous, playful, and very people-oriented. They have been described as a cross between a cat, a dog and a monkey (or, more famously, as “a monkey in a cat suit”). They are high-jumpers and will try to occupy any space large enough to admit them. With this trait, they are often found in odd nooks and crannies of a closet, shelf, or laundry basket. Devons prefer to be in high places and will go to great lengths to get to the highest spot in a room. They are relatively easy to take care of. Most Devons also have one central person to whom they devote their love, and on whom they will most often lie and rub.

They are a very intelligent breed; the typical Devon Rex can be trained to walk on a leash, fetch or perform all manner of tricks usually associated with canines, like jump, heel and tag to name a few.

Another common trait is their show of affection: they have a particular penchant for being close to the head or neck of their human companions and can often be found mounted upon one’s shoulder or nestled into the cranny created by the neck and shoulder when one is prone. The Devon Rex is a faithful companion and will usually follow the object of their affection from room to room, waiting for the opportunity to leap onto their arms, lap, or shoulder.

Care

As low-maintenance cats go, the Devon Rex is a champion! These kitties have barely any hair to brush, although they might enjoy a warm bath if poor distribution of body oils causes a greasy feel.

Keep your cat’s ears clean and consider teaching them how to have their teeth brushed. You might also want to keep your kitty’s claws clipped – particularly as Devons have a reputation for jumping and climbing!

Source: www.wikipedia.org, www.petfinder.com, www.cats.com

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Ragdoll cats

Origin

The Ragdoll is a breed whose origins are surrounded by mystery, controversy, and tall tales. Instead of facts, we have colorful stories, speculation, conjecture, and plain old fiction. Telling one from the other is easier said than done. The Ragdoll was developed in the 1960s by the late Ann Baker of Riverside, California. In fact, who, where, and when are just about the only details involving the breed’s origins that are not subject to debate. The foundation cat from which the breed originated, Josephine, was a semi-feral longhaired white female of unknown parentage. Despite Ann Baker’s colorful stories, it’s likely that the foundation cat possessed some exceptional genes, either recessive or masked by her dominant white color, allowing for some striking offspring. These striking offspring, in particular a mitted sealpoint longhaired male with a white blaze and a white tail tip named Daddy Warbucks, became the foundation of the Ragdoll breed.

In 1971, Ann Baker trademarked the name Ragdoll, and after years of selective breeding, the Ragdoll developed into the breed known today. It took many years of effort to overcome the strange tales and controversies behind the breed, but with the Ragdoll’s hard-won CFA championship status granted in February 2000, the breed was finally recognized for championship by every major North American cat association. The Ragdoll has earned a place in the spotlight, just as this cat has earned a place in the laps and hearts of people everywhere.

Colors

Sealpoint and white; blue point and white; all other pointed and white colors including lilac, chocolate, all lynx colors, red, cream, tortie and all van colors; all mitted point colors including chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, all lynx colors, red, cream and tortie; all colorpoint colors including chocolate, seal, lilac, blue, all lynx colors, red, cream, and tortie.

Size

Body

Large and long, broad and solid, with heavy boning. Rectangular in shape, with a full chest and equal width across shoulders and hindquarters. Body firm and muscular, not fat. Moderate stomach pad on lower abdomen acceptable. Females may be substantially smaller than males. Allow for slow maturation in young adults.

Head

Proportionately large with a broad, modified wedge that is equilateral in shape, where all sides are of equal length as measured from the outside of the base of the ear to the end of the gently rounded muzzle. Appearance of a flat plane between ears. Cheeks in line with wedge. When whiskers and fur are smoothed back, the underlying bone structure is apparent. Slightly curving; ending in straight, medium-length nose. Chin well-developed, strong, in line with nose and upper lip. Neck heavy and strong.

Ears

Medium sized. Wide set and moderately flared, continuing the line of wedge. Wide at base with rounded tips, and tilted forward.

Eyes

Large, vivid blue ovals. Wide set and moderately slanted, complementing wedge. Color blue.

Legs & Paws

Legs substantial and medium length; medium heavy musculature; hind legs slightly heavier; paws round, large, with tufting.

Tail

Long, medium at base with slight taper; in proportion to body.

Coat

Semi-long, silky, plush, with medium undercoat; coat lies with body and breaks as cat moves; medium ruff. Unlike some breeds, Ragdolls have a single coat without an undercoat. This can make them better suited to some people with allergies, though they are not completely hypoallergenic.

Personality

Docile, mild-mannered, and congenial, Ragdolls make ideal indoor companions. One of the nicest features of these cats is their laid-back, sweet personality. They are devotion wrapped in silky fur, loving loyalty with gentle white paws. Very in tune with their human’s routines and emotions, Ragdolls are there when you come home at night to greet you with a leg rub, a forehead kiss, and a big purr. If you’ve had a bad day, they’ll cuddle into your lap to offer gentle comfort so that soon you’ll be smiling again. A better friend you couldn’t have.

They are playful but are not overactive. Known to adapt easily to almost any environment, Ragdolls get along well with children and adults, as well as other cats and dogs. They are easily trained to stay off the counter and are affectionate without being overly demanding. They have soft, polite voices, even at dinnertime, even though they are renowned for their enthusiasm for food. One thing Ragdolls are not, however, is impervious to pain. If you accidentally step on their tails, they’ll shriek and eye you reproachfully, just as any other cat will.

Care

Grooming requirements for Ragdolls are fairly minimal, as they do not possess a double coat. But rest assured, even without a double coat, the Ragdoll’s fur is soft and plush, with a silky touch.

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13 Cat Hammocks That Are Purrfect for Your Feline BFF

Because your kitty deserves to lounge in luxury

Us two-leggeds aren’t the only ones who enjoy a day of lounging; cat hammocks are just as vital for your kitty as scratching posts and litter boxes. Not only do they give him a cozy place to sleep all day, but they satisfy his natural, watchful instinct, too.

“Cats like to be elevated above their environment so that they can easily watch what is going on around them,” says Zay Satchu, DVM, co-founder and Chief Veterinary Officer of Bond Vet. “Being in a hammock or cat tree allows this.”

Whether you choose to mount one high up on your wall, on the window, or buy a cat tree-hammock combo, Satchu recommends placing it with this instinct in mind.

“Most cats enjoy watching the outdoors and being able to lay in the sun,” Satchu says. “If you have space near a window, that would be ideal.”

When installing a cat hammock, be sure it’s completely stable before letting your kitty pounce to avoid any injuries or unexpected vet trips. Test it out by placing a stack of books or another object that weighs about as much as your cat on the hammock. Once you’re sure it’s mounted properly and is safe for kitty, let them enjoy their perfect new perch! We’ve rounded up some of the best cat hammocks that’ll keep your little sentry comfortable, day and night.

13 Pawsitively Cozy Cat Hammocks

Cat lying on a Cat Window Perch attached to a window
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

1 Cat Window Perch

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A window hammock lets your BFF (that’s best feline friend) bask in the sun and chatter out the window at passing squirrels. This model is a breeze to set up, too—just quickly clean your window and press on the suction cups. And with a 35-pound weight limit, the hammock can hold up even the chonkiest cat.

Shop now: Cat Window Perch, $20; amazon.com

Cat lying on a Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree on a white background
Credit: Courtesy of Chewy

2 Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree With Hammock

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A comfy hammock, scratching post, and fuzzy toys all in one? This tree will be your kitty’s favorite spot in the house—a place to stretch, play, and snooze. And at only 20 inches tall, it’s the perfect size for an apartment where you can’t fit a giant cat tree.

Shop now: Frisco Faux Fur Cat Tree With Hammock, $19; chewy.com

Cat lying in a Pet Life Kittyhaus Dual-Lounger Cat Pillow Hammock Lounge on a white background
Credit: Courtesy of Chewy

3 Cat Pillow Hammock Lounge

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We all know two cats are better than one, and this pillow lounge keeps both of your babies comfortable—and maybe a tad spoiled. With ultra-premium polyester and velveteen fabrics, plus two impossibly fluffy pillows, there’s no better spot for cat naps. The best part: It’s machine-washable for easy cleaning.

Shop now: Pet Life Kittyhaus Dual-Lounger Cat Pillow Hammock Lounge, $42; chewy.com

cat laying in cat hammock attached to a chair
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

4 Blue Lagoon Chair Hammock

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Let’s be real: Cat trees and hammocks can take up precious space, and you might not have a ton of options if you’re living in a 480-square-foot apartment with more than one kitty (speaking from experience). This portable hammock solves all your lack-of-space problems, and all you need is four posts to strap it to (the legs of a chair, perhaps?).

Shop now: Blue Lagoon Saveplace Hanging Mat/Hammock, $24; etsy.com

Be One Breed Natural Cat Hammock sitting on a wooden floor
Credit: Courtesy of Petco

5 Be One Breed Natural Cat Hammock

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This mini free-standing hammock is just the right size for kitty. Its wood frame has an anti-skid bottom for safety and accessibility, and the super soft fabric is machine-washable. It’s big enough to comfortably house a curled-up cat, but small enough that it’s easy to move from room to room.

Shop now: Be One Breed Natural Cat Hammock, $33; petco.com

Cat lying in a Junspow Cat Bed Pet Hammock on a tile floor
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

6 Junspow Cat Bed Pet Hammock

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This bed can be used in your living room or outside on the patio, and the mesh fabric keeps your cat from getting too warm as he suns himself. It’s easy to assemble and, at 17 inches x 17 inches, doesn’t take up too much floor space.

Shop now: Junspow Cat Bed Pet Hammock, $29; amazon.com

window pet perch for cats
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

7 Window Pet Perch for Cats

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With its see-through bubble bowl, this window cat bed has a space-age vibe that looks straight out of “The Jetsons.” This perch is a win-win: It lets your cat rest high up so he can look out the window or keep an eye on the living room, and it’s sure to give you ample photo opps for silly sleeping kitty pics.

Shop now: Window Pet Perch for Cats, $26; etsy.com

Cat lying in a Wall Mounted Cat Bed attached to a white wall
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

8 Wall Mounted Cat Bed

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Think of this mounted bed as a hard hammock: Still a comfortable U-shape ideal for slonks and chonks alike but without the finicky flexibility. Made with recycled materials, these beds are spacious even for bigger house cats, so make sure there’s plenty of room on your wall.

Shop now: Wall Mounted Cat Bed, $54; etsy.com

Cat lying on a Macrame Window Mounted Cat Bed attached to a window
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

9 Macrame Window Mounted Cat Bed

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What’s better, lying on the cozy cotton mat or batting at all those tassels? It might be hard for your cat to decide! This gorgeous macrame hammock is completely handmade and fits right into your existing boho decor. And with a knitted ball thrown in as a bonus, your kitty will never leave this little nook of paradise.

Shop now: Macrame Window Mounted Cat Bed, $64; etsy.com

Cat lying in a Fukumaru Cat Hammock attached to a white wall
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

10 Fukumaru Cat Hammock

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This wall-mounted hammock is perfect for lounging in luxury. The striped canvas fabric is soft to the touch and removable for easy washing—just toss it into the wash! And when you pair this hammock with more cat shelves, your wall becomes the ultimate cat hangout spot.

Shop now: Fukumaru Cat Hammock, $33; amazon.com

Cat lying on a Glam Cat Window Hammock attached to a window
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

11 Glam Cat Window Hammock

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Just because it’s for your cat doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. This hammock was designed with an avant-garde look that won’t be an eyesore in your home, while still giving kitty a relaxing place to take a long cat nap and survey what’s happening around him.

Shop now: Glam Cat Window Hammock, $82; etsy.com

Cat lying in a CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Bridge Lounge attached to a white well
Credit: Courtesy of Petco

12 Cat Mod Bridge Lounge

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With hidden bolts that make this hammock look like it’s floating and the twine railing details, this bridge has a whimsical and adventurous look—kind of like your cat is wandering through an enchanted forest or starring in the next Indiana Jones film.

Shop now: CatastrophiCreations Cat Mod Bridge Lounge, $242; petco.com

Cat lying in a CatastrophiCreations Cat Shelf Hammock attached to wall
Credit: Courtesy of Etsy

13 Cat Shelf Hammock

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This hammock has a built-in spot for a cat-friendly plant, so he can sniff and lick some catnip leaves or pot of cat grass and then pass out on the comfy, stretchy fabric. Choose from three wood finishes and fabric colors so it’ll fit seamlessly into your space, no matter your style.

Shop now: CatastrophiCreations Cat Shelf Hammock, $67; etsy.com

Source: https://www.dailypaws.com/gear-apparel/cat-supplies/cat-furniture/cat-hammocks,

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Sphynx cats

Origin & colors

The Sphynx is not the first instance of hairlessness in domestic cats. This natural, spontaneous mutation has been seen in various locations around the world for more than a century, and probably much longer.

The Sphynx comes in all colors and patterns, including white, black, red, chocolate, lavender, various tabby patterns, tortoiseshell, calico, bicolor, and pointed and mink patterns. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin as well as in whatever hair the cat has and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish.

Size

The most distinctive feature of this cat is its appearance of hairlessness. The Sphynx is of medium size and body conformation with surprising weight for its size. The body feels warm and soft to the touch, with a skin texture akin to either a soft peach or a smooth nectarine. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, and amenable to handling.

Personality

To say Sphynxes are lively is an understatement; they perform monkey-like aerialist feats from the top of doorways and bookshelves. Very devoted and loyal, they follow their humans around, wagging their tails doggy fashion, kneading with their padded toes, and purring with delight at the joy of being near their beloved humans. They demand your unconditional attention and are as mischievous (and lovable) as children. And despite all that and their alien appearance, they are still entirely cats, with all the mystery and charm that has fascinated humankind for thousands of years. While the Sphynx may not be for everyone, its unique appearance and charming temperament has won it an active, enthusiastic following.

Care

Although Sphynx cats lack a coat to shed or groom, they are not maintenance-free. Body oils, which would normally be absorbed by the hair, tend to build up on the skin. As a result, regular bathing is usually necessary weekly or bi-weekly.

Source: www.wikipedia.org, www.petfinder.com

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Cornish Rex cats

Origin & colors

The breed originated in Cornwall, Great Britain.

Cornish Rex cats come in a wide variety of coat colours and patterns, outlined in the breed standard: solids, including white, black, chocolate, orange and the dilutes blue, lilac and cream; all forms of tabby including classic, mackerel and ticked tabbies, bicolor “tuxedo” coat in many colours, tortoiseshell, “smoke” colours and the colour-point pattern standard in the Siamese breed.

Size

A healthy Cornish Rex male normally weighs around 8-10 lbs | 3.6-4.5 kg whereas a healthy female weighs around 6-8 lbs | 2.7-3.6 kg.

Personality

Cornish Rexes are good for people who like having their lives run by active, inquisitive, gazelle-like felines that love a good joke, as long as it’s not on them. Everything is a game to the Cornish Rex, and they can be hard to ignore when they’re in a sociable mood, which is most of the time. Rexes are determinedly outgoing with their favorite humans. With their warm suede feel, they make the perfect winter lap warmer, too. They are intelligent, alert, and usually easy to handle. Dinner will never be the same again with a purring Cornish stealing your food as soon as your back is turned, or even while you’re looking. Some Rexes enjoy retrieving and will bring back objects for you to toss again and again. They are adept climbers, leapers, and sprinters, and have marvelously agile paws. No shelf or cupboard is safe from a persistent Cornish.

Shedding

Cornish Rex only possess an undercoat, known as down hair, which is extremely soft, distinctively curly, and less likely to shed than others.

 

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Oriental Shorthair cats

Colors

The Oriental Shorthair is a member of the Siamese family of breeds, and can be found in various solid colors, and patterns such as smoke, shaded, parti-color/tortoiseshell, tabby and bicolor (any of the above, with white).

Size

The Oriental Shorthair is a medium size cat. On average, males weigh from 8-12 lbs | 3.6-5.4 kg, with females weighing less than 8 lbs | 3.6 kg.

Personality

Orientals are extremely social, loving, and loyal, and their feelings are easily hurt if you ignore or scold them. Orientals don’t just want attention— they need it desperately if they are to live happy, healthy lives. If you provide the tender loving care they need, they’ll do just about anything to please you. Ignore them, and they become unhappy and depressed. However, when given their full share of affection, Orientals will repay you with a lifetime of love, affection, and intelligent conversation. They usually bond with one person and become extremely devoted to and dependent upon their chosen human. Expect them to be at your side, on your shoulder, and at the door to interrogate you about where you’ve been, why you went there, and what you brought back for “me-orrr.” Oriental Shorthair cats have high locomotion levels and are natural conversationalists.

Shedding

Oriental Shorthairs are related to the Siamese family, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t shed too much either. They have short, smooth hair that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance at all. Just keep in mind that they really love attention and require a lot of it!

 

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Scottish Fold cats

Origin & colors

The original Scottish Fold was a white barn cat named Susie, who was found at a farm near Coupar Angus in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1961. Susie’s ears had an unusual fold in their middle, making her resemble an owl. When Susie had kittens, two of them were born with folded ears, and one was acquired by William Ross, a neighbouring farmer and cat-fancier. Ross registered the breed with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in the United Kingdom in 1966 and started to breed Scottish Fold kittens with the help of geneticist Pat Turner. The breeding program produced 76 kittens in the first three years—42 with folded ears and 34 with straight ears. The conclusion from this was that the ear mutation is due to a simple dominant gene.

Size

The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat, with males typically reaching 4 to 6 kg (9–13 lb), females 2.7–4 kg (6–9 lb). The Fold’s entire body structure, especially the head and face, is generally rounded, and the eyes large and round. The nose will be short with a gentle curve and the cat’s body well-rounded with a padded look and medium-to-short legs. The head is domed at the top, and the neck very short. The broadly-spaced eyes give the Scottish Fold a “sweet expression”.

Personality

Scottish folds are calm animals who always enjoy playing and being around people. They are adaptable to numerous different environments & can get along quite well with small children, friendly dogs and other cats. A Scottish fold kitten makes a good addition to a multi-pet household, as it will adapt very well to other animals fast. Their calmness is suitable for families with kids, the last thing you want is your kid playing around with an easily irritable cat.

Shedding

Long haired folds require more attention to prevent matting. They will probably have to be brushed and combed three to four times per week. The short coated folds don’t need that much grooming as their long coated brothers. It is usually enough if you brush and comb them once a week.

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Abyssinian cats

Origin & colors

Origin country is Ethiopia. Abyssinian kittens are born with dark coats that gradually lighten as they mature, usually over several months. The adult coat should not be excessively short and is ideally fine, dense and close-lying, silky to the touch. The ticked or agouti effect that is the trademark of the breed—genetically a variant of the tabby pattern—should be uniform over the body, although the ridge of the spine and tail, back of the hind legs and the pads of the paws are always noticeably darker. Each hair has a light base with three or four bands of additional color growing darker towards the tip. The base color should be as clear as possible; any extensive intermingling with grey is considered a serious fault. A tendency to white on the chin is common but likewise must be minimal. The typical tabby M-shaped marking is often found on the forehead.

The breed’s original color standard is a warm deep reddish-brown base with black ticking.

Size

The Abyssinian is a slender, fine-boned, medium-sized cat. The head is moderately wedge-shaped, with a slight break at the muzzle, and nose and chin ideally forming a straight vertical line when viewed in profile. They have alert, relatively large pointed ears. The eyes are almond-shaped and are gold, green, hazel or copper depending on coat color. The legs tend to be long in proportion to a graceful body, with small oval paws; the tail is likewise long and tapering.

Personality

Abyssinians are a popular breed thanks in large part to their unusual intelligence and generally extroverted, playful, willful personalities. They are said to become depressed without constant activity and the attention of their owners. With their interest in playing with their owners combined with their curious intelligence, Abyssinians are known as the “Clowns of the Cat Kingdom”. They have an active, outgoing nature, yet tend to be quiet cats. They have soft chirrup-like vocalizations which do not sound like the expected “meow”. They are affectionate and friendly toward people.

Shedding

Brush this low-maintenance breed once per week or more if possible. This will be especially helpful during the shedding season.

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Maine Coon cats

Origin & colors

The ancestral origins of the Maine Coon are unknown. There are only speculation and folk tales. The breed’s colors vary widely, with only lilac and chocolate disallowed for pedigree.

Size

The Maine Coon was considered the largest breed of domestic cat, until the introduction of the Savannah Cat in the mid 1980s. On average, males weigh from 13 to 18 lb (5.9 to 8.2 kg), with females weighing from 8 to 12 lb (3.6 to 5.4 kg). The height of adults can vary between 10 and 16 in (25 and 41 cm) and they can reach a length of up to 38 in (97 cm), including the tail, which can reach a length of 14 in (36 cm) and is long, tapering, and heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon’s tail. The body is solid and muscular, which is necessary for supporting their weight, and the chest is broad. Maine Coons possess a rectangular body shape and are slow to physically mature; their full size is normally not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats take about one year.

Personality

Maine Coons are known as the “gentle giants” and possess above-average intelligence, making them relatively easy to train. They are known for being loyal to their family and cautious—but not mean—around strangers, but are independent and not clingy. The Maine Coon is generally not known for being a “lap cat”, but their gentle disposition makes the breed relaxed around dogs, other cats, and children. They are playful throughout their lives, with males tending to be more clownish and females generally possessing more dignity, yet both are equally affectionate. Many Maine Coons have a fascination with water and some speculate that this personality trait comes from their ancestors, who were aboard ships for much of their lives. Maine Coons are also well known for being very vocal cats. They are known for their frequent yowling or howling, trilling, chirping, and making other loud vocalisations.

Shedding

Maine Coon cats shed hair, just like other cat breeds. However, this breed sheds hair at different rates, so you may be lucky enough to own a Maine Coon that doesn’t shed much hair. Or, hair shedding may be limited to certain times of the year. Regular grooming will reduce hair shedding, matting, and hairballs.

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British Shorthair cats

Origin & colors

Origin country is United Kingdom.

The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat, with a distinctively stocky body, dense coat, and broad face. The most familiar colour variant is the “British Blue”, with a solid grey-blue coat, orange eyes, and a medium-sized tail. Other colors: white black / ebony red / orange blue / gray cream / beige / tan chocolate / brown / sable cinnamon fawn lilac.

Size

British Shorthair Cats are large sized cats with heights between 12”-14” | 30-46 cm, lengths of 22”-25” | 56-64 cm, and typical weights in the range of 7-17 lb | 3-8 kg.

Personality

The British Shorthair is a very pleasant cat to have as a companion. They are easy going and placid. The British is a fiercely loyal, loving cat and will attach herself to everyone of her family members.

Shedding

British shorthair cats do shed their fur, but considerably less than other breeds of domestic cat. They have a thick, double-layered coat which sheds more in the Spring months and requires weekly grooming. As a result, British shorthair cats are not considered to be hypoallergenic.