Personality and Temperament
In spite of its wild sounding name and exotic looks that lend the appearance of a toy tiger, the Toyger cat is 100% domestic. These kitties love their families, easily bonding with people of all ages. Not only do they love humans, they easily form friendships with other animals.
While Toyger cats are friendly and outgoing, they don't mind being left on their own so long as their humans are gone for only a short while. If you're someone who spends more time away than you are able to spend at home, this might not be the right breed for you. Of course if you're open to having two cats, they'll keep each other entertained and welcome you each time you return.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
The Toyger cat has no special nutritional needs. At the same time, a quality diet is extremely important for good health and longevity. If you're not feeding fresh food, we recommend choosing a brand that names real meat or fish as the number one ingredient.
The Toyger cat does have a very short coat, however the fur's texture is thick and plush. These kitties benefit from regular brushing – at least once or twice per week. While Toyger cats are perfectly capable of grooming themselves, brushing helps cut back on shedding and reduces the risk of hairballs.
As Toygers are extremely active, you may also wish to keep their toenails trimmed. In addition, you can help your cat live a healthier life by brushing their teeth at least a few times per week. All of these grooming routines will be easier if you teach your cat to accept them beginning at a young age.
Toygers tend to be highly active. Besides climbing cat towers, jumping from one piece of furniture to the next, and running through the house at lightning speed, these kitties enjoy playing with toys, particularly when their people are involved.
When choosing toys for your Toyger, look for options that are likely to stimulate their mind as well as their body. After all, these incredible felines are highly intelligent, with a fondness for puzzles and interactive toys.
The Toyger cat is highly trainable, so consider teaching some tricks and offering leash training, which will give you one more way to provide your cat with some exercise while allowing them to enjoy the great outdoors in safety.
Toyger cats have a reputation for good health, however they have inherited some known issues from their Bengal ancestors. Some individuals are at an elevated risk for developing cataracts, and others may develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or heart murmurs.
History
Toyger cats are the results of breeding Bengal cats with domestic shorthair breeds with tabby markings. Developed by breeder Judy Sugden of California’s EEYAA cattery in the late 1980s, the Toyger cat is meant to display tigerlike features including a deep orange to red-brown coat with prominent stripes throughout and a wild looking face to match.
The breed got its start when Sugden noticed that her cat Millwood Sharp Shooter had circular facial markings similar to a tiger's. With the help of a domestic shorthair tabby cat named Scrapmetal and a Bengal cat named Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, the Toyger breeding program was off to a good start.
In 1993, another founding member was added to the lineup. This time it was a street cat from Kashmir, India. The cat, named Jammu Blu, had spotted markings between his ears instead of tabby stripes. Approximately 40 other cats, many of them on pedigreed domestic shorthairs with striped coats, were selected for use as foundation stock.
1993 was a banner year for the Toyger cat, as two more breeders, Alice McKee and Anthony Hutcherson joined such then in working toward official recognition. That same year, The International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the Toyger cat breed for registration only. In 2007, TICA granted the Toyger championship status. Even so, it remains one of the world's rarest cat breeds.
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
The Breed Standard
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
FAQ
How much does a Toyger cat cost?
Toyger cats cost between $1200 - $3000.
How big do Toyger cats get?
Toyger cats tend to be medium in size. A fully grown Toyger cat might weigh between 7-15 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 8"- 10" inches tall.
How long do Toyger cats live?
The Average lifespan for Toyger is 12-15 years.
Do Toyger cats shed?
Toyger are short-haired cats. Therefore, they do not shed as much as long-haired cat breeds.
We are interested in orange, not the reddish.
Can male and female toygers be bred to yield the same breed?
Barbara, yes, a male and female Toyger can be bred and their offspring will be Toyger kittens.
ARE TOYGER CATS HYPOALLERGENIC ?
No, Thomas. Toyger cats aren’t hypoallergenic—no breed is, and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find any information on how allergenic they are compared to other breeds.