British shorthair cats, both male and female, need to be over one and a half years old before they can mate. Although cats usually go into heat for the first time when they are 7 months old, because the cat’s body is not fully mature at this time, it is not suitable for childbirth. It is best to wait until the cat’s body is fully mature, that is, after one and a half years old.

The adverse effects of premature mating of British Shorthair cats:

1. Breeding when the British Shorthair is not fully mature will affect the growth and development of the kittens. Most kittens will be stunted, have a low survival rate, are prone to diseases, will be smaller than other normal cats, and will have a shorter life span than other cats.

2. Premature mating can also cause damage to the cat’s own body functions, resulting in poor physical fitness and prone to urinary system diseases, such as urinary tract infections.

3. Giving birth when the female cat is not mature yet can easily cause dystocia.