Chinchilla

History of chinchillas

The first smoky kitten was born in 1882 in England, as a result of an unplanned mating. The parents of the baby, who was christened Chinny, became a mongrel cat and Persian cat blue color, accidentally met while walking. The owner persian cat liked the unusual color of the kitten, which prompted her to start breeding a new breed. As a result, an adult Chinny was crossed with a cat, who had a striped gray "fur coat". The offspring born from a smoky mom and a striped dad did not inherit an unusual coat tone. However, a few years later, Chinny's children began to bring unusual babies of the same chinchilla color, which the felinologists of the world still do not stop arguing about.

The first appearance of Chinny's descendants at exhibitions took place in 1894, in London. After some time, American breeders who wanted to increase the palette of cat colors joined the experiments of breeders of the Foggy Albion. So there was a golden (apricot) variety of chinchillas. Later, it became fashionable to form original suits not only among Persians , but also representatives of other feline families. As a result, exhibitions began to appear more and more often scottish folds and british , dressed in silver and apricot "fur coats".

Video: Chinchilla

The standard of cats-chinchillas

Chinchillas are solid and stocky cats. Their image is added to the impressiveness by thick dense wool, thanks to which the body acquires a pleasant softness and roundness of forms. Chinchilla-colored cats are noticeably smaller than males, so the latter are always more popular with fans of textured pets.

Chinchilla color is documented for representatives of three breeds:

• Persian ;
• British ( shorthair and longhair );
• scottish ( # straight-eared and lop-ear ).

Individuals belonging to the Persian clan have a longer coat and have super-fluffy tails, the hair on which can be twice as long as on the body. The standard of physique of Persian chinchillas are the same as their eastern counterparts, but with minor additions. In particular, the noses of the representatives of the first variety are not so short, so the problems of breathing difficulties characteristic of brachycephalic breeds are less inherent in them.

British chinchillas are large pets with round heads and plump cheeks. Their eyes are widely spaced, their ears are small, with rounded tips, their noses are wide and shortened. The type of coat is semi–long or short. In fact, all representatives of this branch differ from the traditional ones british suit only. All other characteristics are inherited by pets from relatives in full. Usually representatives of this type of chinchillas have a silver or golden color, but the latter option is less common.

Chinchillas of the Scottish "batch" completely fit into the standard scottish folds and straits : the same slender legs, muscular body and embossed pads on the muzzle. The fur of the animals is silvery or peach with darkened tips. The hair itself is dense, short, but without pronounced fit to the body. Acceptable colors of chinchilla iris scottishes - green and blue.

Colors of chinchilla cats

All three varieties of chinchillas have very complex color palettes. In general, we can say that animal hair comes in three basic shades:

• silver;
• golden;
• shaded.

Silvery individuals are cats with white fur, having a barely noticeable "dusting" of dark pigment at the very tip of the hair. No spots and extraneous drawings on the body are allowed, while it is mandatory that the breast remains white. There are also veiled and shaded varieties of silver color. In the first case, a dark "plaque" on the wool creates the effect of a veil or organza, slightly darkening the light background of the "fur coat".

Curious fact: kittens with a veil color are born only when both parents are carriers of the same suit.

Shaded silver is a completely white undercoat and the outer hair, ⅓ of which has a dark tone. The head, back, ears and tail of shaded chinchillas are most intensely colored. The collar area at the same time has a classic silver color, and completely dark hairs can slip on the paws and tail.

The palette of voile and extinguishing pigment chinchillas is quite extensive. In particular, the tips of animal hairs can be painted in the following shades:

• chocolate;
• cinnamon;
• faun;
• blue;
• purple;
• black.

An important nuance: chinchillas in "fur coats" of the voile type with black pigmentation of the hair should have a black eye outline bordered with white wool, as well as black paw pads.

The golden color of chinchillas is not identical to red. It is rather a delicate apricot shade. Individuals with golden veiled "fur coats" are pets whose pigment appears only at the very tip of the hair and only in certain areas. The most pigmented parts of the body are the back, ears, head, tail. On the sides, the "veil" is noticeably thinning and disappears completely closer to the stomach. The shaded golden wool of ⅓ length is painted in dark tones. More intensely pigmented areas are the back and head of the animal. The collar area remains white at the same time.

Character of the chinchilla cat

Since we are talking about three different breeds united by a common shade of wool, it is logical to assume that the characters of their representatives will differ. Chinchillas also have individual behavioral characteristics that allow them to stand out from the rest of the tribesmen. In general, it is worth noting that the unique color has muted the wild instincts of the breeds, so most cats with silver and gold fur remain very cute and obedient pets.

Persian chinchillas are calm and incredibly gentle creatures. Breeders speak of them as super-patient pets, completely devoid of the arrogance inherent in cats and the desire for independence. In fact, the Chinchilla Persian is a born "sofa feeder" and "pillow suppressor", hooked on comfort and stubbornly unwilling to part with his comfortable addiction. Persoshinchillas do not annoy with meowing. The voice of the breed is quiet, almost inaudible, so sometimes it is difficult to understand what exactly the animal wants. Chinchillas are not too happy to be in the neighborhood with other, more active pets, but they steadfastly tolerate children's pranks, even if they frankly do not like them.

British Cats chinchilla color is softer in character than its relatives who have standard wool tones. They are less independent and wayward, and generally have a calmer temperament. In addition, chinchilla kittens are neutral about stroking and hugging, which they do not like british . You should not expect any manifestations of aggression and obstinacy from the breed either. By the way, Chinchilla Britons are one of those rare types of pets that feel equally good both next to the owner and completely alone. These teddy bears will easily transfer your trip to a visit or a supermarket without jumping on cupboards and window sills and without declaring their forced seclusion with annoying meowing.

Scottish Chinchillas are as good–natured phlegmatic as everyone else scotties . They are slightly less persistent in achieving their goals than the classic ones folds and straits , but they largely inherited the habits of their fellow tribesmen. The human orientation of the breed is also a little more developed, so in ordinary life its representatives are easier to educate. The pride inherent in the Scots, their descendants have not such a pronounced form, so the animals are ready to dissolve into their owner, performing the function of a living anti-stress toy. Voice scottishes chinchilla color is as quiet and squeaky as the rest of the breed, but cats use it in the most emergency situations, preferring meaningful silence and philosophical contemplation of the environment to conversations.

Education and training

It is necessary to educate and train chinchillas according to the same methods as all cats, but taking into account the individual characteristics of each breed. Mandatory skills and abilities that an animal must master by the age of one year:

• the ability to respond to its own nickname;
• go to the toilet and sharpen your claws in a strictly designated place;
• observe the sleep and feeding regime, do not wake the owner at night;
• sit quietly in the hands of the owner;
• adequately perceive the need for transportation: traveling in a carrier bag, traveling by car.

Pet show owners will also have to work on the technique of showing the animal at the exhibition. Since and British , and Persians , and scotties have a compact body, they are exhibited in the ring not "in-line", like orientals, but in a grouped state. Preparation for this action is considered to be the development of the cat's habit of sitting on the owner's knees and hands, as well as patiently perceiving a change in posture at the insistence of a person.

Persian chinchillas are intelligent and highly intelligent cats, grasping basic feline wisdom on the fly. For example, by 1-1.5 months, kittens quite neatly go to the tray. Often, if babies live with their mother or another adult cat, they do not even need to be taught this skill – fluffy lumps independently copy the behavior of an older pet.

Young and even slightly grown-up chinchillopers retain a keen interest and curiosity in things they see for the first time, so at first they will have to hide indoor plants, toxic detergents and cleaning products, as well as household appliances wires 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 master's plates and the newspaper forgotten by the bed is not pulled apart piece by piece.

At the beginning of socialization, it is important for a kitten who finds himself in a new home to create a peaceful atmosphere, so try to make less noise in the presence of the baby and warn the household about it. Classes should be conducted taking into account the biorhythms of chinchillas: in the morning and after lunch, cats are inactive and prefer to take a nap. And of course, keep in mind that no pet is capable of working in a multitasking environment, so if you take to work out one command, finish what you started without switching to teaching fluffy other useful skills.

Chinchillas from the clan brits and scotties natural shyness and timidity interfere with studying. These comrades are generally afraid of everything new and unknown, so during lessons, talk more with your pet in an even, calm voice. A chinchilla engaged in dirty tricks is a phenomenon so rare that not every owner of the breed can see it. If, after all, the pet was drawn to the "scratches" or the dining table, influence the animal with his own fears. Suddenly clap your hands or surreptitiously sprinkle water on the furry criminal – then you can only watch as the chinchilla coward flees the scene of the crime, turning into a quiet good boy.

Maintenance and care

Like any decorative pets, chinchillas need to provide maximum comfort in an apartment, beyond which they rarely go out. Take care of safety: if you decide to walk the cat on the loggia – do not forget to close the windows or tighten the open window openings with a grid. Chinchillopers, british and scotties not the most bouncy creatures, but sometimes they want to frolic, so buy an animal at least a small game complex. A cozy couch or basket is also necessary – representatives of this clan are comfort-dependent and adore soft mattresses.

Hygiene

Chinchilla owners will have to make the most efforts persian breed . Adults are supposed to be washed at least once a month, and kittens – every two weeks. In addition, you will have to spend time searching for a special shampoo and balm. Do you want to keep the exquisite color of the cat's "fur coat"? Look for cosmetics designed for animals with light hair. Systematic combing is also unavoidable, so if there is no desire to devote a lot of time to the pet's image, pay attention to chinchillas from the genus british and scottishes . There is much less fuss with their fur.

Wash Chinchilla Britons only when they are really dirty. In other cases, you can do without collecting dead hairs with a damp cloth or a rubber glove. A little more work with representatives of the semi-long-haired variety of the breed. These comrades will have to be fully combed, and even treated with a furminator during periods of seasonal molting.

Eye and ear care for chinchillas of all breeds is standard. The organs of vision are examined daily, the ear funnels are examined once a week. Mucous lumps in the corners of the eyelids are cleaned with a clean cloth, which can be soaked in cold boiled water or chamomile broth. Do not forget that both the Persians and to the British excessive tearfulness is characteristic. Usually tear tracks leave ugly traces on the silvery fur, so to make the pet look perfect, wipe your tears more often and buy a special lightening powder for the eye area.

It's great if you have taught chinchilla to adequately perceive brushing teeth with a classic brush. If it didn't work out to make friends with this device, take care of alternatives: solid treats that clean plaque, as well as lotions for the oral cavity such as Cliny, which are added to drinking water.

Feeding

There is no consensus on how to properly feed a chinchilla kitten. In most nurseries, preference is given to high-quality dry feeds with a high protein content and a minimum percentage of grain crops. Usually such varieties are fully balanced, so all that is required from the owner is to measure the correct portion of the animal, which will saturate, but will not cause overweight. Another plus of "drying" is that the animals eating it do not need brushing their teeth, since dry croquettes perfectly "erase" any types of plaque.

Veterinarians continue to "vote" for natural products: lean meat and offal, low-fat sour milk, fish fillets, vegetables (except legumes and potatoes) and fruits. Bakery products, any food from the master's table and meat delicacies intended for people are strictly prohibited. At the same time, it is important to understand that it is difficult to balance the diet only with the help of products, so periodically you will have to grow grass for your pet on the windowsill, buy dietary supplements with taurine, as well as vitamins for the beauty of wool. By the way, about supplements: chinchillas need certain dietary supplements at different ages. If kittens need complexes with a large amount of minerals, then older individuals need vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus more.

Chinchilla Health and Diseases

Main problems persian chinchilla – uncontrolled lacrimation and susceptibility to colds. The latter phenomenon is directly related to the peculiarities of the structure of the animal's skull. All Chinchillopers have been diagnosed with a slight curvature of the nasal septum, due to which even a slight runny nose is more difficult for them than other cats.

At Brits and scottish straits chinchilla color genetic diseases are absent. At the same time, representatives of these families easily pick up a variety of infections, from which timely vaccination will be the salvation. Cats are also prone to gaining extra pounds, so when making up a diet, you will have to constantly keep your finger on the pulse.

Chinchillas of the genus scottish folds not as big as straits . In particular, the Scottish fold has such a genetic ailment as osteochondrodysplasia. The disease is provoked by the gene responsible for the drooping shape of the animal's ear, so it will not be possible to prevent it with all the desire.

How to choose a kitten

• Kittens of such corpulent breeds as british and scotties , grow very unevenly. Accordingly, when going to the nursery, calmly perceive the fact that two-month-old babies look extremely cute, but half-year-old teenagers have a very unsightly appearance.
• When buying a Scottish fold chinchilla, conduct a thorough examination of its limbs. If the kitten has too short legs and tail, these are signs of impending osteochondrodysplasia.
• Many chinchilla colors are unstable and can change the saturation of the tone, so if you are afraid to miss, choose cats from the age of 1 year.
• Be sure to meet the kittens' mother. If the breeder stubbornly hides the producer, this is an excuse not to make a deal. It is also not necessary to take babies who, for some reason, were not raised by a cat, but by the breeder himself - kittens who did not eat mother's milk in the first month of life have weak immunity and risk catching an infectious disease.
• Evaluate the condition of the animal's coat. A thoroughbred chinchilla should not have bald spots or areas with sparse hair.

Chinchilla Price

The most expensive varieties of Chinchillas and Brits - individuals of rare golden colors. These include cats with "black gold" and "blue gold" fur, the cost of which varies from $250 to $450. Prices for high-bred Persians of Chinchilla suit start from $300.