Chartreux Cats: Breed, Origin & more Details

The Chartreux is a refined, short-haired French breed of cat. They are pet and kid-friendly and make for the ideal family companion. They play in spurts and love attention but are not needy. The Chartreux has an exquisite blue cloak of fur and an angelic smile.

Chartreux are popular because they make interesting companions. Some days you may be greeted with a strong purr and a mysterious smile. They are loyal, loving, and easy-going cats with a polite disposition. 

Chartreux are the strong silent types. You may notice that sometimes they open their mouths to purr, but no sound comes out. They rarely vocalize, but when they do, it’s generally small chirps of excitement. However, when you’re treating them to their favorite snack, then you will hear them purr with enthusiasm. 

They have an incredible but quiet sense of humor and love a good joke, especially if it’s at your expense. Spending quality time with their humans makes them smile. 

Interactive toys are a hit with Chartreux because they have a strong hunting instinct. A favorite is the feathered toys that whirl in the air. They are fast learners and, when taught, will enjoy a game of fetch with other pets. Chartreux are highly intelligent cats and can learn their names fast. 

When they are not pouncing or performing acrobatic flips to catch a toy, they are gentle and attentive companions. They enjoy observing what you do. 

Chartreux will never fail to amuse, love, and cheer you up with their sweet devotion and adorable faces. 

The Chartreux is a sturdy, medium-sized cat. They can weigh anything from 7 to 16 pounds. This breed of cat has broad shoulders and a deep chest. Their strong bones and muscle mass is solid and dense. 

They have a broad, rounded head with a strong jaw and a full face. The Chartreux has a high, gently contoured forehead with a straight, medium-length nose. In comparison to their face, their snout is narrow and small. They have pleasant and smiling expressions. 

Their ears are medium-sized and are located high on their head. They have an upright posture. 

Chartreux has alert, expressive, round, wide eyes. Their eye color varies from copper to gold and even deep orange. 

They have short, straight, and sturdy fine-boned legs. Their round, medium-sized paws are dainty in comparison to the rest of their body. 

The Chartreux has a medium-length tail with a heavy base and oval tip. Their tails are very flexible and active. 

Their coat is short to medium and almost wool-like in texture. The wooliness of their coat depends on a few factors, including their age, gender, and habitat.

Chartreux can be found in any shade of blue-gray, with lightly brushed silver tips. 
 

Origin

France

Health

Dr. Adedapo Adisa:

Believed to have been owned by the late General and president of France Charles de Gaulle, The Chartreux cat breed takes its origin from France during the crusade wars.

Known to have a quiet nature but full of action, seen in their acrobatic displays, the Chartreux cats have fairly good health and a life expectancy between 8-15 years.

Although blessed with good health, Chartreux cats are prone to certain health conditions affecting the kidneys. Notable among these conditions are. Struvite formation and also Polycystic kidney disease (PCD).

Struvite formation in the Chartreux cats is characterized by the formation of struvite stones in the urinary bladder.

The stones are formed from struvite crystals and minerals (such as magnesium, phosphate, and ammonium), solidifying to form the struvite stones.

Sometimes the cause of struvite stones in the Chartreux cats is unknown, especially when urinary tract infection is absent. However, bacteria infection along the urinary tract causes the release of a chemical named urease, causing the acidity levels of urine to increase and struvite stones to form.

Some signs to observe in the Chartreux cats having this condition include;

• Regular urination
• Painful or straining during urination in the cats
• Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
• Reduced appetite and general weakness in cats.

This condition in the Chartreux cats includes surgical interventions or dietary methods, where a particular food is prescribed to the Chartreux cats. The food helps correct the urine’s pH levels and dissolves the struvite stones.

If any of these signs have been noticed in the Chartreux cats, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, where adequate examination and tests can be carried out.

Another health condition the Chartreux cats are predisposed is polycystic kidney disease. This health issue is known to start from birth, whereby multiple cysts form in one or both kidneys.

As the Chartreux cat grows, the cyst (fluid-filled cavities) in the kidneys also increases in size, leading to the kidneys starting to fail at their function before they eventually lose all their excretory functions.

Some signs in the Chartreux cats with this condition include;

• Excessive thirst in cats
• Increased urination
• Foul breath or uremic breath.
• Vomition and weakness.
• Fluid may accumulate in the abdominal region.
• The limbs of the cats may appear swollen as well.

Although the cause is not fully known, the polycystic kidney disease in the Chartreux cats is an inherited condition from a mutated gene (PKDI gene), which is passed from parents to offspring.

This condition does not have a definite treatment but can be managed once a confirmatory diagnosis is reached.

It is best to screen the Chartreux cats for Polycystic kidney disease through DNA testing for the PKDI gene before using the cats for breeding programs.

If found to be positive such cats should be stopped from breeding activities.