Hygiene Essentials: Ear, Dental, and Nail Care for Your British Shorthair

Short answer: a British Shorthair needs a simple hygiene routine: weekly ear checks and wipes of the visible ear only, regular tooth care because the breed is prone to gingivitis (Purina), and a nail trim every few weeks. Add weekly brushing, and more often during the spring and autumn moult, and you have most of what this easy-going cat needs.

1. Ears

A healthy cat's ear is clean, pale pink and has no smell. Check them weekly:

1. Look at the inside of the ear flap: a little pale wax is normal.
2. If it is dirty, wipe only the visible part with a soft damp cloth or a cotton pad and a cat-safe ear cleaner.
3. Never push cotton buds or anything else into the ear canal.
4. Reward your cat with a treat afterwards.

Dark, smelly or crumbly debris, redness, head shaking or scratching at the ear mean a vet visit, not a home remedy. Our guide to cleaning ears safely explains the steps and the warning signs.

2. Teeth and gums

Purina lists gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, among the conditions the breed is susceptible to. Prevention is much easier than treatment:

• Brush if you can. FirstVet has step-by-step instructions for brushing your cat's teeth. Start slowly, with a finger and a taste of pet toothpaste, and build up.
• Use only toothpaste made for cats, never human toothpaste.
• Check the gums. They should be pink and not red or swollen. Bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth or dropping food need a vet check.

Our dental care guide lists the signs of dental disease.

3. Nails

Strong, thick paws grow strong nails. Trim them every two to four weeks, taking only the sharp tip and avoiding the pink "quick". The PDSA explains how to clip your cat's claws, and our claw trimming guide shows the process at home. Make it calm: handle the paws daily, trim one or two nails at a time and reward each one. Provide a tall, stable scratching post as well; see why cats scratch furniture.

4. Coat

Purina describes a short, thick, plush, dense coat, with seasonal shedding in spring and autumn. It recommends brushing regularly, daily or more often during the heavy moults, and weekly brushing the rest of the year. Your Cat says weekly hand grooming is enough and often removes loose hair, and suggests a wide-toothed comb during moulting to prevent mats, especially in older cats. A rubber brush or a soft slicker brush also works well; choose one your cat accepts.

5. Eyes and face

Wipe any small amount of discharge at the corners of the eyes with a clean damp cloth, using a different cloth for each eye. Thick, green or yellow discharge, redness or squinting need a vet.

6. Weight is part of hygiene, too

Both Purina and Your Cat warn that this large, muscular cat can become overweight, and overweight cats find it harder to groom their backs and rear. Weigh monthly and keep to a measured diet; see our British Shorthair diet guide.

A simple schedule

1. Daily: a quick look at the eyes and face; brush teeth if you can.
2. Weekly: brush or hand-groom the coat; check the ears.
3. Every two to four weeks: trim nails.
4. Spring and autumn: extra brushing during moult.
5. Yearly: vet check-up, including teeth; see what to expect.

When to see the vet

• Smelly or dark ear debris, or head shaking.
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums, or bad breath.
• A bleeding or ingrown nail.
• Bald patches, scabs or lumps in the coat.

Quick checklist

• Weekly ear checks, wiping only what you can see.
• Tooth care to guard against gingivitis.
• Nail trims every few weeks.
• Weekly brushing; more during the moult.
• This is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading

• The history of British Shorthairs
• The best diet for British Shorthairs
• How long do British Shorthairs live?
• British Shorthair cat guide
• How to clean your cat's ears safely
• The complete hygiene checklist

Sources

• Purina: British Shorthair cat breed profile
• Your Cat: British Shorthair cat breed information
• PDSA: How to clip your cat's claws
• FirstVet: Brushing your cat's teeth