ChartreuxCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care
Chartreux cat at a cat show. · Heikki Siltala / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Cropped and resized.
The Chartreux is a rare breed from France, known for its dense, water-resistant blue-grey coat and its orange or copper eyes. Because of the shape of its head and muzzle, it always seems to be smiling. It is a quiet, intelligent and loyal cat that follows its owner from room to room.
Quick facts
| Common name | Chartreux |
| Scientific name | Felis catus |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FIFe since 1949 (code CHA, category 3; current standard since 1977); CFA, TICA |
| Lifespan | We found no data for the breed; pet cats live about 13 years on average |
| Weight | Females 4–5 kg, males up to 7.5 kg |
| Size | Medium to large |
| Body type | Large and muscular, with relatively short legs |
| Coat type | Short, double, dense, water-resistant |
| Common colours | Blue (silvery grey) only |
| Eye colour | Orange or copper |
| Activity level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Quiet, intelligent, playful, loyal |
| Good with children | Good with children |
| Good with other pets | Good with other animals |
| Genetic predispositions | Generally very healthy; blood type B is common (a risk for kittens) |
- Primary category:Cat breeds
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History and origin
The Chartreux is first mentioned in 1558, by the poet Joachim du Bellay, in a poem about the death of a small cat. In 1747 it appears in a painting by Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, as a pet. The first documented description is by the naturalist Buffon, in the eighteenth century.
A legend says the cats were bred by Carthusian monks at the Grande Chartreuse monastery, near Grenoble. But in 1972 the prior of the monastery said the archives make no mention of such cats.
The breed was almost wiped out in the First World War. The Léger sisters continued breeding on the island of Belle-Île-en-Mer, and European breeders saved it. The first Chartreux cats reached the USA in 1971.
How the breed developed
- 1558 – mentioned by the poet Joachim du Bellay.
- 1747 – painted by Jean-Baptiste Perronneau.
- The eighteenth century – described by the naturalist Buffon.
- 1949 – recognised by FIFe.
- 1971 – the first cats reach the USA.
- 1987 – championship status at CFA.
At a glance: who is it right for?
- People who want a quiet cat. It rarely meows; some are completely silent.
- Families with children and other pets. It is gentle and non-aggressive.
- People who want a “dog-like” cat. It follows its owner and learns to fetch toys.
- People who travel. Wikipedia says it copes well with journeys.
Physical characteristics
It is a large, muscular (cobby) cat, with relatively short legs and fine bones, and very quick reflexes. French Wikipedia says the male can reach 7.5 kg, while the female weighs 4–5 kg. It reaches adulthood in about two years.
General appearance
The jaw is powerful and the cheeks full, especially in males over two years old. The muzzle narrows, which gives it the look of a “smile”. The eyes are orange or copper.
| Feature | Chartreux |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to large |
| Weight | 4–7.5 kg |
| Body | Muscular, cobby |
| Legs | Relatively short, fine-boned |
| Eyes | Orange or copper |
| Coat | Short, double, water-resistant |
| Colour | Blue |
It is a single-colour breed: blue, meaning silvery grey. The double coat is slightly woolly to the touch and “breaks” like a sheepskin when the cat moves. French Wikipedia says sunlight can give the coat brownish highlights.
Related breeds and how to tell them apart
The British Shorthair (British Blue) looks very similar, but is not genetically related; the British has a rounder head. The Russian Blue and the Korat are also blue cats, but slimmer and with green eyes.
Behaviour and temperament
Wikipedia says it is quiet: it rarely meows, and some cats are completely silent. It is observant and intelligent; some learn to press the radio button or open the latch of a screen door. It stays playful as an adult, and some learn to fetch small objects, like a dog.
It becomes attached mainly to one person in the household, whom it follows from room to room, but stays affectionate with the whole family. In France it is called the “dog-cat”.
Socialisation
It is good with children and other animals, non-aggressive and affectionate.
A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.
Habits at home
Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.
Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.
Life at home and activity
It is moderately active and stays playful into adulthood. It loves throw-and-fetch games.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Playing fetch | daily | Many Chartreux learn to bring back a toy |
| Play with toys (wand toys, balls) | daily | Play imitates hunting and uses up its energy |
| Scratching post or board | always available | It looks after its claws without damaging the furniture |
| High places (cat tree, shelves) | always available | It has somewhere to watch from and to rest |
Tips for a balanced life
- Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
- Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
- If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.
Care and health
Coat care
The thick coat is brushed carefully once a week. It sheds a lot, especially in spring, when it loses its winter coat. French Wikipedia recommends a double metal comb and a soft brush.
Common health problems
Wikipedia describes it as a generally very healthy breed. In this breed blood type B is common, which matters for breeding.
Recommended genetic tests
A blood type test of the parents is important in this breed (see “Reproduction and development”).
Is it hypoallergenic?
Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.
Other care
- A check-up at the vet once a year.
- Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
- Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
- Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.
Diet and nutrition
The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.
| Cat's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 240 kcal | 280 kcal | 60–80 g |
| 5 kg | 280 kcal | 330 kcal | 70–94 g |
| 6 kg | 320 kcal | 380 kcal | 80–109 g |
| 7.5 kg | 380 kcal | 440 kcal | 95–126 g |
- Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
- Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
- Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.
Dangerous foods and substances
Some common household items are dangerous for cats:
- Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
- Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
- Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
- Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.
Reproduction and development
Maturity
Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.
Blood type
Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.
German Wikipedia says that blood type B is common in the Chartreux. If a type B female is mated with a type A or AB male, the kittens are in danger.
Caring for the kittens
Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.
Neutering
Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.
How to choose a kitten
- Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, a FIFe member).
- The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
- Ask for the blood type of both parents.
- Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
- Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.
Interesting facts
- Names by the year. In France, the official name of a pedigree cat begins with the letter of its birth year: a Chartreux born in 2021 has a name beginning with “S”.
- A jazz festival mascot. The mascot of the Montreal International Jazz Festival is a blue Chartreux called “Ste Cat”.
- The monks' legend. It is said that the monks of the Grande Chartreuse bred it, but the monastery's archives do not mention it.
- A coat that repels water. The double coat is water-resistant.
In popular culture
The cats of famous people
The writer Colette, the poet Charles Baudelaire and French president Charles de Gaulle all had Chartreux cats; his cat, Gris-Gris, followed him from room to room. Colette made a Chartreux the heroine of her book “La Chatte”.
In poetry and painting
Joachim du Bellay wrote about a cat of this type in 1558, and Jean-Baptiste Perronneau painted one in 1747.
Frequently asked questions
Does it meow a lot?
No. It is one of the quietest breeds; some cats hardly meow at all.
How is it different from the British Blue?
They are similar in colour, but not related. The Chartreux has a narrower muzzle and its characteristic “smile”, while the British has a rounder head.
How much does it weigh?
Females 4–5 kg, males up to 7.5 kg.
Why does blood type matter?
Because blood type B is common in the breed, and the wrong mating can put the kittens in danger.
Is it good with children?
Yes, it is gentle and non-aggressive, good with children and other animals.
