Basics of raising British cats (part 1)

Preliminary list of items

To make your Briton’s life pleasant and comfortable in your apartment or house, you need to take care of creating a calm atmosphere and also buy a number of accessories. This will make it easier to care for.

"Sleepy" place
Special feeding bowls and food
Toilet and litter
Carrying house
Combs or brushes for grooming
scratching post
Toys

Purchases do not depend on how you received the cat - it could be a gift, an informed purchase, or a choice from a shelter. Caring for and feeding a British kitten is very simple if you figure everything out before purchasing the animal.

What to feed a British kitten?

What should you feed a British kitten that has recently been weaned from its mother's milk? A kitten less than two months old should be given a separate diet. The animal’s digestive system is still weak and sensitive, so the choice of food must be taken seriously.

The baby should be fed 4-5 times a day. You can choose special premium food for kittens, cottage cheese (no more than 5% fat), chopped boiled chicken, canned meat or baby food.

From the age of two months, raw beef meat can be introduced into the diet. It must first be frozen and rolled through large holes in a meat grinder. Dry and natural food can be alternated.

Before giving your cat dry food, you need to remove the remaining natural food from the bowl in advance, then the digestion process will not be disrupted.

At four months of age, kittens are given three meals a day. The diet can be enriched with many foods recommended for adult cats. The exception should always and for all British people be products such as:

dog food (yes, many owners believe that cat and dog food are the same, but this is not true);
fish – negatively affects the urinary system of cats;
milk - disrupts digestion, causes bloating and indigestion;
bones - there is nothing useful for kittens in them. On the contrary, they can severely damage the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and digestive organs;
smoked, salty, sweet products from the host's table.

What and why is it needed?

Carrying

They are made from different materials. If you have the opportunity to transport an animal by car, then you can safely purchase a plastic one - it does not lose its shape and appearance, is reliable, durable, and allows for proper care. The only drawback is its volume and size . For those who like to travel by public transport, let us immediately clarify that this method of transporting kittens is not successful. Kids may get scared, start to get nervous, and even if you calm them down, for some time they will be “twitchy” and constantly nervous.

An alternative option is to purchase a small fabric “cage” - it is made from a special frame, covered with soft and warm materials, and is made comfortable for both the owner and the cat.

You can safely transport a British kitten from one place to another without fear that he will get sick or be injured by the abundance of sounds surrounding him.

Regardless of the type chosen, remember that the carrier also requires care - it must be washed or the outer fabric washed after prolonged use.

A place to sleep, also known as a sleeping house

Proper care of kittens includes monitoring their sleeping place, and at first even monitoring their sleep patterns if you are dealing with a small kitten. If you have the opportunity, you can purchase special cat furniture at a specialty store. Usually, there is a wide selection of different houses, and most importantly, such a purchase will also provide you with a scratching post and some toys, depending on the model.

For those who do not want to buy a house, but prefer to provide care with their own hands, we have attached instructions for making a homemade house.

Use a box as a base. For kittens, a small one is suitable; for an adult British cat, you need to take a size so that he has the opportunity to fully extend his paws and body.
Close the box and make a door in one of its sides.
Lay a soft blanket, an old blanket or a small pillow inside. Don’t forget about the bedding - preferably made of fabric that is easy to wash and remove wool. The correct selection of material will reduce the time spent caring for the Briton.
Place the box itself in a quiet place where it will be warm. Preferably away from children and noisy sounds.

Bowls

Each pet should have its own bowl for food and water - this is the key to proper care. Special bowls are made for felines - not high, with little depth, but with a fairly wide base, which will reduce the need for any special care for them. This is to ensure that the British can easily access the contents of the bowl. You need at least three different bowls - one should contain fresh water, another should contain dry food, and the third should occasionally contain treats or canned food.

Toys

The main points of care include various types of games, so it is worth thinking in advance about the safety of such an activity. For small animals, choose elastic balls, but avoid toys with elastic bands - there is a high probability that he may accidentally swallow the elastic band.

You should also avoid all kinds of balls, spheres and similar objects that have sharp edges and various tear-off parts - remember that caring for your pet is not only about feeding, but also about playing.

Scratching posts or houses

In this case, the owners of the purchased house will breathe a sigh of relief - almost every house has special “posts” that are intended not only for sharpening claws. Caring for and raising British kittens with such a device will allow the kids to develop physically - the British will be able to climb, jump and perform other exercises with great pleasure.

Caring for a kitten in the early stages

So, let's figure out how to care for a British kitten in the first hours of falling into your hands, so that the baby grows healthy and pleases you with its behavior? What are the main points of caring for him?

Possible longing for mom

When you get your hands on a Brit, he is usually only a few months old. It is clear that separation from cat society is very difficult for him . He may wander around the house or hide under large objects and meow. In general, attract attention to yourself in every possible way, demanding the same care as before from your mother. In this case, take the baby in your arms and start talking to him in a soft, gentle voice. Usually, this calms the British down. If talking doesn't help, there are some proven tips from experienced cat people.

A clock with a loud ticking sound. Set a clock near where your Brit sleeps. This will remind the British kitten of the mother’s heartbeat, her care and concern, and will help him fall asleep. Electronic watches are not suitable for this purpose.
Heat the water to 36-39 degrees and make a heating pad. Wrap it in a towel and place it next to the kitten - this will create the illusion of the presence of other kittens and parents. Remember that the baby is still inexperienced, and although he has the instinct of self-preservation, he can still get burned. Therefore, be careful that the heating pad does not become his “accidental” toy.

Don’t rush into games, babying and other usual activities - the British need to get used to it, and this takes time.

In the first few days, it is better to limit the places where your cat can be. He should have access to all amenities - food, a place to sleep and a toilet, i.e. necessary care, but no more. When he gets comfortable in this “nook”, you can gradually introduce him to the apartment or house.

Toilet

Caring for British kittens includes litter box training. If you bought it at a nursery, most often they have already begun to accustom the animal to the tray, to the place. In this case, be sure to ask the breeders which filler should be used. Next, just show the cat the tray several times - it’s better to do this after eating. He will quickly remember its location and will not dirty the territory. The main thing is to clean the toilet on time, and in fact, this will be the entire care of the British in terms of waste . Remember that animals must be kept clean, no matter what breed they are.

Proper care of newborn kittens includes the process of litter box training as soon as they begin to grow. It is better to buy an older British dog, since training is quite difficult - especially if the animal is wayward.

British kitten: when to vaccinate

Before vaccination, it is necessary to treat the kitten against fleas, and 2-3 days after disinfestation, give an anthelmintic drug. After 10 days, antihelminthic measures are repeated and after another 10 days you can go for an injection.

The first time vaccination is carried out at the age of 10-12 weeks, using a complex drug (Nobivak, Multftel-4, Felovax, etc.), which protects against:

rhinotracheitis;
calcevirosis;
panleukopenia.

After three weeks, revaccination is done. After 14 days, the body will develop immunity and the cat can be released outside and transported around the city. Rabies vaccination is given separately. It is convenient to get a passport; it states the dates of vaccinations and what drug was used.

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Without such a document, the animal cannot take part in exhibitions, club matings, travel on the train, or cross the border. Vaccinations are done annually. This procedure is necessary for all cats, including those who do not go outside. An infection can be brought into a home by a person on clothes or shoes.

Children and other inhabitants of your home

If you have children, be sure to give them “instructions” on how to behave with a British person. Show him in advance how to play with him and pick him up. Explain what their new “comrades” don’t like, and how to understand that they are not happy with your actions. If your children are already going to school, tell them what kind of care the British need, let them feed the animal themselves.

Be sure to monitor how your child plays with the animal - this will avoid possible injuries, fear and misunderstanding between them.

Animals

If you already have other pets at home, you need to introduce your new feline to them. Before meeting, be sure to make sure that all representatives of the animal world are healthy. Remember that older individuals may not treat the baby very well, especially if they are of the same sex or species. To prevent the British from stress, try to adhere to this procedure.

In the first few days, organize a “quarantine” for the British kitten. Keep him in a separate room and keep other animals away from him. Be sure to leave the carrier - it will be a “house for the new kid”, so that the Briton has the opportunity to hide.
Remember to pay attention to your other animals during this time to reduce their anxiety, but don't forget about the necessary care for your kitten. Show them that you love them too, so that they don't get jealous or perceive a new kitten in your home as a possible threat.
Organize a planned meeting for your pets. Be sure to be in the room when your pets are getting acquainted. Give each of them the opportunity to retreat, do not interfere with mutual inspection and sniffing.
They may hiss and growl at a friend - this is also normal if it does not come to open aggression. If something goes wrong and your usual animal reacts extremely aggressively to the new one, separate them for a couple of days, and then repeat the introduction procedure again.
Respect the rights of your pets - do not take away their favorite territory in favor of a new one! Otherwise, jealousy and constant fights between them are guaranteed. Do not forget about caring for them, do not sacrifice their interests in favor of the British.
Be sure to provide your pets with different trays and bowls, and brushes for grooming. This is done so that no one goes hungry, and you do not have to remove “surprises” from a jealous cat, for example, in different corners of the house.

British kitten: at what age can you adopt

Most people want to adopt a pet at the age of 4-6 weeks, citing the successful experiences of friends. It's nice to play with the baby, watch his growth, the formation of his character. But for the fluffy one, weaning from his mother before 12 weeks is a traumatic factor.

By three months, the young Briton had completed a full course of breastfeeding, which has a positive effect on the immune system, the functioning of the digestive tract, and was separated from his mother by her own mother, without any trauma to the delicate child’s psyche.

The kitten has acquired the skills to use a litter box, can eat on its own, and has passed the first stage of vaccination. He is less dependent on his brothers, sisters, and cat.

He makes contact with strangers more easily and is ready to explore the big world. It will be easier for him to settle into a new home, get used to other people, and learn to communicate with animals (if he has any). The optimal age for introduction into a new family is 10-12 weeks.

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Brushes

For British kittens, it is worth purchasing a rubber brush, preferably oval-shaped, which will be equipped with small teeth made of soft material. It will allow you to carry out care painlessly: it will remove “static” - electricity that accumulates on the fur, and it is easy to massage the skin without injury. Since Britons have short fur, there is no need to groom it in any special way. If the kitten sheds, wet your hand in warm water and massage the animal’s fur and skin . Caring for British Fold kittens in terms of fur is absolutely not difficult.

Feeding a kitten

Up to 6 months, little British babies are fed 4-6 times a day. Then the frequency is reduced to 3 times, and by 8 months to 2 times. When feeding naturally, the products are as follows:

Meat (beef, turkey, chicken) – from 60 g daily;
Milk or kefir – up to 80 g 3-4 times a week;
Cottage cheese – 3-4 times a week;
Vegetables, cereals with meat - periodically;
Sea fish – once a week;
Egg yolk – once a week.

Meat is given to the kitten after long-term freezing in the form of minced meat or small pieces. You can mix it with water-based cereals. A drop of honey is added to boiled or pasteurized milk, but it is useful for up to 3 months, then it is replaced with fermented milk products.

The fish is boiled and removed from the bones. The yolk is also not given raw, and the white is harmful to kittens. A drop of vegetable oil, which is poured into the porridge every other day, is considered a useful additive.

Dry food should be suitable for large breed kittens. At first, it is sometimes soaked with warm water or kefir. Use pates or mousses for kittens according to age.

Let's take care of safety

Everyone understands that animals are extremely inquisitive natures, which is why, in fact, they not only often get into trouble and get injured, but also cause their owner a lot of trouble. In order not to be a regular client at the veterinarian, follow these rules in everyday life:

Store all medications, household chemicals and other hazardous liquids in a locked place. Preferably with a key or a lock.
Are you going to the bathroom? Be sure to close the bathroom so that the kitten does not accidentally get in there.
Baby's toys should be locked. While playing with them on his own, he may accidentally swallow them, chew them, or hit some object while playing. Remember that grooming is not only about playing and feeding, but also about taking care of your Briton.
Close doors to utility rooms or garages.

Start: moving

If the trip is a one-time trip, you shouldn’t worry about different types of containers – especially if we are talking about a baby. Caring for British kittens at 2 months of age does not require transportation, so purchasing a carrier can be a bit of a stretch. Be sure to show the kitten to the veterinarian - special attention should be paid to the eyes and ears. It is advisable to do this in an environment that is still familiar to a British cat.

Toilet training

As your baby enters an unfamiliar place, you may find surprises in the most unexpected places in the first few days. In this case, dip the paper into the “bomb” and anoint the cat’s litter box - this will let the kitten understand what this place is for. Another option is to pour filler, and when it removes the whole problem, pour the filler into the tray.

The right approach to raising a baby will allow you to avoid problems and quickly make friends with a British kitten.

How to stop a kitten from misbehaving

British kittens love to play pranks, but how to stop a kitten from mischief? After all, pranks are not always harmless.

You cannot hit kittens - any owner should learn this. This is a rule that must be followed, no matter how angry the furball may make you.

Of course, when a cat sharpens its claws on the sofa, rolls around on thin curtains, digs up flowers, chews shoes and breaks cups, you want to punish him for this. How to properly prevent mischief?

If you witness preparations for a prank, clap your hands loudly - this will distract him, and he will understand that the desire to jump on the curtain is associated with an unpleasant sound.
Sprinkle water on the place where the kitten is used to playing pranks: scratching furniture, digging up a flower, etc.
Spray the cat himself with water when he is in the process of mischief.
Use a spray with a citrus scent to repel and discourage the desire to misbehave.
Accustom your kitten to the word “no”. You need to say it while looking into the cat's eyes and while he is playing around. Gradually, the pet will understand that a word pronounced with a special intonation means dissatisfaction and prohibition.