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Chinchilla Persian Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics, and Care Guide

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| Updated: April 18, 2023
The Chinchilla Persian is one of the finest cats of all the Persians. The Chinchilla belongs to the "tipped" variety of cats. The color from a chinchilla cat looks white. The silver effect comes through the black tipping at the top of the hair.

This breed is a type of Persian cat with a specific coat color that resembles the chinchilla rodent. Some consider it a separate breed, while others consider it a silver Persian. Either way, this breed has a long and fascinating history, a sweet and loyal personality, a stunning appearance, and some special care needs. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Chinchilla Persian cat breed, from its origins to its health issues.

Breed Overview

Weight 7-16 pounds
Length 9-10 inches
Coat Length Long and thick
Coat Color Silver or golden with black or blue tipping
Eye Color Green or blue-green
Personality Loving, sweet, quiet, gentle, calm, smart
Hypoallergenic No
Good with Kids Yes, if they are gentle and respectful
Good with Pets Yes, if they are friendly and well-socialized
Origin England

History of the Chinchilla Persian Cat

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed originated in England in 1882 from a chance mating of a stray tomcat and a blue Persian. The result was a smoke-colored kitten named Chinnie, who later mated with a silver tabby cat. One of their offspring would eventually give birth to the first male Chinchilla cat, named Silver Lambkin, long considered the father of the Chinchilla Persian line. At the time, Silver Lambkin was so famous and beloved that when he died in 1906, newspapers around the world reported it to their readers.

Breeders continued to encourage the unique silver coloration in an effort to establish the breed, and by the early 1900s, they had created the breed standards that are still used today. Some famous Chinchilla Persians include Persia (the first female Chinchilla), White Heather (the first golden Chinchilla), and Silver Lambkin’s descendants, who were owned by Queen Alexandra and other members of the British royalty.

Most registries do not recognize these cats as a separate breed; instead, the Persian breed standard allows for silver and gold coats. The South African Cat Council, however, does recognize them as the Chinchilla Longhair Persian cat.

Personality

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed is known for its docile, gentle, smart, adaptable, easygoing, quiet, loving, loyal, and devoted personality. These cats enjoy spending time with their human family and giving them affection. They will often follow you around the house and curl up on your lap or beside you on the couch. They are also very intelligent and can learn tricks and commands if you are patient and consistent. However, they are also quite lazy and prefer to nap rather than play most of the time.

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed may be shy and nervous around strangers and prefer peaceful households. They do not like loud noises or sudden changes in their environment. They may also be selective about who they bond with and may favor one person over others. However, once they trust you, they will be your loyal and faithful companions for life. They can also get along well with other cats and friendly dogs if they are introduced properly and socialized from an early age.

Appearance

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed is medium to large in size, with a short, stocky, round, and compact body. They have thick necks, broad hips and shoulders, heavy bones, and big round paws. Their most distinctive feature is their coat color, which is silver or golden with black or blue tipping on each hair. This gives them a sparkling appearance that is very attractive and eye-catching.

Chinchilla Persian Cat Emporium Starlight
Chinchilla Persian, Emporium Starlight, Closeup Eyes Photo: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Their long and thick coats require daily grooming to prevent mats and tangles. They also shed a lot, especially during seasonal changes. Their other features include their round head, small ears, large eyes (usually green or blue-green), short nose, and plumed tail. Their face is less extreme than the typical Persian face, but they still have some degree of brachycephaly (flatness). This can cause some health problems that we will discuss later.

Common Health Issues

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed may be prone to some common health issues that affect many Persians, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD), respiratory problems, eye problems (such as tear staining), dental problems, and skin problems. PKD is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to form in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure. Respiratory problems can result from their flat face and narrow nostrils, making breathing difficult.

Eye problems can also occur due to large eyes that are prone to irritation from their tear ducts or fur. Dental problems can arise from their small mouth and crowded teeth that are prone to plaque and tartar. Skin problems can be caused by allergies, parasites, or fungal infections.

To maintain their health, you should take your Chinchilla Persian cat to the vet regularly for check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care. You should also keep them indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure to protect them from predators, diseases, and accidents. You should provide them with a balanced diet, fresh water, a litter box, scratching posts, toys, and a comfortable bed.

Grooming

One of the most important aspects of caring for a Chinchilla Persian cat is grooming their long, thick coat. Their coat requires daily brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles and remove dead hair and dirt. You should use a wide-toothed metal comb and a soft brush to gently work through their fur, starting from the ends and moving up to the roots. You should pay special attention to areas more prone to matting, such as the chest, belly, legs, and tail.

You should also bathe your Chinchilla Persian cat once or twice a month to keep its coat clean and shiny. You should use a mild shampoo that is specially formulated for cats and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. You should avoid getting water or soap in their eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. You should dry them with a towel and a blow dryer on a low setting while brushing their fur to prevent knots. You should also trim their nails every few weeks with a pair of cat nail clippers.

In addition to grooming their coat and nails, you should also clean their eyes and ears regularly. Their eyes may produce excessive tears that can stain their fur and cause infections. You should wipe their eyes gently with a damp cotton ball or a soft cloth every day. You should also check their ears for any signs of dirt, wax, or mites. You should clean their ears gently with a cotton ball or a soft cloth moistened with a mild ear cleaner.

Chinchilla Persian Cat
Gold Chinchilla Persian Photo: Koki Iino/ Gettyimages

Where to Buy a Chinchilla Persian Cat

The price of a Chinchilla Persian kitten may vary depending on the breeder’s location, reputation, quality, and demand. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $1,400 and $2,000 for a pet-quality kitten. Show-quality kittens may cost more. Silver Chinchilla Persian cats are more common than golden or blue ones; they may be the cheaper color variation.

To get you started in your search:

  • The CFA website has a list of Persian breeders registered with them, divided by color divisions.

Conclusion

The Chinchilla Persian cat breed is one of the most beautiful and charming breeds of cats. Their long and fascinating history dates back to 19th-century England. They have sweet and loyal personalities that make them great companions for people who can give them plenty of attention and affection.

Their stunning appearance is what truly sets them apart, featuring sparkling silver or golden coats with black or blue tipping on each hair. We hope this article has given you some useful information about this breed and helped you decide if it is right for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!

More Cat Breeds

If you are interested in similar cat breeds, check out:

Q: What is the difference between Chinchilla Persian and regular Persian?

A: A Chinchilla Persian is a type of Persian cat with a specific coat color that resembles the chinchilla rodent. It has silver or golden fur with black or blue tipping on each hair. It also has a less extreme face than the typical Persian.

Q: How often should I groom my Chinchilla Persian cat?

A: You should groom your Chinchilla Persian cat daily by brushing and combing its fur to prevent mats and tangles. You should also bathe them once or twice a month to keep their coat clean and shiny. You should also trim their nails every few weeks and regularly clean their eyes and ears.

Q: How much does a Chinchilla Persian cat cost?

A: The price of a Chinchilla Persian cat may vary depending on the breeder’s location, reputation, quality, and demand. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $1,400 and $2,000 for a pet-quality kitten. Show-quality kittens may cost more. Silver Chinchilla Persians are more common than golden or blue ones, so they may be cheaper.

Q: What health issues may affect the Chinchilla Persian cat?

A: Some common health issues that may affect the Chinchilla Persian cat include polycystic kidney disease (PKD), respiratory problems, eye problems (such as tear staining), dental problems, and skin problems. You should regularly take your cat to the vet for check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care. You should also keep them indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure to protect them from predators, diseases, and accidents.

Q: What kind of personality does the Chinchilla Persian cat have?

A: The Chinchilla Persian cat has a docile, gentle, smart, adaptable, easygoing, quiet, loving, loyal, and devoted personality. They enjoy spending time with their human family and giving them affection. They are also very intelligent and can learn tricks and commands if you are patient and consistent. However, they are also quite lazy and prefer to nap rather than play most of the time. They may be shy and nervous around strangers and prefer peaceful households. They can also get along well with other cats and friendly dogs if they are introduced properly and socialized from an early age.

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