My family has a British Shorthair, and he’s now one year old. When he was a kitten, he was super obedient, but as he grew older, he became more playful and lively. “Calm” isn’t in his vocabulary because this breed is naturally gentle with a hint of mischief. Also, British Shorthairs rarely meow! In all the time I’ve had him, I can count the number of times he’s meowed on one hand. He’s very clingy—when he was little, he always wanted to sit on my lap, but now that he’s grown, he doesn’t do that as much. He loves licking my hands and following me around.
He’s like a little furry troublemaker! When people talk about cats, some might praise the cleverness of tabby cats or the hunting skills of local domestic cats. But there are also many cat lovers who adore purebred cats, like the British Shorthair Blue and White. My family has one of these little blue-and-white furballs. I brought him home when he was just a tiny kitten—small, fluffy, and adorable.
His name is Dongdong, which means “active,” and it suits him perfectly. When he first arrived, he was thin, small, and lethargic, with some skin issues. I took him to the vet several times for checkups, shots, and treatments, which cost quite a bit. Add in the cost of neutering, and I’ve spent nearly 10,000 yuan on him. Seeing him so listless after his “family planning” procedure made me feel a little guilty. Why did I have to take away his ability to have offspring? I still don’t fully understand it.
Dongdong loves stealing food, and I’ve scolded him many times for it. Sometimes he gives me this hostile glare, and I stare right back, holding a feather duster. He’ll eventually hide under the bed and stay there all day—he holds grudges!
As for his personality, he’s never quiet unless he’s sleeping. He’s always jumping around, climbing on my legs, playing with water, and exploring everything. He’s curious about every corner of the house and will keep trying to jump onto high places, even if he fails multiple times. When he’s tired, he’ll jump onto the couch and fall asleep instantly.
For those who love cats, raising one is relatively easy. Cats instinctively know how to use the litter box, and they don’t have a strong odor because they groom themselves. All you need to do is give them regular vaccinations and deworming, and occasionally clean their ears with a cotton swab. Cats don’t eat much either—my adult cat, who’s three and a half years old, only costs about 150 yuan a month in cat food.
I’ve been using Honest Kitchen’s British Shorthair-specific cat food, and Dongdong loves it. This brand is tailored for British Shorthairs, so it’s convenient and provides all the necessary nutrients. It’s his favorite!
When I first went to the cattery to pick a kitten, there was a whole litter of tiny furballs, but this little guy was the only one who crawled over to play with me. His kitten-like demeanor paired with his grumpy old man face was an adorable contrast. When I brought him home, he wasn’t shy at all. At just two months old, he couldn’t climb up or down the stairs to the second floor (we live in a loft), so after exploring the first floor, he pooped. I put his poop in the litter box, and from then on, he knew where to go.
He has an amazing temperament—no matter how much I play with him, he never gets angry.
I often joke with Dongdong, “Why aren’t you out working?” or “Are you off to work again?” I love seeing cats come home looking all dusty and tired from their adventures. I believe they don’t belong cooped up in a small house—that’s not their world. Their world is as big as ours. I love watching them climb trees, scale walls, hunt mice, and go wild outside. As long as they come home on time to eat and sleep, it’s all good. They deserve the same freedom as humans.
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