Breed Health Issues
British Shorthairs are a robust breed overall, but there are a few things every owner should know about. Most of them are exactly what a good breeder screens for.
HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
HCM is the most common heart disease in cats, and British Shorthairs are among the breeds at higher risk. The heart muscle thickens and works less efficiently, and in serious cases it can lead to heart failure or blood clots. Many cats show no signs at all until it's advanced.
- Screening: there's no DNA test for HCM in British Shorthairs. The DNA tests that exist are for Maine Coons and Ragdolls. Good breeders have their cats' hearts scanned by echocardiogram, repeated over the years.
- Watch for: fast or effortful breathing at rest, open-mouth breathing, tiring easily, or sudden weakness or pain in the back legs. These need a vet urgently.
- A tip: count your cat's breaths while it sleeps. Under 30 a minute is normal.
PKD (polycystic kidney disease)
PKD is an inherited condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys, slowly leading to kidney failure. A reliable DNA test (for the PKD1 gene) lets breeders keep it out of their lines, so ask to see the parents' results.
Blood type B
Most cats have type A blood, but a large share of British Shorthairs are type B. This matters in two ways. Breeders must match the parents, because a type A kitten born to a type B mother can be fatally harmed by her first milk (neonatal isoerythrolysis). And if your cat ever needs a transfusion, the vet must type their blood first. Ask your vet to note your cat's blood type on their records.
Weight and teeth
The most common problems in everyday British Shorthairs aren't genetic at all. They're obesity, which raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis and urinary problems (see Feeding & Portions), and dental disease (see Vet Basics). Both are very preventable.
A rare inherited bleeding disorder (hemophilia B) has also been found in the breed, which is one reason vets may check clotting before surgery.