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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Going to choose our British Shorthair kitten tomorrow - v excited! Any tips on the breed?

23 replies

umiaisha · 25/08/2013 21:08

As above.

DC are 7 and 2 and I am assured they are a good breed with children.

We have never had a cat before so any kitten tips gratefully received! Are your British Shorthairs house cats?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/08/2013 22:58

Both mine have been horrible, but maybe that's just me. I have to admit they wouldn't be my first choice with children.

They can be a bit nervous and bite a bit so I would have very strict rules about leaving the cat alone.
Oh yes if you haven't got a really powerful hover buy one of those tomorrow their hair comes out in clumps and there is lots of it.
Hope yours is nicer than mine.

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:00

Did yours have 'difficult' starts in life though, Lone?

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/08/2013 23:10

One was on the streets, the other I had from a kitten. The street cat was actually nicer than the one who had the perfect upbringing and is currently daring me to require more than 1/8 th of a king sized bed.

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:14

Ach - that latter goes with the territory.

hugoagogo · 25/08/2013 23:16

I thought 'british shorthair' just meant moggie?

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:17

That's Domestic Short Hair, hugo.

chickydoo · 25/08/2013 23:20

I had a British shorthair ( blue) for 15 years. She was lovely, but not a lap cat. Quite nervy & solitary. I loved her, even though she never once sat on my knee for a cuddle

hugoagogo · 25/08/2013 23:23

Is it? Ok then-every day's a school day

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:25

Oh I got quite puffed up and excitable when I took The Lodger to the vet and they put 'DSH' in the breed category of his record. I thought they would say 'mog' but they were more tactful!

vaticancameo · 25/08/2013 23:28

My aunt kept these and they were always very aloof. Not affectionate cats at all.

I'd either get a moggie kitten from rescue (and this is completely unscientific, but I've never met a black and white cat yet that wasn't a lap-cat) or a Burmese, Siamese or Maine Coon if you want a pedigree. Maybe not a Maine Coon if you want a shorthaired breed though...

hugoagogo · 25/08/2013 23:30

Nothing wrong with a moggie, I wouldn't have anything else.

Not that other kinds aren't cute especially the scottish folds.

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:32

Nothing at all - and The Lodger is a quite magnificent cat. I've just had Siamese all my life as my 'personal' cats so I guess I'm used to them.

cozietoesie · 25/08/2013 23:33

I don't think this is going too well for the poor OP. Anyone got any positive experiences?

countingto10 · 26/08/2013 07:36

Just got a couple of British shorthairs (on Friday to by precise . Brother and sister, the girl is a blue cream and the boy is a colour point so creamy white with reddish points. The little girl is very sweet coming around for lots of strokes and purring, she sat on me for a couple of times yesterday as she was getting braver, the boy is similar, getting braver, coming around for more strokes etc. They are not too keen on being picked up and cuddled though ATM which is probably good with small children around - my DCs know to let them come to them and stroke them.

The DCs love playing with them, they are typical kittens now they are braver, charging around the furniture, under everything, chasing anything and everything. The little boy is turning out to be a bit of a thug to his sister .

I chose bsh as I didn't want the mania of a Burmese (mum has them and we had them through our childhood) and so far I am very happy with my choice.

Fluffycloudland77 · 26/08/2013 08:30

Come to think of it I've only known two black and whites and they were both total cuddle monsters.

Scottish folds are indeed unbearably cute. And they sit like this

Lonecatwithkitten · 26/08/2013 08:33

OP I reread and you haven't chosen yet. If you can don't take then children with you. If Mum doesn't actively seek your attention then walk away. If Mum does actively seek your attention then choose the middle kitten,so not the one that rushes up to you nor the one that hangs right back, but a kitten from the pack as such. So not over confident nor shy.
If you do choose one the children must always wait for the kitten to come to them and accept that a lot cats want to sit near you not actually with you.
If you are rethinking BSH, then ordinary moggies are the very best with children. I have had a lot of cats and my nicest most child friendly cats have been moggy females.

issey6cats · 26/08/2013 10:07

i agree with the posters who have said that BSH are not cuddle cats, my one would sit next to me for a fuss but hated being picked up, he was a sweet cat though and very endearing, not the brightest of cats, and he did go outside i couldnt keep him in, no road sense though and sadly it was a car that got him in the end, he was actually tolerant of my grandchildren would let them stroke him

cozietoesie · 26/08/2013 10:12

All in all, it's sounding to me as if the OP should stand back a little before choosing a BSH? (I don't have any experience of the breed myself.)

deeliasmythe · 26/08/2013 14:39

I got a pedigree cat that as a breed is generally quiet and loving.
She was the loudest, foulest tempered cat I've ever met . She has calmed down but is so highly strung.

You just never know, I think.

Original poster

umiaisha · 26/08/2013 20:06

Probably should have read the replies before I set off this morning! Thanks for the honest advice.

We went to the breeder and were very impressed. Cats were very cuddly (both kittens and the older cats) and were happy to be held by my children and us. The breeder has small children so perhaps that makes a diffference? We left a deposit on a blue/cream girl who is absolutely gorgeous and very lively! She was purring and very affectionate - hopefully this temprement will last!

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 26/08/2013 20:17

The very best to all of you. I'm sure you'll give her the right calm and loving upbringing.

Original poster

umiaisha · 26/08/2013 21:02

Thanks Cozietoesie - we are counting down the days until we can collect her!

OP posts:

Bearcat · 26/08/2013 21:15

I have a 10year old BSH blue boy.
I don't think he was well socialised at the breeder he came from. No children around and the owners at work all day.
He was very worried and nervous when we got him and he does still tend to being a bit of a worrier.
It took him about 2 years before he sat on my knee, and then only if I was reading a news paper and then he stays only for 10 minutes maximum.
He loves coming to sit next to me these days though with his body against my leg
He is very, very shy with strangers, particularly men, but he has really grown to love us over the years. He adores my son who was only 11 when we got him and I think DS is the only person who he really allows to pick him up (he jumps through your hands as you try to lift him).
He is quite a chatter box (I'm sure he says 'hello').
He has a habit of racing me up the stairs when I come home from work.
He loves cushions and getting himself all comfy against them.
I did want a lap cat which is what my previous cat was, but we got what we got and he is quite a character in his own little way .
He doesn't have huge clumps of hair coming out all over the house, but I do brush him in the garden with a soft rubber brush to get his 'tufty' bits off him.
He's a big lad, but this is what male BSH cats are meant to be.

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