Features of the Toyger breed

The Toyger cat breed is incredibly stunning and unique due to its untamed, tiger-like appearance. Toygers are fully domesticated and make loving companions, despite their wild appearance. The intention behind their breeding was to produce a small cat that would have the same striking stripes and strong physique as a tiger, but would also be amiable and playful like a house cat.

These kitties are renowned for being gregarious. They are an excellent option for families or anyone looking for a pet that loves attention because they enjoy socializing with people. Toygers enjoy playing and cerebral stimulation because they are lively, intelligent, and toy-oriented.

The Toyger’s distinctive coat is one of its most striking characteristics. This breed has a distinctive appearance that is both fierce and elegant, with deep, contrasting stripes that resemble those of a tiger. Their short, sleek fur gives them a wild beauty impression while requiring little maintenance.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Toygers have a striking tiger-like coat with bold, dark stripes and a sleek, muscular body.
Personality	They are friendly, playful, and enjoy interacting with their family, making them great companions.
Energy Level	Toygers are active cats that love to play and need regular stimulation.
Grooming	Easy to groom, as their short coat only requires occasional brushing.
Health	Generally healthy, but regular vet visits are recommended to maintain their well-being.

History of the Toyger breed

An artificially bred breed of domestic cats is called Toyger. The English term "toyger" means "toy tiger" (toy – toy, tiger – tiger). The USA is the cat’s native country. Judy Sudgen had the notion to breed tigers for domestication. Judy is an architect by profession, but she has training in construction. This did not stop the woman from developing a distinct breed, though.

Cats of the Toyger designer breed

It all began with Judy Mill’s mother, Jane, who was a breeder and attempted to color and intensify the tabby’s color in the 1980s. However, crossbreeding did not produce the intended outcome. The breeder was left with animals that had been selected from among Bengal cats. In addition, the stripes were mostly found on the body. Judy looked at the cats again later. Although the kitten and a tiger cub shared some similarities, there was still much work to be done. Then the woman used the computer to draw the ideal tiger kitten, just like a true architect.

The layout was developed using photographs of a Savannah, Chausie, Bengal and an existing cat. The breeder managed to breed a cat with the color that was planned. The appearance of the Toyger is unique, but there are still problems with breeding. But if the "right" kittens are born, then from the first days you can eat little tiger cubs in them. In the early 90s, tiger cats were recognized as a breed. In May 2006, the Toyger was presented as a breed by TICA. A year later, Toygers got a chance to participate in the TICA competition. And in the winter of 2009, the Toyger was recognized as a separate breed by the WCF federation.

Description of the Toyger breed

The striped breed of cat should resemble a tiger. The stripes are the breed’s primary characteristic. They might be torn or ringed. However, the paws and belly should also be covered in stripes. This cat should have a lot of muscles in addition to color. Generally speaking, the cat should resemble a tiger. Why would you even have a toyger otherwise? Breeders and tiger cat enthusiasts alike should adhere to the TICA and WCF standards.

Toygers have an unusual look.

And from October 3–4, I witnessed a live Toyger at an exhibition. I initially went in search of a Toyger after recognizing the owner from a picture. I’ll tell you what, though: the animal impressed me more than its size or color because it was a solid mass of muscles—that is, it was an actual animal. Aganava, a user of the cats-paradise.ru forum /forum/viewtopic.php?t=174&start=170

Appearance of a cat

Cats, especially Tabby cats, are regarded as being fairly large (males up to 7.5-8 kg, females up to 5 kg). Toyger’s head is described as being long and wide in the standard. The muzzle is shaped from the forehead to the whisker pads like an inverted heart. Half a hexagon is seen in the side view of the head (points: chin, nose, forehead, back of the head). A pet tiger has small, rounded ears. The ears and temples are covered in thick fur.

Toddlers’ vivid, deep-colored eyes are one of their most endearing characteristics. They are always round, but they cannot be very big. There is a small lowering of the upper eyelid. The nose of the cat is long, rounded, and widens slightly at the tip. Additionally, the cat’s nose still has muscles in it.

Toygers’ eyes are big and expressive.

The body of the striped animal is long, muscular, athletic. The chest is wide, but the shapes are rounded. The paws are strong, especially the front ones, the toes are long. The tail of the toyger is long, muscular. The tip of the tail is rounded (lowered). The striped fur of the cat is short. Usually the stripes can be fluffier, due to this the pattern looks relief. And also longer hair on the temples and cheeks (it gives off a shine). The stripes can be black or brown (or both colors). A prerequisite is a strong color contrast. The villi in the stripes are colored from root to tip. The stripes do not have to be even, they can be full or slightly rounded.

A toyger cub’s undercoat ought to be mouse (light, gray, or ash) shaded. Both the very tip of the tail and the paw pads need to be black. The muzzle has circular stripes. The cat appears to be sporting some sort of light-colored spectacles. The lighter fur surrounding the eyes gives this impression.

Photo gallery: the appearance of a toyger from different angles

The toyger’s paw tips should be striped as well. It has a long, straight nose with a dark border. The toyger has small, neat ears with a rounded edge; its chest should be spotted or striped; its tail is always striped, with a black tip.

The character of a striped cat

Those who are unfamiliar with the breed’s history may assume that because the cat resembles a tiger, he is an aggressive, animalistic person. Everything is totally different when you have a toyger around. This is a gentle, amiable gem. These creatures get along with other pets because they are incapable of feeling jealous of their owner toward other animals (except, of course, rodents). It’s even better to have a dog or other cat next to you because the animal won’t get bored. The cat is able to miss its person and will feel awful being alone.

Children get along well with a pet tiger. It will play with children and never hurt them. A toyger will not become envious and beg to be petted if another person is petted in front of it. These cats are not aggressive toward anyone, with the exception of situations when they are clearly in danger. Tiger cats are generally very gentle and peaceful. However, this does not imply that offenses against them will go unpunished. Tiger cats can defend themselves from attacks because of their powerful muscles. Remember that cats are naturally predatory animals.

Toyger cats enjoy observing family members in silence.

Despite their outward indifference, these cats are not at all against affection from their owner. Therefore, in order for the animal to be happy, it needs to be given attention. The pet will not remain in debt – toygers are very loyal. And these animals are also very active and love to play. And if a loved one strokes his pet, the cat can sit like that for hours. Another character trait of a toyger is a developed intellect. Such cats are extremely inquisitive, they need to know everything. They can remember the habits and behavior of the owner, and if necessary, use this to their advantage (they can even cheat and deceive a person). If the pet is distracted from lying comfortably in a chair, then he will try to take part in a home event, because of which he was woken up. An unusual addiction of toygers is that they love to lick the hands of their person (as well as the hands of other family members). Therefore, if there are children in the house, then they need to be explained the need for frequent hand washing.

My cat enjoys licking my hands as well. Not just my hands, but my ears and nose, too. She enjoys doing this in the mornings in particular. Although the cause of this is unknown, toygers are not involved in any way. Maybe this is an expression of affection and concern. Cats do not only lick their kittens when they are dirty, after all. This strikes me as an indication of high intelligence.

Acquisition of a toyger kitten

Kittens of some other breeds can be found on the street. There are cases when the owner does not cope with the responsibility and leaves his pet on the street. The cat reproduces, but the kittens are born homeless. Well, this is impossible with the striped breed. Toyger is a new breed (and not the cheapest), which means that such kittens could not end up on the street. This means that a kitten can be found from professional breeders or in nurseries. There is a chance that a tiger baby will be given to you by friends, but sometimes it is better to put in a little effort than to wait for a miracle. To choose a cat, you need to remember the selection criteria.

Selecting the "right" kitten is essential if you want the pet to develop into a stunning, healthy toy.

Selection criteria

If someone wants to buy a real toyger, they should consider the following factors:

1. The breeder"s reputation should be good.
2. The animals kept in the nursery should look healthy and well-groomed.
3. The selected toyger cub should behave calmly and friendly.
4. The breeder should have all the necessary documents.

Look up reviews for the nursery or breeder. The breeder should have a solid reputation and transparent business practices. Verify that the animals are kept clean when you visit the nursery. Every pet should appear happy and healthy. Observe the animals’ behavior closely. It may be a sign that the pets are being offended if you witness an anxious animal acting aggressively. These animals might go through stressful times, which increases the likelihood that they will have behavioral or health issues later on.

Your preferred toyger cub ought to resemble a tiger cub.

Request the kitten’s documentation. He needs to be vaccinated and have a veterinary passport. You can also request a pedigree in addition. A purebred child can only be born to purebred parents, after all. You might not receive a pedigree if a tabby kitten, for instance, was born to a toyger cat and its father is a non-pedigree tabby cat. This is particularly crucial if you intend to compete in cat shows and championships in the future.

At what age is it better to take a toyger baby

Kittens cannot be taken home the moment they are born. It is advised by veterinarians and breeders to take the baby home at three months of age. This is due to a few factors:

• primary immunity;
• vaccinations;
• raising by a cat.

With mother"s milk, a kitten receives primary immunity. This is the only way the baby will grow up strong and healthy. In addition, the mother cat will teach her baby to eat properly, use the litter box and play. Kittens that are taken away from their wet nurse early may grow up unadapted to life. And the most important thing is vaccinations. Usually, kittens receive the most important vaccinations before they are three months old. Even if you persuade the breeder to give away the kitten a little earlier, he may require you to sign an agreement in which such an obligation will be specified. But in general, professionals do not give away purebred kittens earlier. The new owner may be irresponsible, and in the world of breeders, the loss of every kitten is a terrible loss. There can only be one exception to this rule – the death of a cat. If a toyger cub is left without a mother, a person will have to feed it (first from a pipette, then from a bottle). Not all breeders can handle this great responsibility, so such a baby may be given away.

Taking a kitten that is younger than three months old is not advised.

I had to use a pipette to feed the kitten. It’s frightening and challenging. Tiny kittens have the ability to snort, choke, and turn away—especially when they are blind. However, the infant needs to gain weight, so feeding him is crucial.

You can"t just take a toyger and let it into an apartment so that it can "settle in" on its own. A tiger pet must be provided with the conditions necessary for proper growth and development. Generous owners buy/build play complexes for their pets (a house, a bed, a ladder, shelves). A toyger must have a place where it can sleep, play, and, if necessary, hide. A cat of this breed is extremely inquisitive, which means it must be able to observe what is happening in the house. You can provide a place for observation (for example, a bed at some height from the floor). In addition, when buying a toyger, you should know what to feed it and how to care for it.

You must set up a playground for a toyger before bringing it home.

What to feed a striped pet

Toygers are laid-back felines, but that doesn’t mean you can feed them anything. There are two categories of tabby cat owners: those who purchase premade food and those who feed their pets natural food. There is no option that can be deemed 100% correct. Your cat will no longer be as interested in natural food even if you feed it only dry food. Alternatively, feeding your pet only natural foods is a cheaper option, but the cat might not get enough vitamins in this scenario.

I make an effort to feed my cat natural food, which she adores. However, I put dry food in her bowl before I leave for work in the morning so the cat can eat breakfast on her own. We rarely have these kinds of stomach feasts because I rarely buy her wet food, only to "pamper" her. This is because wet food is more expensive than dry food. Because I create the menu myself, natural food is not only healthier but also much less expensive. But a plain cutlet from the table won’t do—it needs to be prepared especially.

A tiger cat is capable of consuming nearly any natural food. Generally speaking, cat food consists of the following items:

• meat (beef, chicken, offal);
• egg;
• vegetables (almost any);
• cereals (rice, buckwheat);
• fermented milk products.

A cat must be fed correctly in order to be healthy.

It’s critical to keep in mind the following list of goods that are not advised for toddlers:

• fish (it has a lot of bones, and toygers don"t like it);
• milk (cats may have indigestion);
• salt (bad for the kidneys);
• seasonings;
• fatty foods;
• smoked meats.

Nothing bad will happen if your tiger asks for a small piece of sausage or cutlet. But it is better to try to avoid this too. In general, the choice of food should depend on the cat"s preferences. After all, if you offer a cat only buckwheat porridge without salt and butter, it will eat it because it is hungry, and not because it loves buckwheat. Some animals like raw vegetables or fruits. This is useful, because they contain a lot of fiber, it helps pets cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of excess hair. And some like sweets. It is better to avoid such products, but the Toyger is a cunning animal, it can deceive the owner and steal a piece of chocolate.

When my cat sees canned corn in the can, she rolls her eyes. When someone takes these corns out of the can, she won’t be distracted by any other "yummy treats." My cat can be trained to stand on her hind legs by holding a piece of corn in your hand, but it’s dangerous and might not taste very good.

The cat’s preferences should be taken into account when selecting food.

Toygers, like most other cats, are fed twice a day (kittens can be fed more often). The daily portion size depends on both the age of the animal and its condition. In general, tiger cats themselves are not thin, so it is difficult to keep track of the animal"s figure. But the owner must remember that cats gain weight when overfed. All systems of the cat"s body suffer from this. In addition, a hungry cat will not sit quietly in one place, she will definitely let you know that it is time to feed. You can train a toyger to a routine. If you give food at the same time, the animal will definitely remember this.

Cat grooming

Regarding Toyger grooming, there are no particular guidelines. These are the cats who usually take care of this by themselves. They thoroughly and frequently lick themselves. Nonetheless, the owner should consider doing the following:

• periodically brush the pet"s teeth;
• examine the animal"s ears;
• sometimes brush the cat"s fur.

Real neat freaks, tiger cats

Many pet owners wrap gauze around their finger to brush their pet’s teeth. A moist cotton swab is an additional option. Moreover, a customized toothbrush is available. Although toys are not especially prone to dental illnesses, you can take them to the vet to have their oral health checked at least once a year. A cotton swab can also be used to clean the cat’s ears. It’s important to proceed cautiously to avoid hurting the animal.

Combing and bathing

A tiger cat can be combed, though it’s not required. A brush can be used for combing. The tool should ideally have natural bristles. Toygers don’t shed much in general, but occasionally, during the shedding season, a few individual hairs will stand out from the rest. You can simply run a wet hand over the fur in such situations. These cats have silky, glossy fur that resembles artificial fur. Maintaining it is enjoyable.

My cat doesn’t shed much. We have a brush and comb, but I use my wet hand to pick out the fallen hairs. For the cat itself, this is quicker, simpler, and more enjoyable.

Moreover, a toyger does not require bathing. If there’s dirt on the fur, you can wash it. Bathing the cat more frequently than once every two months is not advised. You should exercise caution when bathing Toygers because they can misjudge their strength and "sip" water because they are calm in the water.

Video: a tiger kitten bathing in a bath

With its strikingly distinctive striped coat and robust physique, the Toyger cat breed is well-known for its resemblance to a miniature tiger. Toygers are amiable, loving, and wonderful family pets despite their untamed appearance. They make excellent companions for anyone who enjoys active and interesting pets because they are intelligent, simple to train, and love interactive play. Despite their exotic appearance, they require much the same care as most domestic cats, with a focus on healthy eating, frequent brushing, and lots of love.

Defects of tiger cats

A person’s goal when adopting a purebred kitten is to extend its life. The life expectancy of a pet, particularly if it will be a family member, is particularly significant for impressionable individuals, such as children. Additionally, if the cat becomes ill and the owner purchased the animal for breeding, they may incur financial losses. As a result, it is crucial to be aware of your pet’s inclinations beforehand.

Cats that are prone to different illnesses and abnormalities are typically considered to have breed defects. Consult the breeder or the cattery owner (where you obtained the kitten) to learn more about the specific traits of your pet.

Toygers stand out for their excellent health.

Tendency to diseases

It’s unclear at this point whether the breed is susceptible to genetic illnesses due to its youth. However, you must keep an eye on the cat’s health and schedule routine checkups with the veterinarian. Typically, a cat’s illness is indicated by the following symptoms:

• refusal to eat or poor appetite;
• weight loss or sudden weight gain;
• lethargy or aggression, nervousness;
• redness, peeling skin;
• bald spots;
• discharge from the eyes, nose;
• high or low temperature;
• blood in the discharge, difficulty urinating or its complete cessation;
• diarrhea, vomiting;
• swelling, redness of the eyelids;
• clouding of the lens; protrusion of the eyeball;
• enlargement of the liver, felt during palpation.

You should get in touch with a veterinarian if any of these symptoms are noticed.

I always advise cat owners to get in close contact with their veterinarian, whether they are private or local. For instance, you can give our veterinarian a direct call at any time on his cell phone. He is welcome to come in case of an emergency.

Toygers do not have a higher risk of illness

Additionally, no flaws in the toyger’s appearance were discovered. Any departure from TICA guidelines, however, may mean that your pet is not eligible for a championship title. A purebred cat may be excluded or denied entry based on certain general requirements. The following indicators are part of these criteria:

• absence of testicles: unilateral (monarchism) or bilateral (cryptorchidism);
• underdevelopment of one or both testicles in uncastrated male cats over 10 months old;
• absence of claws (successfully);
• polydactyly or absence of fingers (olidactyly);
• dwarfism;
• blindness or
  permanent squinting (strobism);
• inward turning of the eyelids (entropion);
• presence of an umbilical hernia;
• there are white spots that are not provided for by the standard.

If the cat is essentially a family member, though, you won’t lose your love for it if you decide not to let it compete in an exhibition or be disqualified.

Is it possible to breed Toyger cats

Many purebred cat owners hope to have identical purebred children.

An inexperienced cat breeder will not be able to breed Toygers on his own. The breed is still in its infancy, the characteristics of its representatives are unstable. Therefore, if you want to cross your tiger cat with a male cat, it is better to contact a professional breeder. If the owner mates his toyger cat with a male cat of another breed (or with a non-pedigree cat), the kittens born will lose the purity of the breed. The babies may not show the necessary signs of the standard. Even more experienced breeders, crossing toygers with each other, sometimes get kittens with insufficiently rounded ears, a sharp muzzle or stripes on the belly. Of course, no one can forbid you to take a risk, but an attempt to get offspring may look like you want to get striped kittens for sale. Especially if your cat has a pedigree and/or participated in shows.

The primary requirement, if mating a cat is still necessary, is that the animal be of a suitable age (at least 1.5 years old). The cat needs to be fully fit, immunized, and healthy. A timid cat, a female Toyger is. Furthermore, you don’t want the cat to harm her in any way.

If a tiger cat is to live a life similar to that of a typical domestic cat, you must keep in mind how frequently they give birth. Cats are known to give birth frequently. Veterinarians and expert breeders, however, advise against mating a cat more frequently than once a year. The cat’s body simply won’t have time to heal if it gives birth and gestates frequently. After giving birth, a cat may experience weight loss, dull fur, and general weakness and illness.

Castration and sterilization of toygers

Before the kitten is taken by its new owner, breeders attempt to castrate or sterilize the animal in the nursery. The sex glands are removed during this procedure. The actual process takes roughly fifteen minutes. Generally, either local or general anesthesia is used for castration, and only general anesthesia is used for sterilization. If you obtain an unsterilized Toyger, visit a veterinarian after it reaches puberty, which occurs between nine and ten months. In addition to taking tests, you will need to deworm your pet. After the surgery, all that is left is to nurse the cat back to health.

The cat must be sterilized if it was not bought with the intention of breeding it.

After surgery, dealing with your emotions is the most difficult thing. My cat was sterilized, and I felt so bad for her. She was stumbling over something, drooling all the time, and she was immobile. Despite the veterinarian’s claim that she felt no pain. After coming to from the anesthesia on the second day, she started attempting to take off the blanket. She’d somehow pulled the blanket down to her shoulder blades, even though the knots were tied on her back. She refrained from trying to lick the stitches, but I’ve heard that some cats do so.

Video: how to care for a cat after surgery

Table: pros and cons of the Toyger breed

Criterion	Pros	Cons
Appearance	cute appearance, bright color, small size	due to a well-developed muscular system, you may not notice the obesity
Character	Toygers are smart, kind, affectionate, balanced, not jealous	a cat can remember where the food is and deceive the owner
Maintenance	Toygers are unpretentious, they can adapt to any proposed conditions	—
Food	the food can be any (dry or natural)	many prohibited products
Appearance care	they lick themselves, they are clean	—
Health	a predisposition to diseases has not yet been found	—
Breeding	a cat can be crossed with any healthy cat	Toygers are bred only in nurseries (by professional breeders)
Reviews	everyone who has seen a toyger at exhibitions speaks positively about the breed	—
Price	a toyger kitten can cost from 10 thousand rubles	the price of a toyger with a pedigree can reach 200 thousand rubles (and higher)

The Toyger breed is extremely distinctive due to its combination of domestic cat behavior and a wild tiger-like appearance. It is a showstopper with its eye-catching coat pattern and powerful build, but it is also well-known for being playful, loving, and simple to train.

Families or individuals looking for a cat that is both intelligent and beautiful should consider these beauties. They frequently form strong bonds with their human companions and even get along with other pets because they are gregarious and social animals. They are a fun addition to any home because of their active nature.

The Toyger might be the ideal option if you’re searching for a cat that adds a touch of the jungle to your house without sacrificing the coziness of a pet. Just remember to give this breed lots of love and stimulation to keep them content and healthy.

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