British Shorthair

[Memom]

Can any of you wise cat lovers give me any idea what a British Shorthair/British Blue is like as a house cat? Are they playful and affectionate? Are they generally happy to only be indoors? Any pointers most welcome

I think the majority of pet cats in this country are probably British short hairs. They have a variety of different personalities. Most that I have owned have wanted to have outdoor access although my current cat is very timid and only ventures outside rarely. All of my short-hairs have been friendly and loved sitting on laps but not all do.

Mine are indoor cats they know no different they used to have an outdoor pen I would pop them in for deep cleaning the house one actively resisted his brothers would go out but were not particularly fussed if they didn't there is only one cat who would like outside thats only if I'm outside anyone else goes he isnt bothered he is attached to me even comes and sits by the shower or gets in the shower with me

We've got a 10 year old girl.

She does go out, but never seems to stray far. She is not playful and will sit next to you but rarely sits on my lap and hates being picked up.

On the plus side, I have only ever had to take her to the vet once for anything other than her annual check ups/jabs.. apparently they are the 'hardiest' of all pedigree cats.

Oh, I had one!! She was bloody awesome. Loved cuddles. Would run around sometimes and liked to play too. Beautiful. Love them.

Thank you all for speedy replies. One very important question is how do you prevent an indoor cat bolting for open doors or windows? As you can tell I've never had an indoor cat

Not sure if the first poster is thinking of domestic short hairs as I believe they are the most common cat in the UK.

I'v got two BSH boys. Mine are indoors only but that suits them as they're very lazy. They do have their cheeky playful moments too of course. One is very much a lap cat - he'll sit on me all evening. The other isn't a lap cat, prefers to sit next to you instead although he does love being carried around like a baby (unlike the other who doesn't like to be picked up which is the norm I was told by the breeder).

Sorry cross post. Mine aren't interested in going out but we are vigilant with doors. We let one out once and he was pretty scared - I don't think they're the cleverest cat. You can get coverings for the windows if necessary- we tend to just open the top of ours.

I've had BSHs for 40 years. They have all been excellent mousers, bringing in live and dead prey regularly! They are meticulous groomers, so you can allow them on sofas and beds without fear of skid marks. They vary in affection - some of mine have been lap cats, but they all at least sit beside me or on the back of my armchair and purr behind my head.
Most of mine have disliked litter trays, preferring to toilet outdoors, even in blizzards. (I live in Scotland).
They enjoy chasing a toy on a string, adore catnip, and like long naps especially when getting elderly. Mine have lived to 21 years, so getting a BSH can be a long term project.

We got our boy bsh as a rescue aged 1. He never sits on our lap, he’ll let you stroke him but on his terms. We do let him out and have a cat flap.
He can be scratchy and bitey if you touch him and he doesn’t like it but I’m not sure if that’s typical of the breed or a result of him being a rescue.
He loves to play with toys on a wand and he is very lazy - loves nothing more than to lay out in the most obscure places.

Between us my extended family have six BSHs. They’re all lovely cats, affectionate, although some are a nervous around people they’re less familiar with.

Our BSH is an indoor cat and we just don’t open the windows wide enough for her to get out. She bolted for the door a number of times in the first six months, and we spent ages coaxing her in, but she doesn’t bother anymore and is very happily settled inside with my other cat (who is a rescue cat, they get on well).

I have a BSH and, like BabDoc, mine is an enthusiastic hunter. She wouldn't be happy to be kept indoors - she loves being out, especially in the summer, but she goes out every day in winter too.
Mine is quite affectionate with me and will come for a cuddle or to sit on my knee when she feels like it. If I pick her up and she's not in the mood, she will tolerate it for a minute or so, then wriggle free.
She uses an indoor litter tray and also toilets outside.
I wouldn't describe her as playful really, but she has kitten ish moments where she runs round andcround. And she loves to "help" me make beds

We adopted a pedigree BSH from CPL. She’s 16 now, low maintenance, good rat hunter when younger, and we let her be an outside cat. She’s a bit chubby and she has arthritis now, so has a litter tray indoors. She likes to be alongside, rather then a true lap cat, but sleeps on my feet every night. My sisters BSH blue is an arsehole. Likes climbing on to the house roof, fighting foxes etc. Generally nice bomb proof cats 🐱

I have a BSH Blue, with orange eyes. She’s amazing and I can’t imagine life without her. She’s pretty lazy and doesn’t try to leave the house. She’s never far from me and spends all evening on my lap.

We have a re-homed bsh. She's very beautiful, but timid and anxious. Not a lap cat.

She's about 3yrs now and coming out of her shell. She doesn't mind being picked up and she loves a tummy tickle. She's really easy to look after.

We also have a moggy who has no fear so quite the opposite. Both are lovely cats. I find the moggy more a traditional cat, eats anything, loves a snuggle and purrs like mad.

Arsehole BSH cat and my BSH cat, as I gather there is a litter tray tax

Regarding windows, I recommend Flat Cats. Keeps the cats in, most of the insects out, but lets any breeze in.

I think to a degree it depends on the age you get your cat whether it will be happy indoors or going out. If they don't know any better, then they are more likely to be content being kept indoors compared to a cat who's always been allowed to roam. Another option to an indoor only cat is a catio or cat proofed back garden.