The British Golden Chinchilla is the name of the color of British cats, or simply a subspecies of the British. The breed itself is distinguished by amazing kindness and complaisance. It is this color that is of the greatest interest among breeders of thoroughbred cats, as it is very rare. Great Britain is considered the birthplace of this incredible beauty, from where the name British cat appeared. She belongs to the young breeds. A distinctive feature is a very beautiful, fluffy and soft coat.
Origin of the species and description
Photo: British Golden Chinchilla
Breeders from the UK artificially bred as a result of crossing the Persians with the British. To date, there are several options for the origin of this type of breed. In different sources, the origin story is described in different ways. Some indicate that the subspecies was first bred in England, others say that scientists and breeders from America were engaged in their breeding.
They were called chinchillas due to the fact that their color is very similar to the natural color of chinchillas. British scientists selected exclusively cats of smoky or peach color for crossing. Initially, as a result of the experiments, animals with green eyes and chinchilla color appeared.
Video: British golden chinchilla
The very first kitten was born as a result of crossing in 1882. The female kitten, named Shannie, came from a Persian cat and a British smoky cat. After that, breeders continued to work on breeding the ideal representatives of this breed. In 1889, a kitten was born, who was named Silver Lambkin. It is this kitten that is considered the ancestor of this type of breed. He was presented as the result of breeding work at numerous exhibitions, where he became a multiple winner.
An interesting fact: the Swedish princess Victoria adored these animals and kept several representatives of this breed in her palace. The princess called them plushies and encouraged their breeding and distribution in every possible way.
For a long period of time, breeders sought to breed cats that would be owners of emerald eyes. However, the mixture of different breeds did not allow to achieve the desired result.
Appearance and features
Photo: What the British Golden Chinchilla looks like
The British Golden Chinchilla has external characteristics typical of British cats. Representatives of this breed have a rather large body and a wide chest. Cats have a straight back line and a defined hip line. The body is rather squat with well-developed muscles.
Representatives of this breed have characteristic features:
- neat rounded head shape with a wide, majestic forehead;
- pronounced, large cheeks and cheekbones;
- broad, short, straight nose;
- tip of the nose pink or peach;
- ears small, rounded, widely spaced away from each other;
- neck shortened, muscular and strong;
- large, expressive eyes that are rather deep set;
- limbs are shortened and strong, rounded, proportionally located . Between the toes there are tufts of thick hair;
- tail is short, not long, thick.
In individuals of this species, sexual dimorphism is expressed. Males are larger in body size and weight. The average body weight of males is 6-8 kilograms, females 3-3.5 kilograms. Neutered or neutered individuals can reach almost twice the body weight. The coat of British cats is quite dense, short and thick with a well-developed undercoat.
I distinguish three main types among the color:
- silver — This color scheme is dominated by white. The color is distributed in such a way that the undercoat is completely white, and the tips have a darker, almost black color. The area of the chest and abdomen is crystal white, the pads of the limbs, on the contrary, are black. The area of the eyes and nose is highlighted with a black outline, as if outlined in pencil;
- golden — undercoat of pronounced, saturated apricot color. The tail, lateral surface of the body and the line of the back are painted in a darker color. Softer, lighter caramel color on chest and belly;
- ashy — when compared with the usual silver color, the coat is darker. This is due to the fact that the guard hair is colored in a dark color by one third, and the silver color is characterized by staining the guard hair in the main color by 1/8. On the body there are stripes of a darker color, although they do not have clearly defined borders. Between the fingers the hair is dark, almost black;
- zoologists and breeders distinguish another color – color-point. They have more pronounced external signs of Siamese cats. They are distinguished by the presence of blue eyes. And darker eye color around the ears, tail and eyes.
Where does the British golden chinchilla live?
Photo: British golden chinchilla cat
As representatives of an aristocratic breed, cats need to create special conditions for keeping. Before you get such a cat, you should think about whether you can provide him with the proper living conditions. A prerequisite for a comfortable existence is cleanliness and order. Another important criterion is the optimum room temperature. These cats are not meant to be kept outdoors. They do not tolerate cold, so the temperature in the room should be at least 22 degrees.
Unlike other cats, they tolerate loneliness very well, and even love it. The less people and attention to the Scots, the more comfortable they will feel. However, they require attention and participation in their lives from the owner. Coming home from work, the owner must feel sorry for his pet and pay attention to him. Be sure to keep your cat's ears clean. This is a weak point of representatives of this breed. Often, due to untimely cleansing, cats develop infection, suppuration, infectious processes.
Such an aristocratic animal definitely needs personal space. In this regard, it is necessary to take care of the arrangement of the “house”. It is best if it is located in a secluded place, hidden from prying eyes. It cannot be said that golden chinchillas are demanding on the conditions of detention and care. However, there are some recommendations that you need to follow.
The eyes of animals should be wiped with a cotton pad moistened with boiled water. As a solution, you can use a weak solution of chamomile. Cats need to brush their teeth once a day. Teeth cleaning is carried out with special hygiene products, which are sold in veterinary pharmacies. Animals should have their nails trimmed at least once a month.
What does the British golden chinchilla eat?
Photo: British Golden Chinchilla
It is necessary to feed cats only with fresh, high-quality food or ready-made balanced food specially for cats. For a balanced diet, it is necessary that the feed contains at least 35% protein.
Interesting fact: The owner is strictly forbidden to mix different types of prepared food for one feeding. This can cause illness and digestive problems.
You also need to count calories. This is not difficult if you use ready-made feed as a source of nutrition. The average number of calories for one adult is 70 kcal per kilogram of live weight. It is also necessary to ensure constant access to fresh, clean water. It needs to be changed daily. It is better to pour bottled or filtered water into a bowl. You can not exclude from the diet and natural food. If the diet is balanced, the animal will be healthy and active.
What is included in the natural diet of the animal:
- raw lean meats;
- boiled or stewed offal (liver, heart, lungs);
- marine white fish that has been deboned;
- dairy products with a low percentage of fat (cottage cheese, yogurt without fillers, sour cream);
- two or three times a week you can give cats boiled eggs (preferably quail);
- boiled vegetables several times per week (homemade vegetables are better – potatoes, carrots, potatoes);
- boiled cereals (buckwheat, rice, millet).
Interesting fact: Before giving a cat raw meat, it is necessary to freeze it for 10 hours for disinfection. Before serving, it is thawed and poured with boiling water. Be sure to cut the meat into small pieces.
If the animal has a silky, soft and shiny coat, then the cat eats well, and its diet is filled with everything necessary. There is a list of products that are strictly contraindicated to include in the diet of animals.
What is forbidden to give:
- canned food;
- smoked meats;
- sausages and sausage;
- spicy, salty and spicy dishes;
- raw cow's milk;
- canned meat or fish.
This cat breed is prone to overeating and obesity. In this regard, the owner himself must dose the amount of food that is required for the normal growth and development of his pets. It is better to feed them in small portions five to six times a day. Be sure to sow special cat grass in the autumn-spring period, which cats can nibble.
Now you know how to feed the British golden chinchilla. Let's see how to breed these cute cats.
Character and lifestyle features
Photo: British Golden Chinchilla
British golden chinchillas have a meek disposition, which is combined with independence and self-esteem. With good care and love, the animal sincerely attaches itself to its owner with all its heart, at the same time, considering itself equal to him. Cats of this breed are very calm, balanced and completely unemotional. It is unusual for them to show their feelings, in any situation they prefer to take the position of an observer and not take any part in the affairs of others. Many cats perceive observation as their immediate responsibility.
To live in harmony with such an amazing handsome man, you need to sincerely love animals. To perceive such a cat as a plush toy is unlikely to succeed. All forced squeezing, squeezing and expressing their feelings, cats endure with their characteristic composure and detachment. They do not welcome this way of communication too much, but they do not show aggression. These cooks do not like too much attention, a lot of people and noise around. They are lovers of a measured, understandable and familiar way of life.
It is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve anything from animals by force and pressure. The animal listens to the person and does something only if the person is perceived by them as an authority. Chinchillas are very smart and quick-witted, so with the right approach they are well trained. They are always ready to make contact if they respect and love the owner.
Golden chinchillas are real aristocrats, as they quickly get used to the order and try to stick to it all their lives. They will never harm or damage property. Animals are considered very proud, it is unusual for them to beg and beg for food, they will not be content with leftovers from the master's table, even if they are too hungry. Communication with children is perceived by cats as an incredible evil. They do not like children too much, but they tolerate them, trying at any opportunity to simply hide from their obsessive attention and genuine interest.
Social structure and reproduction
Photo: British Golden Chinchilla Kitten
Breeding animals is recommended to professionals who have experience in this field. Golden British chinchilla is bred mainly in specialized nurseries. Before breeding cats at home, you should study the intricacies of this matter. Zoologists warn that this breed is not fully formed. During mating and pregnancy, cats need special care and attention. The first step is to take care of choosing suitable partners for breeding.
Criteria for choosing partners:
- presence of all signs characteristic of this breed in applicants for mating;
- absence of diseases and hereditary pathologies;
- healthy appearance;
- activity;
- availability of all necessary documentation;
- availability of a vaccination passport and all grafts in it.
Golden chinchillas are late in development. They are recommended to start when they become independent, can go to the toilet on their own and eat adult food.
Natural enemies of British golden chinchillas
Photo: What the British Golden Chinchilla looks like
Due to the fact that animals live exclusively at home, they have practically no natural enemies. By nature, cats are endowed with strong immunity and an incredibly stable psyche. However, they will need certain conditions of existence, mode and diet. If the rules for keeping animals are not followed, the risk of developing various diseases increases.
The following diseases are characteristic of this breed:
- polycystic kidney disease;
- retinal atrophy of the eyeballs;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- malignant neoplasms;
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Each of the above diseases can lead to the death of the animal. If the cat becomes lethargic, indifferent to everything, her appetite decreases, and she refuses her favorite treats, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Representatives of this breed are very sensitive to drafts. They can get pneumonia if they are kept in drafty or damp conditions.
To exclude oncological formations of the organs of the reproductive system, it is recommended to castrate cats and sterilize cats if they are not planned to be bred. It is best to do the operation at the age of 6-7 months. It is also recommended to take animals to the veterinarian for vaccination in a timely manner. In addition, it is necessary to regularly comb out the hair of your pets. Otherwise, when you lick yourself, the wool enters the stomach and can cause serious health problems and disrupt the digestive tract.
Population and species status
Photo: British Golden Chinchilla
Today, the golden British chinchilla is a fairly common breed. These cats are bred almost all over the world. These cats are very loved for their patience, endurance, silence and aristocratic restraint. They will never bother their owners.
They tolerate loneliness very well, although in the presence of their owner they really need to show his attention and care. Cats of this breed are intended for breeding exclusively at home. They, like true aristocrats, are connoisseurs of comfort, coziness and convenience.
Breeders and connoisseurs of purebred cats really appreciate them for their intelligence and intelligence, which British chinchillas are so famous for. Representatives of this breed are recommended to start at an early age, as they quickly get used to the owner and the environment.
The British Golden Chinchilla is an amazingly beautiful cat. She has an incredible mind and intellect, for which she is loved and appreciated by lovers of valuable breeds of animals from all over the world. Cats of this breed are very attached to their owner, although they love and value their personal space and independence very much. At the same time, they give a lot of positive and positive emotions in the process of communicating with them.
