The Chinchilla Longhair is a sparkling, silvery cat whose pure-white coat is delicately tipped with black, giving it a shimmering, frosted appearance. With emerald or blue-green eyes rimmed as though in kohl, it is one of the most glamorous of all cats.
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Category
- longhair
- Lifespan
- 12–17 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.2–5.5 kg
- Coat
- Long, fine, silky with a dense undercoat
- Colours
- White tipped with black (chinchilla) or gold (golden)
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Chinchilla traces to a single kitten named Silver Lambkin, born in England in 1882, and was developed from silver Persians. In the United Kingdom the GCCF recognises the Chinchilla as a distinct breed rather than merely a Persian colour, with a slightly less extreme, more open face than the modern Persian. The golden variety, tipped with warm brown rather than black, arose later from the same lines.
🧼 Care & grooming
The fine, dense coat is prone to matting and demands daily grooming, plus regular attention to the eyes, which can weep and stain the pale fur. Many owners keep up a gentle daily face-wiping routine. As a placid, indoor-loving cat, the Chinchilla is content with calm companionship and a sunny windowsill.
🩺 Health notes
Sharing Persian ancestry, the Chinchilla can be affected by Polycystic Kidney Disease and, in flatter-faced individuals, breathing and tear-duct problems. The traditional 'doll-faced' Chinchilla with its more moderate muzzle tends to have fewer such issues. Progressive Retinal Atrophy has also been recorded in the breed.