Content
Birth
Growing up
The appearance and characteristics of British Shorthair kittens
Breed character – ideal pets
Breeding and socialization of British Shorthair kittens
Going to a new home
Healthcare
Fur maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
Birth
The British Shorthair cat gives birth after 63-68 days, and the average birth weight of the kittens is between 80 and 120 grams. British Shorthair kittens are born with a lot of fur and closed eyes. At birth, they cannot regulate their own body temperature and need to be warmed by their mother or another heat source. They typically gain around 15 grams per day and double their birth weight by two weeks of age. In just a few short weeks, from tiny, helpless creatures, they become playful, active animals. The average litter size is between four and six, but it can vary from one to seven kittens.
Growing up
Kitten nutrition
During the first month of life, kittens exclusively nurse from their mother’s milk, which not only provides essential nutrition but also strengthens their immune system. After the first month of life, a gradual transition to supplemental feeding begins with wet food specially formulated for kittens, meeting all their nutritional needs. Around a month later, dry food and raw meat are introduced as dietary supplements.
As breeders, we ensure that the kittens have regular meals and super-premium food throughout their growth.
Playtime
Kittens are naturally playful and enjoy exploring their surroundings. They are also very curious creatures. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right toys for them to play with. The best toys for kittens are small mouse-shaped toys or balls. These toys can be filled with catnip, which is safe for kittens and is enticing to them, making them great for encouraging activity. Furthermore, all kittens enjoy climbing, so a small scratching post can be an excellent toy for them. They can climb on it and practice their scratching. Additionally, various types of wands and feathers are great for interactive play with humans and can also aid in socialization and bonding with people.
The appearance and characteristics of British Shorthair kittens
British Shorthair kittens are known in the world of cats as plush teddy bears. As soon as they hatch, they are incredibly compact with round heads. As they grow, their “baby” fur looks like dense fluff. Their paws are short and chubby. Their eyes, once opened, must be bright, and their ears are short, clean, and free from discharge. They are extremely affectionate and enjoy being with their mother and in the hands of their breeders and caregivers the most.
Breed character – ideal pets
The character of British Shorthair kittens is determined by several factors, with the most important being the genetic traits inherited from their parents and the behavior and socialization provided by the breeder. From birth, they are predisposed to certain behavior patterns that can be predicted by observing their parents. Adopters can influence and correct such behavior to some extent, but a significant part of the kitten’s character is already formed when the new owner takes them in. British Shorthair kittens are exceptionally intelligent and can quickly learn what is expected of them. The key factor is whether they decide to comply and accept it. They get along wonderfully with children, are extremely patient, and always ready to play. They adapt quickly to other pets and, after a brief adjustment period, can live with them in harmony.
Breeding and socialization of British Shorthair kittens
Most adopters prefer to adopt a young kitten rather than an adult cat. It’s a common belief that it’s easier to acclimate a young kitten to a new environment and oneself, as older cats already have a established personality and may find it more challenging to adapt. However, it’s crucial to know that the longer kittens stay with their mother, the stronger their immunity will be, and they will learn certain behaviors by imitating adult cats as they grow, such as using a litter box or scratching on a scratching post, etc.
We pay great attention to socialization.
Marina Han
During this earliest stage of kitten development, the breeder plays a crucial role as a socializer. At Beauty of Freya cattery, we pay a lot of attention to this phase of growth. Kittens that are well-socialized in this way tend to be well-behaved and affectionate, first towards us as breeders, and later towards their adoptive families.
Going to a new home
Our kittens cannot leave the cattery before reaching a minimum age of 3.5 to 4 months.
By that time, they will have acquired all the necessary knowledge and skills and will be socialized for a pleasant stay in their new family. Your role will be to continue taking care of them and giving them love and attention.
Before the kitten’s arrival in their new home, adopters should acquire some items to make the kitten feel more comfortable and secure. New family members should get a carrier, litter box, food and water dishes, and a scratching post. Additionally, they should have items for hygiene and both wet and dry food.
It’s crucial to adapt the space for the kitten, temporarily removing objects that could potentially harm or pose a threat to their health. Pay special attention to toxic indoor plants, which can be very dangerous for kittens.
Healthcare
The foundation of a kitten’s health is adequate nutrition. In addition to nutrition, a clean living environment and minimal exposure to external factors (such as a lot of people, other cats, and other pets) are necessary for their health. Between the 8th and 9th week, it is necessary to vaccinate kittens for the first time with a trivalent vaccine, which will provide them with the necessary protection as the immunity they received from their mother through milk begins to wane. This vaccine protects them from three essential deadly diseases in cats: herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (feline distemper). This vaccination needs to be repeated for the second time between the 12th and 13th week.
It is also extremely important to protect kittens from internal and external parasites, and this should be done in consultation with the breeder and the veterinarian. Kittens from our home leave dewormed and protected against fleas, and this method of protection should be regularly carried out throughout their entire life.
After three months, when the kitten goes to their new home, adopters should continue with annual preventive vaccinations at the veterinarian.
Fur maintenance
Maintaining the fur of British Shorthair cats is very straightforward. It only requires regular brushing, usually 1 to 2 times a week.
During periods of increased shedding, daily brushing is necessary. This helps remove dead hair and prevents further shedding and potential skin issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average birth weight of kittens?
The average birth weight of British Shorthair kittens is between 80 and 120 grams.
When do kittens open their eyes?
British Shorthair kittens are born with closed eyes. They typically open their eyes between 7-10 days of age.
How long do kittens nurse for?
British Shorthair kittens are born without teeth, and they begin to develop their milk teeth at around 4-6 weeks of age. They start weaning off their mother’s milk between 6-8 weeks old, but some may continue to nurse on their mother or other comforting objects into adulthood.
When do kittens start using the litter box?
Kittens start eliminating waste immediately after birth, but their mother takes care of their hygiene during these early periods. She cleans them herself with her tongue, massaging the anal and urinary areas to encourage urination and defecation. When they reach 3 to 4 weeks of age, their stool is fully formed, and they begin to use a litter box gradually. The litter box should be placed near the kittens, and by that time, their mother will already start encouraging them to use it independently.
How often should you feed a kitten?
Once the mother cat starts weaning the kittens from nursing, it’s necessary to offer them wet food three times a day. Dry food and water should be available at all times. This schedule continues until they reach 6 months of age. From 6 months onwards, kittens should be offered wet food twice a day. It’s important to know that cats are creatures of habit, so it’s a good practice to feed them at the same times every day.
When and how often to vaccinate a kitten?
Kittens are first vaccinated between 8 and 9 weeks of age and then again between 12 and 13 weeks of age. At that point, they are fully vaccinated and ready to go to their new homes. Afterward, the adopter should ensure they receive vaccinations once a year.
