York Chocolate Cat: York Chocolate Personality, Health and Care

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Seb is a professional SEO writer with a degree in Journalism, he has five years of experience in writing and editing. Seb specializes in topics like dog and cat breeds, aquarium guides, and pet care. He is passionate about educating and entertaining animal owners worldwide. In his spare time, Seb enjoys writing fiction novels.

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Updated on: 06/08/2023

The York Chocolate is a great breed to have around the family home, thanks to their loving, friendly and playful nature. They are best suited to a family dynamic where they will be given lots of attention and playtime, returning that love and then some. It certainly comes as no surprise that you are researching the York Chocolate cat as the next possible addition to your family. Fortunately for you, we have compiled an all-you-need-to-know guide right here.

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the York Chocolate cat:

Height	8-10 inches.
Weight	10-16 pounds
Lifespan	13-15 years
Colour	Brown, chocolate, lavender
Group	Medium-sized short-haired
Temperament	Sociable, loving, affectionate
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Very good with people.
People skills	Sociable and loves to play.
Children	Great within the family dynamic.

Breed History

The York Chocolate is a new breed on the scene, returning to the 1980s. It is said that a black and white farm cat mated with a black male cat, with one of the kittens in the resulting litter having brown fur. Once that cat had a litter of her years later, and the brown fur gene was passed down an extra generation, the York Chocolate breed was born.

Interesting Facts

The York Chocolate cats are very good hunters, so they have always been perfect for rodent problems.
They get their name from New York, where they were first bred.
The International York Chocolate Federation in Italy has been active since 2004
These cats love to talk, so be prepared for meowing, purring, and chirping.
York Chocolate cats are known for their beautiful almond-shaped eyes that come in a range of colors, often contrasting their fur
The Yorkshire Chocolate cat is one of the larger family cats out there

Temperament and Personality

The Yorkshire Chocolate cat is a pleasure to be around. Not only are they friendly and playful with their family, but they are also very mild-mannered. While they are social with people they know and love, they are also known to be shy when new humans come around. They generally do not cope well with being left alone all day, so they are better suited to families who are able to give them constant attention. They are also known to get along with cats, dogs, and other animals.

Having descended from farm cats, they are very lively, energetic, intelligent, and curious. While the Yorkshire Chocolate cat loves nothing more than curling up on your lap for a nap, they are equally at home playing with toys and getting some exercise. As they have high intelligence, investing in some interactive toys that stimulate the brain can keep them entertained for longer. The Yorkshire Chocolate cat is often compared to a dog because it often follows its owners around the home.

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Affectionate with family	5
Shedding	4 (moderate shedding)
Health	4
Playfulness	4
Vocal	5
Kid-friendly	5
Stranger-friendly	3 (friendly but shy)
Easy to groom	3
Pet-friendly	5
Intelligence	5

Feeding and Diet

You will be happy to hear that York Chocolate cats do not have any special nutritional needs. However, they do best on a high-quality diet. Fresh food would be ideal for a York Chocolate, but if you are unable to provide this then a brand with good protein and limited carbohydrates would serve your cat well. The main ingredient of this food should be meat or fish, the real kind, rather than filler or replacements. It is also always a good idea to purchase food that is aimed toward your cat’s age range to ensure they are getting all the stuff they need in order to remain healthy. You should also cater the portion size to the size of your York Chocolate cat and their energy levels – to avoid them becoming overweight or malnourished.

Grooming and Shedding

The York Chocolate is a big cat with long hair, so it tends to need some grooming. As with most felines in general, the longer the hair, the more risk of matting. We recommend taking a brush to the fur two or three times every week to ensure your cat remains knot-free. Brushing should also get all the dead hair out, leaving less to drop all over your furniture and floor. While you’re there, you should also take the chance to brush their teeth and trim their nails to keep their health at an optimum.

Known Health Problems

As the York Chocolate cat is a relatively new breed, there are not too many breed-specific health traits currently known to us. As such, it is best to follow the general rules for maintaining and observing cat health…

Regular vet check-ups are a necessity with any animal no matter their track record of health. One thing to look out for, which is standard with many cats, is signs of dirt building up in the ears, which can lead to a possible infection. You could also look to converse with your vet about a tooth brushing plan for your York Chocolate. Our general advice would be to always be on the lookout for changes in their behavior or any signs of pain/distress.

In terms of care, purchasing a scratching post is always a good idea for your York Chocolate in order to keep them healthy and their nails shorter. York Chocolate cats have lots and lots of energy and high intelligence, so make sure they are getting plenty of exercises and stimulating their kitty brains.

Training

Unfortunately, training your York Chocolate cat is impossible. While they are intelligent and capable of understanding things, they are also very independent cats and are unlikely to do anything they don’t want to. You’re welcome to try some training techniques, but results will likely vary. With the York Chocolate, it can be best to just let them be them.

Exercise

As we explained above, the York Chocolate has an abundance of energy since they descended from farm cats. They also have rather large builds for family pets, and their big muscles are always happy to get some exercise. Give them plenty of playtime, purchase interactive toys that test their brain, and let them run around as much as they want until they get tired. Climbing trees and scratching posts are great investments as the York Chocolate loves to climb and play vertically.

Adoption –

As we explained above, the York Chocolate is a very new breed. As such, they are not the most common to find, especially not at rescue or adoption centers. The easiest place to find one of these cats is through a local breeder. Of course, we always recommend giving a home to a cat who needs one rather than purchasing a bred kitten, but if you have your heart set on a York Chocolate, that may prove tricky.

If you want to try and find a York Chocolate adoption, these are good places to start:

Breeders

This is your best chance of finding a York Chocolate local to you. Simple research into your local area should reveal some breeding options. Always select a breeder who has good reviews to ensure that you are actually getting a healthy York Chocolate kitten rather than something else.

Conclusion

And there we have it, everything you need to know about the York Chocolate cat breed. They truly are a joy to have around the family home and will be a welcome addition to your group. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact or post a message in the comments section below. We wish you all the luck with your new pet.