Red Point Siamese vs Chartreux - Breed Comparison

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 Siamese cat remains one of the most famous among the cat breeds. The Red Point is also known as the Flame Point Siamese cat. This breed of Siamese is rare.

It is believed that when the seal point Siamese breed was first introduced to the U.K in the 1930s they were bred with cats that carried these orange genes such as the tabby or tortoiseshell British shorthair cats.

Breeders wanted to produce a Siamese-style pointed cat in colors other than the traditional shades,

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.

These cats are medium-sized, muscular cats and can weigh between 3 and 6kg. The neck is fairly long, the legs long and lean too.

These attractive cats have got reddish-gold points and with their sparkling blue almond-shaped eyes they really are a beautiful breed of cat. Like other Siamese kittens, the Redpoint kittens are also white when they are born. Variations of the Red Point Siamese cat should always have creamy-white bodies with the reddish-orange points.

The coat is short, thick, and silky. The points start emerging later on and deepen as the cat matures. You may see reddish freckling over the face, legs and paws as well as the tail.

Temperament:

The Redpoint Siamese is playful, social, friendly and intelligent. They love nothing more than to be around their human family but don’t warm too well to strangers.

They tend to become possessive over what they feel is theirs. They are also very vocal and have a different meow to express their feelings. These are definitely cats that don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They want to be occupied and entertained and will need lots of stimulating toys to keep them occupied and exercised.

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.

If you’re looking for an exceptionally affectionate cat, then the Red Point Siamese is full of personality and will suit you very well as these cats are remarkably affectionate.

They always take an interest in what their humans are getting up to. They’re capable of forming strong bonds with their human family. They are also curious and intelligent and they can be taught a few tricks too.

They’re good-natured with their own human family but are not friendly with strangers.

They’re also energetic and agile and love to leap up onto a perch or your shoulders and survey his world from there.

If you want a cat that is an involved member of your family and an awesome companion, the Red Point Siamese will fit into this category superbly well.

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 Red Point Siamese isn’t going to have any more cat diseases than any other cat. Any cat stands a better chance at good health when they have an exceptionally healthy diet.

Make sure your cat has all his vaccines against deadly cat diseases

Have your cats neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cats.

Watch out for diseases such as Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a genetic eye problem where the cells deteriorate. The disease, though not painful, can lead to blindness.

Obesity in cats, but particularly a slim, athletic cat such as the Red Point Siamese, can bring on a host of health issues. Overfeeding your cat isn’t a form of love but an irresponsible act. There are just too many dangers linked to being overweight to ignore. Excess weight can lead to joint problems as well as diabetes, and just getting rid of a little bit of weight can already result in increased overall good health.

Cat experts tell us that excess weight can shorten your pet’s life by 2 years. Get some tips on feeding your cat and keep him playfully active as well.

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.

With good care these cats cat reach 15 – 20 years of age.

The Red Point Siamese cat does shed but because it’s a low shedding cat, it becomes low maintenance. They usually shed in spring and again in the autumn. The short, easy-to-care-for coat can be brushed once a week.

Cats are strict carnivores, and just as a wild cat feeds on animal protein, so it is with a domesticated cat. They require a host of nutrients and only the best, high-quality foods contain these nutrients.

You get dry, semi-moist, and canned cat foods and the best commercial cat food manufacturers ensure that these foods have all the right balances of nutrients a cat needs.