Toyger

Breed Characteristics:

Affectionate with Family

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Some cat breeds are typically independent and aloof, even if they've been raised by the same person since kittenhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn't the only factor that goes into affection levels; cats who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.See Cats Less Affectionate with Family

Amount of Shedding

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If you're going to share your home with a cat, you'll need to deal with some level of cat hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary among the breeds. If you're a neatnik, you'll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. This furniture cover can make it easier to clean up cat hair and keep it off your sofa!

• See Cats with Low Amount of Shedding

General Health

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Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This doesn't mean that every cat of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they're at an increased risk. If you're looking only for purebred cats or kittens, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in.See Cats Prone to Health Problems

Potential for Playfulness

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Some cats are perpetual kittens—full of energy and mischief—while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful kitten sounds endearing, consider how many games of chase the mouse-toy you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other animals who can stand in as playmates. A classic wand cat toy like this one is perfect for playful felines!

• See Cats with Low Potential for Playfulness

Tendency to Vocalize

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Some breeds sound off more often than others with meows, yowls, and chattering. When choosing a breed, think about how the cat vocalizes and how often. If constant "conversation" drives you crazy, consider a kitty less likely to chat.See Cats with Lower Tendency to Vocalize

Kid-Friendly

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Being tolerant of children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a nonchalant attitude toward running, screaming youngsters are all traits that make a kid-friendly cat. Our ratings are generalizations, and they're not a guarantee of how any breed or individual cat will behave; cats from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences and personality.See Least Kid Friendly Cats

Friendly Toward Strangers

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Stranger-friendly cats will greet guests with a curious glance or a playful approach; others are shy or indifferent, perhaps even hiding under furniture or skedaddling to another room. However, no matter what the breed, a cat who was exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a kitten will respond better to strangers as an adult.

• See Cats Shy Toward Strangers

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Easy to Groom

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Some breeds require very little in the way of grooming; others require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a cat who needs daily brushing. You should definitely pick up this awesome de-shedding tool for cats of any hair length!

• See Cats That Need to Groom

Intelligence

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Some cat breeds are reputed to be smarter than others. But all cats, if deprived the mental stimulation they need, will make their own busy work. Interactive cat toys are a good way to give a cat a brain workout and keep them out of mischief. This scratcher cat toy can keep your smart kitty busy even when you're not home!

• See Cats with Less Intelligence

Pet Friendly

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Friendliness toward other household animals and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home.

• See Least Pet Friendly Cats

More About This Breed

• History

  The name of the Toyger is a combination of the words "toy" and "tiger." The mixed breed was originally developed back in the 1980s by Lady Sugden who decided to cross breed a Bengal named Millwood Rumpled Spotskin with a Domestic Shorthair called Scrapmetal in a bid to bring awareness to the issue of tiger conservation. Along the way, a street cat from Kashmir was also involved in the process to help bring out the breed's distinctive tiger-like stripes.

  In 1993, The International Cat Association (TICA) officially started to register the Toyger.

  Even though the Toyger got its start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the mixed breed for you!

• Size

  The Toyger is a medium-sized cat. As is always the case with newer mixed cat breeds, exact size standards might vary.

  Most male Toygers weigh in at ten to 15 pounds, and most female Toygers are between seven and ten pounds.

• Personality

  When it comes to personality, the Toyger is one of the most affectionate and loving cats around. While they have a striking big cat appearance, this is a mixed breed that will love to cuddle up with you for snuggles while you relax on the couch.

  Befitting such a social cat, the Toyger enjoys human company and having people around--this is a cat who thrives in a busy household rather than one where they're left alone for long periods of time.

  The Toyger is also a super smart cat who can be trained relatively easily, and the breed is often renowned for taking to outdoor adventures on a safe leash and harness. In fact, in many cases pet owners have trained their Toyger to play games of fetch.

  Unlike many other cat breeds, the Toyger is also said to enjoy playing with water, just like big cat tigers in the wild!

• Health

  Toygers are generally considered to be healthy cats--although the breed can be predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Bengal and Domestic Shorthair face. As always, it's important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat's vet.

  Some of the more common health problems Toygers suffer from include:

  • Obesity
  • Heart murmurs

• Care

  The Toyger is a smart, atheltic, and intelligent cat so you'll need to ensure that the mixed breed is kept physically and mentally stimulated. A cat tree or access to furniture they can safely climb up is a must.

  It's also advisable to provide interactive smart toys that will keep the feline sharp and satisfied. If you consider bringing your Toyger outside, make sure that you use a safe leash and harness and supervise all outdoors sessions.

  Along with scheduling yearly wellness vet visits, your Toyger will need their nails checked on a regular basis and clipped around once a week. You'll also want to examine the cat's ears for signs of dirt building up or possible infection, and clean them if needed. Your vet can help show you the best practice for this.

  Also make sure to speak to your regular vet about starting a teeth brushing regimen for your Toyger.

• Coat Color And Grooming

  The main color of the Toyger's coat is orange or tan with darker vertical stripes. These distinctive stripes can either be broken or they might branch off.

  The mixed breed is relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming, with their denser coat only really needing to be brushed once a week. Although, as with all cats, keep a close eye out for any mats that might be starting to develop while you're grooming. Remember, regular brushing will help keep the cat's coat clean and healthy.

  When it comes to climate, the Toyger is a generally seen as an adaptable cat who can usually live happily in most climates, Just remember to always make sure adequate shade and fresh water is provided when the temperature spikes.

• Children And Other Pets

  The Toyger is a great match with kids. The cat will form strong bonds with the children in your household and become like a new play pal for them. 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 Toyger is also usually fine around other domestic animals. Although you'll want to make sure you oversee early interactions when introducing the cat to your household.

  Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this mixed breed. Make sure to reward your Toyger for good behavior and adhere to a proper training regimen when you bring them home to your family.

• Rescue Groups

  It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Toygers because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try Bengal breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, too. You can also try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Domestic Shorthairs, as well as your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:

  • Great Lakes Bengal Rescue
  • Best Friends Animal Society

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