Scottish chinchilla golden ticked kittens

The history of the British chinchilla

The history of the origin of British golden chinchillas still causes a lot of controversy. There are several versions of the origin of these animals. According to the first of them, the ancestors of the chinchilla were brought to Britain from Ancient Rome. Followers of this theory are confident that the British are representatives of ancient cat breeds.

However, another part of the researchers is confident that golden chinchilla cats were bred by crossing with other breeds. Such selection work was carried out directly by English researchers. It is believed that the chinchilla owes its thick coat of beautiful color to the crossing of smoky British cats and Persian-colored cats.

This is interesting. Due to the fact that the British chinchilla was created by crossing short-haired and Persian cats, long-haired kittens can be found in the litter. However, the British Longhair cat must meet the same standards as the British Chinchilla.

Gradually, breeders continued crossing, diluting the new breed with the blood of Tabby cats. Experts managed to obtain a golden color using the method described above. But the basis for genetic experiments was no longer Tabby, but a new breed - the magnificent silver chinchilla.

The expectations of specialists were justified, and at the end of the 19th century an animal was obtained that met the golden chinchilla breed standard. These animals were officially recognized only at the end of the 20th century.

Description of the breed (requirements for the standard)

There is no single standard for golden chinchillas. Experts evaluate animals in accordance with the rules of the breed to which they belong. According to the theses of the World Cat Federation:

• British chinchillas are compact, muscular, and massive. The size of the whiskers is medium to large. The body is carried on squat and dense limbs with rounded paws. The Briton's tail must be short, thick and curled up. The wool also looks up. It is plush, made up of dense rows of fine hairs.

The head of the Golden Briton is round and massive, resting on a short and muscular neck. The muzzle is distinguished by a developed chin, a straight nose without a stop, widely spaced round eyes and equally spread round ears.

• Scottish chinchillas come in two subtypes. The Fold is called the Scottish Fold. The tips of the breed's ears are tilted forward and downward. The compactness of the ears and the fit leave them within the round head of the animal with thick cheeks. Scottish Folds also have short and thick legs. The second variety of Scots, called Straight, has limbs of medium length and width. The ears of the mustachioed are straight and can be not only miniature, but also medium in size.
• Persian golden chinchillas are distinguished by their rectangular body shape. It is carried by squat, wide paws. On a short and muscular neck there is a slightly elongated head with a sloping forehead. Other chinchillas have a rounded forehead.

Persian ears have round tips but are set straight. Experts call the expression on Persians' faces "baby faces." It distinguishes representatives of the breed even in old age.

Description of the Golden British Chinchilla

The basic characteristics of chinchilla cats correspond to the standards of the British Shorthair cat. The difference between these animals is the length and thickness of the fur; representatives of the first breed.

Appearance

British chinchillas are distinguished by a large, wide chest, strong hips and a straight back. In general, their physique is squat, their muscles are well developed. The weight of cats reaches 5-8 kg, cats 3-4 kg.

The breed standard requires compliance with the following appearance features:

• A rounded head with a wide forehead smoothly transitions into a rounded muzzle with round cheeks.
• The nose is straight, short, with a pinkish nose.
• Small ears, rounded at the ends, set wide apart.
• The neck is muscular and short.
• The round eyes are set shallowly. The ideal eye color for chinchillas is emerald, but yellow and blue shades are acceptable.
• The paws are proportional, muscular, but rather short, and therefore give the impression of being stocky.
• The tail is thick and not too long and ends with a rounded tip.
• The coat is short, thick, and the undercoat is well developed.

There are three main color options for chinchilla cats:

1. Silver. Recognized as the most common color of the breed. The belly and chest of cats are almost always white, dark areas are localized on the back, sides and tail.
2. Gold. The coat of such cats has a delicate peach tint. These pets are also called the British red chinchilla.
3. Shaded silver. Compared to the usual silver color, the animal's fur looks darker. In this case, most of the length of the hairs is shaded, and the undercoat remains white.

This is interesting. Among British chinchillas there are color-point individuals. The colors on the ears, paws and tail of these animals are more “Siamese”, and the color of the eyes is blue.

Character

Golden Britons have a calm disposition. These pets are inactive and do not need constant games and physical activity.

Like all representatives of the cat family, the British have an independent disposition and, at the same time, are attached to their owner. Although chinchillas are affectionate, trusting cats and strive to spend as much time as possible near people, they need a separate place to rest.

Due to the lack of aggression on the part of chinchillas, they are often kept in families with children. These furry creatures almost never hiss and, moreover, do not extend their claws. If a golden cat feels irritated, she will simply move away from the place in which she feels discomfort. Golden chinchillas also get along well with other pets, including dogs or other cats.

For your information. Britons are one of the easiest breeds to train. From the first days of being in the house, this cat adopts the rules of the family in which it happens to live. The pet easily gets accustomed to the tray and scratching post.

Character and psychology

A chinchilla cat will fit perfectly into any family. All thanks to his calm disposition and aristocratic habits.

When leaving for work, the owner can be calm. The pet will not look at you with a disapproving glance. Because in his free time he will always find something to do with himself. Self-sufficiency is one of the main characteristics of the chinchilla cat family.

The chinchilla exhibits royal habits in regards to affection. The cat will come to its knees when it wants. Violent attempts will not succeed. The pet will not do what it does not consider necessary for itself.

Representatives of the cat family are not at all aggressive. They are lenient towards children's pranks. They will not allow themselves to attack a child. If the human cub goes too far, the chinchilla will quietly retreat to a safe place.

A chinchilla cat will make a good neighbor for other animals in only one case. If she appeared later. Otherwise, she will consider herself the only legitimate queen, to whom all attention should be focused. And it is she who owns all the possessions.

Potential chinchilla owners should not be afraid of the morning “hunger games”. The animal is too intelligent to allow itself to disturb its owner's sleep on such issues.

But in general, they love to have a heart-to-heart talk. The range of sounds pleasant to humans never ceases to amaze owners. An attentive owner will always be able to understand what exactly his pet wants.

Contents of a gold Briton

Golden cats of the British breed are suitable for keeping both in a private house and in an apartment. Due to the peculiarities of the coat, shedding in representatives of this breed is almost unnoticeable, especially if it is combed in a timely manner.

Nutrition

Chinchillas can be fed prepared food or natural food.

Important! Under no circumstances should you mix natural food and prepared food. The same prohibition applies to several types of food.

When choosing a dry diet, it is better to focus on super premium or premium classes. Some manufacturers produce lines of food designed specifically for representatives of British breeds, taking into account their needs.

If the owner opted for a natural diet, it should include products such as:

• Raw meat (better lean: veal, turkey). Before serving, it should be placed in the freezer for 12 hours, then doused with boiling water to disinfect it.
• Offal (liver, lungs) boiled or steamed.
• Boiled fish (without bones).
• Low-fat fermented milk products.
• Eggs (preferably quail), 2 times a week.
• Cereals (rice, buckwheat, etc.).
• Vegetables.

The following should be excluded from your pet's diet:

• smoked meats, sausages;
• canned food;
• salty, spicy foods;
• raw milk.

Chinchillas' diet must be balanced. If the animal prefers natural food, vitamin complexes should be added to it from time to time. Drinking water should always be located near the food bowl . It should be changed daily.

How many times a day should you feed your cat?

Chinchillas are prone to overeating and subsequent obesity.
These animals do not know moderation in food, and therefore the dose of delicacy offered to them should be accurately measured. If we are talking about dry food, its quantity must correspond to the data in the table on the package. The amount of natural food is calculated based on the weight and activity of the pet. Leftovers left uneaten by the animal are immediately removed from the bowl. Small kittens eat 6 times a day. Gradually, the number of feedings is reduced, and the animals switch to the feeding regime of an adult cat. The latter are fed 2-3 times a day in small portions.

Walks

The number and duration of promenades depends on the cat's temperament. Some golden pets are content to stay indoors; they are not at all drawn to the street. And other four-legged animals are not at all averse to getting to know the world outside the home.

A chinchilla should be walked on a leash. Before going for a walk, you should take care to protect your animal from parasites. Collars, drops and other means are suitable for this purpose.

Toilet

The golden British chinchilla visits a tray of any size and capacity. Since animals are quite impressive in size, it is better to choose a stable and large toilet for them. Any filler can be used.

Advice. When training a kitten to use the toilet, at first you should purchase the litter that the baby is accustomed to in the nursery. A conscientious breeder, when transferring the baby to a new owner, will provide the latter with all the necessary information.

Maintenance and care

For the happiness of keeping such a handsome chinchilla Persian in the house, the owner will have to pay with special care. Long hair tends to form clumps and tangles, so these pets require daily care.

Combing with a furminator becomes a systematic procedure. In addition, to maintain the white color of the fur, it is necessary to use special whitening shampoos, which will preserve the white color and prevent the cats from turning yellow.

Specifics of keeping chinchillas:

• Brushing every day.
• Watery eyes.
• Special shampoos for white color.

The food must be of high quality, with a set of necessary vitamins and nutrients. This is necessary both for the health of the animal and for maintaining the coat in good condition.

Due to the fact that chinchilla cats have tears, their eyes must be washed frequently with special solutions. With good care, animals of this breed live 12-15 years.

Chinchilla Persian cats are distinguished by their beauty and kind character. They will delight their owners with playfulness, but are jealous and ready to follow on their heels. And although these animals require care and attention, the pleasure from communicating with them is much greater.

Appearance care

Complete care for the appearance of a British chinchilla consists of several activities that should be carried out strictly.

Combing

The coat of golden chinchillas includes guard hair and undercoat. Such a multi-level cover needs careful care. Combing is carried out first in the direction of hair growth, and then against the grain. This procedure is performed twice a week, using a special glove or a fine-toothed comb.

Bathing

Despite the fact that the coat of golden chinchillas is quite light, it does not get dirty very often. Therefore, there is no need to bathe your pet often - once every 3 months is enough.

For washing, special shampoos and softening conditioners are used. If there is an urgent need, you can use dry products for washing cat fur, which are selected taking into account the color of the pet.

Ear care

Chinchillas' hearing organs should be carefully examined every 2 weeks. Ear care involves removing dirt and dark plaque using cotton wool. The latter should be moistened with a special composition intended for caring for the ears of cats.

Eye care

The visual organs of British chinchillas require careful care, as they tend to bleed profusely. This process is explained by the original structure of the animal’s tear ducts.

Pets' eyes should be examined regularly to prevent clots from accumulating in the corners. Every morning, the animal’s eyes are wiped with a cotton pad soaked in a solution of boric acid, warm boiled water or a decoction of herbs.

If suppuration is observed, it is permissible to use tetracycline ointment. Progressive eye pathologies require immediate attention to a veterinarian.

Nail care

The claws of golden cats are trimmed once every 2-3 weeks, using special scissors called nail clippers. The pet can remove keratinized particles themselves using a scratching post installed in the room. The latter must be stable and securely fastened.

Dental care

To prevent possible problems with the Briton’s gums and teeth, his oral cavity should be treated once a week. A soft, flexible brush and toothpaste that does not require rinsing are suitable for this purpose.

White-pink

This color is obtained by crossing white Wilson and heterobeige chinchillas. It, in turn, is also divided into 2 types: heterozygous and homozygous. The white-pink heterozygous chinchilla has a white coat with beige spots of different sizes and locations. Sometimes only the ends of the hairs are colored beige, which creates the effect of a pinkish veil. The ears and nose are pink, but sometimes there are small beige spots on the ears.

The homozygous type of white and pink chinchilla is quite rare, due to which it is highly valued. Animals differ from the heterozygous form in that they have a predominant white color, pure pink ears without spots, and red eyes. Clearly limited beige and golden spots with this color are considered very rare.

Purchasing a British Golden Chinchilla kitten

Purchasing purebred British chinchilla kittens is not easy. It is better to choose purebred representatives in trusted nurseries or by contacting reliable breeders who breed this particular breed.

Attention! When purchasing an animal on the market or through a private advertisement, there is a high risk of being deceived and becoming the owner of an ordinary kitten with an unusual color.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a British chinchilla kitten, you should consider a number of recommendations:

1. Carefully study the breed standard.
2. Make a list of breeders and nurseries. Study reviews about them, become familiar with the peculiarities of keeping animals.
3. Be sure to look at the kittens' parents, taking into account their compliance with the breed standard. The breeder will certainly provide a pedigree confirming the purebred of the sires up to the 4th generation.

The immediate choice of a kitten should be approached by paying attention to some features:

1. Behavior. When a kitten sees a stranger, it should not try to hide in a corner in horror. A healthy baby is cheerful and inquisitive.
2. Appearance. The kittens' coat should be shiny, their eyes and ears should be clean, and their nose should be moist.
3. Relevant documents: metrics, pedigree, veterinary book, etc.

At what age is it better to adopt a kitten?

Conscientious breeders hand over kittens to new owners no earlier than 3 months . Babies of this age can already feed themselves and are also trained to use a tray.

Nutrition

To keep your pet's coat in good condition, the British chinchilla needs special nutrition. The best option is dry food. It is chosen depending on the age and gender of the pet.

Castrated and sterilized animals require special food. Manufacturers produce food for such animals. If feeding is homemade, it should be low-calorie, since processed animals are famous for their large appetites and are prone to becoming overweight. In addition, their hormonal levels are disrupted and this is taken into account when feeding.

If you plan to use homemade food, the chinchilla’s menu should include cereals, meat, fish (sea, as river fish can have parasites), and vegetables. Raw meat should not be given to cats. The product may contain worm eggs, and the animal will become infected with parasites.

A Briton should have constant access to clean water and his dishes should always be clean.

To keep their fur in good condition, cats are given eggs. Natural proteins and protein strengthen the roots, hairs do not grow so abundantly. With this diet, the fur of a silver or golden chinchilla becomes shiny and denser. Quail eggs are preferable to chicken eggs. But not everyone can afford to feed their cat quail eggs.

Breed defects

British chinchillas are not very sick animals, their health is strong. However, genetic diseases that appear as a result of inbreeding are typical for the breed.

Tendency to diseases

British Chinchilla cats may be susceptible to certain diseases, including:

1. Retinal atrophy. It is considered a hereditary pathology and can cause decreased vision or loss of vision.
2. Polycystic kidney disease. A hereditary disease accompanied by the formation of fluid cysts. At the same time, the quality of blood purification deteriorates, which can provoke intoxication, sepsis and death.
3. Hypertrophied cardiomyopathy. Hereditary pathology of the cardiovascular system. Can lead to blockage of blood vessels, pulmonary edema and death of the animal.

You can avoid purchasing a pet with genetic abnormalities by contacting a trusted breeder. At the first alarming symptoms, the cat should be immediately shown to a veterinarian.

Defects in appearance

The following are recognized as serious defects in the appearance of chinchillas:

• thin, sunken cheeks;
• obvious depression on the nose;
• sparse or excessively soft wool;
• high-set ears;
• excessively elongated muzzle;
• flat forehead.

Some shortcomings exclude the British from participating in the competition. These include:

• skeletal deformities;
• deafness;
• blindness;
• anomalies of the eyelids, teeth, jaws.

For your information. Chinchilla coloring has a number of nuances, and certain requirements are imposed on it. Only a specialist can understand the intricacies of animal coloring.

Health

In general, chinchilla cats can boast of good health. However, some hereditary diseases have not escaped them.

See also: Siberian cat: a fluffy giant with an independent character

Polycystic kidney disease. Unfortunately, the disease is almost invisible in the early stages. In the later period of the disease, the animal’s abdomen increases in size and pain occurs.

Hypertrophied cardiomyopathy. Ultrasound will help identify the disease. The first symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath.

Retinal atrophy. The eyes of a chinchilla are a kind of “Achilles heel” of the animal. Increased tear production and lack of regular care together can lead to complete blindness of the pet. Extremely dilated pupils and an unnatural shine in the eyes indicate that it is time to consult a veterinarian.

With proper care, the average life expectancy of chinchilla cats is twelve to fifteen years.

Breeding the British Chinchilla breed

Breeding British chinchillas is quite a complex matter. For this reason, it is recommended that only experienced breeders engage in it.

Criteria for choosing a partner

Finding a suitable pair for a chinchilla is quite problematic due to the small number of the breed. The offspring are characterized by deviations in color, and therefore crossing is carried out by a limited number of individuals and only among the chinchilla variety.

A potential mating partner must meet certain criteria:

• absence of gene pathologies;
• availability of the necessary documents: veterinary passport, pedigree, breeding permit, etc.;
• deworming, vaccination (must be carried out 2-3 weeks before mating).

The chosen "groom" or "bride" must correspond to the characteristics of the breed, especially with regard to coloration.

At what age should you give your pet for the first mating?

British chinchillas reach sexual maturity late. In view of this, mating should begin when the pet is 20-24 months old. Excessively early birth will not have the best effect on the cat’s immature body. In addition, the offspring in this case often turns out to be weak or non-viable.