British Longhair Cats have always been known for their curiosity. They carefully explore every corner of their home. When they wake up, they stretch and take a peek inside the vase to see if someone has hidden any "delicious treats" there. In their free time, they stick their heads under the sofa to check if any "little invaders" are there. They thoroughly inspect the shoes their owners take off, inside and out, to see if they've brought back any grass from someone else's lawn. On weekends, when their owners indulge in better food and get stuffed, the cats casually follow them around the room, wanting to understand the purpose of each step they take. It's not harassment, they just want to be involved in every activity, to share in every thing, every action, every second of their owner's life.
In the late 19th century, British breeders selected the most beautiful cats from these native cats and began a long breeding process, eventually giving birth to the breed known as British Longhair Cats. In 1871, British Longhair Cats participated in the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, and the breed was named. In 1901, the British Cat Club was established. At that time, British Longhair Cats were large and sturdy with a blue coat, resembling the Chartreux of France. Later, their descendants became more and more alike, even indistinguishable from each other.
Suggested for cat lovers to raise.
1. Cat Mange
Cat mange is a common skin disease in cats, which is essentially a fungal infection.
Cause: Kittens with poorer physical conditions are more prone to getting cat mange. Another cause is a warm and humid living environment, which can lead to fungal infections.
Symptoms: The most common locations for mange to appear are the ears and chin. In the early stages, small patches of mange will appear, along with hair loss, dry flakes, and in severe cases, skin ulcers and extensive bald patches.
Solution: Isolation first -- shave the hair (shaving the hair around the area of mange serves two purposes: it makes it easier to apply medication and it helps prevent the spread of the fungus) -- oral medication (commonly used medications include Itraconazole/Fluconazole/Griseofulvin) -- topical ointment application (Clotrimazole cream/Miconazole cream/Tolnaftate cream/Butenafine spray, be sure to follow the doctor's instructions) -- medicated baths (Ketoconazole solution/Miconazole solution, continue treatment for 1-2 weeks, until recovery) -- increase nutrition (cats with mange infections often have weakened immune systems and need additional nutrition, such as more cooked chicken breast and carrots) -- sun exposure (exposure to sunlight and good ventilation can help kill bacteria).
2. Feline Rhinotracheitis
Feline rhinotracheitis is also a common disease. Kittens with weaker physical conditions are more prone to getting the disease.
Cause: A bacteria strain called the herpes virus invades the cat's respiratory tract. This virus attaches to the cat's trachea and begins to attack their respiratory system.
Symptoms: Fever, nasal mucus, frequent sneezing, excessive secretion around the eyes, and in severe cases, conjunctivitis.
Solution: In the early stages, you can take Lysine and use antiviral eye drops. It is recommended to vaccinate kittens to reduce the chances of Feline Rhinotracheitis. The virus that causes Feline Rhinotracheitis is highly resistant, so it is important to thoroughly disinfect the entire house using formaldehyde and phenol.
3. Vomiting
Vomiting is also common in cats. Sometimes, cats will protect themselves by vomiting, and they will generally feel better after vomiting.
Cause: Ingesting too much hair, indigestion, eating foreign objects, rapid food switching, colds, and gastroenteritis can all cause vomiting in cats.
Symptoms: Vomit containing hair and mucus, or vomit containing food, yellow liquid, and foam, etc.
Solution: If the cat is vomiting due to hairballs, it is recommended to buy hairball ointment or cat grass for the cat to eat.
When a cat vomits, it is recommended to let them fast for a day and provide warm water to drink. Then, you can feed them a small amount of softened cat food or canned food with more broth, which is easier to digest. If the vomiting symptoms do not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
Hygiene: Due to the large amount of hair on cats, they are prone to carrying various bacteria and mites. For the sake of the health of cats and their owners, cats should be regularly bathed and groomed;
Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Owners should not randomly choose cat food on the market for convenience. They should carefully select cat food based on the cat's breed, growth situation, and physical condition. Special cat utensils should also be prepared;
Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When cats are sick, they should be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccinations should also be conducted. Only when a cat is physically healthy, can it have the energy to play with its owner;
Safety: There is a saying "curiosity killed the cat." Cats are restless creatures and always have great curiosity about various things. Moreover, their nature makes them love entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must close doors, windows, and box lids to prevent cats from potentially dangerous situations;
Living environment: The most favorite thing for cats is to lie down and sleep. Therefore, as the owner, you should prepare a small sleeping cushion for it. After long-term use, these cushions will accumulate a lot of bacteria. So, you must pay attention to cleaning and disinfection at all times;
Cat litter: The problem of pets defecating everywhere has troubled many pet owners. However, cats are actually very clean animals, so as long as the owner prepares cat litter for the cat, it will go to the litter box to defecate on its own;
Cats are creatures that cannot be angered. When the owner forces them to do something, they can become annoying. Therefore, owners should regularly trim their cat's nails to prevent scratches and infections when playing with them.
Grooming time: Recommended once every three days
1. Relaxing the cat: Before combing the fur, you can give the cat a massage. After the kitten purrs, you can proceed with the following work;
2. Combing along the fur: From the back → waist → hips → tail; You can wet the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity, and comb along the direction of hair growth, from top to bottom;
3. Combing from chest to abdomen: Hold the cat, sit on your lap in a human posture, and comb from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so when combing, the operator must be quick and accurate.
4. Combing the cat's head and the area around the face: You can comb from the cat's head or face towards the neck, and be careful with the cat's eyes during combing.
5. Hair under the armpits and abdomen: At this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift up the cat's front paw, and comb from the armpit to the side of the abdomen.
6. Finally, use a comb to comb again, remove excess hair, and tidy up the cat's fur to complete the entire process.
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