Last Updated on November 9, 2021 by Pets Feed
Toyger is one of the newest cat breeds. It is captivating with its wild brindle appearance, being a fully domesticated cat. Unlike the Ocicat, which has a coloration that has evolved naturally and has remained the same over the centuries, the Toyger is a designer breed, much like the Bengal cats, Savannahs and the (now almost extinct) California cat.
In fact, Toyger was first called the “California Toyger”. Toyger’s name is a combination of the words “toy” and “tiger”. Comparing cats to tigers is not a new concept. For many years, Tabby Cats, especially tabby red tabby cats with a striped pattern, have been called brindle tabby, and one of the most popular names for red tabby cats is Tiger. Toyger developers hope that, finally, the resemblance to large tigers will be even closer. They are recognized by the International Cat Association, but not by the Cat Fanciers Association.
Breed overview
- Life expectancy: 10-15 years
- Weight: 4 to 9 kg
- Height at the withers: about 30-40 cm
- Coat: short, plush and soft
- Coat color: the striped pattern may have dark markings on a bright orange background above and a white side below.
- Eye color: usually dark brown to hazel
- Benevolence: high
- Child friendliness: average
- Exercise needs: high
- Playfulness: high
- Energy level: high
- Intelligence: high
- Tendency to molt: high
Toyger cat photos
Breed Description
Toyger breed is a miniature domestic tiger. They cannot be called small cats, as males can reach 6kg or more in weight. The body is muscular, correctly folded, the color features are the maximum contrast of tabby stripes and the background, regardless of shade, and circular stripes on the muzzle. The paw pads should be black.
They are very kind and calm, while they are quite active and smart. Toyger cats often choose a high point in a room, be it a closet or a door, to observe what is happening. Many representatives of this breed love water, which is quite rare among cats.
Character
Friendly and playful Toyger is popular with people and other pets. He enjoys swimming, playing with feathers or toys with a fishing rod, and just spending time with family members. He’s active enough to learn tricks, but not energetic enough to tire you out. It has a light nature that makes it suitable for most households or families.
Like most cats, Toyger is very intelligent. Challenge yourself and keep him interested in life by teaching him tricks and providing him with puzzle toys that will reward him with treats as he learns to manipulate them.
Also, they DO NOT like to be on their knees, but if you want to take them out on a leash for a walk, they will love it.
His personality makes him very suitable for large families, especially those where there is always someone at home. These cats generally dislike being alone at home, being a breed that forms strong bonds with family members and other pets.
Toygers love to spend a lot of time outdoors, especially if the activity is in the water.
Thanks to their intelligence, they are able to learn very quickly, it is convenient to keep them busy with toys that stimulate their mental faculties. Thus, they will remain constantly active.
One thing worth noting is that it’s okay to see toygers climbing the upper parts of the house, spending hours watching what is happening below.
Basic care
- Comb the Toyger’s coat. It should be relatively short. For a better-looking coat, brush it once a week. This will keep his fur shiny and help reduce shedding. This is also a good time to look for any abnormalities such as tangles, scuffs, abrasions, bruises, or other injuries.
- Trim the claws. During brushing sessions, you can trim your nails. Toyger may not like this, but it will make his life easier. To trim them, place the cat in the desired position on your lap and use the cat clippers to trim the claws. Remember to avoid the pink area of the nails as this is where the capillaries and nerves are located.
- Clean your ears. During weekly grooming sessions, you should check your Toyger’s ears. You don’t need to clean your ears every week just when they are dirty. Check your ears for color, dirt, or odors. If you notice any abnormalities, you should clean them up. To do this, moisten a cotton ball with ear cleaner and dry it gently. You can purchase an ear cleaner at a pet store or ask your veterinarian for advice.
- Brush your teeth. Brush your cat’s teeth daily. It takes a little patience at first, but it will be easy when your Toyger gets used to it. Start by purchasing a cat toothbrush and toothpaste. Place some of the toothpaste on your finger and let the cat get used to the scent. Next, rub your teeth yourself. Then use the brush the next day. Never use human toothpaste on a cat.
- Buy a rag for your cat. Your Toyger’s predatory nature and instincts will cause him to want to scratch things in your home. To avoid scratching things you don’t want to damage, buy him a rag. You can also purchase a cat tower or similar, which will give Toyger a place to scratch and explore high surfaces. The rags will also help remove the dead areas of his claws to help them grow healthy. If your Toyger scratches things he shouldn’t, don’t yell at him or punish him. Try a different kind of cloth that might better suit his needs.
- Buy the right toys. Your Toyger is very smart and energetic, so he needs toys that are interesting. They don’t have to be expensive or complicated, they just have to hold attention. Cheap, homemade toys include a crumpled sheet of paper. You can also purchase toy mice, toys with feathers, or a laser pointer. Set aside time daily to play with your Toyger. The more energy you help burn, the happier your Toyger will be.
- Find a connection with a cat. During the first weeks, you should contact him. Take care of him, love him, play with him. Encourage hands-on time, which can help you connect with him and help Toyger get used to human contact. He may have a temperament that is lonelier and will make him avoid time on his hands. If so, talk to the cat when you play and when you feed him. Encourage him to come to you and give Toyger the attention he seeks. This may take some time. When you find out what your Toyger likes and dislikes, continue to communicate with him.
- Teach him tricks. Because your Toyger is smart and energetic, it is an ideal candidate for trick training. Start by grabbing the cat’s attention with a treat, and then try walking up to him to do a certain trick, such as sitting or somersaulting. Keep using the treat as a reward as you teach it tricks. With some patience, you can teach your Toyger to do many different tricks that will help keep him healthy and active.
Toyger nutritional features
Feed your cat the right foods. To keep your Toyger healthy, you need to feed it the right types of foods. Since your cat is a carnivore, its body needs amino acids from the proteins found in meat in order to be healthy. She may develop eye problems or develop serious illnesses if she is not fed sufficiently healthy, quality meat-based foods.
To make sure Toyger is getting enough of these proteins, he should have cat food that contains real meat. It can be difficult to know which food is good quality, but look for cat food with meat rather than organ meats listed as the first or second ingredient.
Avoid excessive clumping. Another way to keep your Toyger healthy is to keep it at a healthy weight. Your cat will be offered a certain amount of food, depending on its size. Avoid feeding your cat a daily amount of food at a time. Your Toyger will be hungry all day, so divide your food into two or three small meals to keep him from starving. By sharing food throughout the day, it will make your Toyger feel complete and satisfied.
Health
All purebred cats have certain health problems, just like all humans have the potential to inherit a certain disease. Any breeder who claims his breed has no health or genetic problems is lying or not aware of the breed. Toyger is generally healthy, but heart murmurs occur in the breed, possibly indicative of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Toygers are still very rare, so history cannot draw fundamental conclusions about their common ailments. Be sure to get the usual regular reviews, preventive care, and vaccinations for your Toyger.
Toyger cat breed highlights
Pros:
- As a relatively new breed, it has no known underlying breed diseases.
- The cat will get along with other cats or dogs and older children.
- They are active, energetic and well trained.
- Toygers look wild and exotic, but at the same time have a gentle character of a domestic cat.
Minuses:
- They are difficult to find from breeders and are expensive.
- Although there are no serious health conditions associated with this breed, it can be prone to heart murmurs.
Thus, we can conclude that Toygers are light cats that get along with almost everyone. They do well with dogs and children and they love to play. They are very intelligent cats, so they need a lot of intellectual stimulation to avoid boredom and possible actions. When you’re at home, set aside time to play with your Toyger every day; he will definitely appreciate it. Toygers have an almost “doggy” character, they want to be with you – especially in their arms!
History
The Toyger cat is a relatively new artificially bred breed that received full registration only in 2007.
The story of its origin boils down to the fact that the American breeder Judy Sugden wanted to improve the features of the color, and as a result, a completely new breed of cats turned out, which differs not only in the color of the coat, but also in certain qualities. In other words, she created a breed of cats not only similar in color to the tiger, but also with the character of this wild animal. The cat is also called “miniature tiger”.
By the way, the mother of Judy’s breeder, Jean Mill, was also a famous breeder, she created the famous breed of Bengal cats.
For crossing was used a tabby domestic cat of Judy herself, as well as a Bengal cat. It is their genes that are the basis of the breed, although a little later a simple street cat was added to the crossing. What happened later surpassed all expectations – a bright, contrasting striped color, circular stripes on the face, a squat body, and, to top it off, a kind character. The name of the breed comes from a combination of two English words toy – toy, and tiger – tiger.
