CHOOSING YOUR KITTEN
CHINCHILLA PERSIAN
Chinchilla Persians and Shaded Silver Persians are collectively known as "Silver Persians"
For Show purposes in New South Wales they are now registered as either Black Tipped (Chinchilla) or Black Shaded, (Shaded Silver). If you are looking for a Pet this is not so important, it is a matter of choice whether you prefer a paler coated Chinchilla or a slightly darker Shaded Silver. Both are beautiful.
It is not surprising that some people think a Chinchilla Cat is a Breed considering there are quite a few Cat Sites that refer to them as such but Chinchilla is just a colour of the Persian (or other) Breed. So it would be a Chinchilla Persian or Shaded Silver Persian for example.
Silver Persians can also be registered as what is known as AOC (Any Other Colour) which is the result of introducing other colours.
Usually this is done to improve type but it is not altogether desirable as an AOC will usually have poor eye colour that is more yellow/muddy brown than the correct green/bluegreen colour. The coat colour may also be affected causing much darker shading or patchy colour. It is easy to tell an AOC compared to a Shaded Silver by the usually poor eye colour and dark coat, even darker than a Shaded Silver. Chinchilla is very pale, looking almost like a white cat with a cobweb draped over it. Shaded Silver has a little more tipping than a Chinchilla so it appears slightly darker. The photo at the top of the page is of a Shaded Silver kitten. He has markings on his face.
If you are still not sure what the terms chinchilla or shaded silver actually mean please refer to our BREED STANDARD page and read the colour standard . Chinchilla is a COLOUR. Kittens may have tabby markings at birth. These will gradually fade and should eventually completely disappear. Their eye colour when young is blue which gradually changes to blue/green or green as they mature. They should not ever have yellow, copper, muddy brown or orange eyes or a combination of these any of these colours with green.
WHY BUY FROM A REGISTERED BREEDER?
Dedicated Registered Breeders breed to improve the breed and choose carefully which kittens they keep, only those that have features that are as close to the standard as possible that they wish to pass on to the next generation. Breeders can not keep all kittens so those kittens not kept for breeding/showing are sold as pets. Registered Breeders have a code of ethics to abide by and their name to protect. Unregistered breeders do not. Registered Breeders also test for health issues such as PKD, a kidney disease which causes a very painful death in cats that are positive. In recent years a DNA test has made it possible for breeders to test their cats for this and exclude any affected cats from their breeding program, unregistered breeders usually just breed to produce kittens to sell do not usually do this very important health check.
Even though buying from a Registered Breeder is certainly your best option please be aware that some breeders are introducing colour into their lines to improve type. This may be detrimental to eye and coat colour.
When looking to purchase a Chinchilla or Shaded Silver Persian kitten do your research and only buy from a Registered Breeder that specializes in Silver Persians and preferably shows their cats. They are breeding with the best cats available to improve the breed. Titles are only earned if the cat conforms to the Breed Standard. You may find a cheaper kitten somewhere but its like anything, quality costs more.
Please note: There is no such thing as a Teacup or Toy Persian. Silver Persians are usually a little smaller than the Solid Persians, the Males being larger then the Females. Any very small kittens are usually the runt of the litter, not Teacup Persians.
PET SHOPS
Registered Breeders do not sell to Pet Shops, these kittens usually come from backyard breeders.
Also kittens from Pet Shops are usually more expensive, sometimes around twice the price as a kitten from a Registered Breeder.
Please purchase your kitten from a Registered Breeder. Most Registered Breeders have a Website so you can see what they are producing.
ABOUT YOU
Registered Breeders care about their kittens and only want the best for them so they may ask you questions such as:
Have you owned a Persian before?
Do you have small children?
Will the Kitten/Cat be kept indoors?
Do you have other animals?
Will the kitten be alone during the day?
VISITING
You may or may not be invited by the Breeder to view available kittens. Please do not be offended if you are asked to remove your shoes before entering and to spray your hands before handling kittens. This is because the Breeder does not know whether you have just visited another cattery and it is so easy to carry infectious diseases on your shoes, clothes and hands. Please do not visit more than one Cattery on the same day. Even though they may be vaccinated young kittens may not have full immunity and are extremely vulnerable to flu, ringworm etc. Disease can devastate the whole cattery, not just the kittens you view so please be understanding.
Some breeders do not invite visitors until the kitten is older or ready to leave for this reason. The health of the kittens comes first.
We, here at Caloola Silvers do NOT allow visitors as we are very protective of our kittens and Cats. Our kittens are raised in our home, not a cattery so we don't invite anyone until it is time to pick up the kitten. We have nothing to hide, we are merely protecting our kittens, cats and ourselves and we don't have time to entertain those just wanting to play with the kittens. We choose the most suitable kitten for your family so there is not usually a choice of kittens available (except the sex of the kitten.) If you have paid a deposit on a kitten we will send you lots of photos and videos while you are waiting to come and pick up your kitten.
When you do visit or come to take your kitten home it is best to limit the number of visitors to the minimum, especially small children. Although your kitten will be socialized the sudden appearance of a group of people especially if children are noisy may upset the kitten who is not expecting and most likely never seen a large group of people before and he may become frightened and not show his/her true personality even though he is normally an outgoing, friendly kitten.
SHOW OR PET?
If you are looking for a hobby and for a kitten you can show make sure you let the Breeder know when you contact them as there may be a waiting list for that special kitten. Show quality kittens are not as easy to come by and will cost more than a Pet kitten. Registered Breeders will only sell entire Show or Breeder quality kittens to other Registered Breeders but sometimes have a Show quality kitten that can be shown in the De- sexed class. This is great way to start.
TAKING YOUR KITTEN HOME
Registered Breeders are guided by a Code of Ethics written by their Cat Registering Body who recommend that kittens do not leave home before 10 weeks of age, some Bodies say 12 weeks. This is to make sure the kittens are fully weaned, have had at least one Vet check and vaccination, are micro-chipped and are well socialized and ready to leave their mother. As Silver Persians are usually a little smaller than other Persians Caloola Kittens are usually at least 12 weeks of age before leaving, older if they have to fly to their new home.
AFTER SALES
Once you take your kitten home most Registered Breeders will be only to happy to receive any requests for advice regarding the wellbeing of your kitten and love receiving updates.
Copyright Caloola Silvers 2018
All Text and Photos on this website
are Copyright of Caloola Silvers and not
to be copied in any manner without
written permission from Caloola Silvers
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