Chinchilla Cat

Chinchilla Cat

Breed: Chinchilla
Temperament: placid
Cost: from $650 to around $850
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Recommended for: singles
Maintenance: high

Chinchillas are named after a South American rodent which also has two-toned fur. The Chinchilla cat is one of the most popular longhaired cat breeds and is in fact a type of Persian.

Appearance 

The Chinchilla is an elegant cat with a long, thick, silky coat, cobby body, round face and large eyes. The cat's undercoat is usually white with black, silver or gold tipping. Those with darker silver markings on their bodies are known as shaded silvers, those with gold tips are known as shaded goldens - these are quite rare. The eyes should be emerald or blue-green with a distinctive black eye-liner rim; the nose should be red with black pencilling. The feet pads are also black.

Temperament 

Chinchillas are generally very placid, quiet cats, happy to lie around the home being decorative. They are affectionate, enjoy attention and can become quite attached to their owners. Some breeders do not recommend them as pets for very young children, who may be tempted to pull their hair, which the cat is unlikely to tolerate.

Grooming

Chinchillas should be brushed for about 15 minutes daily to avoid the coat knotting and matting. Special attention needs to be paid to the underarms and under the tail and tummy, areas where the fur may rub and knots occur more commonly.

If grooming is neglected, even for a few days, the coat can become very tangled and unless the cat is extremely tolerant, it may not appreciate the discomfort involved in restoring the coat to a knot-free condition. If knotting or matting is beyond the capability of a comb, then the cat may need to be clipped off, usually by a vet. Vets charge up to $100 to clip a longhaired cat as a general anaesthetic is often required. Some pet owners and breeders have their cats clipped each year to reduce the amount of work involved in grooming.

Health

Eyes can become runny and must be wiped with a soft, clean cloth or tissue to keep clear of debris. Tear ducts can become blocked while foreign bodies such as dust in the eyes can cause corneal ulcers. Both conditions need veterinary attention. Obviously, these cats don't cope with hot weather all that well. They are best suited to cooler zones and need protection in warmer areas.

Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition which can develop early in life and is usually fatal; Polycystic kidney disease affects cats between 3-10 years and is also usually fatal. Furballs can be a problem and breeders advise adding either margarine or oil to their meals a couple of times a week, or a commercial laxative preparation can be obtained from vets for more chronic problems. Grooming, or lack thereof, sparks most visits to the surgery, as the coat becomes matted and needs to be shaved.

Breeding 

Chinchillas average four kittens per litter. Kittens can be born with quite dark markings, which may lighten with age.

Housepet potential

Chinchillas are ideally suited to flats or houses as many prefer to spend much of their day inside. The long white coat does shed a lot of hair which will become worse when the winter coat is dropping. While daily brushing will reduce the amount of hair shed, it will still cover clothes and furniture. A hint for prospective Chinchilla owners: avoid black clothes or furniture.

Ideal owner 

Many Chinchillas are sold to older people who have time to care for the cat and the need for an affectionate companion.

Further information 

NSW Silver Persian Cat Club of Australia
Glenda Simmons
Phone: (02) 4684 1730

VIC Pedigreed Persian Cat Club Inc
President: Marlene Chasemore
Phone: (03) 5964 8298

Secretary: Sue Fitzgerald
Phone: (03) 5783 1564

TAS Cat Association of Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6263 7584

ACT Capital Cats Incorporated

WA Chinchilla & Shaded Cat Fanciers of WA
President: Val Pellegrini
Phone: (08) 9459 2078

QLD Feline Control Council of Qld
Jan Wylie
Phone: (07) 3857 2743

Queensland Feline Association
Val Harney
Phone: (07) 3260 6575

The Council of Federated Cat Clubs of Queensland
Marie Mahoney
Phone: (07) 5498 6078

Queensland Independent Cat Council
Jackie Gibson
Phone: (07) 3888 5018

SA Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of SA
Secretary: Mrs Nell Evans
Phone: (08) 8449 5880

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