Chinchilla Cat

Chinchilla is a common name for cats of British, Persian and Scottish breeds that have an atypical silver, golden or shaded coat color.

Characteristics of Chinchilla Cat

Basic moments

• Felinological systems do not recognize chinchilla cats as an independent breed, therefore they register representatives of this family as Persians, British and Scottish.
• The most valuable and, accordingly, expensive color of chinchillas is golden. Animals with silver coats are considered cheaper and more common.
• Almost all chinchilla-colored cats are calmer and softer in character than their relatives, who have classic coat colors.
• Free-range chinchillas are strictly contraindicated. These are 100% indoor pets, for which the street is a continuous series of dangers and deadly threats.
• The strongest health of the British and Scottish straight chinchillas. Persians and Scottish folds are more susceptible to ailments.
• Complicated grooming care for animals is not required. You will only have to tinker with representatives of the Persian variety, which have very long hair and suffer from excessive lacrimation.
• Chinchillas are quite intelligent and disciplined, so even an owner without experience can instill in them the basics of cat etiquette.
• These cats have a phlegmatic temperament: they do not annoy with loud meows, do not try to conquer furniture modules and do not arrange archaeological excavations in pots with indoor plants.

A chinchilla is a good-natured creature of a silver or golden color, whose main task is to please the owner with its touching appearance and exemplary behavior. Unobtrusive, but extremely affectionate, chinchillas are the type of pets that will never annoy with leprosy and violate established boundaries. Accordingly, if you need a well-mannered and a little phlegmatic friend, settle a chinchilla cat at home – warm relations and peace are guaranteed!

History of chinchillas

The first smoky kitten was born in 1882 in England, as a result of an unplanned mating. The parents of the baby, who was christened Chinni, were a mongrel cat and a blue Persian cat , who accidentally met while walking. The owner of the Persian cat liked the non-standard color of the kitten, which prompted her to start breeding a new breed. As a result, the already adult Chinni was crossed with a cat with a striped gray “fur coat”. Offspring born from a smoky mom and a tabby dad did not inherit the unusual coat tone. However, a few years later, Chinni’s children began to bring unusual babies of the same chinchilla color, which felinologists of the world still do not stop arguing about.

The first appearance of Chinney’s descendants at exhibitions took place in 1894, in London. Some time later, American breeders joined the experiments of the breeders of Foggy Albion, who wished to increase the palette of cat colors. This is how the golden (apricot) variety of chinchillas arose. Later, it became fashionable to form original suits not only among Persians , but also among representatives of other cat families. As a result, Scottish folds and Britons dressed in silver and apricot “fur coats” began to appear more and more often at exhibitions.

Video: Chinchilla

Chinchilla Cat Standard

Chinchillas are solid and stocky cats. Their image is enhanced by thick, dense wool, thanks to which the body acquires a pleasant softness and roundness of forms. Chinchilla-colored cats are noticeably smaller than males, so the latter are always more popular with lovers of textured pets.

Documented chinchilla color is assigned to representatives of three breeds:

• Persian ;
• British ( shorthair and longhair );
• Scottish ( straight and fold ).

Individuals belonging to the Persian clan have longer hair and have super fluffy tails, the hair on which can be twice as long as on the body. The body standard of Persian chinchillas is the same as that of their Oriental counterparts, but with a few additions. In particular, the noses of the representatives of the first variety are not so short, so the problems of shortness of breath, characteristic of brachycephalic breeds, are less inherent in them.

British chinchillas are large pets with round heads and chubby cheeks. Their eyes are wide apart, their ears are small, with rounded tips, their noses are wide and shortened. Coat type – semi-long or short. In fact, all representatives of this branch differ from traditional British only in suit. All other characteristics are inherited by pets from relatives in full. Usually representatives of this type of chinchillas have a silver or golden color, but the latter option is less common.

Scottish “batch” chinchillas fit perfectly into the standard of Scottish folds and straights : the same slender legs, muscular body and embossed pads on the muzzle. The coat of animals is silver or peach with darkened tips. The hair itself is dense, short, but without a pronounced fit to the body. Permissible colors of the iris of chinchilla Scottish are green and blue.

Colors of chinchilla cats

All three varieties of chinchillas have very complex color palettes. In general, we can say that animal hair comes in three basic shades:

• silvery;
• golden;
• shaded.

Silver individuals are cats with white fur, which has a barely noticeable “spraying” of dark pigment at the very tip of the hair. No spots or extraneous drawings on the body are allowed, while it is imperative that the chest remains white. There are also veiled and shaded varieties of silver color. In the first case, a dark “pattern” on the wool creates the effect of a veil or organza, slightly darkening the light background of the “fur coat”.

An interesting fact: kittens with a veil color are born only when both parents are carriers of the same suit.

Shaded Silver is a completely white undercoat and guard hair, ⅓ of which has a dark tone. Shaded chinchillas have the most intensively colored head, back, ears and tail. At the same time, the collar area has a classic silver color, and completely dark hairs can slip through on the paws and tail.

The palette of the veil and quenching pigment of chinchillas is quite extensive. In particular, the tips of animal hairs can be dyed in the following shades:

• chocolate;
• cinnamon;
• faun;
• blue;
• purple;
• black.

An important nuance: chinchillas in “fur coats” of the veil type with black pigmentation of the hair should have a black outline of the eyes, bordered by white wool, as well as black paw pads.

The golden color of chinchillas is not identical to red. It’s more of a soft apricot shade. Individuals with golden veiled “fur coats” are pets in which the pigment appears only at the very tip of the hair and only in certain areas. The most pigmented parts of the body are the back, ears, head, tail. On the sides, the “veil” noticeably thins out and completely disappears closer to the stomach. The shaded golden wool is ⅓ of the length dyed in dark tones. More intensely pigmented areas are the back and head of the animal. The collar area remains white.

The nature of the chinchilla cat

Since we are talking about three different breeds, united by a common shade of wool, it is logical to assume that the characters of their representatives will differ. Chinchillas also have individual behavioral characteristics that allow them to stand out from the rest of the mass of their fellow tribesmen. In general, it is worth noting that the unique coloration has muted the wild instincts of the breed, so most cats with silver and gold fur remain very cute and obedient pets.

Persian chinchillas are calm and incredibly gentle creatures. Breeders speak of them as super-patient pets, completely devoid of the arrogance and desire for independence inherent in cats. In fact, the chinchilla Persian is a born “sofa dweller” and “pillow crusher”, addicted to comfort and stubbornly unwilling to part with his comfortable addiction. Persochinchillas do not annoy meowing. The voice of the breed is quiet, almost inaudible, so it is sometimes difficult to understand what exactly the animal wants. Chinchillas are not too happy to be in the neighborhood with other, more active pets, but they steadfastly endure children’s pranks, even if they frankly do not like them.

British cats of chinchilla color are softer in character than their relatives, who have standard coat tones. They are less independent and capricious, and generally have a calmer temperament. In addition, chinchilla cats are neutral to strokes and hugs, which the British do not like . You should not expect any manifestations of aggression and obstinacy from the breed either. By the way, chinchillas are one of those rare types of pets that are equally happy next to the owner and all alone. These teddy bears will easily endure your visit or the supermarket without jumping on cabinets and window sills and not announcing their forced seclusion with annoying meows.

Scottish chinchillas are as good-natured phlegmatic as all Scottish . They are slightly less persistent in achieving their goals than classic folds and straights , but have largely inherited the habits of their fellow tribesmen. The human orientation of the breed is also a little more developed, therefore, in ordinary life, its representatives are easier to educate. Self-esteem, characteristic of the Scots, is not so pronounced in their descendants, so the animals are ready to dissolve in their owner, performing the function of a living anti-stress toy. Scottish voicechinchilla color is as quiet and raspy as the rest of the breed, but cats use it in the most emergency situations, preferring significant silence and philosophical contemplation of the environment to conversations.

Chinchilla Cat Education and training

It is necessary to educate and train chinchillas according to the same methods as all cats, but taking into account the individual characteristics of each breed. Mandatory skills and abilities that the animal must master by the age of one year:

• the ability to respond to one’s own nickname;
• go to the toilet and sharpen your claws in a strictly designated place;
• observe the sleep and feeding regimen, do not wake the owner at night;
• sit quietly in the hands of the owner;
• adequately perceive the need for transportation: travel in a carrying bag, a trip by car.

Show pet owners will also have to work on the technique of displaying the animal at the exhibition. Since both the British , Persians , and Scottish have a compact body, they are exhibited in the ring not “stretched”, like Orientals, but in a grouped state. Preparation for this action is considered to be the development of the cat’s habit of sitting on the owner’s laps and hands, as well as patiently accepting a change in posture at the insistence of a person.

Persian chinchillas are intelligent and highly intelligent cats, grasping the basic feline wisdom on the fly. For example, by 1-1.5 months, kittens walk quite neatly in the tray. Often, if babies live with their mother or another adult cat, they don’t even need to be taught this skill – fluffy lumps copy the behavior of an older pet on their own.

Young and even slightly matured chinchillapers retain a keen interest and curiosity in things that they see for the first time, so at first they will have to hide houseplants, toxic detergents and cleaning products, as well as wires from household appliances from the animal. The breed does not produce any destructive actions – chinchillas do not scratch furniture (provided that there is a normal scratching post in the house), they do not rummage around the master’s plates and do not take apart the newspaper forgotten by the bed in pieces.

At the beginning of socialization for a kitten in a new home, it is important to create a peaceful atmosphere, so try to make less noise in the presence of the baby and warn the household about this. Classes should be carried out taking into account the biorhythms of the chinchilla: in the mornings and after dinner, cats are inactive and prefer to take a nap. And of course, keep in mind that not a single pet is capable of multitasking, so if you undertook to work out one command, finish what you started without switching to teaching fluffy other useful skills.

Chinchillas from the clan of the British and Scottish in their studies are hampered by natural shyness and timidity. These comrades are generally frightened by everything new and unknown, so during the lessons talk more with your pet in an even, calm voice. A chinchilla engaged in dirty tricks is a phenomenon so rare that not every owner of the breed manages to see it. If, nevertheless, the pet was drawn to the “scratches” or the dining table, influence the animal with its own fears. Suddenly clap your hands or surreptitiously splash water on the fluffy criminal – then you can only watch how the chinchilla coward flies away from the scene of the crime, turning into a quiet good boy.

Maintenance and care

Like any decorative pets, chinchillas need to provide maximum comfort in the apartment, beyond which they rarely go. Take care of safety: if you decide to walk the cat on the loggia, do not forget to close the windows or tighten the open window openings with a net. Chinchillopers, British and Scottish are not the most bouncy creatures, but sometimes they also want to frolic, so buy an animal at least a small game complex. A cozy couch or a basket is also necessary – the representatives of this clan are comfortable and love soft mattresses.

Chinchilla Cat Hygiene

The owners of Persian chinchillas will have to make the most effort . Adults should be washed at least once a month, and kittens every two weeks. In addition, you will have to spend time looking for special shampoo and balm. Do you want to keep the exquisite color of the cat’s “fur coat”? Look for cosmetics designed for light-colored animals. Systematic combing cannot be avoided either, so if you don’t want to devote a lot of time to the image of your pet, pay attention to chinchillas from the genus British and Scottish . There is much less fuss with their wool.

Chinchillas are washed only when they are really dirty. In other cases, you can get by with picking up dead hairs with a damp cloth or rubber mitt. A little more work with representatives of the semi-longhair variety of the breed. These comrades will have to be fully combed, and during periods of seasonal molting even treated with a furminator.

Eye and ear care for chinchillas of all breeds is standard. The organs of vision are examined daily, ear funnels – once a week. Mucous lumps in the corners of the eyelids are removed with a clean cloth, which can be moistened with cold boiled water or chamomile broth. Do not forget that both the Persians and the British are characterized by excessive tearing. Usually, tear ducts leave ugly marks on silver fur, so to make your pet look perfect, wipe tears often and buy a special brightening powder for the area around the eyes.

It’s great if you have taught your chinchilla to adequately perceive brushing your teeth with a classic brush. If you can’t make friends with this device, consider alternatives: hard treats that clean plaque, as well as oral lotions like Cliny, which are added to drinking water.

Chinchilla Cat Feeding

There is no consensus on how to properly feed a chinchilla kitten. In most nurseries, quality dry food with a high protein content and a minimum percentage of grain crops is preferred. Usually such varieties are completely balanced, so all that is required from the owner is to measure the correct portion to the animal, which will saturate, but will not cause excess weight gain. Another plus of “drying” is that animals eating it do not need to brush their teeth, since dry croquettes perfectly “erase” any kind of plaque.

Veterinarians continue to “vote” for natural products: lean meat and offal, low-fat sour milk, fish fillets, vegetables (except legumes and potatoes) and fruits. Bakery products, any food from the master’s table and meat delicacies intended for people are strictly prohibited. At the same time, it is important to understand that it is difficult to balance the diet only with the help of products, so from time to time you will have to grow grass for your pet on the windowsill, buy dietary supplements with taurine, as well as vitamins for the beauty of wool. By the way, about additives: at different ages, chinchillas need certain dietary supplements. If kittens need complexes with a large amount of minerals, then older individuals need vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.

Health and disease of chinchillas

The main problems of Persian chinchillas are uncontrolled lacrimation and susceptibility to colds. The latter phenomenon is directly related to the structural features of the animal’s skull. All chinchillapers have been diagnosed with a slight deviated septum, which makes even a mild runny nose more difficult for them than other cats.

Britons and Scottish Straights of chinchilla color have no genetic diseases. At the same time, representatives of these families easily pick up a variety of infections, the salvation from which will be timely vaccination. Cats are also prone to gaining extra pounds, so when compiling a diet, you will have to constantly keep your finger on the pulse.

Chinchillas from the genus Scottish Fold are not as big as straights . In particular, the Scottish Fold manifests such a genetic disease as osteochondrodysplasia. The disease is provoked by the gene responsible for the drooping shape of the animal’s ear, so it will not be possible to prevent it with all the desire.

How to choose a kitten

• Kittens of such corpulent breeds as British and Scottish grow very unevenly. Accordingly, going to the nursery, calmly accept the fact that two-month-old babies look extremely cute, but six-month-old teenagers have a very unattractive appearance.
• When buying a Scottish fold chinchilla, conduct a thorough examination of its limbs. If the kitten has too short legs and tail, these are signs of impending osteochondrodysplasia.
• Many chinchilla colors are unstable and can change the saturation of the tone, so if you are afraid to miss, choose cats over the age of 1 year.
• Be sure to meet the mother of the kittens. If the breeder stubbornly hides the producer, this is a reason not to make a deal. You should also not take babies who, for some reason, were raised not by a cat, but by the breeder himself – kittens who did not eat mother’s milk in the first month of life have weak immunity and are at risk of catching an infectious disease.
• Assess the condition of the animal’s coat. A thoroughbred chinchilla should not have bald spots or areas with sparse hair.

Chinchilla price

The most expensive varieties of chinchillascottis and British are individuals of rare golden colors. This includes cats with “black gold” and “blue gold” fur, the cost of which varies from 400 to 650$. Prices for high-bred Persians of chinchilla color start from 500$.