My British Shorthair Blue and White cat, named Plum, was born on March 16, 2018. He’s now 10 months old. He hasn’t been neutered yet and weighs 8 pounds, which isn’t too fat.
Why did I decide to raise him?
I wasn’t particularly a cat person before, but under the influence of friends and the internet, I thought having a little companion would be nice, so I planned to get a cat.
Later, I added a pet store contact and immediately fell for this one. He had white fur on his chest, round eyes, and looked like a little chubby guy. I spent 1,200 yuan to bring him home.
Here are some photos of Plum at two months old.
What preparations are needed before raising a cat?
Mental Preparation
Cats may look cute, but raising one requires a lot of effort. You need to be prepared for them to pee, poop, meow, jump, and bite everywhere at home.
When you first bring a kitten home, it won’t respond to commands or its name—it’s all about instinct. During the first week with Plum, I spent every evening after work looking for and cleaning up his mess. His cuteness couldn’t make up for his mischief, and I was so frustrated that I even thought about giving him away (but I ended up keeping him).
Here’s a photo of Plum looking like a little tiger, all fluffy.
Financial Preparation
Don’t think that buying the cat is the end of the expenses. If it gets a cold or diarrhea, vet visits can be costly. So, having an extra 2,000 yuan set aside is a must.
When Plum was two months old, he weighed only 0.7 kg—thin, small, anemic, and with ringworm. It took many vet visits before he became the chubby cat he is now. I bought a lot of nutritional canned food, probiotics, and ringworm medicine, and every day I came home worried he might not make it.
Here’s a photo of Plum at nine months.
What’s special about British Shorthair Blue and White cats?
Sensitive Stomach
This is a common issue with British Shorthairs. Even eating something slightly cold can cause diarrhea, and the smell is so strong it can permeate through closed doors.
Heavy Shedding
Even outside of shedding season, my home is covered in his fur. My nose and mouth are always full of his hair—it’s despair-inducing.
Round Face
Male cats tend to develop chubby cheeks as they grow, making their faces round and adorable. Female British Shorthairs, however, don’t usually develop this feature.
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