Cartesian cats: features of the breed, nature and rules of care

Cartesian cats at first glance look like the British, but in fact they are of natural origin. These animals come from France, a rarity. However, the difficulties of finding a unique kitten are more than paid for by its attractive appearance, positive character and high intelligence.

Carthusian cats belong to the native breed. The latter means that they appeared naturally, without human influence. Rather, it was minimal - a man brought in the ancestors of Chartreuse (another name for this breed) to the territory of France. It is believed that these people were crusaders, and they brought the descendants of Pallas and Egyptian cats to French soil. However, it is not known for certain.

There is another theory. According to her, cats were brought from the Arabian Peninsula and from Africa by traders. There is an opinion that a person did not participate at all in the process of the appearance of chartreuse. By the way, this name has Spanish roots and means local wool that is very soft and pleasant to the touch. It appeared only in the XVII century and originally meant any cat with blue fur.

The second name (appeared earlier), Cartesian cats, is associated with the monastery of the Cartesian Order. In the “neighborhood” with the monks, cats have been seen since the XVI century. Living in the monastery, cats caught mice, thereby developing hunting skills. For this they were held in high esteem by the monks, the latter even dedicated verses to the monastery mousetraps. At that time they were in almost every yard and were called cats of commoners.By this name it is clear that they were not of special value.

During the centennial war and the famine that accompanied it, the Cartesian cats were exterminated - their meat went into food, and the fur into clothes.

Already after the war, their numbers fell to a critical level, so the phenologists took care of protecting and preserving individuals. Work began on the standardization of the breed and after the Second World War, cats were considered a rarity, which affected their cost. In Europe, chartreuses again almost fell under population decline, as the British were popular. The Cartesian cat was offered to be combined with the British breed. Fortunately, the growing popularity of chartreuse in the USA prevented this.

Since the 60s of the last century, Cartesian cats appear as pets in the richest and most famous people of the states. Breeders defended the right of the Cartesian individuals to a separate species, which is completely true, since they qualitatively differ from the British not only in the characteristics of the fur and character, but also in the genotype. Today, the breed is considered established and implies short-haired gray-blue cats with yellow or copper eyes.

The animal is medium in size. Cats are usually larger than cats. The weight of an adult varies from 4 to 9 kg, so cats are often referred to as large cats. Despite the rather large weight, individuals differ agility and agility. The body of the Cartesian individuals is muscular - with broad and powerful shoulders, chest. The paws are rather short, which in combination with the muscularity of the body gives the impression of stocky animal. If we talk about specific numbers - then about 30 cm at the withers. However, the breed standard does not spell this indicator.

Adult animals, among other things, are heard in breadth, which gives additional volume to the body of the animal. The neck is short, powerful, goes into the back. Often with abundant nutrition, a noticeable fold forms on the scruff. The paws seem rather thin for such a large body. The front ones are stronger and visually often longer than the rear ones. Large brushes with long claws.

The back is also quite strong, wide, straight. The tail has an oblong shape and tapers toward the tip. The head resembles an inverted trapezoid on which medium-sized ears “stand” high, raised up. The rounded forehead gently "flows" into a straight nose of gray-blue color. Pillows are pronounced, combined with chubby cheeks, which is why the face of the animal has a good-natured appearance.

If you look at the face, it seems that the cat is smiling. This is due to the unusual arrangement of the whisker pads and the peculiarities of pigmentation. Eye color - closer to golden orange (from honey to copper). An important point - the presence of a greenish tint in the color of the eyes is unacceptable (this is one of the signs by which one can distinguish a Cartesian cat from a Russian blue). The eyes are round, large, in most cases - closely set. The look of the animal is expressive, intelligent, carefully studying.

According to the breed standard, the animal has a blue color, the remaining hairs at the tips have a silver tint. Because of this, the fur coat seems particularly shiny, iridescent. The undercoat and the rest of the fur are completely identical in tone, which creates a feeling of special fluffiness of the fur coat, gives the effect of “double” fur. The paw pads and nose should also be gray. All deviations are considered defective.

It is important that the blue tint is uniform over the entire surface of the coat, its transition to purple or pink is unacceptable. The presence of white spots is also considered a marriage. Kittens may retain a strip pattern, which is not a marriage. As the animal grows older, it disappears, the fur acquires such valuable color uniformity.

The nature of chartreuse is a typical phlegmatic. The cat easily gets along with people and even small family members. It should be noted the calm, non-aggressive nature of the animal, its cleanliness and ability to quickly absorb the accepted routines in the house. Chartreuse's favorite pastime is a nap in a cozy, warm place. They spend most of the day like that. However, during short periods of activity, the animal plays, demonstrating the wonders of dexterity and the skill of a born hunter.

Chartreuse have high intelligence and quickly learn the rules of behavior in the house. However, they consider the total training to be offensive to themselves, and the execution of teams that are marked as optional for themselves is below their dignity. It may seem that the animal is wild, but it is not. Chartreuses are loyal to their master, they love to flatter on his lap.

They are tolerant of children, even if the children show their love too much to the animal. In this case, the pet will try to retire as soon as possible, and will do so not in a hurry, but with its characteristic grace and aristocracy. Despite the fact that cats are very tolerant of children, they are jealous of other pets for the owner. That is why it is not worth keeping Cartesian individuals with other pets, they can be cruel to the latter.

They quickly remember the nickname, recognize the owners, and favor the guests. They are jokingly called philosophers of the cat world. It seems that in their bliss and dream they learn a certain mysterious truth, but nothing feline is alien to them - they are moderately curious, playful. Chartreuses quickly get used to the tray and fingernail. Carthusian cats are hunters by nature, and besides, thieves. A cat can easily pull something off the table and eat it. That is why it is important from the first days to wean a kitten from such theft.

The advantage of the breed is the nature of the animal. Due to their high intelligence, imposingness and some laziness, they are great for keeping in city apartments, will become a companion for single people, and will also be safe animals in families with children. Despite their aristocratic slowness, chartreuses are excellent mousetraps. In a private house, they will also be useful.

Undoubtedly, luxurious appearance is another advantage of the breed. They invariably cause admiration, can participate in exhibitions. It is worth noting that at the same time, chartreuses are distinguished by fairly good health.

Despite its appeal, Cartesian cats are rather unpretentious in care, do not require special care for their hair. The quality and color of the latter cannot be influenced by one or another diet (as is the case with the British, for example). But at the same time, the animal’s hair causes allergies, and also sheds heavily.

Carthusian cats do not tolerate prolonged separation from the owner, do not like "hugs." In this they are similar to the British - come for affection when they want it. This breed is a rarity, so the cost of a kitten is quite high.Because of their resemblance to the British, scammers often give the latter out for Cartesian cats. It is better to buy a kitten from breeders, making sure of its originality.

Shorthaired chartreuse requires a lot of attention to his fur coat. Usually, it should be combed out twice a week. For a thick undercoat, a slicker is suitable. The remaining hair should be combed with a massage brush. If hairs appear on the body of the animal, they should be collected with a special mitten. During molting, these procedures will have to be repeated daily.

Do not often bathe an animal, as a rule, 2-3 times a year is enough. Like most cats, chartreuses do not like water procedures and may behave somewhat inappropriately. For swimming, use water temperature + 37– + 38 ° C and a special shampoo. It is not so easy to soak a thick undercoat of a pet with water, so first the animal’s hair is copiously wet and then shampoo is used. It is foamed and quickly distributed throughout the body, avoiding contact with the face and ears. Shampoo should be gently rubbed into the undercoat, and then washed off.

After the “bath procedures” the cat is wrapped in a towel or a warm diaper and allowed to dry slightly in this form. You can not dry the fur coat of individuals with a hairdryer. From this, the coat and surface of the skin of the pet can dry out.

Every 2-3 weeks, you should cut the animal’s claws, cutting no more than 2-3 mm. If you cut off the longer part of the nail, there is a risk of damage to the blood vessels. For a haircut, you should get a secateurs or a special guillotine.

Once a week, you should carefully examine the eyes and ears of the animal. It is usually required to remove contamination from the ears. You can do this with a cotton swab dipped in warm clean water or chamomile broth. If discharge appears, consult a doctor. Often, “tear tracks” diverge from the cat’s eyes. As necessary, the eyes of the animal are wiped with soft napkins - fabric or paper. Using cotton wool for these purposes is not recommended.

As for the haircut, according to the standard it is not provided. You can only trim the protruding hairs. However, at the request of the owner or in extreme heat, the animal can be trimmed, this is done once every 1-1.5 months. At least 2 times a year the animal is anthelmintic. You may need to do this more often - the exact frequency is usually indicated on the packaging of the drug from worms. With the onset of warm spring, the animal should also be treated with a flea-protective drug. If a Cartesian cat goes outside, it is imperative to wear a sheath collar.

As a rule, from a short time, a chartreuse is easily accustomed to the tray and breeders take this care. If you bought a kitten, then just mark the tray in the new house with the smell of a cat. As soon as the pet has appeared in your house, watch it closely. If the kitten is heading to the tray, encourage him after he has done his “things.” If you are trying to find a nook, carry in the tray. Make sure that the animal can climb on its own and crawl out of the tray.

If the kitten has made a puddle, wash it thoroughly to get rid of the smell.

You should also teach a kitten’s clawfish from the first days, it’s better to do this during the game. If the kitten began to tear furniture (and this will happen anyway at first), do not scold him, but rather carry it to the scratching post. If the kitten began to actively use the latter, it should be encouraged by affection or treats.

Due to its natural origin, Cartesian cats boast strong immunity.Their weak points are the hip and knee joints. Hip dysplasia and knee dislocation lead to lameness, loss of mobility of the animal. Prevention measures include a balanced diet, an adequate level of physical activity and regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian. In addition to joints, the animal’s cardiovascular system is at risk due to excess weight. Prevention measures are still the same.

It is important to pay attention to the condition of the teeth during the change of dairy by the molars. This usually occurs at 4-5 months of age. The fact is that in these individuals the milk teeth are quite strong, they prevent the molars from growing. At this age, the condition of the kitten's oral cavity should be evaluated once a week and, if necessary, immediately consult a veterinarian.

The help of a specialist may be required in the case of incisors too close to each other, which is often found in Cartesian individuals. Another possible problem is gingivitis. The regular use of a special stick, bone, will help prevent the occurrence of dental diseases. In individuals who eat dry food, this usually does not occur, since the dense granules of the food by themselves clean the plaque from the teeth of the pet.

The breed itself does not strive for walking. However, regular sorties will ensure the necessary activity of the animal, to avoid obesity and related diseases. If you live in a private house, you can send a cat for independent walks on it. An important point - in the summer heat, the animal quickly overheats, so you still need to control its promenade. A good option for city dwellers is walking in a park or a forest belt holding a cat on a harness.

At the age of two years, the animal is considered ready for mating, although puberty comes as early as 8-12 months. However, giving birth to such a young female can lead to severe pathologies. Females after two years of age usually stop growing, while males can increase in size up to 5 years.

The female’s estrus lasts from 5 to 10 days. First, the character of the animal changes - the cat becomes either overly affectionate or aggressive. Then the changes relate to the posture - when walking the cat bends its back and raises its tail high. On the third day of estrus, the female begins to meow, summoning a partner. If at this time the pet is stroked, then it will lie on its front paws, lifting the back and tail. This time is considered the most successful for mating.

Signs that the cat has reached a mature period can be called more aggressive behavior, meowing, especially in the evening and at night. But the surest “symptom” is that the cat begins to tag. Moreover, urine acquires a particularly specific smell, and pools cannot be detected.

An important point - before mating, the animals undergo examinations at the veterinarian, are anthelmintic. In the presence of a dislocation of the patella, the individual is considered unsuitable for mating. It is better to carry it out on the territory of the partner, so he will feel more confident. It is important not to rush the pets - the cat herself must get out of the carrier, it is worth giving the animals time to get to know each other, to look around.

After successful mating, the cat becomes phlegmatic, spends even more time in a nap. A month later, her tummy is rounded, and 9 weeks after mating, kittens are born. The next estrus may begin within a few days after the birth. At this point, it is important to exclude the presence of a male individual next to the female. This can be dangerous for her health, and for kittens.

Up to 3 months, it is not recommended to separate the cubs from their mother, which ensures their strong immunity and a stable psyche. The first vaccinations for "babies" put in 9-12 weeks. This is a vaccine against calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, chlamydia. After 2–4 months, revaccination is carried out. At the eighth week they are vaccinated against ringworm, at 12 weeks - from rabies, at 16 - from infectious peritonitis. Then all these vaccinations are given once a year according to the vaccination schedule. It turns out that the first vaccinations are usually given by the breeder.

If you do not plan the offspring of your pet, you should take care of their sterilization or castration. The first procedure refers to the ligation of the fallopian tubes in cats, and in the cats - seminal ducts. You can sterilize at any age, but best of all - before the first estrus and up to a year and a half in cats. Despite the fact that sterilization is considered a more gentle operation, it is performed under general anesthesia. An important point - sterilization does not discourage sexual desire.

Castration refers to the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus (in a cat) and testes (in a cat). Thanks to this, the animal does not experience sex drive and, naturally, does not bring offspring. An operation is recommended up to one year. Both procedures usually carry cats easier than cats. The last for the time of healing the joints need a special blanket.

It is advisable to decide from the very beginning of the upbringing of the kitten whether you will feed it homemade or dry. If possible, the selected food should be given to the cat throughout its life, it is unacceptable to mix or alternate food from different nutritional schemes. Another thing to keep in mind is cats are prone to obesity in view of their excellent appetite and low mobility. When choosing dry food, preference should be given to varieties of holistic, premium or superpremium. Consider the dosage recommended by the manufacturer for the cat of your age and weight.

If you are feeding your cat homemade food, also follow the recommendations for serving sizes. It is necessary to exclude from the pet's menu fatty meats, raw river fish (any) and boiled river fish, sweets, smoked meats, dishes from your table. Milk is given to kittens; for adults, it is undesirable, as it can provoke an upset stomach.

An exemplary chartreuse diet may look like this:

• lean meat - beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey; it is better to give raw meat, it can be disinfected by preliminary freezing (for 10-12 hours) and subsequent scalding with boiling water;
• fish - only sea and only in boiled form;
• chicken yolk or quail egg (once a week);
• dairy products - low-fat cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, sour cream;
• vegetables - zucchini, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower.

Until about six months, kittens are kept on a special diet, and then transferred to an adult diet. It is not recommended to drastically change the pet's diet either during this period or at an older age. When feeding a cat homemade food, it should be cooked separately, without adding salt, spices. In addition, in this case, it is necessary to give the animal vitamin and mineral complexes. It is advisable to grow special grass for the cat year-round. It can be mixed into food or just let the pet "graze" on the windowsill, allowing him to pull the grass.

All about Cartesian cats, see the next video.