Chartreux cat breed

The Chartreux is recognizable by its blue-grey coat, which is why it can sometimes be confused with the British Shorthair and Russian Blue. The Chartreux cat is strong, bulky and muscular, especially in males. Broad shoulders, deep chest, straight back.

• tail:
  Medium length, thick at the base, slightly tapered at the end of the tail.
• ears:
  Small to medium size, high on the skull, smooth, rounded at the tip.
• Head:
  It has a wide head like an inverted trapezium. The skull is slightly rounded, without ridges, with a narrow and smooth space between the ears. Full, round and low cheeks, especially in males.
• Nose & muzzle:
  Chartreux has a flat and wide nose. The muzzle is narrow compared to the head, but not pointed. The skin of the nose is grayish blue. This cat's long and straight muzzle makes it look like a smiling face.
• eyes:
  Large, round eyes with a slightly raised outer corner are characteristic of Chartreux. The color of the eyes usually varies from dark yellow to copper.

This cat's coat is short, double-layered, and waterproof, which allows this cat to resist cold and moisture. Chartreux has short hair, shiny, thick, dense and waterproof fur. The color of chartreuse usually ranges from light blue-gray to dark blue-gray. Of course, light blue-gray color is more common in this French cat.

Kittens of this French cat are usually born with moles that gradually disappear after about six months to a year.

To maintain and take better care of this breed of cat, it is better to do the following points:

• The chartreuse coat needs to be combed once a week. The Chartreux coat should be combed daily during the annual shedding, in spring and autumn, when shedding is more severe. This is important because ingesting too much hair by the cat can cause digestive problems in the cat.
• Chartreux needs minimal bathing. If you give them a bath, ensure their thick and waterproof coating is sufficiently moistened.
• To prevent periodontal complications, you should brush your cat's teeth. It is recommended to do this daily.
• This cat has extensive and robust nails; it is recommended to trim the cat's nails once every two weeks.
• The secretions around the eyes of Chartreux should be cleaned periodically. Using a soft and wet cloth to wipe the secretions is better. Use a separate clean cloth for each eye to prevent infection.
• Examine their ears once a week. If it is dirty, clean the cat's ears with cotton or a wet cloth. Of course, you can also use a combination of natural apple cider vinegar and warm water to clean Chartreux ears.
• You should keep his place clean and tidy and bathe him when necessary.

Chartreux cats are resistant cats that have relatively long lives. But they also have underlying health problems and diseases, which include:

Isoerythrolysis disease

Chartreux is susceptible to hereditary Neonatal isoerythrolysis of kittens. Of course, this disease affects Chartreux cats belonging to blood group B. Kittens born from the mating of a Chartreux female of blood type B with a male of blood type A or AB are susceptible to neonatal isoserythrolysis.

If a type B mother gives birth to a kitten with type A blood, the antibodies produced in the mother's milk will be toxic to the kitten. B blood type cat's milk contains antibodies against A blood type, which leads to the excretion of red blood cells in the kitten's urine, resulting in anemia, which in the most severe cases can be fatal.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

PKD can be seen in some Chartreux cat breeds. In this disease, the cat's body starts producing struvite crystals.
The presence of these crystals can lead to kidney failure. One way to prevent this health problem in your Chartreux is to get enough water for your cat.

Heart disease

Another of Chartreux's health problems is heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The most common form, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a thickening of the heart muscle, often caused by an overactive thyroid gland.

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is another genetic disease that may occur in all cat breeds. But it is more common in cats with a poor diet or who are overweight.
Chartreux owners need to control their cat's weight; this can be done by daily activities and adjusting the cat's food.
If you control your Chartreux cat weight, you can reduce the risk of diabetes in your cat.

Hip dysplasia

If you get acquainted with this disease, this disease is more common in dogs. However, dysplasia can also occur in Chartreux cats.

Other diseases include:

• Dental disease
• Parasites
• Spaying or neutering
• Arterial thromboembolism
• FLUTD
• Kidney failure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Allergy/Atopy
• Patella luxation

Chartreux is prone to urinary disorders and diabetes. So it is recommended to make sure that he is hydrated enough. We recommend avoiding kibbles that contain a high percentage of carbohydrates.

The availability of clean and sufficient water is necessary for the Chartreux cat. It is better to use a combination of kibble and wet food; this can help absorb more water in the cat's body.

Chartreux is said to be one of the oldest cat breeds. There are many stories about this cat's past. Some consider the origin of this cat to be medieval France. But others attribute its origin to countries like Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

Others say that around the 12th and 13th centuries, the Templars brought cats to the Grand Chartreuse Monastery, and the monks used them for hunting mice. there is also a legend about the quietness of this cat, which says: Chartreux cats used to be silent like the monks of the Covenant. That's why they are quiet today.

Of course, this is more of a myth than a fact, but it has made the Chartreux cat mysterious and attractive. It is said that the name of the breed was not actually derived from the Grand Chartreuse Abbey but from the fine Spanish wool, "Chartreau Peel," whose soft, dense fur it resembles.

The breed declined drastically during World War I, and wild populations were not observed after World War II. A concerted effort by European breeders saved the species from extinction. The first Chartreux was brought to the United States in 1971 by Helen and John Gammon of La Jolla, California.

Sisters Susan and Christine Leger were the first to register this breed in 1925. Eventually, their cat was chosen as the most beautiful cat at the Cat Club de Paris show in 1933, making Chartreux more famous.
After that, some cat breeders started mixing this breed with the British cat, which created a common standard and angered many French cat lovers.

Finally, in 1989, this cat breed had its own standard, and their marriage with other species was not allowed.