The Toyger cat breed can be considered a small domestic tiger, as adult cats can weigh up to 7 kg. They have an excellent muscular build, and their coloration closely resembles that of a tiger, with distinct yellow-brown and black stripes. This breed is moderately active and also enjoys swimming, which is rare for cats.
How the Toyger Breed Was Developed
The Toyger, a cat that look like tiger, is an artificially bred species officially registered in 2007. Judy Sugden, a breeder from the USA, wanted to improve the appearance of cat fur, leading to an entirely new breed: it differs in fur color and exhibits some tiger-like behaviors. The breeding involved the breeder's striped cat and a Bengal cat. Later, a common street cat was added to the mix. The result was excellent: contrastive stripes, short legs with black pads, and a gentle disposition.
Character Traits
Judy Sugden aimed to develop a breed that is very friendly towards humans, making them maximally domestic. A tiger-like cat is not only highly affectionate and loving towards people but also intelligent and obedient. Besides being easily toilet trained, they can learn some of their owner's commands. This smart and calm breed will be a good friend to the family. They are not whimsical, and their moderate activity level allows them to spend excellent time with a child. They need a lot of attention and affection, but you will not upset them if you cannot give them enough attention after a hard day's work due to fatigue. Toygers can get along well with other pets in the family thanks to their balanced nature and friendliness towards others.
Care
The primary care is systematic combing of the fur at least once every two weeks. More frequent care is not needed since this is a short-haired breed. A cat that look like tiger does not require special care, all like for other cats: tooth cleaning approximately once every 2 days; ear cleaning once every 7-8 days; water procedures no less than twice a month; trimming claws as they grow. Also, provide them with a good scratching post and small toys so the pet can entertain itself. And definitely, provide them with a cozy and soft bed. If funds and space in the room allow, you can purchase a large scratching post with a house (2 or 3-tiered). Thus, this unusual breed will not trouble their owners with special care needs. A classic minimum is enough.
Feeding
It is important to feed this breed high-quality food, alternating wet food with dry food. Buy food only in specialized pet stores, not in an ordinary supermarket or market. Always ensure they have clean water, which should be changed daily.
Health and Lifespan
This breed has good health and does not have specific diseases or genetic abnormalities. They have no clear pathologies. In very rare cases, they may have heart problems, cataracts, and anemia due to a deficiency of the enzyme pyruvate kinase. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically visit a veterinary clinic to prevent diseases or detect them in time. Their lifespan is almost the same as that of ordinary cats - 13-17 years. Proper care and quality nutrition are the keys, and then these unusual domestic pets will delight you for many years.