| Height: | 9 – 10 inches |
| Weight: | 7 – 16 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Colors: | Silver, Blue, Gold |
| Suitable for: | Seniors, singles, families with older children |
| Temperament: | Loving, sweet, quiet, gentle, calm, smart |
The Chinchilla Persian cat is essentially a Persian cat with a specific kind of coloring. Some believe that the Chinchilla is a separate breed from the Persian, and others believe that they are silver Persians. Regardless of opinion, Chinchilla Persians are beautiful medium to large cats with silver fur and blue-green or green eyes. Like the typical Persian, they have long and thick coats of fur, but unlike the Persian, they tend to have slightly less pushed in faces.
Chinchilla Persian Kittens – Before You Bring One Home …
The Chinchilla Persian is a low-energy and calm cat that can be trained thanks to her intelligence, but her laziness might make it more of a challenge. They are a healthy breed with a long lifespan that could be even longer if they’re indoor cats. The Chinchilla Persian is generally a friendly cat, but she might be reserved around strangers.
What’s the Price of Chinchilla Persian Kittens?
Chinchilla Persians are purebred Persians, but they are also a rarer type of Persian cat, so you can expect to pay more. The price of one of these kittens might range from $1,400 to $2,000 from a good breeder. Silver Chinchilla Persians are the more common color type so expect to pay more for a Golden or Blue Chinchilla Persian.
You should check the credentials of any breeder you deal with as you want to be sure that your cat will arrive home with you in good health and having spent the right amount of time with her mother and siblings. Most kittens are usually weaned by 8 to 10 weeks of age and should be ready to leave their mother by 12 to 13 weeks of age. There can be health issues and behavioral problems that will result if a kitten is taken from her mother too early.
You could also try to find a Chinchilla Persian through a rescue group, which might cost about $150 to $500. You’ll be supporting a rescue group and giving an adult cat a chance at a happier life.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Chinchilla Persian
1. The Chinchilla Persian had her origins in 1882 England
The chance mating of a stray tomcat with a blue Persian created a Persian kitten that was smoke-colored. This kitten eventually mated with a silver Tabby cat whose own kitten would ultimately have another set of kittens that would include the first male Chinchilla Persian, Silver Lambkin.
2. The term ‘Chinchilla’ refers to a specific form of coloring
The Chinchilla is a small rodent that originated in the Andes mountains of South America and is most commonly found with a soft grey and white fur coat. The Chinchilla Persian is typically all-white with the tips of each individual hair in black, which gives it a silvery appearance. They can also have brown tips that will give the cat a golden color.
3. Fancy Feast loves the Chinchilla Persian
Yes, those beautiful, fluffy white cats that have long been used in those Fancy Feast cat food commercials have always been portrayed by the Silver Chinchilla Persian.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Chinchilla Persian
The Chinchilla Persian is an affectionate, calm, and sweet-natured cat that is rather docile and loves to just spend time with her family. They might love spending time with their people, but they also enjoy spending time alone, particularly if things are chaotic in the house. They are also somewhat shy and reserved around people they don’t know but will warm up once they’ve gotten to know them.
The Chinchilla Persian is an intelligent cat that is known to be quite adaptable to different situations. They are known to express their thoughts and opinions through body language and their expressive faces rather than with a lot of meowing.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
The Chinchilla Persian does make a good family cat but would do best with a quiet family with older children. They prefer peace and quiet in the household and might spend most of their time hiding from the chaos and noise of young children. They are very sweet cats, however, and as long as they are treated with respect and gentleness, they will make wonderful companions for the entire family.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Chinchilla Persians will get along with other pets quite well, provided they are also quiet and calm animals. Dogs or cats with boundless energy might prove to be too much for these cats. Give her time to adjust to any new animals and be sure she has a cat tree or shelf placed up high to allow her to escape from noisy and uncertain situations.
Things to Know When Owning a Chinchilla Persian:
Food & Diet Requirements 
Before bringing your cat or kitten home, you need to check with the breeder or rescue group on what kind of food your Chinchilla Persian has been eating. Most breeders and rescue agencies will send you home with some of the food your new cat has been eating. In order to avoid causing any digestive problems in your pet, continue to feed her the food she’s been eating and slowly introduce any new food if you’re considering switching brands.
Many cats are susceptible to urinary tract issues as well as kidney issues as they age, so consider adding canned food to her diet if she isn’t eating it already. Another consideration is to provide your cat with a cat fountain to keep her properly hydrated to prevent the previously mentioned health problems. Most cats prefer to drink running water, particularly when the water is running over a smooth surface.
Exercise 🐈
The Chinchilla Persian is not a particularly active cat and would usually rather spend time cuddling on your lap over running about. Be sure to provide her with some toys and spend time playing with her every day to ensure she gets enough mental and physical stimulation. This will not only stop behavioral issues but will also form a bond between you and even help prevent obesity.
Training 🧶
Training the Chinchilla Persian might not be too difficult compared to other cats thanks to her intelligence and easy-going nature, but it will also prove challenging because of her calm disposition. They would probably prefer to laze around in their comfortable chair rather than deign themselves to follow your orders.
Grooming ✂️
Grooming the Chinchilla Persian is not for the faint of heart! As with any Persian, they have a very dense undercoat and a full and long outer coat requiring regular brushing. If you brush your cat every day for about 5 minutes, you’ll keep her tangle and mat free and will help to reduce the amount of shedding and, consequently, fewer hairballs.
You’ll also need to regularly trim her claws and brush her teeth, or you can consider giving her dental treats if she’s, shall we say, resistant to the toothbrush. If you notice discharge around her eyes, you can gently wipe it off with a damp, warm cloth.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Chinchilla Persian is a healthy and robust cat but there are a few health conditions that you should be aware of.
Your vet will inspect your cat’s skin and will use x-rays and run urinalysis and blood tests to check for any of these health conditions. Treatment will depend on whether or not your cat suffers from any of these problems.
Male vs. Female
Male cats tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females, but there are always exceptions to the rule. It is thought that the males are generally more affectionate than the females, who tend to be a little more reserved. However, it is more about how long the kitten stays with her mother and how she’s treated by her human family that will determine her true personality.
Another consideration is spaying or neutering your cat. Unneutered males tend to wander more and will spray and yowl while on the lookout for females. They are also much more likely to get into fights with other male cats in competition for viable females. Unspayed females will go into heat and make a lot of noise and rub up against everything. Having your cat spayed or neutered will cut down on a lot of unwanted behaviors and will, of course, prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Final Thoughts
The Chinchilla Persian is a gorgeous cat that would fit into a quiet household and will make an excellent companion for those looking for a sweet and affectionate cat. You should be sure that you do have a calm environment for this cat, however, or she’ll spend most of her time hiding.
If you’re looking for a patient and gentle cat whose personality only just outshines her striking looks, then look no further than the Chinchilla Persian.
Featured Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
