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If you are looking for a good companion to spend a lot of time with, the Chantilly cat is a good choice. They love people, especially their owners, and will form a close bond.
They make especially good pets for elderly folks or people with physical limitations.
What’s the nature of the breed?
The Chantilly cat is a very friendly and affectionate cat breed. They love being around people, especially their owners, and they do not enjoy being alone.
This cat will get depressed if left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis. The good part about the Chantilly is that while they always want to be with people, and will follow you around the house, they are relaxed and not overly demanding.
They will often speak with their soft voice, but not in a demanding manner. They enjoy playing, but they are not overly demanding, nor are they overly active.
Find out more about Chantilly Cats in this short video below:
They like being scratched, petted, picked up, snuggled, and they make for excellent lap cats. They can spend hours sitting or lying in a warm lap and just relaxing. And speaking of scratch, you might want to get a durable cat scratching post as cats have some scratching habits of their own.
They are not really too big on exploring or causing trouble, another thing which makes them really relaxing house pets, ideal for people who don’t have too much energy to spare, but are usually always at home.
Origin and history of the breed
What is funny is that the Chantilly cat is often thought of as a semi-longhair Burmese cat, which it is not. In fact, the origins of this cat breed are mostly unknown.
It is known that around 1969, in New York, the first litter of Chantilly kittens was born. However, what is not known is what breed of cats the parent cats were.
It is known that they were both chocolate-brown colored cats, but what breed they were is not known. The creation of the Chantilly cat was more or less a happy accident.
This cat is sometimes also referred to as a Tiffany, but the issue is that in the British registry, there was already a different breed of cat called Tiffany, which is why this cat, the Chantilly cat, is now often referred to as a Chantilly/Tiffany.
This cat is officially recognized by most major cat associations.
Physical standards of the breed
Health and possible diseases
The Chantilly cat tends to be a good cat for people who do not want to worry about health issues and big vet costs. Generally speaking, this cat tends to be quite healthy and is known for suffering from fewer health issues than most other cat breeds.
It may suffer from cat heart disease, but this is not breed specific. The only thing to note is that the long hair of the Chantilly cat can hide a pot belly with ease, and they are known for getting chunky if they are not fed high-quality cat food.
Grooming
The Chantilly cat has long hair, but a mostly nonexistent undercoat, which makes grooming fairly east. It is recommended to use a semi-stiff brush to groom their coats once per week to prevent tangles and matting, and to remover dead hair and skin.
That said, they do shed quite a bit and you will find hairballs around the home quite regularly. Other than that, only regular feline care is required. You should wipe their eyes with a damp cloth once per week.
You should also wipe out their ears once per week with a cotton ball soaked in warm water and cider vinegar. Near-daily teeth brushing is recommended as well in order to prevent periodontal and other oral diseases.
Height and size
The Chantilly is known for being a medium-size cat, not one of the larger breeds. Generally speaking, males and females are about the same size.
This cat will usually never grow over 12 inches in height at the shoulders, with the average being closer to 11 inches at the shoulders. This is a moderate-looking cat with no particularly extreme features.
They have a broad and slightly wedge-shaped head with high cheekbones, as well as medium-size ears.
Weight
When it comes to the weight of the Chantilly cat, it is not very heavy. Both males and females, fully grown, will weigh between 8 and 12 pounds, with 10 pounds being the average.
Activeness
On a scale from 1 to 5, in terms of activeness, the Chantilly cat is a 3 or 4 at most. They love to snuggle, sit in laps, and be pet. They may explore the house a bit, but not too much.
They like to play on occasion, but they are also fine lounging around and doing nothing but watching the world go by. They make for good pets for people who don’t have too much energy or the will to play all the time.
Hypoallergenic
No, the Chantilly cat is not hypoallergenic, and in fact, no cat is totally hypoallergenic. The Chantilly cat sheds quite a bit, so it’s not a great choice for people with cat allergies.
Lifespan
The Chantilly cat lives a moderately long life. If the cat in question is in good health, then it can live to around 16 years of age, with the average lifespan being somewhere around 15 years.
Caring Difficulty
The Chantilly cat is not very difficult to care for. While they do require moderate grooming and general care, other than that, they are easy to care for.
They are not very demanding, and as long as they have somebody to keep them company, they should be just fine.
Where to get a Chantilly Cat
The Chantilly cat is not a very rare cat and breeders can be found in the US, Canada, and in Europe too. If you want to ensure that you get a purebred with good health, going to a reputable breeder is recommended.
How much does a Chantilly Cat cost?
The average Chantilly cat is going to cost between $400 and $600, which all things considered, is not all that much for a purebred cat.
If you get a cat that comes from a distinguished lineage, you could be looking at a few hundred dollars more.
Choosing the right type of Chantilly Cat
As long as you go to a reputable breeder, the rest is really up to you. We would recommend inquiring about the health, temperament, and personality of the parent cats, but other than that, it’s more a matter of preference than anything else.
The Chantilly cat can come in various colors, some which you may like more than others.
Responsibilities to consider in the care of a Chantilly Cat
What do they require?
The Chantilly does not require all that much besides regular coat grooming, tooth and claw care, and ear and eye care. They require a healthy diet so they don’t get overweight, they need a clean litter box, and people to be around.
Do they need a certain level of care and attention?
Yes, the Chantilly cat does require a good deal of attention. This is not a cat that likes being alone.
Characteristics of Chantilly Cat
Behavior
The Chantilly cat will follow you around the home, but it will not be demanding about it. It will enjoy some play time, but has no problem sitting on a lap for hours on end.
It’s a very easy-going cat that is not known for creating trouble or messes. They can easily enjoy time playing around their cat toys all day.
Pattern
The Chantilly cat really only comes in a solid color pattern. They can be black, blue, cinnamon, chocolate, lilac, or fawn in color.
Affectionate
Yes, the Chantilly cat is very affectionate, they love being around people, do not want to be alone, and they really do make for the perfect lap cat.
Dog/child-friendly
The Chantilly cat is generally good with kids over 5 or 6 years of age. They do not particularly enjoy very young children and babies. They do alright with dogs, as long as the dog does not harass the cat.
Intelligence
The Chantilly cat is known for being quite intelligent. They are not overly active, but they do have quite the brain.
Although not known for getting into trouble, they will probably figure out how to open cupboards, and may be able to learn some tricks and commands too.
Energy
The Chantilly cat is a fairly low-energy cat. It has no problem lying around and lounging all day long.
Maintenance
The Chantilly cat is a low-maintenance cat, at least in the grand scheme of things. They require some grooming and general cat maintenance, and they don’t want to be alone, but maintenance needs are not too high.
Types of Chantilly Cats
The Chantilly comes in few different colors, but are usually always solid in color. There are not really any other types.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Chantilly cat is a fairly low-maintenance, social, and easy-going cat that loves being with people. It does not need to play much, as long as it has company from its owners.