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Getting a Cat or Kitten
17 min read
| Family-friendly: | 3/5 |
| Playfulness: | 4/5 |
| Intelligence: | 4/5 |
| Tendency to Vocalise: | 3/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Grooming Needs: | 2/5 |
| Shedding: | 2/5 |
Toyger
This is a sleek, muscular cat, medium in size with a long thick tail and substantial bone. They should however move like a big cat but not be overly heavy or coarse. The coat is dense and extremely soft, and the markings should be bold, a modified mackerel tabby pattern, with thick black stripes that branch and interweave.
Lifespan
9 – 13 years
Weight
3.6 – 6.8kg
Colours
Brown mackerel tabby.
The need-to-know
- Benefits from an experienced owner
- Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Slightly talkative cat
- Average build cat breed
- Requires grooming once a week
- A bit of both indoor and outdoor space
- Great family cat
- Can be regularly left for a few hours
- Great for a relaxed home
Generally healthy breed
There are no common disorders reported for the Toyger breed at present. However, because the Bengal breed was used to develop the Toyger, it is recommended that DNA testing for pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy is carried out to test whether or not a cat has the potential to be affected by these conditions.
Personality
Toygers are exceptionally sociable, getting on well with respectful children, and other cats and dogs. They are indeed, by design a family friendly cat, and breeders have worked hard to ensure only cats of excellent temperament have been used in the Toyger creation.
The Toyger is also an intelligent and active cat, who is confident and outgoing. This does mean they will make their feelings known if they feel they’re lacking attention or have been able to see the bottom of the food bowl for several minutes.
The Toyger is a new breed, recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy since June 2016. Whilst they are bred to resemble a miniature tiger, the Toyger does not have any wild cat genetics, nor is it intended that they ever will.
Work on the development of the Toyger is still ongoing, with focus on temperament as strong as it is on appearance. The Toyger is designed to be a family friendly cat.
The Toyger are a very clever cat, so entertain them with puzzle toys, things to climb and high platforms to laze about on. Mental stimulation for the Toyger is very important in keeping them healthy and happy. They also enjoy physical contact, grooming and stroking, and lap-time.
It must be noted, that the Toyger does not cope well with being left for long periods without company. They’re fine whilst people are out at work or school but would be distressed left overnight or for longer periods during the day.
The Toyger is easily capable of life outdoors, but their climbing, hunting and killing skills will land them in trouble, so they should be provided with a super secure garden or better yet, an enclosed cat run, where both they and the local wildlife are safe. This cat with their striking markings is also a target for pet-theft so supervise them carefully.
Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat.
Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.
Grooming the Toyger is simple. The Toyger coat does not require much grooming, but a wipe over with a grooming glove several times a week and a daily check for parasites and wounds is sensible.
Remember that a greasy coat can be evidence that your cat is no longer attempting to groom themselves, which can be indicative of poor or failing health or excessive weight. As with all cats, Toygers benefit from regular vaccination, parasite control and an annual veterinary health check.
The Toyger is designed to be a family friendly cat but be aware this does not mean that they will tolerate any and all treatment by children, or indeed, adults, but that their nature is to be friendly and affectionate and to love company. The Toyger are best with children old enough to follow rules and respect a cat’s personal space, they are not suited to homes where they will be left for long periods of time.
It is unlikely that you will meet a Toyger in your local rehoming shelter, or rescue centre, as they are a relatively new breed. However, sometime specific cat breeds such as the Toyger end up in shelters due to unforeseen circumstance.
Please consult the adoption organisation, if you are adopting, for details on a specific cat’s character.
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