The British Shorthair's coat is dense, plush, and almost entirely self-maintaining. It does not mat. It does not require professional grooming on any particular schedule. Weekly maintenance keeps it clean, distributes oils, and removes the loose hair that would otherwise end up on furniture.
The Right Tool Makes All the Difference
A slicker brush moves across the surface of a British Shorthair coat without penetrating to the skin level. A bristle brush does slightly better. The tool that actually works is a fine-tooth metal comb — it goes through the full depth of the plush coat and removes the dead undercoat that sits beneath the guard hair. Once a week, five minutes with a metal comb, followed by a light pass with a rubber grooming glove for shine. That is genuinely all a British Shorthair needs.
Bathing
British Shorthairs rarely need bathing — every two to three months is sufficient for an indoor cat. They groom themselves effectively and the dense coat resists dirt. If you do bathe, use a cat-specific gentle shampoo and dry thoroughly; the coat's density means it holds water for longer than it appears to from the surface.