Chinchilla

The Chinchilla is colour-type of Persian cat, with the same luxuriant long coat and large round eyes as the Persian. Although considered a Persian type, Chinchillas typically have a moderate construction, with a more prominent muzzle, and a lighter build than the Persian. Despite this, they are a cobby, compact cat of some substance, with large paws and a chunky body.

Lifespan

12 - 15 years

Weight

3 - 7.2kg

Colours

Chinchillas only come in the one colour, a pure white with darker coloured tipping to the hairs. This tipped hair is typically black, but it can be golden or silver.

The need-to-know

Benefits from an experienced owner
Quiet and sedate cat
Calm cat
Sociable and dependent cat

Quiet cat
Average build cat breed
Requires grooming every day
A bit of both indoor and outdoor space

Not ideal for family homes
Can be regularly left for a few hours
Needs a calm environment

This breed has a higher risk of health issues

The Chinchilla cat breed is classified as brachycephalic; problems associated with the condition include;
- Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome: is a condition in brachycephalic (breeds with a short noses and squashed faces) breeds where breathing is obstructed and can lead to severe respiratory distress
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds- which is where soreness and infections are prone to develop
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye, they are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous

The breed is also prone to:
- Polycystic kidney disease which is an inherited condition where cysts form in the kidneys. This affects kidney function and can eventually lead to kidney failure.

Testing available:
- DNA testing for polycystic kidney disease which tests whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by this condition.

Previous Next

1 of 1

Personality

Quiet and peaceful, the Chinchilla is not a very active cat, nor a particularly demanding one. They are very loyal and affectionate with their owners, and do enjoy company. The Chinchilla doesn’t love cat exercise too much and can become lazy. They do need some motivating to play and move and, if you’re thinking about leaving your cat home alone, they don’t cope well – especially if it’s over long periods. Although, they will get along well with other household pets if raised appropriately and socialised well when young.

This is more of a cuddling, grooming, pampering cat than a boisterous companion, so don’t expect too much mayhem or intricate problem solving!

Family-friendly:	1/5
Playfulness:	2/5
Intelligence:	4/5
Tendency to Vocalise:	2/5
Likes Other Pets:	5/5
Grooming needs:	5/5
Shedding:	3/5

Selectively bred for their colour from Persian cats since the late 1800’s, the Chinchilla takes its name from the super soft furred Chinchilla rodent, which is known for its thick white fur tipped with black, giving the animal an attractive silvery appearance.

Chinchilla cats are supposedly the first type of cat to be selectively bred for coat colour alone, however as with all ‘man-made’ breeds, they are now bred for type, temperament and health as well.

Chinchillas do benefit from some outdoor time and this can be provided with a secure garden or access to a purpose-built cat enclosure. As these cats are friendly, lazy and not particularly athletic they are a prime target for pet-thieves, so it is not recommended that they be given free access to the outdoor world. Find out more about creating a cat-proofed garden with our easy guide.

Inclined towards a sedentary life, the Chinchilla benefits from cat games involving food dispensing toys, cat-trees where food is placed on various points encouraging movement and chasing ribbon or fishing type toys. They are not really one of life’s problem solvers, so keep things simple and fun, rather than risk causing frustration or de-motivating your cat by making things too difficult.

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry cat food recipes. Find out more about cat feeding guidelines with our article.

The Chinchilla requires daily cat grooming to keep their long flowing coat free from mats and knots. Failure to keep the coat tangle free can lead to the cat having to be clipped all over and the coat allowed to regrow. Chinchilla's eyes tend to run and the corner of the eye and side of the nose will need regular cleaning. The bottom area and underside of the tail is prone to becoming soiled with faeces and care needs to be taken to keep this area scrupulously clean to avoid staining and uncomfortable lumps.

Remember that a greasy coat can be evidence that your cat is no longer attempting to groom themselves, which can be indicative of poor or failing health. As with all cats, Chinchilla cats benefit from regular vaccination, parasite control and an annual veterinary health check.