Last updated Oct 24, 2023
Medically reviewed by
Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com
Not many people know or have realized but a lot of people grew up with the British Shorthair cat. Do you remember that Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland? Well, that is the British Shorthair.
This type of cat is a family cat that enjoys spending time around people and absolutely loves affection he gets from families. If this cat is indeed the choice for your family, it is important to make sure the cat’s diet is one suited for this breed’s needs.
As there are quite a few ready-made foods for cats in general and British Shorthair in particular, it can be a tricky business to choose the right product for your cat. That’s why we’ve reviewed some of the best food choices for this type of feline in this post.
At a Glance: Best Wet Cat Food for British Shorthairs To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Fresh cat food sent to your door
- Species-appropriate recipes
- Meal plans catered to your cat’s preferences
Wellness Complete Health Natural Canned Grain Free Wet Pate
- Contains turkey and salmon which means lots of protein
- Great for thick, silky fur coats
- All natural. This food does not contain any artificial flavors or colors
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Dinners Chunks & Gravy Cat Food
- It’s Great for keeping healthy body weight
- Good combination of protein and vitamins, giving your cat a well – balanced meal
- Great for your cat’s digestive system
Purina Fancy Feast Poultry & Beef
- Affordable
- High in protein and vitamins
- Easy for your cat to chew
#1 Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 13% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day
If you’re looking for an ultra-convenient way to feed your British Shorthair, you might want to try Smalls’ cat food delivery service. Each month, Smalls sends frozen packages of fresh food to your door. Your cat’s meal plan is catered to their calorie needs as well as their preferences for flavor and food texture.
All of Smalls recipes are made with a single source of animal protein: chicken, turkey, beef, or fish. Cod liver oil delivers species-appropriate omega-3 fatty acids and all the foods are very low in carbohydrates. The limited ingredient lists paired with species-appropriate proteins and high moisture content makes Smalls a highly digestible choice for most cats.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Tricalcium Phosphate, Kale, Magnesium Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Salt, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Fresh cat food sent to your door
- Species-appropriate recipes
- Meal plans catered to your cat’s preferences
- Meat-centric formulas with low carb content
Cons
- Only available as a subscription plan
- No phone support (text and email only)
#2 Wellness Complete Health Natural Canned Grain Free Wet Pate Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10.5% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.99 per day
This product is highly recommended in any British Shorthair cat diet plan because it is made of premium meat, fresh vegetables and even some fruit. Altogether, this food will serve as a very well balanced meal, full of nutrients and perfect for your pet’s overall wellness.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Contains turkey and salmon which means lots of protein
- All natural. This food does not contain any artificial flavors or colors
- Provides energy and enhances your cat’s immune system
- Great for thick, silky fur coats
#3 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Dinners Chunks & Gravy Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 7.8% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 29
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.96 per day
This product was made especially for adult cats, from 1 to 6 years old. What makes it great is the fact that your cat will enjoy this great food as it gets older, just as much as it will enjoy it when it’s young. We recommend this product because:
Ingredients
Water, Chicken, Pork Liver, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Dextrose, Modified Rice Starch, Oat Hulls, Chicken Liver Flavor, Egg Whites, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Guar Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, Calcium Chloride, Caramel color, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Beta-Carotene.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- It’s Great for keeping healthy body weight
- Good combination of protein and vitamins, giving your cat a well – balanced meal
- Great for your cat’s digestive system
- Affordable price
#4 Purina Fancy Feast Poultry & Beef Feast Collection Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 9% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 17
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.30 per day
It is highly important for your cat to have well-balanced nutrition that is also rich in flavors. This collection of wet cat food is rich in essential vitamins and minerals your cat needs to stay healthy. The texture is perfect as it makes for a delicious meal that your cat will be happy to feast on. Why choose Purina Fancy Feast Poultry & Beef Feast Collection Cat Food – (24) 3 oz. Cans?
Ingredients
Meat Broth, Beef, Liver, Wheat Gluten, Meat By-Products, Corn Starch-Modified, Fish, Chicken, Artificial And Natural Flavors, Soy Flour, Added Color, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Natural Roasted Beef Flavor, Taurine, Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B-1], Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin [Vitamin B-3], Calcium Pantothenate [Vitamin B-5], etc…
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- British Shorthair cats love the taste of beef, chicken and turkey so you can rest assure your cat will eat up every bit of the food in it’s plate
- High in protein and vitamins
- Consists of small bites which makes it easy and fun for your cat to chew
At A Glance: Best Dry Cat Food For British Shorthairs To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Nature’s Variety Instinct
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Doesn’t contain artificial additives
- Contains natural omega 3 and omega 6 for healthy coat and fur
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Cat Food
- High in proteins and packed with vitamins
- Contains a combination of fibers which helps reduce hairballs
- Highly digestible
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Perfect Weight for Weight Management
- Free of vaguely-named animal by-products
- Free of potentially harmful additives
- Cats seem to love the food’s flavor
An important part of British Shorthair cat diet is a dry food as well. Here we have a list of three products.
#5 Nature’s Variety Instinct
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 41% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Pound: 1950
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.49 per day
This product is very popular because it contains 50% protein and very high levels of dried meat. What makes it great is:
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Montmorillonite Clay, Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, etc…
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Doesn’t contain artificial additives – nothing but the best ingredients
- Contains natural omega oils, which are great not only for keeping your British Shorthair’s fur silky-smooth and healthy, but also for overall wellness
- Promotes healthy digestion
#6 The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 35% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Cup: 512
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.37 per day
One of the best things about having an indoor cat is spending more time with them. The Honest Kitchen foods allow you to make the most out of mealtime. This is a dehydrated food, so you’ll need to mix in warm water and let it sit for a few minutes before serving it to your cat.
Grace by The Honest Kitchen contains 70% cage-free turkey, making it a nourishing high quality protein choice for your meat-loving cat. The recipe contains pumpkin, which is a good fiber containing food often used as a home remedy for hairballs and mild constipation
All of the ingredients are human-grade and minimally processed.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Eggs, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dried Parsley, Dehydrated Kale, Dried Cranberries, Minerals [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), D- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement].
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Contains a combination of fibers which helps reduce hairballs and ingested hair issues
- Highly digestible
- High in proteins and packed with vitamins
- A good source of dietary moisture when re-hydrated
#7 Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Perfect Weight for Weight Management
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 36% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Pound: 908
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.28 per day
If you are looking for a perfect mixture of protein and fiber in one meal, then this is the right product for your British Shorthair cat. This is a great product because:
Ingredients
Chicken thigh, chicken breast, chicken liver, carrots, spinach, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, taurine, choline bitartrate, zinc gluconate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, copper gluconate, manganese gluconate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), selenium yeast, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B12 supplement, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), potassium iodide.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Cats seem to love the food’s flavor
- Free of vaguely-named animal by-products
- Free of potentially harmful additives
British Shorthair Health Issues
British Shorthair cats are generally quite healthy, and they don’t have many breed-related health concerns. They were bred with Persians in the past which has led to a small percentage of them developing polycystic kidney disease. Some breeders will avail of genetic testing for this condition.
British Shorthair cats, like any other cat, can be prone to developing obesity. Ensure that you feed your cat according to the guidelines on the food packet and monitor their body condition score (the amount of fat coverage over their ribs and waist). You can check with your vet if you’re concerned about their weight. Obesity can lead to many health conditions including diabetes and worsening of arthritis.
Even though British Shorthair cats are pretty healthy and are not prone to many diseases, they can still suffer from food allergies, similar to other cats. The most common allergic reactions a British Shorthair cat may exhibit to cat foods are skin conditions.
Just like humans, cats can also be intolerant to some foods and it is always best to consult a vet if you notice any changes in your cat’s fur, or if your cat is vomiting or having diarrhea as a result of eating certain foods. Your vet might recommend feeding a hypoallergenic food or novel protein diet.
Also Read: Best Cat Food to Prevent Vomiting
Home-Made Food and Raw Diet for British Shorthair Cats
British Shorthair cats are pretty much into food in general and as obligate carnivores, they love eating meat based food. Their food should be high in protein and moderate when it comes to fat and carbohydrates. Therefore, they should eat diets that have meat-based protein sources without preservatives, fillers and any other unnecessary ingredients.
As cats aren’t the best drinkers and many of them develop kidney disease as they age, it’s important to include moisture in their diet. We do this by feeding tinned or wet food and encouraging drinking.
Raw diets or homemade diets can offer the benefit of added moisture in the food. They need to be nutritionally balanced and complete. If you’d like to try this diet for your cat make sure to do your research and get advice from your vet before changing them onto this diet, particularly if they have an underlying condition.
Also Read: Best Raw Cat Food
British Shorthair cat homemade food should be based on meat – either beef, chicken, turkey or rabbit. Home-made cat food recipes should be based on boiling the meat or vegetables in water.
It is important to know that fish and shrimps should not be given to your cat more than two times a week.
British Shorthair in a Nutshell…
British Shorthair cats are becoming more and more popular as they are friendly and playful. During early stages of their life when they are still kittens, they are very active, curious and real goofballs. Usually they become much more mellow after about one year.
As this type of cat can be prone to shedding, you can easily minimize the mess by weekly brushing in order to remove excess hairs. Check out our review of the best cat brushes for shedding here.
Also Read: Best Cat Food for Shedding
Another important thing to mention when it comes to the care of the British Shorthair cat is that you need to trim their nails once in a while if they’re indoors only and check their ears for signs of infection or mites. You can clean them at home with a cat approved ear cleaner if they’re prone to wax build up.
British Shorthair cats have an average lifespan of 12-20 years, so regular grooming, taking care of their hygiene and making sure they get the best cat food they can have can ensure they have a long and happy life.
I have a 1 year old male British Shorthair , his weight is 14 lbs and he’s a little chubby , I want to transition him to an adult diet with reduced calories . He currently eats 4 oz of Royal Canine dry kitten and 6 oz Fancy Feast wet food daily , spread over 4 meals . What and how much do you suggest ? I’m assuming on keeping the same wet food and changing to a Royal Canine adult food but the quantity and frequency is what i’m not clear about . Thank you .
Hi Randy,
Switching gradually sounds like a good idea. In terms of quantity and frequency I suggest you consult with your vet so he can provide personalized suggestions relevant to your cat’s unique situation. For more info you can read our article on the Best Cat Food for Overweight Cats
Hi Randy
I free feed my bsh girl she always has dried down and then I give her one pouch a day of the bsh short haired l kitten wet food. Half in a morning then some
At lunch and the rest before she goes to bed.
The vet told me they don’t need to have grain free but I only every give her that.
One has to remember the bsh are big cats and some vets thing there overweight but it’s the breed I’ve been told. Hope this helps
I have been feeding my 18 month old female BSH Royal Canin Kitten food for spayed cats for the last few months. What food is best now as I feel she needs to switch to an adult food.
Hi Joanne, you have a lot of options! Our guide to the best cat food may help: https://cats.com/best-cat-food
Let me know if you have any more questions!
My baby is a 8-years-old british shorthair. I’m giving him the exact best dry food. But he start getting tired of it and became interested in the Purina Complete I bought for the stray cats comes to my porch? In terms of wet food, he only like Sheba the best portion wet food. But I found weird white things in those can food twice( looks like worm eggs?, not sure it was there or some bugs Or flies laid in it later). Anyway,I’m looking for an alternative can food now, will probably try the can food mentioned above.
Shirley, that’s no good! Please contact Sheba and let them know that you found something that looked like worm eggs in your cat’s food. I’d also encourage you to file a report with the FDA. Hope you find something that both of you can agree on soon!
Sheba contact: https://www.sheba.com/contact-us
Make a pet food complaint with the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint
I am just wondering if shelba would be a good option for my 1years sibling trip of british shorthair?
Hi Louise, Sheba can be a decent option if you’re looking for meat-based food on a budget. Here’s our complete Sheba brand review.
I give Royal Canin Kitten food for sterilised cats to my 8 month old BSH female cat. I am wondering if the options included here are also good for a sterilised cat.
Absolutely! Any of the foods here should be perfectly acceptable for a sterilized cat.
Hi, I give my British cats Wellness core dry food
And schesir as wet food
I have a year old BSH very picky has completely gone off wet food I tried Smalls, tiki cat and others he smells them and walks away. He is just on dry food and currently giving royal canin but he is getting the lush ish coat or roundness of a typical BSH. Please help
Hm, interesting! I wonder if you may be able to entice your cat to try some wet food by sprinkling FortiFlora or another palatant over the food.
Hi I’ve got a bsh Girl i I feed her the wet kitten pouches RC and now the dry adult one now, she’s been spayed at 9 months and she now 11 months but weighs 5.2 kilos I have tried so many wet food and tried mixing to get her of the kitten RC food and she will not eat anthing else even if I’ve tried mixing a bit in . But no she’s fussy.
I know the kitten pouches are full of fat I’ don’t know what else to do I’ve only ever given her grain free and tried all the brands to no avail. Any ideas I’ve even tried her with minced beef fish chicken everything is a no no no no
Hi Nanette, thanks for emailing! I think you need to focus on identifying what it is she likes about the RC food—is it the taste? The texture? The smell? If she’s willing to eat the dry adult food, she’s clearly comfortable with some variety—so don’t despair! I would focus on mixing new foods with the old and making a gradual transition, then staying firm with the process!
Thankyou Mallory, I’ve tried that it doesn’t work for her shes is so stubborn, she won’t eat all day if I don’t give her what she wants. Only the kitten food.. and sometimes she won’t eat that either.
And she won’t eat the dried if it’s left overnight in her room I have to throw it away and give her fresh. Or else she comes and paws me.
Who knew I would have a princess cat.
Hi, I have a 6 years old male british short hair. I feed him with felina n&d ocean herring&orange. Does bsh not like fish? It would be so nice if you could answet.
Hello Nisa, yes, British Shorthair cats can eat fish! You may want to rotate with some other non-fish-based foods to prevent overloading with heavy metals and other contaminants, but that is one of the better dry foods out there, so you’re on the right track!
Hi Cats.com team! Thanks for writing such in depth articles, and doing the research we all wish we could do at home to check the details of what we are feeding our cats!
I have two cats, my younger one is a Scottish Straight (cross between a BSH and a Scottish Fold) and my older cat is a Thai blue point (a Korat with colour variation and some Siamese heritage). I recently lost my old boy, a Korat, to lymphoma in his gut, and I am quite worried now about keeping the remaining two girls as happy and healthy as can be. You mentioned in this article that you should not feed fish or shrimp to your cats very often, but in the final days of our Korat, prawns were all he would eat and sometimes he had a few prawns throughout the day. Is this due to the mercury levels in seafood? All cats would have some prawns as a treat but I’m a bit worried I may have done something I shouldn’t as our vets never mentioned this to us.
Also, could I please ask if you have a UK counterpart to add to these food lists or even just a European equivalent? As many of the foods listed are just not accessible – but the actual content you write is incredibly useful. I read the KatKin review but I’m just wondering if you have or will have more top charts that are targeted to European readers? Logical stuff like how to enhance your cats food via salmon oil and joint supplements etc is great and easier to find alternatives for compared to the US but UK/EU branded foods and supplement reviews and analytics would be very helpful!And even (if possible) guidance on how to feed ill pets/noticing gastric issues in felines early?
Thank you for your time and for all you do!
Hello there! The reason we generally don’t recommend fish or seafood as a primary source of nutrition is due to a combination of factors, but primarily their tendency to be contaminated with heavy metals, as you mentioned. Foods made with fish meals often have high bone content, which may lead to their mineral content being inappropriate for some cats. Too much shrimp or prawns may be n issue, but I doubt that the prawns in his final days had a significant negative effect on his health. Regarding the international guides, we do have a number of those dedicated to UK customers:
– Best Cat Food in the UK
– Best Raw & Fresh Cat Food in the UK
– Best Healthy Canned, Soft, & Wet Cat Foods in the UK
– Best Dry Cat Foods in the UK
– Best Kitten Food in the UK
Hope this helps!
Hello! I am finding this site and the info re British Blue Shorthairs very helpful! I have a beautiful female BBSH, named Blanche, who is 8 years old. I’m often concerned about her health because I lost her brother, Bruno, about 6 months ago to diabetes. Diabetes in cats is something i was never aware of and this came as a big surprise when Bruno was diagnosed. He was on a full, wet food only diet, was never over weight and perfectly healthy until last year I suddenly noticed that he was unusually thirsty, losing weight and his fur appeared greasy… I immediately took him to the vet and after running several tests, he was diagnosed as a diabetic. I then had to learn how to give insulin injections, take blood sugar tests, etc. Bruno did get better but then after 1-2 months, his body started rejecting the insulin…we would adjust the levels of insulin and this would help for a while but then the cycle would repeat and he just wasn’t getting better. He ended up in emergency care when ketones were now in his system and his kidneys and other organs began to fail rapidly. It was an horrific experience and I ended up having to put him down which was heart breaking. I now worry about his sister, Blanche, who appears very healthy but she also sometimes drinks too much water. She’s visiting the vet this week! I can’t help wonder if the type / brand of food i was giving to Bruno had any cause in his illness. Mainly wet foods from Weruva, Nulo, Rawz and Dave’s… (all grain free). The vet did suggest to stay away from gravies and stews. I also stopped giving Blanche too much seafood… now we are on chicken, turkey, duck, lamb…pates and aus jus. Primarly Weruva…I also just purchased Stella & Chewy which I’ll try too. Any advice about diets to prevent diabetes an other diseases in BBSH would be helpful!