Toyger Cat Breed – All Information, Facts, Care and Price
Toyger cats are medium-sized, short-haired cats that are tiger-spotted and of exceptional rarity. In the 1980s, a new breed of cat was developed in the United States known as the toyger, and it remains one of the newest and most unique cat breeds available today. A great deal of the toyger’s appeal comes from the fact that it has an appearance similar to that of a wild tiger while being a domesticated cat. As opposed to the ocicat, which is a natural breed with a variety of markings on its coat, the toyger is a designer breed, much like the Bengal, Savannah, or the almost extinct California spangle, and has a striking appearance. Toygers, which is an amalgamation of “toy” and “tiger,” are playful, intelligent cats that are an optimal choice for big-cat lovers who don’t wish to have unethical ownership of wild animals. There is no doubt that the toyger breeders are hopeful over the years that the cats’ resemblance to tigers will only increase as time goes by. The International Cat Association recognizes the cat, but not the Cat Fanciers Association, and thus it is not a member of the latter organization.
In the comfort of your own home, you can experience the feeling of being a tiger king with the toyger, with its bold stripes and rolling gait.
In addition to its sleek, muscular appearance, this cat is medium in size with a long, thick tail and a good amount of bone. They should move like big cats, but they should not be too heavy or coarse so that they look like a big cat. Generally, the coat should be dense and extremely soft, while the markings should be bold, e.g., a modified mackerel tabby pattern with thick black stripes that branch out on both sides and interweave.
As far as the name is concerned, it’s not a name that leaves a lot of questions unanswered. There is no doubt that this cat resembles a miniature tiger even without having seen one because it is immediately obvious to you as soon as you look at it that it resembles one. Basically, it’s a toy tiger that you can play with.
Toygers were developed in the 1980s as a breed of cat that was bred specifically to appear like its jungle cat namesake not only in terms of striped markings, but also in terms of other physical traits. As a result of these genetic changes, there has been a noticeable change in the cat’s body shape and her athletic gait, which looks more like something you would find in an Indian jungle than in your living room. The kitties were also bred to be friendly and social, which is why they love to be around humans and other furry friends, and they are also very fond of other kitties as well.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed Name | Toyger |
| Origin | United States |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight Range | 7-15 pounds (3-7 kg) |
| Coat Type | Short, soft, and dense |
| Coat Color | Orange with black stripes resembling a tiger |
| Eye Color | Green or gold |
| Temperament | Friendly, outgoing, and intelligent |
| Activity Level | Moderate to high |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Health Issues | No known breed-specific health issues |
| Grooming Needs | Minimal grooming required; occasional brushing |
| Special Characteristics | Designed to resemble a miniature tiger; bred for their unique coat pattern |
The need-to-know
It has the benefit of being owned by a person with experience
Is in need of high-level enrichment, including interactive games that simulate hunting and simulated hunting scenarios
Inquisitive and active cat with a lot of energy
Sociable and dependent cat
Slightly talkative cat
Average build cat breed
Is required to be groomed once a week by a professional
A bit of both indoor and outdoor space
Great family cat
Can be regularly left for a few hours
This is a great option for a home that has a relaxed atmosphere
Other Quick Facts
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There is no other domestic cat with such a characteristically broken vertical stripe pattern as the Toyger, which is unique in the domestic cat world.
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Toygers can be identified by their dark markings on vibrant orange backgrounds, white on their belly and a scattering of gold “glitter” over their bodies, all on a vivid orange background. A circular pattern can be seen on the facial markings.
Personality
It has been found that the Toyger breed has a balanced mixture of traits from both breeds, with traits of the playful, hyper-intelligent, and affectionate Bengal crossbred with those of the curious, docile domestic cat.
A better description of the Toyger’s temperament might be to say it’s a combination of Bengal’s unique personality with domestic cats’ friendly, carefree nature.
Despite being related only to Bengal cats in their lineage, Toygers still inherit the wild cat’s love for water. Toyger cats are just like Bengal cats in that they love to play in the water, so don’t be surprised if you observe this exotic cat lurking around the sink or fishing for imaginary prey in its bowl of water the same way Bengal cats do.
In addition to being intelligent and curious, Toyger cats have an affinity for interacting with humans and can easily learn tricks as well. There is no problem walking them on a leash, playing fetch, and generally, they respond well to positive reinforcement training. You can expect your tiny tiger to prowl around your apartment while it is very energetic and playful, searching for hidden nooks and crannies in the corners of your apartment as well as on top of the cupboards!
In addition to their sharp minds, Bengal cats are also known to have an active temperament. It is important to note that, apart from their looks, the most important difference between Bengals and Toygers is the level of friendliness that they possess. The Bengal cat is known for its love and affection for people, but the Toyger cat takes this to a whole new level. It is not only that they become easily attached to their family members, but they also display their gentle side when dealing with other humans. When it comes to meeting strangers, they are not distrustful, overly cautious or hesitant, and they’re always affectionate, purring, and are always ready to get a cuddle from you. There is also a possibility that Toygers can be quite needy as a result of this. Cats with stripes aren’t afraid to show that they enjoy human companionship, so they’ll be loud mowing if they feel that they’re being overlooked, and they’ll be following you everywhere you go as long as your kitty feels that they’re being ignored.
Health
Toygers are generally considered to be healthy cats. This breed is not prone to any specific diseases, and they have no health problems associated with their conformation or their general health. Occasionally, cow hocks can crop up in the breeding program, and breeders need to pay attention to avoiding them.
They are similar to other domestic breeds in terms of their susceptibility to infectious diseases. The use of feline leukaemia vaccine has been claimed by some breeders to cause an adverse reaction in some cats, but this claim has not been verified. As the Bengal breed is the main breed used for developing the Toyger, breeders should do the same health screening as they would when developing any other breed, including HCM echocardiography screening, DNA testing for PKDef, and Bengal PRA testing. Due to the influence of domestic shorthair outcrosses in the population of Bengals, anecdotal reports indicate that all these conditions have a considerably lower incidence than in the Bengals when compared to domestic shorthairs. It has been reported that some lines are showing a reduction in milk production (Agalactia).
Toyger Cat Breed Care
There is no need to brush a toyger more than once a week to prevent excessive shedding and hairballs, as toygers have a short coat. The best way to keep your children healthy is to trim their nails regularly, brush their teeth regularly, and clean their ears every so often.
If possible, it is recommended that the Toyger be kept indoors at all times. It is possible for them to fight other cats, which can leave them with scratches and deadly infections if they get into fights with them. Keeping them in a fenced in area will also ensure their safety from dogs, coyotes, and cars. Also, this is an extremely rare and expensive breed that is likely to be attractive to thieves due to its price tag.
Appearance
If you want to put it simply, Toygers look just like little tigers in terms of their appearance. It is true that this breed is the one that most closely resembles the beloved wild tiger – only that it is much smaller in size compared to all the different breeds of domestic cats that exist around the world.
This breed of cat is considered to be a medium-sized one, which has a long, muscular body, high shoulders, and a round head, giving it the appearance of a medium-sized cat. There are many things that a tiger and their trademark stripes have in common, apart from their common stripes. This is one of the many traits that big cats have, which is the fact that they have shorter legs compared to other breeds. When they saunter around their home, they give the appearance of a wild cat on the prowl because of this characteristic. The toes and paws of these creatures are also long and have a big size.
Health Problems
There are generally no health problems associated with this striped and spotted breed. Don’t forget to always check with breeders to see if they offer a health guarantee with their Toyger kittens before making a purchase. Adopting a cat without one should never be an option for you.
Several studies have shown that this domestic cat may have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which may be responsible for her heart murmurs. Heart murmurs in cats can be diagnosed by a variety of symptoms, including weakness and lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathing problems, pale gums, and loss of appetite.
Taking your cat to the vet for regular check-ups is very important so the veterinarian can ensure your cat is healthy and can make sure disease and illness are treated in a proper manner. There is an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years for toygers that receive the right care.
Temperament
There is no doubt that toygers are very intelligent cats, and they enjoy being challenged, stimulated, and trained by their people. They can even be taught tricks, such as how to play fetch or how to walk on a leash with relative ease.
Toyger Coat Color
It is well known that Toygers have short, but dense coats. Depending on the variety, the most common coat color is brown, reddish brown or deep orange, with dark tabby stripes all over the body and circular markings on the head. On a weekly basis, these cats need to be brushed to maintain the shine of their thick, silky coats in order to maintain the beauty of their coats.
In addition to their handsome appearance, toygers have also been bred to be relaxed, friendly companions. They have personalities that are a little like Bengals, but aren’t quite as wild as they are in the typical Bengal. This is according to Kirsten Kranz, the director of Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue.
The Bengal breed as a whole tends to be more independent and busy than the other breeds,” Kranz says. “Bengals can be a challenge, especially for people who are new to cats or haven’t had very active cats before. However, by incorporating domestic genes into this variation, [toygers] might be a little more manageable.”
Toygers, although they might not be as active as their Bengal cousins in terms of exploring or climbing, they still have an eye for adventure, and they are not afraid of the outdoors as long as their human is right by their side. Rather than prowling on her own, the Toyger Cat Society states that she tends to prefer to stay fairly close to her people, and the Toyger Cat Society further notes that she prefers to be occupied by you rather than by herself.
Eye Color
A toyger has large, round eyes that range in color from light hazel to a dark brown color and have a round shape.
Diet and Nutrition
A Toyger’s diet requirements are the same as those of any domestic short-haired cat living in a domestic setting. It is important to work with your veterinarian to determine what diet is best for your cat if it is obese as this can shorten its lifespan. You should be sure to provide your toyger with a high-quality food, both wet and dry, and clean, fresh water to drink on a regular basis. As a treat for your toyger, a small piece of meat is always a good option if you want to offer it a little treat.
The Breed Standard
Body
If you consider the body of the cat in comparison to the rest of its anatomy, you will find that the body of the cat should be larger and longer than that of a typical cat. It is important that the forequarters of the cat display ample strength and that the shoulders rise up to interrupt the topline of the cat. It is important that the chest of the feline is wide and deep so that it amplifies the impression that it is a strong, robust cat. It is important for the cat’s shape to have rolling contours rather than appearing blocky and angular. There can be a perception that females are less athletic and delicate than males.
Head
As far as the size of the Toyger cat’s head is concerned, it should be of medium size, long, wide, and deep. A half-hexagon should be seen from the side, with angles changing at the chin, the nose, the forehead, and the back of the skull, defining the angles. The nose is muscular, long, rounded, and should have a width that is at least the width of the space between the eyes. The chin needs to be strong, wide, and deep; the muzzle should be well defined; and the lips need to be strong, thin, and well shaped. There should be a pronounced upward curve on the forehead that extends down to the well-rounded whisker pads as the face is viewed from the front. It should resemble an upside-down elongated heart.
Ears
The ears should be rounded, and they should be positioned as much on the sides of the head as they are on the top as well. There is a perception that lynx tipping is an undesirable behavior.
Coat
There should be a short coat with markings that might be slightly longer than the ground color, as well as several patches of white. At the temples, longer fur can be seen on the cheeks as well as at the jowls. A toyger’s fur should be thick, luxurious, soft, and plush, with a velvety feel to it.
Color
The only color that is allowed is brown tabby. It is recommended that the tabby markings be very dark,
Eyes
It is highly recommended that the eyes of the Toyger cat be of a size between small and medium, have a circular shape, and should be accompanied by gentle hooding on the upper inside surface.
Legs & Paws
It is highly recommended that the cat’s legs are of medium length in order to give the impression that the space between the ground and the cat’s body is equal to the depth of its torso. There should be a lot of room between each toe and well-defined knuckles on the toes.
Tail
Toygers have a very long and rope-like tail, and the tip of its tail should be rounded and round.
Children & Other Pets
Known for being laid back and accepting of other pets in the house, the Toyger is a great pet for families with other pets. You can introduce two cats by keeping them in separate rooms with their own food and litter boxes at first to make sure that they get to know each other. The best way to get them used to each other’s scent would be to let them eat on the opposite side of the door. Initially, you might want to let them play separately in the same room, but as they seem less phased, let them play together in the same room.
Despite the fact that this cat breed is good with children, it is important to always supervise interactions with younger kids to ensure that both parties are playing safely.
Toyger Cat Care
Taking care of a toyger is very similar to taking care of most domestic cats. Both the owner and the cat should have no trouble playing with them and grooming them, due to their friendly nature.
As a rule, toyger cats are naturally active and need to be exercised regularly. Since toygers have a high level of trainability, you can train them to walk on a leash and play fetch because they are very trainable. However, leash-walking is not a requirement when it comes to walking your dog. As toygers are usually active indoors alone, it can be sufficient for them to exercise independently, as they enjoy playing on their own. As shorthaired cats, toygers still shed a good amount of hair and should be brushed weekly even though they are shorthaired. Additionally, it is important to brush your teeth, clean your ears, and trim your nails regularly to prevent dental decay.
Overview of the Toyger cat
It is a medium-sized cat with a tiger-striped coat that covers the entire surface of its short hair. It was the intention of the breeder when creating this breed to mimic the markings and appearance of a wild tiger, which was achieved successfully. They have a reputation for being athletic, strong, and agile, just like their namesake.
You will not have to worry about this cat going rogue on you because it is not a direct descendent of a tiger or any wild cat, so don’t worry about this cat going rogue on you. The animals seem to stalk you a little bit as though they are playing with you, but with a deep love, friendliness, and an easygoing nature.
Weight
The toyger cat is one of the most active and athletic cats in the world. Males are typically a little larger than females when it comes to weight, but they are able to maintain a healthy weight on their own by eating a wide variety of food on a regular basis.
If you encourage your Toyger to move around, you will not have to goad him or her. I would actually say quite the contrary, in fact! The toyger is an energetic creature, and it doesn’t take a lot for a toyger to tire out.
Length
The toygers have a proportionate size, with long, lean bodies that are proportionate in size. If you measure the distance from the tip of their noses to the tip of their tails, they can reach up to 18 inches in length. They slink as they walk, which creates the illusion that they are longer than they actually are due to their bodies slinking.
Coat
There is something special about a Toyger’s coat that makes it different from all the other dog breeds. There might be a moment when you think: What about the Bengal cat, don’t you think? Or the Ocicat? There are also domestic cats with wild looks, aren’t they?
There are numerous circular markings on the chest and shoulders of the Toyger, which are not usually found on other domestic breeds (even though they are present on the Toyger). The necklace-like markings that can be found on the Toyger’s face are beautiful, and they are complemented by the branching stripes that can be seen on its body, giving the impression of a tiger on its body.
Although they are typically orange and black in color, there are also browns and golds in their color patterns as well. In general, tabby cats have thicker and more broken-up tabby markings compared to other domestic cats that look wild. It is important to note that the markings of every Toyger will differ slightly from that of the next Toyger.
Life expectancy
As a general rule, toygers live between 10 and 15 years on average. Taking good care of them will ensure that they live a long and happy life if they are well treated. It means that they should be kept indoors despite the fact that they may wish to spend some time outside (although a short walk on a leash on occasion is fine), they should receive regular veterinary check-ups, and they should receive a lot of love.
Common Health Problems
There is still a limited amount of understanding regarding toyger health problems since they are still a relatively rare breed. As far as heart murmurs go, toygers may be at an increased risk for the development of the condition.1 Therefore, be sure that you follow a regular check-up schedule, take preventative care measures, and have your toyger immunized regularly.
Physical characteristics of the Toyger cat
This breed of cat is known for its elegant bearing, which is characteristic of its type. The size of their body is medium and they have a light and athletic body. In comparison to males, females have a slightly smaller complexion and the shape of the head is slightly more oval in shape compared to males.
A medium-sized head has a deep and long snout with a well-defined cylindrical shape that is medium in size. His ears are small and round, and he has dark colored eyes that are small and deep in color. It has a long, wide, round shape and is often described as having a long, wide nose. A specimen of this species has a long and fine tail, with a blunt tip at the tip.
The coat of this breed is short, smooth and shiny, with branched vertical stripes typical of wild tigers, and the coat is a reddish color with a lot of vertical branches. In addition to this, the breed has typical circular markings on the head. In general, these stripes can range from brown to black, or they can even be tan in color. They have lean, stocky appearances as a result of their tall shoulders and athletic build.
An overview of the history and origins of the Toyger cat breed
It is believed that the Toyger is a breed developed by Judy Sugden, who is the daughter of Jean S. Mill, who pioneered the Bengal breed in the USA. Judy was involved in trying to improve the clarity of the markings on mackerel tabbies descended from Bengal cats and domestic shorthair cats during the late 1980s. There was a cat that had two spots of tabby markings on the temples of its head and she realized that this could be the key to creating a cat that would exhibit the true circular pattern, similar to the pattern found on a tiger’s head.
The cornerstone of the young Toyger breed was formed by a domestic shorthair, Scrapmetal, which was striped, and a Bengal cat, Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, which had a big bone structure. In addition to that, Judy imported Jammu Blu, a street cat from India that had spots between his ears, rather than the regular tabby lines that are found on regular cats. In addition to having the laid-back temperament of domestic cats, it was also important to achieve the ideal make-up for the Toyger.
In 1993, Judy’s hard work paid off, and the Toyger was accepted for registration by the International Cat Association as the first toy cat in the world. However, the breed did not receive preliminary status with the GCCF until June 2016, a year after the breed was first recognized.
Living Needs
There is no doubt that toygers are active creatures, so they will need a variety of outlets in which to explore their abundant energy, be it a box of toys, a scratching post, or something to climb on. If you would like to give your toyger some more mental and physical stimulation, you can train her to walk on a leash and take her on walks on the leash.
A toyger is a very social cat, so it gets along with other cats and dogs quite well. In fact, they might even prefer it if they weren’t the only pet in the house. In addition, toygers’ playful personalities make them a good choice for families with young children, as they can go out and run around the house with them.
Toyger Cat Breed Look
Immediately recognisable by their beautiful patterns on their coats, toygers are the perfect pets for children. It has a dense and luxuriously soft coat, with a branching and interweaving pattern that appears to be modified mackerel tabby, and its coat is glossy and rich. The only color recognised for these cats at the moment is brown mackerel tabby, which gives them a look of a miniature tiger with black and gold stripes. There are several physical characteristics that make the Toyger stand out from the rest, including a long, thick tail carried low, as well as small, round ears, and small to medium colored eyes, which are generally yellow or green in color.
History
Among the most recent breeds to emerge in the UK is the Toyger. It is a breed of dog that was developed in the USA by Judy Sugden, whose mother is Jean S Mill, who is considered the founder of the Bengal breed. The pattern of mackerel tabby cats is often referred to as tiger stripes or tiger cats. However, their pattern is quite different from the bold braided patterns of the true tiger, which can be seen in real tigers. When Judy was working on the improvement of the markings in mackerel tabbies descended from Bengals and a few other breeds of cats, including domestic shorthairs in the late 1980s, she was working on improving the clarity of the markings. After noticing that Millwood Sharp Shooter, one of her cats, had two spots of tabby markings on his temple, she realized that this could be the key to creating a cat who has the true circular pattern that can be found on the head of a tiger. As far as I know, domestic tabbies do not normally have markings such as these on their temples. Scrapmetal, a striped domestic shorthair cat with a big boned and curled paw, and Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, a big-boned Bengal with a curled paw, were the two cats that formed the cornerstone for the young Toyger breed. The first cat Judy imported from Kashmir, India, was Jammu Blu, a street cat with all spots between his ears instead of the usual tabby lines, that Judy imported in 1993 as well.
Her program to develop these cats began with her strong vision of what the characteristics would need to be to develop a cat that would resemble the small version of a Tiger, i.e. a large, long body to display the bold vertical patterns; and a pattern of stretching, branching and interweaving (braiding) of the original mackerel tabby pattern. Aside from the circular head markings, the cats would also display a vivid glittering coloration, and the most important thing is that the Toyger had a laid-back domestic temperament that made it a delight to live with. As Judy continued to pioneer this work, others soon joined her and in 1993, the Toyger was accepted for registration by TICA and in 2000 they advanced to the new breed exhibition classes and in February 2007, they were finally recognized as a championship cat by TICA. In October 2015, Toygers were recognized by the GCCF, and in June 2016, they progressed to the preliminary status of the organization.
What are Toyger cats’ personalities like?
You’ll have to keep your wits about you at all times when it comes to toyger cats. According to Dr. McCullough, this breed of cat requires a great deal of exercise as well as being highly energetic and intelligent. If you live in a busy household, then Toygers would be a great addition to your household. Added to this, they are renowned for being super playful, easygoing, and affectionate, which is another positive trait.
Toygers are well known for their ability to make friends. There is a great deal of interaction between this breed of dogs and other animals, as well as people, including children. The veterinarian urges pet parents, however, to teach their children how to properly handle cats, how to recognize their body language cues, and how to respect their boundaries when it comes to handling cats.
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Are Bengal cats different from toyger cats and what are the differences between them?
In many ways, Bengal cats are genetically similar to toyger cats, in the sense that they share many common features. Both Bengals and Toygers have a similar appearance to wild cats, but while Bengals have primarily round spots, Toygers have a more striped coat. There are some minor differences between toygers and Bengals, such as the shapes of their heads, the angles of their eyes, and the length of their tails. The two breeds are both well-mannered and make wonderful pets because they are both well-behaved.
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Can I find a toyger cat at a shelter?
In a shelter, there is very little chance of finding a toyger cat, as their numbers are very low. A toyger cat can only be found with the assistance of a breeder because of its highly held pedigree standard, the high price, and the rarity of the cat. It would be very likely that if a toyger is found in a shelter, it would be in a purebred shelter.
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Are toygers related to tigers?
There is no relation between the toyger and the tiger other than its name. The breed does not contain any traces of tiger blood in it. The Asian leopard cat has some genetic material in common with the toyger, however.
FAQs
How big are Toyger cats?
There are several different kinds of Toyger cats, but on average, they take up an area of 18 inches and weigh between 7 and 15 pounds, according to Dr. McCullough. The average time it takes for this cat breed to reach full maturity is between 18 months and 2 years.
What’s Toyger cats’ fur like?
There is quite a bit of difference in size between tigers and Toyger cats, so it would be hard to tell them apart if it weren’t for their size difference. A tiger’s fur color is similar to that of an ostrich’s, and it is usually brown and orange in shade with a white belly on the back, according to Dr. McCullough.
