British Shorthair Chinchilla cats seem to have found a way to haunt your thoughts even when you don’t have the time to deal with your obsession. Sure, you’re not the first one to fall down the rabbit hole of TikToks and Instagram reels of adorable little munchkins doing adorable little things.
But, you’re not that sure you’re ready to become a pet parent. Everyone who’s ever cuddled with kittens seems to have an opinion, though: “Come on, the sheer happiness of sharing your life with a fluffer is boundless!”
Sure, Karen. It’s boundless when you don’t work a nine-to-five and you have the time to binge-watch an entire season of Bridgerton.
And you know, you’re not wrong. Bringing another obsessive, apprehensive, and nervous creature into your apartment doesn’t sound like a walk in the park.
She doesn’t have to be a reflection of you, but chances are you’re going to get stuck with a kitten that learns everything from you. And yes, even the embarrassing stuff!
Hear me out, though. On the off chance that you do succumb to your deepest and darkest wishes and take the challenging (yet so rewarding!) plunge into pet parenthood, British Shorthair Chinchilla cats are the way to go. Trust me, there’s hardly anything more adorable than a plush pet!
Oh, these beauties are soft, round, and teddy bear-like! They’re affectionate, gentle, and generous with the amount of cuddle time they provide you every single day.
And, they’re pretty mysterious because most humans think they’re a cross between a cat and a chinchilla. (Of course, they’re not!)
What are British Shorthair Chinchilla cats?
We’ve taken it upon ourselves to educate you on these little meowers before you muster up the courage to surprise yourself with the gift that keeps on giving. British Shorthair Chinchilla cats are a force to be reckoned with.
As a matter of fact, they’re one of the most popular breeds out there with humans around the world begging breeders to keep making as many as they can ASAP.
And we’re pretty sure we know the reason they’re so sought after. Who wouldn’t want a teddy bear with a soft, plush coat, big, round eyes, and a charming purrsonality!?
And whoever thought to name them British Shorthair Chinchilla cats was onto something! Not only do these bad boys fashion a short coat better than Victoria’s Secret model, but they’re the embodiment of the British way of life. And, they’re perfectly capable of becoming honorary members of the Royal family.
Not to mention the purrincess-like attitude!
They love cuddling with you as long as you don’t cuddle them too much. They love spending time with you as long as you’re not asking them to do anything or go anywhere. And they know how to appreciate life as long as you don’t do something to annoy them.
Now, you might not be surprised by these things, given that most humans already know pretty much everything about British Shorthair cats. But what’s the deal with the “Chinchilla” part of the name?
Where does the “Chinchilla” part of the name come from?
That’s where the mystery comes in! We’ve definitely heard of British Shorthair cats before because they’re pretty much everywhere. But British Shorthair Chinchillas are a mystery because some humans actually think these beauties are a cross between a cat and a chinchilla.
To tell the truth, there are two theories dealing with the mystery of where the name comes from. On the one hand, turns out there’s a breed out there known as Chinchilla cats. Chinchilla cats are reminiscent of Persian cats with one humongous difference – they’re completely white.
Little Chinchillas were created because breeders were trying to get Persian kittens with the perfect shade of silver. Many people are under the impression that British Shorthair Chinchillas are a cross between a British Shorthair cat and a Chinchilla cat (hint – they are!)
The second theory is that chinchilla (lowercase this time) seems to be a common color combination among different breeds. Chinchilla-colored cats are typically white with silver strands scattered around the body, creating a shimmering effect. Chinchilla falls under the tipped color varieties and matches the cross-between-two-breeds theory to a tee.
So, here’s our take! British Shorthair Chinchilla cats are a cross between a British Shorthair cat and a Persian Chinchilla cat, both of which are responsible for the stunning, tipped coat. What do you think!?
Interesting facts about British Shorthair Chinchilla cats
1. Where do British Shorthair Chinchilla cats come from?
Oh, these rebellious rascals might be mysterious. But, that’s not to say we don’t have the tea on how they came to be! British Shorthairs cats are an ancient cat breed (one of the oldest that originated in England). They’re descendants of Roman cats that were brought to England by the Romans.
And, during the 1970s, a breeder by the name of Norman Winder created British Shorthair silver-tipped cats by crossing Persian Chinchillas with Silver Tabby British Shorthair cats. And, as you might have guessed, these kitties became known as British Shorthair Chinchillas.
2. What do they look like?
Oh, the most stunning combination of shimmering fluffs and pouty snouts! British Shorthair Chinchilla cats are often compared to teddy bears because they look pretty chunky for a kitty.
But they’re the best example of how absolutely adorable thick, stubby legs, broad shoulders, rounded heads, and chubby cheeks can be!
As for the fluff (considering they’re pretty fluffy, to say the least), they always sport short, dense coats that appear tipped because of the white and silver pattern.
They’re perfect for anyone who doesn’t like the thought of brushing a bunch of fur every single day. That’s right, these beauties are as low maintenance as they get!
3. What kind of personality do they have?
Oh, these meow machines are hard to beat! You’re thinking of getting a kitty that’s energetic but doesn’t shy away from lounging on the floor for most of the day? Affectionate and snuggly but not clingy? Smart but doesn’t try to outsmart you? You have a winner on your hands!
British Shorthair Chinchilla cats appreciate hanging out with humans, getting along with everyone who comes by your apartment, and they mind their own business when they see you’re busy with something else. They’re the purrfect pet because they possess everything great about cats!
4. How do you take proper care of British Shorthair Chinchilla cats?
These gregarious goofballs are pretty undemanding! First things first, British Shorthair Chinchilla cats don’t need as much grooming, brushing, and bathing as some other breeds (Maine Coon, for example).
For the most part, they’re comfortable taking care of themselves. Not that there’s too much to take care of, considering the short coat.
The standard regular veterinarian checkups, dental care, and nail trimmings should ensure your British Chinchilla looks and feels her best.
Other than that, provide her with plenty of physical activities (but not too much), affection (but not too often), and cuddles (but not when she’s lounging around – let her come to you). Not that bad, right!?
5. What health niggles might they deal with?
A cat’s health depends on multiple factors (from nutrition, physical activity, and care, to environment and genetics). Not to mention that cats, regardless of breed, tend to deal with ailments such as heart disease, kidney disease, and dental disease.
British Shorthair Chinchilla cats are typically healthy and hearty kitties. But, they’re susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, kidney disease, and urinary tract problems.
And, depending on nutrition and physical activity, they’re pretty prone to weight gain and obesity, which can lead to a host of other health problems.
But, with proper care and regular checkups, your little Chinchilla should live a happy and healthy life. And, don’t forget to stand your grand regarding physical activity. British Shorthair cats aren’t that active, but they need to play, chase after butterflies, and get off their bottoms.
Anyways, we know you’re itching to get your hands on one of these beauties! What are you waiting for? Your British Shorthair Chnichilla’s right around the corner, twiddling her toe beans while you’re overanalyzing and overthinking. Go get her!
