Javanese vs Chartreux - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Hailing from France, the Chartreux cat is a rare cat breed but is still recognized by a number of cat registries around the world.

It’s not a new breed of cat, and in fact, the Chartreux is mentioned for the first time in 1558 in a poem and later on in paintings. There are quite a few legends as to the origins of the Chartreux and while some believe that the cats were brought to France by monks others believe that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from Syria.

European breeders kept the breed from extinction, especially after the 2nd world war, and the first Chartreux were brought to the United States in 1971. In 1987 the Cat Fancier’s Asociation advanced the Chartreux breed to championship status.

The Javanese is also known as the Colourpoint Longhair in some cat registries, but it's a purebred domestic cat that was developed in North America.

It was Helen Smith that coined the name Javanese cat in 1950 with the name being derived from the tradition where cats of the Orient have the names of the countries and islands of south-east Asia.

The name Javanese was chosen by choosing Java, an island near Bali.

The Chartreux is a large, strong, stocky, muscular cat that can weigh anything between 4 to 7kg while some can weigh as much as 9kg.

He has short legs when compared to the large body. He is known for his blue-like, silver-gray coat. In fact, the color can be any shade in the region of blue-grey. The coat is short, dense and double-coated and he has gold or copper-colored eyes.

People who have owned these cats say that they can take 3 to 4 years to reach maturity. Some people get mixed up and think this cat is very similar to the British Blue but they are two different breeds altogether.

Temperament:

The Chartreux is a real lap-cat just loving being able to settle down into his human owner's lap. It’s a cat with a 'smiling’ face because of the structure of his muzzle.

He is a very affectionate cat and will follow his people much like a dog. He is very intelligent and quiet and adapts well to a new situation. It's a cat that loves to climb so you will need to invest in a climbing tree for him as well as a scratching pole.

He is a good cat for first-time cat owners as well as being a good friend in homes with well brought up children. He is able to be friendly with other pets in the house.

The Javanese is a medium-sized, slender, muscular cat that weighs between 3 and 6kg. It has a short or long, silky coat that comes in a number of colors. The short-haired variety has a single coat, in contrast to the double coat found in the long-haired breeds.

The tail is fairly plumed. The Javanese also has point coloration which means that the body is paler than the darker face. The coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from dark brown to cream to tortoisehell and others. The ears are large and the almond-shaped eyes are always blue.

Temperament:

Siamese and the Javanese differ a little in coat length and color but otherwise they are much the same in temperament. They love their human families and will follow them around like a dog.

When you sit down they like to curl up in your lap and simply be around you. They may not be as vocal as the Siamese but he is still prepared to have a jolly good conversation with you.

They’re clever cats too and like stimulating games and toys. He loves to climb, so a climbing tree will be excellent for him. He also likes being busy, so if you leave him alone for a length of time, ensure that he has activities to keep him happily amused.

If you have a Javanese be sure to include him in your activities just like you would a child of yours.

Although this is a large, strong cat, he is actually a gentle feline in nature and he doesn’t like being part of any bickering among his human family, preferring to run away. He also doesn’t like being spoken harshly to when he has done something wrong.

This cat isn’t an extrovert by any means but he isn’t particularly shy either and enjoys spending time with his human family.

He isn’t a demanding cat but is easy-going, just wanting to get on in life and he promises to make you a steady, loyal companion.

Your medium-sized Javanese cat is active and talkative. These are cats that love leaping up onto high perches and into trees and it is therefore imperative that you invest in climbing equipment for him.

These slender Oriental cats need an excellent diet to maintain the fine-boned, muscular physique. You don’t want your Javanese becoming overweight as this spells bad health and sluggishness.

The Javanese is such a lively cat if his weight is maintained and he loves being around his human family, purring away while he is lovingly made a fuss of.

These cats are particularly prone to dental problems. The reason for this is that their incisors are closely set together and small.

Because of the heaviness of this cat, the Chartreux is also prone to a disease known as patellar luxation or kneecap displacement. This problem can eventually lead to lameness. One way to avoid this particular problem is to rather get your kittens from reputable breeders.

These cats are much inclined towards weightiness so you have to be watching his diet carefully, more so because the cat is prone to patellar luxation.

The same health issues that you’re likely to pick up with the Siamese may well be found in the Javanese too.

Some of the health issues to look out for include among others, asthma or bronchial disease, heart defects, lymphoma as well as gastrointestinal conditions.

For the health of your Javanese cat, make sure the vaccinations are up to date.

Your Chartreux cat’s dense, double coat will require brushing once or twice a week, especially in the cat’s seasonal shedding period.

This cat doesn't take well to changes in his diet, particularly when he finds a type of food that he likes, then he wants to stick to that. You want to feed your cat a top-quality food to encourage good health but you want to avoid overfeeding as obesity in cats comes with lots of problems. A cat is a carnivore and you therefore need to feed your cat a diet rich in protein. Speak to your vet or another cat expert who can advise you on feeding your cat if you are in any kind of doubt. Make sure your kitty kat has a never-ending supply of fresh, cool water.

Always make a point of checking inside your cat's ears as well as inside his mouth for bad teeth. Bad teeth can cause terrible pain and your pet has no way of communicating this to you.

Have your cat neutered or spayed if you don't want your cat to have kittens.

Diet:

Cats are carnivores and have special dietary needs. They have unique nutritional needs, something like lions and cheetahs.

Their protein needs are very high, especially when they are kittens or nursing mothers. They need animal protein in their diets. Some of the unique nutritional needs of cats require them to have this protein as well as very important amino acids such as arginine and taurine.

Just because your cat needs such a high intake of protein, it doesn’t mean he won’t need other nutrients. Cats need balanced nutrition that is right for them. The best commercially manufactured cat food with fats, carbs, minerals, and vitamins will ensure a healthy cat. Speak to your vet if you’re not sure.

Not all cat foods are the same and choosing the right cat food will ensure your cat gets a sufficient dose of protein powder. So important is a cat’s diet for good health, that it will be important to speak to your vet about the food requirements of cats.

Grooming:

With grooming, the fine silky coat can be cared for easily by giving it a brush each week. You want to remove loose hairs from shedding. You can also take a damp cloth and wipe your Javanese down.

The nails will also need to be trimmed. When you brush your cat, check up on other things too.

Make sure the eyes are nice and clear, the fur soft and vibrant, make sure there are no new and unusual lumps.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth that could be causing all kinds of health issues and check inside his ears too. For all these grooming issues, a pet grooming parlor can do it all for you.

General:

Provide your Javanese with a litter box and keep the box scrupulously clean.