Many members of the older generation became acquainted with the chinchilla cat thanks to the James Bond movie saga. The villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld had such a pet. And this was enough for all pet lovers to start talking about the unusual breed of cats. For some time it was believed that we were talking about an as yet unknown elite group. Only later did detailed data about the silver and golden chinchilla color appear.
How did chinchilla cats appear?
England is the homeland of fluffy beauties. It is believed that these cats were born back in 1882 as a result of an accidental crossing of an outbred domestic cat and a Persian cat.
Chinni, as the baby was named, received a non-standard smoky color from her parents, which interested the owner. Subsequently, the breeder crossed Chinny and a gray striped cat, but the result was unsatisfactory: there was no unusual haze in the color of the kittens’ fur.
A few years later, the descendants acquired the desired chinchilla color, and appeared at London exhibitions at the Crystal Palace in 1894. The apricot color appeared much later among American breeders.
For about 30 years, the breed was small in number, despite the efforts of breeders. The 30s of the 20th century changed the situation, and the population increased significantly, thanks to which the first breed standard appeared in 1952.
Registration
The British breed was first registered in 1980 by the CFA or Cat Fanciers' Association. Later, the British were recognized by a number of other international felinological organizations:
- WCF - World Cat Federation;
- FIFe - International Cat Federation;
- TICA - International Cat Association;
- IFA - International Felinological Association (Russia and CIS countries).
When trying to recognize Chinchillas as an independent line, breeders encountered difficulties. Their differences from British cats were only in color and coat, which is why not all organizations rushed to register the new breed. Officially, British Chinchillas are an intra-breed variety and felinologists, when registering nurseries, indicate the breed - British Shorthair.
Appearance of chinchillas
Outwardly, they are similar to their “relatives” of Persian cats, which are characterized by white fur with small dark patches, thanks to which a shimmer of silvery shine is visible. Emerald green eyes edged with black. The chinchilla was the first breed whose color was obtained through deliberate selective breeding. It was first presented in 1894 at the World Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London.
There are several groups of characteristic colors for chinchillas. The first group includes dark shades: chocolate, cinnamon, silver tint. The second includes, based on the red tone: red and cream chinchilla cat. The third category includes tortoiseshell colors: silver and chocolate tortoiseshell. And in the last one - these are diluted tortoiseshells: lilac-cream, fawn and cream with a blue tint.
Varieties of color
Felinologists first divided the visual metallic background into two categories: chinchilla and shaded (darker) chinchilla. In the 70s, British shorthairs and exotics came to the attention of breeders.
In order not to confuse them with Persians, they came up with a new name for the color - ticked. Later, this division was abandoned, the Persian cat returned its generic name, and the term “chinchilla” began to mean only color.
Silver cats
The base of the hair is slightly colored or remains white altogether. Gene I (inhibitor) is responsible for this. The more actively it works, the less pigment on the hairs. An ideal chinchilla cat has only 1/8 of its hair length colored.
Golden
A similar situation occurs in the group of golden ones - the faster the I-gene begins to act, the more spectacular the chinchilla’s coat looks.
The difference between silver and gold is the division of all cats into black and red (red). It is the main color that influences the shade and creates the signature chinchilla shimmer.
The specific distribution of species occurs due to the level of pigmentation of the hair.
- 1/8 to 7/8 – natural chinchilla;
- 50/50 – shaded color;
- 7/8 to 1/8 – smoky.
The very genetic distribution of hereditary instructions and even the list of genes that take part in the process still remains a mystery. Some cat breeders believe that only animals from the black group can be golden, while others oppose them and give examples from breeding.
Other chinchilla colors
From time to time, announcements of new shades of color appear. The Scottish chinchilla cat gave a litter of blue tones, which immediately became a sensation among lovers. But later this trait was not inherited.
- In the black series of chinchilla cats of the British breed, blue, lilac and chocolate colors are experimented with.
- A Scottish chinchilla kitten from the red group seemed to have acquired a stable cream color, but after a few months it changed colors and lost its uniqueness.
Breed standards
It identifies characteristics inherent in animals. The standard maintains the purity of the breed and is a document that allows participation in breeding and exhibitions.
It is used by breeders, judges and breeders. One might say that this is the “basic law” of felinology. In essence, this is a description of the breed in strict order. Standard for Chinchilla Persians:
- rounded and soft lines of a small head with a convex skull and a squat, compact body.
- Males in adulthood reach a weight of 7 kg, and females 3.5-4.5 kg.
- Widely spaced ears with rounded ends.
- Bright, wide-set, large eyes with black rims.
- Pale pink or brick red short nose.
- Short stocky paws with dark pads.
- Short straight tail.
Thick long hair. Kittens of this breed are born with short hair, but over time it becomes longer.
Interesting photo
British chinchilla in all its glory
Silver British Chinchilla
Initially, kittens are born with tabby color.
Golden British Chinchilla
British chinchilla color options
Character of chinchilla cats
They have a soft and friendly character. Thanks to their high intelligence, chinchilla cats get along well in an apartment; with proper training, they use a scratching post, so furniture and walls will not be damaged by sharp claws.
They carefully examine the home and every corner without causing problems to the owner. Representatives of this breed are a little phlegmatic, so pranks are not inherent in them.
Chinchillas are great companions for people who live alone because cats do not become overly sad when their owner is away.
Cats get along quite well with other animals and are friendly, but this breed is not among the best for contact with children, although each pet is individual. The best option is when both animals live together since childhood, then there will be no aggressive relationship between them. If different ages or genders are combined, conflicts may arise.
Interesting Facts
Chinchillas gained modern popularity thanks to the British Princess Victoria. Fascinated by the color of the cat, she spread the fashion for the breed among the nobility of the royal court.
The exhibition at the National History Museum in London includes a stuffed chinchilla cat. This representative of the breed was the owner of a record number of awards and titles at cat shows.
Chinchillas are rightfully considered one of the most beautiful and unusual cats. They are sociable, friendly, do not spoil things, and love their owner very much. But, before purchasing such a beauty, you need to soberly assess your capabilities. These aristocratic creatures deserve full care and maintenance.
Diseases inherent in chinchillas
Despite good health, during breeding and selection of certain traits, diseases at the genetic level were practically not established in the breed, this is due to the fact that breeders mixed different breeds of cats and less often resorted to inbreeding, i.e. breeding a breed by crossing close relatives to consolidate signs.
Due to the anatomical features of the skull, Persian chinchillas have increased tear production. To prevent possible eye problems, you need daily eye care. To do this, you need a napkin moistened with water. We take it and wipe the eyes and the area around them until the wool is clean. Then treat the area with grooming paste and comb it with a special brush, which can be bought at a pet store. The final stage is sprinkling with special powder.
Chinchillas are classified as Persians, and since they are a genus of long-haired cats. Accordingly, they have typical problems for owners of long hair.
When washing, the cat's rough tongue collects excess hair and swallows it. This is fraught with regurgitation of lumps and diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, they need regular combing of dead hairs.
Due to the small head and flat muzzle, the jaw may become deformed. Eating may be difficult if the food and water bowls are not suitable, for example, they are too small for the head to fit through. Due to the distortion of the airways, chinchillas may experience breathing problems.
At the genetic level, some cats have a gene that causes kidney failure. In the 1990s, a study found that more than 30% of shorthaired Persians had polycystic kidney disease, but it was less common in chinchilla cats.
About castration
A sensitive topic among cat lovers: sterilization should not be regretted. Each owner decides for himself, but what do experts think about this? Opponents rely on myths that it is “good for health” and has a beneficial effect on the animal’s psyche.
In fact, there is no concept of “sexual dissatisfaction” for a pet. If behavior changes for the worse, then the problem may be hormonal changes or hidden diseases. An examination by a veterinarian will answer this question.
For example, unsterilized cats that have not become pregnant may develop cystic degeneration of the ovaries and uterus, and mastopathy. Prostate lesions are common in cats. Veterinary clinics are unanimous: if the animal is not involved in breeding, castrate it.
About vaccinations
The mother cat transmits immune bodies through milk that support the protection of babies from diseases, so vaccinations are given no earlier than two months of age. Vaccination is carried out according to age according to the preventive calendar:
- Upon reaching 8 weeks, they are vaccinated against panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, chlamydia, microsporia and calcivirosis.
- The next stage is 10-12 weeks. At this time, a repeat vaccine is administered, plus one against rabies.
- At 16 weeks - viral peritonitis, and again after 4 weeks.
- The final stage is revaccination every year.
The procedure can be carried out safely by a doctor only for healthy animals after a preliminary examination.
Education and training
Chinchillas need to be raised and trained using 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 sleeping and feeding schedule, do not wake the owner at night;
- sit calmly in the owner's arms;
- adequately perceive the need for transportation: traveling in a carrier bag, traveling by car.
Owners of show pets will also have to work on the technique of displaying the animal at an exhibition. Since both the British, the Persians, and the Scottish have a compact body, in the ring they are not exhibited “stretched” like Orientals, but in a grouped state. Preparation for this action is considered to be the development in the cat of the habit of sitting on the laps and hands of the owner, as well as patiently accepting changes in posture at the insistence of the person.
Persian chinchillas are intelligent and highly intelligent cats, grasping basic cat wisdom on the fly. For example, by 1-1.5 months, kittens go to the litter tray quite carefully. Often, if babies live with their mother or another adult cat, they don’t even need to be taught this skill - the furballs independently copy the behavior of the older pet.
Young and even slightly mature chinchillopers retain a lively interest and curiosity in things they see for the first time, so at first you will have to hide indoor plants, toxic detergents and cleaners, as well as the wires of 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 through the owner’s plates, and they do not take away piece by piece a newspaper forgotten by the bed.
At the beginning of socialization, it is important for a kitten in a new home to create a peaceful atmosphere, so try to make less noise in the presence of the baby and warn your household about this. Classes should be carried out taking into account the chinchilla’s biorhythms: in the mornings and afternoons, 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 decide to practice one command, finish what you started without switching to teaching your furry other useful skills.
Chinchillas from the British and Scottish clans are hampered in their studies by natural shyness and timidity. These comrades are generally frightened by everything new and unknown, so during lessons, talk more with your pet in an even, calm voice. A chinchilla doing dirty tricks is such a rare phenomenon that not every owner of the breed manages to see it. If, nevertheless, the pet is drawn to the “scratchers” or the dining table, influence the animal with its own fears. Suddenly clap your hands or secretly splash water on the furry criminal - then you can only watch how the chinchilla coward quickly runs away from the crime scene, turning into a quiet good boy.
How to choose a cat?
There are several rules that can protect you from unscrupulous scammers. It should be remembered that this breed is not common in the CIS, there are few qualified nurseries, so the average price tag is quite high.
For this reason, do not buy kittens from the market. An animal can only look like a chinchilla, but not be one. In addition, responsible breeders sell offspring through clubs and subsequently monitor their fate. This does not mean that the cat will be bad; while maintaining the demand for such kittens, sellers will continue to be interested in unscrupulous business.
Kittens are very curious, so a healthy pet will be interested in meeting the future owner. If he is shy, aggressive or looks lethargic, then this indicates poor living conditions.
If you want to know how a kitten will grow up, then look at its parents. If the mother cat is near the children, then the father can be seen in copies of his documents or photographs.
Mating
Difficulties regarding obtaining color force chinchilla breeders to breed their pets in a narrow, familiar environment of companions. A pair is selected taking into account their breed and exterior qualities.
If cats are bred for home use, it is possible to mate a chinchilla with a pet of silver tabby color; British goldens can also participate in breeding.
There are few professional nurseries, therefore, if you want to glorify your pet at exhibitions, you must approach the choice of nursery responsibly.
Before mating, go through a set of preparatory procedures with the animal - worm the animal, check it for other diseases at the veterinarian.
A well-prepared chinchilla often becomes the queen of the show, but in order to maintain the palm over the pet’s appearance, you need to work hard. Therefore, if you want to combine an active life with victories at exhibitions, do not count on quick success.
I want to talk about the chinchilla cat again and again; this aristocratic and sophisticated breed deserves warm words. If you let a pet into your life, it is unlikely that you will then want to look for another friend. In gratitude for your love and care, the chinchilla will give you many moments of joy and family comfort.
How to care for a chinchilla cat?
Caring for pets begins even before they are born. Proper nutrition of the expectant mother is the key to healthy offspring. A balanced diet consists of raw meat products and offal, as well as fermented milk in small quantities. Vegetables and fruits are added to balance microelements. For proper intrauterine development of kittens, the mother does not set up a den in a quiet place.
Differences in feeding
It is not the best option to take a one-month-old kitten away from its mother cat. However, if this happens, you will have to follow a lot of rules and recommendations in caring for him and in particular in feeding. Read about this in a separate, specialized article.
Then everything will be easier, since Chinchilla kittens are perfectly suited to the general rules of feeding kittens according to the appropriate age.
The pet's diet must be balanced. If the owner prefers to buy finished products, then the food should only be of high quality. Natural food includes meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products. British breed cats are fed 2-3 times a day. Periodically, the pet is given vitamin and mineral supplements.
In both cases, an automatic cat feeder will help you a lot, as it accurately measures the required amount of food, dispenses it on time, and notifies you about it on your smartphone.
In addition, it comes with an automatic drinking fountain. It provides your pet with clean, filtered water enriched with oxygen.
You should not implement the idea of mixed feeding. Chinchillas' digestive organs will not have time to “readjust” to the next diet, which can lead to overload on the gastrointestinal tract. The consequences will be serious diseases, deficiency of some vitamins and excess of others.
Warning! Chinchilla cats are prone to obesity and food allergies. Therefore, it is highly undesirable to offer them food of questionable quality. Chinchilla cats are prone to obesity and food allergies. Therefore, it is highly undesirable to offer them food of questionable quality.
From the first days of life
Complementary feeding and litter box training begin when kittens reach 4-5 weeks of age. When raising one, it should be taken into account that a cat is not a person; it is not characterized by associative thinking and understanding of human behavior. If you set a ban for her, then it is forever.
Toilet training is taught from the first steps, for this:
- fence off the space for 2-3 weeks;
- put two small trays;
- fill with filler with small granules.
This is necessary so that the kitten remembers its smell and subsequently goes to only one place. If the baby has done “big” things bypassed, then put it in the litter with a scoop and do not remove it.
Long-lived domestic cats
The record holder for life expectancy is a cat named Lucy, who lives in the UK. According to official data, she is 43 years old. Translating to our human age, it turns out that the cat is almost 175 years old. In second place is the cute cat Cream Puff, originally from the USA, who lived a happy life at the age of 38, leaving this world in 2005.
Well, in third place among long-livers among mustachioed fluffy pets is a cat who once lived in Devon (England). He lived happily until his 36th birthday, after which he calmly passed away. By the way, the mentioned animals are Guinness Book record holders in the section of long-livers among domestic cats.
Adult pets
For pet chinchillas that do not participate in exhibitions, care will not be difficult. The owner of the “Show Dream” nursery in an interview shared advice on caring for a cat’s fur: once a month, using specialized shampoos, you need to bathe an adult cat, and kittens twice, and after the bath, dry it with a hairdryer to completely remove fallen hairs. She also explained that it is advisable to comb the cat once every 1.5-2 weeks to prevent the formation of tangles.
Nutrition can be provided in two ways: make a diet from fresh food or buy premium or super-premium food, for example, Brit, Brit care. When it comes to dry food, holistic foods, such as Acana, are considered the best. There are separate lines for pets with urolithiasis.
If one food suits the animal, the stool is in good condition, the eyes are shiny and the coat is in good condition, then there is no need to mix different tastes, it is enough to feed one type.
Vaccinations
Good health is an integral part of a long and happy pet's life. To maintain it, the animal must be vaccinated.
Vaccination begins at an early age. The first vaccinations are given at the age of one and a half to two months. Injections are given against rabies, rhinotracheitis, feline distemper and calcivirosis. Then, after two and a half to three months, revaccination occurs. Then vaccinations are given annually, once a year. The selection of a quality drug should be entrusted to a veterinarian.
Ten days before vaccination, the animal must be dewormed.
Psychology
The magnificent Persian chinchilla cat is a bright and central representative of the breed.
- She is characterized by a playful disposition and curiosity. She is perfect for owners with the same restless behavior.
- If your pet is not supported in his fun, he will quickly become lazy and lethargic, which will have a bad effect on his physical condition - this often happens with Scottish Straight cats and Scottish Fold cats .
- Chinchillas have a special relationship with children; they do not shy away from them, but they will not mindlessly give in to children’s whims.
- The animal will not be able to make friends with another cat in the house. Silver lambkins do not tolerate superiority and will quickly put their opponent in their place.
British chinchilla cat
The delicate British chinchilla cat is very different in its behavior from the traditional British cat.
She has hypertrophied aristocracy and a very gentle character.
- Affectionate and calm, they have high intelligence and quick wits.
- They love to talk, using only two words: “purr” and “meow,” but playing with intonations in such a way that it seems like a completely reasonable dialogue between the owner and the animal.
If you are interested in learning how cats purr, we recommend reading the article
- British chinchillas are mannered and do not tolerate unceremonious interference in their personal space. You can pet your pet, but he will not allow you to squeeze or pinch.
- Cats intuitively understand their importance and behave accordingly. If they lie down, then imposingly, if they walk, then with the highest dignity.
Two breeds, one color, what are the differences?
When choosing a kitten, remember that the chinchilla cat breed is a whole world built on the external beauty of the animal.
Buying a chinchilla kitten is difficult, if not very problematic. The main difficulty is that the magnificent color of the animal is pathologically unstable
Conditions of detention
A cat's long and fluffy fur requires daily care. You need to comb it at least once a day, but it is acceptable to do this once every 2 days. Otherwise, tangles cannot be avoided. First, the animal is combed according to the growth of its fur, then against it.
On the muzzle and cheeks, the hair is combed towards the muzzle, that is, against the hair growth. Do not worry that the animal will behave restlessly during these manipulations. Chinchillas love to be brushed. Even against the grain.
Like most felines, chinchillas are small fans of bathing. In addition, frequent bathing can cause their fur to turn yellow. This can be avoided by using a special whitening shampoo. You should bathe your cat no more than once every six months, and you should be prepared for inappropriate behavior of your pet.
It is important to ensure that water and shampoo foam do not get into your cat's eyes and ears.
After water procedures, you need to wrap it in a warm towel and let it dry a little like that. You can dry your pet's fur with a hairdryer, setting it to warm air. It is not advisable to comb wet fur.
When brushing and checking your cat's body every day, pay attention to the fur between the pads of your toes. It can also be combed and, if necessary, trimmed.
Otherwise, the hair in these places will bunch up, rubbing the delicate pads.
An alternative to water and wash is to use dry shampoo. It does not require rinsing with water, but is simply combed out of the wool. First, you need to comb the fur coat, and then rub dry granules into the fur. After a while, the fur is combed out again. Dry shampoo should be used every 14-17 days. This will make the animal's fur fluffy, shiny, and remove excess fat and dirt.
You don’t need any special care for your ears; it’s enough to clean them with a cotton swab once a week or less often, as they get dirty. Only the visible part of the ear is cleaned. Trying to penetrate deeper, especially with a cotton swab, is dangerous for the animal.
But the eyes of cats, like their fur, require constant care. The fact is that individuals of this breed are prone to increased lacrimation, so the eyes need to be wiped every day with a soft damp cloth or a damp cotton pad.
While still a kitten, you should accustom your chinchilla to a scratching post, and trim the claws with special tools once a week. You only need to cut off a third of the claw, but if you cut most of it, the blood vessels passing through this part of the claw will be damaged.
As for walks, they are pleasant for the animal, but not necessary. If you live in a private house, you can let the cat out for a walk in the garden. Naturally, making sure that there is no danger for him there, and also putting an anti-parasitic collar on him. In the city, it is better to walk your pet on a harness.
It is important to keep the tray clean by regularly changing its contents. You can use any filler that is convenient for you.
If you follow these simple rules, then there will be no unpleasant odor in the house, and the animal will not shit outside its toilet.
Breeding
Golden chinchillas are very expensive to breed. The price of individuals for castration or sterilization usually varies between 15-40 thousand rubles, and for breeding an animal with all the documents and pedigree can cost as much as 100 thousand rubles.
Knitting animals is not recommended for amateurs. It is worth understanding that only specialized nurseries are engaged in such professional activities. But if you want to start your own business, then you should weigh the pros and cons, calculate all the costs and think about where the animals will be kept. And only then should you purchase a pair of beautiful golden chinchillas.
Mating is a painstaking task, and so is caring for a pregnant cat.
