What do Scottish Fold and British Shorthairs cats like?
What do British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats like?
It’s a known fact that cats, in general, have their own likes and dislikes. They won’t ever be as submissive as a dog, and they’re independent to the core. So in order to keep our favorite creatures happy, we need to know what they like, and what they don’t like.
Some things are more general, while others get more specific to each breed. Now we’ll focus on two specific breeds: Scottish Fold and British Shorthair and we’ll go through some of their likes and dislikes.
Food – as important for them as it is to you
As we all know, when it comes to food, each person has its own preference. So why would you think it would be any different for cats? There are cats who prefer wet food (a vast majority, I might say), while others would be just as content with dry food.
While giving them any kind of food might work for your regular Tomcat, for specific breeds it gets a bit trickier, some might have allergies or genetic diseases that might make it difficult for them to digest regular food. Many of the issues cat owners face are food-related allergies. You have to remember it is essential to check with your vet which food plan works best for your cat, I’m going to give you some advice for both the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair.
Scottish Fold
This breed is generally more prone to develop food allergies if they are exposed to specific allergens for a longer time. You have to take into account that its peculiar history and the way they breed because they should always have appropriate food. There are foods that might hurt your Scottish Fold’s digestion and even lead to food allergies.
So what shouldn’t a Scottish Fold eat? They should stay away from ingredients like wheat, cheap carbohydrate gran fillers or corn.
So if you keep your cat’s diet with raw food that lacks those ingredients, your Scottish Fold will be more than thankful. Since Scottish Fold’s food is usually rich in proteins, their food should be mixed up so they could receive different proteins every time.
But what should a Scottish Fold eat? Meat, preferably raw. You can give your Scottish fold a combination of wet and dry foods, but fresh meat is never a bad idea. However, make sure she is avoiding eating too many carbohydrates!
The best meat for a Scottish Fold kitten is raw beef, chicken, turkey, and chicken liver; for adults, you can also add fresh vegetables and even dairy. While they do prefer raw meat, you should always try to heat up their food so they could have a better experience when eating their favorite food.
And since Scottish Folds share ancestry with the largest of felines, tigers, lions or panthers, keep in mind that they don’t particularly enjoy vegetarian options. So you shouldn’t be surprised if Scottish Folds aren’t particularly fond of grass or other types of vegetable. They aren’t the type to mix it up, and you should keep that in mind. They need a lot of meat for protein and fat.
In case you have a dog, remember not to mix their diet as dog food is predominantly carbohydrates and it can be fatal to your Scottish Fold if fed every day.
What about the British Shorthair?
As we’ve seen, the Scottish Fold has its particularities when it comes to food.
Unlike the Scottish Fold, British Shorthair does not develop the same genetic disease and they are not prone to any serious diseases. However, it can also suffer from food allergies. The most common allergic reaction to food are skin conditions. Just like humans, cats can be intolerant to a specific food, so it’s important to check with the vet before changing or creating a diet for your cat.
Unlike the Scottish Folds who don’t like mixing it up, British Shorthair cats like food in general, and they love trying out different flavors. Their body is generally muscular so their food must be high in protein, but moderate when it comes to fat. For them to grow strong and healthy, they should have meat in their diet, either cooked or raw.
They’re not particularly picky when it comes to meat, so you can give them either beef, chicken, turkey or even rabbit. You should not give them fish and shrimps more than two times a week, though. Also, they can also consume dairy products, as long as they’re not too rich in fat.
What you need to keep in mind is that British Shorthair is prone to becoming overweight, so a balanced diet is ideal in keeping them slim and healthy. That’s why their food should be low in carbohydrates, so you should avoid giving them potato-based food.
While you can give your cat dry food, many British Shorthair owners prefer to keep their cat on a home-made and raw food diet. Another trick is that raw meat is beneficial for this breed’s fur, making it silkier and smoother, and that’s why it’s strongly recommended by specialists.
Water – yay or nay?
I know it might be peculiar to think of a cat who genuinely enjoys the water, but the British Shorthair seems to do so. As we know, cats, in general, are very curious by nature, and if you add up the British Shorthair’s buoyant personality, you notice that their curiosity doesn’t stop when it comes to water. These cats are generally fascinated by anything that moves, like water running from a faucet or a water fountain. If you let them, they would jump into the shower as they need to see everything going on.
Of course, when it’s bath time, things could become tricky if they’re not into it and if they didn’t manage to test the waters first, literally.
Scottish Folds, on the other hand, get trickier when it comes to water. They need more time to get used to the idea, and it might be quite a choir to bathe one, but if you absolutely have to, you need to be extremely patient with your cat.
Does my British Shorthair like other breeds?
I know they might seem like heaven on Earth on paper, but in reality, British Shorthairs are that, and more. Not only they are incredibly open to you and other family members, British Shorthairs also enjoy the company of young kids and other animals. According to Catster, besides getting attached to other cats, they might even seem to like the company of dogs. So what more could you want?
What about the Scottish Fold?
This breed is very adaptable, so they are comfortable in different situations. They genuinely enjoy children and other animals as well just as much they enjoy a single-person home. Only you should take your time in getting them properly introduced, and they will learn to adjust to a new environment successfully.
To be held or not to be held
Cats are independent by nature, so that also applies to the basic petting or hugging. While I understand the urge to pick them up and hug them, some of the breeds might not feel so good about it.
Take for example the British Shorthair. They are not quite the type to be in your lap all the time and they don’t like it at all to be picked up. That doesn’t mean they don’t like attention, they usually follow you around and they are there with you every step of the way, but they are more likely to lie at your feet or beside you more than in your lap.
Don’t get me wrong, the British Shorthair is a very pleasant companion. She isn’t demanding and is very easy going. Fiercely loyal, they are loving and will get attached to every one of her family members. But she doesn’t need as much attention, and if she does, she will make sure to bring a toy to a person. The BSH also does very well by herself, making a good choice for single people who might leave her alone for a longer period of time during the day.
In this sense, Scottish Folds are a bit different. While they do not require constant attention, they do enjoy being held occasionally. They love petting, scratching and signs of affection, but when they will generally ask for it. Although you should not expect them to develop a habit in lying in your lap. Their good nature makes them very patient with children, although they should be taught how to hold the cat so they wouldn’t hurt it.
Conclusion
As we went through some of the likes and dislikes of both Scottish Fold and British Shorthair we noticed that even though they might come from the same island, they are very different. However so, in the end, both breeds are very loving and if you learn what they like, they will be very grateful.