Understanding your Chartreux’s behavior

What defines them

The French blue cat with the discreet smile, the Chartreux is calm, observant and loyal, often attached to one person he follows silently. He rarely meows, prefers purring and eye contact. He likes routine more than spectacle and hates being picked up against his will. An efficient hunter, he keeps a core of independence that makes him appreciated by people who work. His rare voice makes every meow meaningful.

What matters when you read them

• He watches you from afar, settled on his furniture: presence in his way. He does not need to be on you.
• A Chartreux suddenly very vocal: the clearest change in the breed. Look for the cause, often physical or a change at home.
• He stiffens when lifted: character, not fear. Put him down and let him come.
• He constantly demands contact when he used to be reserved: note it, that is not him.

Three things that help

Do not force him. He comes if he wants. A cuddly Chartreux is one who decides. Sit down, he arrives.

The same hours. Bowl, play, nap: a rhythm. He finds comfort in the familiar.

Calm but real play. He is a hunter: a prey on the floor, slow, that he can catch. No acrobatics, but not nothing.

Young, adult, senior

As a kitten he is more playful and chattier than as an adult: use that window to get him used to handling. As an adult, watch weight, he is greedy and undemonstrative, and the knees (patellar luxation known in the breed). As a senior, teeth and kidneys. An older Chartreux who meows at night must be seen: hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure are common.