Golden Chinchilla Cats: Description and Photos

When getting to know any cat breed, you're sure to discover its own distinctive traits. But the situation is quite different with chinchillas, for which even experts can't provide precise information about height, weight, and other characteristics.

What cat lovers don't usually know is that chinchillas are not a separate species, but rather a different color of fur found in Persians and British Shorthairs.

British Chinchilla cats stand out from their relatives with their original artistic coloring, which served as the basis for isolating them as a separate variety, although at present they are not included in the official classification.

History of the breed

The first specimen of this color was bred in America in 1880. It's therefore not surprising that the United States is considered the birthplace of this animal. A cross between a common smoke cat and a silver tabby produced a "girl" with a very unusual coloring. It was she who laid the foundation for this breed. Experts couldn't help but notice the magnificent silver fur, which shimmered in various shades from light to dark. Inspired by this beauty, they began extensive breeding efforts to produce individuals with a similar coloring. Today, cats with a chinchilla coloring are found in both the Persian and British breeds.

Psychology

A striking specimen, which allows you to get acquainted with the main advantages and the characteristics of the breed are the Persian Chinchilla cat.

• This animal is distinguished by its playful nature and inquisitive nature. Therefore, owners who share this restless character will find a good friend in it;
• Chinchilla cats must be constantly engaged in a variety of games, otherwise they will become very lazy, lethargic, and apathetic. This will not benefit their physical condition;
• Chinchilla cats show a special interest in children. Although they don't shy away from them, they won't indulge their every whim;
• British Shorthairs are unable to establish friendly relationships with another cat living in the house. Silver Lambkins are stubborn animals that recognize only their own dominance, so if they encounter an adversary in their territory, they will quickly make it understand its place.

A cat stands out against the backdrop of an ordinary British cat British chinchilla She has a slightly different behavior. She is distinguished by a pronounced aristocracy and a very gentle nature.

• These are very cute and calm creatures, which at the same time demonstrate high intelligence and quick wit.
• British Chinchilla cats are naturally conversational. Although their vocabulary only includes two words—"purr" and "meow"—they pronounce them with varying intonations, making it seem as if a perfectly rational dialogue is taking place between the owner and their pet.
• Chinchillas are well-mannered animals, so they'll be wary of anyone invading their personal space. They'll happily let you pet them, but you'll encounter aggression if you try to cuddle or pinch them.
• Cats have highly developed intuition, so they understand their role in the home and behave accordingly. They exhibit a languid demeanor in all their actions, which is evident not only in their gait but also while resting.

Although these British cats share a common coat color, the differences in their breeds clearly demonstrate how different they are. If you're considering a Chinchilla kitten, be prepared to be immersed in a new world, one that the animal's natural beauty will offer.

How to choose a kitten?

If you're considering bringing a chinchilla kitten into your home, it won't be easy. The first thing you need to know is that these creatures are unable to pass on their original coloring to their offspring. Therefore, kittens often have at least slight differences. This applies not only to the golden chinchilla, but also to the British Smoky and the standard Persian. If you want to acquire a perfect kitten, you'll need to breed only identical individuals.

To understand whether you need a British or Persian chinchilla, you should determine for yourself which psychological profile of a cat is closer to yours.

Care Features

When breeding chinchilla cats at home, you'll need to perform a variety of tasks, but grooming is key. So be prepared to regularly wash and brush their fur.

Combing

Many silver and gold chinchillas have a two-layered coat. The brushing procedure has its own tricks: first, brush in the direction of hair growth, then do the same in the opposite direction, against the grain. British Chinchilla cat To keep your cat looking beautiful, brushing is necessary at least twice a week. This will prevent tangles and improve her well-being.

You also need to monitor the condition of the paws and face, removing any dirt that appears with a damp cloth.

If desired, you can add a snow-white glow to your hair. This can be achieved using special whitening shampoos.

Walking

Given that the golden chinchilla is unlike all other breeds, the decision on whether to walk it should be based on the individual animal's characteristics. If you have the opportunity take your cat out of town, you can let it roam around the garden for a bit. However, you should first remove any dangerous liquids and objects from the area. You can also walk your chinchilla in the city; you'll need to use a harness.

Nutrition

The basis of the silver chinchillas' menu should be premium dry food intended for Persians or British Shorthairs. They should also You can also give natural products, among which the following are recommended:

• boiled beef, chicken and offal;
• greens and vegetables (add to meat or fish dishes);
• lean sea fish (no more than once a week);
• eggs (quail) 2 times a week;
• bone meal.

Health

If you don’t want to constantly spend money and time on treating your pet, then even at the stage of choosing it we need to pay attention to his parentsAfter all, the health of chinchillas is determined by the condition of its parents.

Typical diseases

Persian and British silver chinchillas have a list of diseases that pose the greatest threat to them:

• polycystic kidney disease;
• retinal atrophy;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

If you have a golden Persian chinchilla, you should regularly monitor its eyes. Excessive tearing often causes serious discomfort to these animals.

Your teeth also need attention: to keep them healthy, you will need to brush them periodically. Having discovered signs of developing caries, you will have to take your pet to the vet.

Conclusion

In recent years, many new breeds have been developed, among which chinchillas are one of the most sought-after. Many people appreciate these animals not only for their unique coloring, but also for the behavior they use to express their character and personality. But even with all their positive qualities, silver chinchillas also appropriate care must be providedWhen choosing a kitten of this breed, it's important to get to know its parents right away, as many traits are often passed on to their offspring. Therefore, if you don't want to encounter aggression or acquire a weak kitten, try not to overlook a single detail.