The British Shorthair is a loving pet that forms a close bond with its humans, but it’s not a lap cat and prefers to express its affection in other ways. Your British Shorthair may tolerate a cuddle now and again, but they would rather maintain less physical contact, instead preferring to snuggle up next to you on the sofa.
Continue reading to find out how a British Shorthair likes to express its affection. Discover whether or not they want to be petted and how you can best express your love for your feline companion.
Do British Shorthair Cats Like Cuddles?
The British Shorthair is a fluffy bundle of loveliness that you feel the urge to pick up and cuddle. However, this display of affection may not go down well with your cat. This breed is highly tolerant – particularly with children – but they won’t enjoy anything more than the odd bout of pickups and cuddles.
If they get fed up with your physical affection, they will try to wriggle free and escape instead of becoming aggressive. This is why they make one of the best pets for families with young children, as they very rarely bite or scratch their humans.
But don’t mistake your cat’s tolerance for enjoyment. Instead of pushing your cat’s limits, respect its boundaries and allow it to keep a little distance. This allows your pet to feel comfortable instead of feeling overwhelmed or becoming suspicious of you.
Do British Shorthair Cats Like To Be Picked Up?
In general, British Shorthair cats do not like it when you pick them up. While many will tolerate this behavior for short bursts of time, they would much prefer to walk by your side than be carried by you.
If your cat tries to squeeze himself from your arms, try not to feel hurt or rejected – it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t love you! But different breeds have different ways of expressing affection, and the British Shorthair does not favor physical touch.
What Are The Consequences Of Picking Up My British Shorthair?
Many Shorthairs don’t mind petting in moderation and picking them up now and again won’t do any harm. However, if you persist in picking them up even when they wiggle to get free, you could negatively impact the relationship between you and your feline.
If you persistently encroach on your feline’s boundaries, you could alienate your pet and have them try to avoid you altogether. The British Shorthair is renowned for its patience and loyalty, but everyone has their limits, and eventually, they will decide that enough is enough.
How Do British Shorthair Cats Display Their Affection?
There are many ways that a British Shorthair will display their love and affection for you. This breed will love to follow its owner around the house and see what you get up to, and they will talk to you with soft vocalizations.
When you return home after a day at the office or visiting friends, your feline will most likely greet you at the door to welcome you home. In addition, they’ll snuggle up alongside you when you sit down to watch your favorite TV show or curl up at the end of the bed when you go to sleep.
How Do British Shorthair Cats Like To Receive Affection From Their Owners?
Many cats will roll onto their back, exposing their belly as a sign of trust toward you. They’re not saying, “Please tickle my belly,” they’re actually saying, “I trust you so much that I know you wouldn’t try to touch my belly.” And it’s this miscommunication that often results in a scratch or bite to the hand.
But the British Shorthair is slightly different. They are one of the few breeds that will allow you to give their tummy a rub as a sign of your affection for them. When a Shorthair rolls over and exposes his belly, feel free to give it a little rub.
How Do I Know If My British Shorthair Is Comfortable With What I Am Doing?
The calm and easygoing nature of the British Shorthair is one trait that makes this feline such a popular pet. Still, the problem is that this docile nature can cause them to tolerate behaviors that they don’t like for extended periods, and you may not notice that anything is wrong.
For this reason, it’s crucial to supervise younger children when they are engaging with this breed because the British Shorthair will tolerate behavior that is too rough for it and could cause injury.
While your cat won’t lash out or make overt displays of aggression, there are a few telltale signs that you can look out for to tell you that they’ve had enough of a behavior. For example, if the Shorthair stiffens its body, it’s a sign they’re fed up, and the same applies if they cease purring and start to meow instead.
One of the biggest telltale signs that your British Shorthair is dissatisfied lies in the motion of its tail; if it twitches and lashes about, then it’s time to give your pet a bit of space. Equally, if you’re holding a Shorthair and it starts to wriggle, don’t hold on more tightly; just put it down.
Can I Train My British Shorthair Cat To Enjoy A Cuddle?
Most behaviors depend on each cat’s individual personality, but you’re unlikely to train a cat to enjoy cuddles. Of course, you can try things such as petting him while he’s eating or giving him treats when he’s on your lap. But in all honesty, this “training” is likely to result in frustration and disappointment for you both.
Are British Shorthair Cats Friendly?
The British Shorthair is an affectionate but independent breed that is playful and intelligent. They can be shy with strangers but will quickly warm up to people who are kind to them. These “gentle giants” are quieter than the average cat and can get along with other people and animals.
As an ambivert, the British Shorthair has the perfect mix of introversion and extraversion; they love attention but will happily do their own thing when you’re busy.
What Is The Best Environment For A British Shorthair?
The British Shorthair is a loving and laid-back breed that easily slots into a chilled-out lifestyle. You are unlikely to experience any problems with this breed unless you refuse to respect their physical boundaries.
If you want a cat for picking up and cuddling, you might appreciate a cat such as a Maine Coon or Ragamuffin. But if you want a low-maintenance pet who is happy to stay home unaccompanied while you’re at work, then the Shorthair is an excellent option.
This is an easy breed to keep content; feed them in the morning, have a little play session in the afternoon, let them snuggle into you when you’re relaxing on the sofa, and they’ll be a happy kitty.
Final Thoughts
We all have boundaries, and if your British Shorthair decides that they want to limit physical affection, you should respect this. Instead of trying to force them to do something they don’t want to do, be appreciative of how they show love and show them how much you care about them by being the best cat parent.
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Sources
https://www.sidmartinbio.org/do-brittish-shorthair-cats-cuddle/