The health of British Shorthair cats is not a serious concern for specialists. But breeders who claim that British Shorthairs are generally not prone to diseases are shamelessly cunning. Yes, there are no diseases specific to British Shorthairs, but some affect pedigree cats – including genetically determined ones. Therefore, proper medical research must be conducted before animals are allowed to breed.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the wall of one of the ventricles (more often the left one), which leads to a violation of the heart rhythm, heart failure and death. When a complex of drugs is detected at an early stage and taken for life, the development of the disease can be significantly slowed down. Animals with this diagnosis cannot participate in breeding.
• Hemophilia B – decreased blood clotting, as a result of which any injury is fraught with severe blood loss or extensive internal bleeding. The risk of disease is increased by closely related crossings. There is no full-fledged treatment, sick animals are given blood transfusions and iron preparations, hepatoprotectors, vitamins B6 and B12 are prescribed to combat anemia and stimulate hematopoiesis. Gene carriers and individuals suffering from hemophilia are excluded from breeding.
• Polycystic kidney disease is the formation of hollow tumors filled with fluid that disrupt the normal functioning of the excretory system. A typical disease of Persian cats, through hybridization with which British Shorthair cats suffered. In the initial stages, there are no noticeable changes in the behavior of the animal, so it is often diagnosed only at an advanced stage. There is no effective therapy. If the cysts are isolated, they can be removed during surgery, but in case of severe lesions, only medical treatment is possible, which will prolong the life of the animal by several months or years.
• Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that affects the ligaments and bones. In the absence of proper treatment, teeth are lost and the infection spreads into the bloodstream.

British Shorthair cats are easy to care for, as their short coats are practically trouble-free. To remove dead hair, it is enough to stroke the animal with a damp glove or comb the coat with a soft brush.

Every week, the owner should inspect the animal’s ears and clean them with cotton swabs soaked in hydrogen peroxide.

It is also important to periodically rinse the animal’s eyes with plain water or tea. With frequent tearing, a decoction of chamomile is used to remove mucus.

The British Shorthair cat itself is very clean and its tray must be kept clean. Otherwise, the cat will find another place to go to the toilet.