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Chartreux: Gentle and Uncomplicated

The gray Carthusian cats have been enchanting cat fans for years with their noble appearance and their harmonious and strong character. They feel just as comfortable in families as they do as single cats, are frugal and uncomplicated – and are therefore also suitable as animals for very new cat owners.

This is how the Carthusian cat was born

Although the friendly gray cats hail from France, they have nothing to do with the Carthusian monks – they were more concerned with making herbal liqueur than breeding these kind-hearted animals. In fact, a pair of siblings began breeding in 1920, but it was not until 1977 that the Carthusian cat received its own breed status. Breeding was not easy, especially during wartime, since gray British Shorthair cats or Russian Blues, which were also gray, often found their way into the gene pool and “diluted” it as a result. That is why it is particularly important today to ensure that the breed-typical characteristics of the Carthusian cat are meticulously observed.

Chartreux cat: character and behavior

The gray velvet paws stand out from the crowd of active and playful shorthair cats with their level-headed and calm nature. This makes them the perfect family cats, they get along great with children and also with other animals. The Chartreux cat can handle being alone for a few hours a day, but still needs attention and love from its owner. In general, she is very affectionate and likes to follow her “favorite person” through the entire house – almost like a small dog. In old age, the cats usually become much calmer, but they do not want to be excluded from family life – they just don’t like too much hustle and bustle anymore. Sometimes she is described as a bit “loner”, which is mainly due to the fact that she spends a lot of time outdoors as an outdoor cat and usually has a very large territory.

The appearance of the Chartreux cat

In general, the Chartreux cat is medium-sized and has a strong build. Legs and chest are very muscular, paws are relatively large. The paw pads are dark gray. The ears are medium-sized and set high on the head. Only yellow and amber tones are permitted as eye colors, green is absolutely taboo. The eyes should not be too round, but big. In hardly any cat breeds are the cat and tomcat so clearly different in appearance. While the tomcats are large, muscular, and very imposing due to their broad nose and thick cheeks, the female cats here are smaller (especially the head!), more compact, and somewhat delicate. Legs and tail are also slightly shorter here.
The Chartreuse cat has a short, dark gray coat with a thick undercoat. It must not have any markings or patterns.

Chartreux cat: husbandry and care

Even if they appear calm – young Carthusians in particular love to play! You should therefore ensure that there are enough toys and opportunities for exercise. The clever cats like to have a good overview, which is why a scratching post with a raised sitting position is particularly worthwhile. You also need several places where you can rest undisturbed and recover from a potentially hectic everyday life. Since they are experienced hunters, they are happy to be allowed outside, but their calm nature also makes them excellent indoor cats.

 

Important: Since many cats become less active as they get older, you should make sure to adjust the amount of food if necessary to prevent obesity. Caring for Chartreux cats is very uncomplicated, it is sufficient if they are brushed once a week.

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