Highlander

The Highlander was originally developed by a breeder named Joe Childers back in 1993. The intention was to produce a domestic feline that combined a striking wild cat look with social and playful personality traits. Despite originally having the word Lynx in their name, the mixed breed doesn’t actually contain any wild cat genes in their makeup.

The Highlander was officially acknowledged by the International Cat Association (TICA) in the year 2008.

These days, you may find Highlanders in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the mixed breed for you!

The Highlander is a medium-to-large sized cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.

Most Highlanders weigh in at ten to 20 pounds. That said, many may be smaller or larger than average.

Highlander cats are athletic and energetic felines. You’ll need to be able to provide a large enough living space for them to run around in, along with adding interactive toys to the environment.

The Highlander is a very intelligent cat–in many cases they can be taught to play fetch and pull off tricks!

Balancing out the Highlander’s upbeat side, these cats are also very social and loving. They enjoy being around humans and interacting with them, and despite the big cat angle to their heritage, they’re affectionate towards the people in their life. The cat also does well around children, acting like a new play friend.

Unlike most other cat breeds, the Highlander also likes water, so don’t be surprised to see them playing with water in the bathtub or from a running tap!

Highlanders are generally considered to be healthy cats; although, they can be predisposed to the same conditions that the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl breeds face. As always, it’s important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet.

There aren’t any known breed specific health problems associated with the Highlander, but always keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be in distress or pain.

As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your Highlander’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.

Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, you’ll want to add a scratching post to your Highlander’s living environment. This can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition.

The Highlander’s ears should also be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. It’s also advisable to talk with your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regimen that will suit your Highlander. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques.

It’s important to underline that the Highlander mixed breed needs a higher than usual amount of exercise, so make sure to add at least one cat tree or piece of interactive furniture to your home before adopting one.

The Highlander is a mixed breed of cat that you’ll see in a wide range of colors and patterns. It’s common to see them with solid coat colors or with tabby or lynx point markings.

When it comes to grooming, most Highlanders are fairly low maintenance, with their short hair requiring only a quick weekly brushing. This will help lessen the likelihood of hairballs and mats forming. Although it should be noted that some Highlanders are long haired felines–in which case you’ll need to aim for closer to daily brushing sessions.

In terms of climate, the Highlander is generally an adaptable breed of cat. Although you should always make sure that there’s enough shade and fresh water available during the hotter months.

The Highlander is a super friendly and outgoing feline who does very well with young children. Just be sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides, and supervise early interactions between kids and cats.

When it comes to other household pets, the Highlander fares well with many domestic animals, including dogs. Always supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets.

Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this mixed breed. Make sure to reward your Highlander for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!

It may be hard to find a breed specific rescue for Highlanders because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Highlanders, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:

• Hope For Paws
• Best Friends Animal Society

You can also try CatTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable cats by breed and zip code!