The Toyger cat is a real domestic tiger. These kitties look very exotic – bright black and brown stripes on orange fur, light areas on the body, powerful and expressive features make the representatives of the breed very similar to their distant wild ancestors.

Characteristics

Unlike real tigers, Toyger is a very friendly and social pet. Toyger cats are curious and sometimes stubborn that distinguishes them from the more calm and indifferent breeds of domestic cats.

Weight	7-15 pounds
Height	9-13 inches
Colors and Patterns	brown mackerel tabby
Lifespan	9-13 years

History

The breed is very young and continues to develop, ^[2] but it has already won the recognition of many cat lovers despite this. Toygers are recognizable and striking pets, this is an entirely American breed.

In the late 80-s of the 20th century, a breeder from Los Angeles, Judy Sugden, decided to breed an interesting new domestic cat species. According to her idea, these pets were supposed to look like wild tigers. Judy decided to cross the Bengal and domestic cats with a striped tabby color to achieve a similar effect.

The main participants in the invention of the new breed were the Bengal cat with the complicated name Millwood Rumple Spotskin and the simple domestic cat Skrapmetall. Throughout the work, Judy selected different cats with spotted coat patterns to reinforce the desired phenotype. 

Once Judy Sugden discovered a remarkable cat on the streets of Kashmir and brought him to her cattery. This cat had spots and stripes on the face and ears, rare for pets. He became an important participant in the selection work of the young breeder.

Since 1993, the official registration of the breed by the international cat association began, and by 2000 TICA included the Toyger in the list of new cat breeds. ^[1]

However, some associations have not yet gained full recognition for this breed in their lists. In 2016, the Governing Council of Cat Fanciers rated the Toygers and assigned them a preliminary status, which made these pets even more in demand.

Interesting Facts

• The name of the breed is derived from the words “toy” and “tiger.”
• The intelligence of these cats is much above average, so Toygers are quick and easy to learn, enjoy doing some interesting tricks, and also get used to something new.
• Despite their appearance and wayward ancestors, Toygers are very affectionate and balanced cats. They are humble, peaceful, and gentle with children.
• Toygers do not have strong hunting instincts like, for example, Bengals or Abyssinians. However, it is still worthwhile to carefully monitor if a representative of the breed communicates with a potential victim such as rodents, birds.
• The hair of these cats falls out rarely and in small quantities, so it is easy to keep the house clean. 
• This cat breed is not numerous, therefore, it is prohibited to cross Toygers with other breeds of cats.
• Toygers have an unusual habit inherent in dogs, they love to lick their owner’s hands. Apparently, this is how they express their deepest gratitude and respect.
• Toyger is considered the youngest, most expensive, and rare cat breed, bred for those who dream of having a miniature tiger cub as a pet.

READ MORE: How to Calm a Hyper Cat?

Personality and Behavior

Representatives of the breed are sociable and gullible cats. They are very inquisitive, but at the same time level-headed and rather humble.

Toygers will always be happy to get the owner’s attention, but if the owner is busy or just out of sorts, the pet will not bother but will find another occupation or calmly wait until his human companion is free.

These cats love company and new acquaintances. They get along well with children, other cats, and dogs. These pets are active and love to play with various toys. If there is a dog nearby, he will be happy to play with him and dog toys. At the same time, they also love a quiet pastime – comfortably sitting on the owner’s lap and spending the evening in a light doze.

Toygers are brave, so they are often the first to approach new people in the house, boldly explore new places. Since these cats are athletic and agile, they jump a lot, constantly climbing into unusual places, especially at a young age, when they explore their surroundings. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor your pet, especially on a long trip. These cats love to be outdoors and quickly get used to the harness and leash. Due to their high level of intelligence, Toygers are well trained and easily learn the rules and routines of the house. 

Toygers are not arrogant, they quickly forget grievances and troubles, never take revenge. They are soft cats, but they are not boring at all, you should not mistake their good nature for weakness.

Potential for playfulness	5
Activity level	5
Friendliness to other pets	5
Friendliness to children	4
Grooming requirements and Shedding	2
Need for attention	3
Affection toward its owners	5
Intelligence	5
Independence	3

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Exercise Requirements

Physical activity is of the utmost importance for every kitty, especially for an active one like Toyger. They are born to move freely, so lack of exercise can lead to boredom. This breed loves heights. So they like it when they have a certain place, for example, a cat tree or a scratching post for climbing and scratching. Toygers don’t need any fancy toys, but they do require some gaming sessions. Sticking to a daily play routine is a perfect way for cat parents to keep their pets active. You can easily teach them to play fetch and your little intelligent tiger will happy to play along with you.

Adoption and Rescue

It is unlikely that you will meet a Toyger cat in an animal shelter or rescue center, as it is still a new and rather rare breed. Still, you may have the luck to find it there. Sometimes even such cat breeds end up in shelters when economic times are tough or when a cat parent can no longer take care of his kitty.

You should be aware that most shelters arrange a home visit before you get a cat to ensure it is a good environment. If you have other family members, they may also want to talk to them to make sure you get along.

Cost 

Considering that the Toyger cat is a relatively new breed, their exotic appearance and their rarity, they are likely to be a very costly cat breed to get. The price of a Toyger kitty will depend on the breeder, parents, age, health status, and quality.

Usually, Toygers that are in the “pet” category will cost approximately $500. Whereas the price point for Toygers labeled “show worthy” is a little on the higher end as they can go for up to $3,000. Don’t forget that prices for a particular Toyger cat can drop anywhere between these two estimates.

Toyger British Shorthair Mix

Toyger British ShorthairMixisa feline with a clear striped pattern on the coat. These cats are characterized by the so-called brindle color. The Toyger breed was bred relatively recently and received admission to the show career in 2007.

Toygers are much thinner than British Shorthair cats, have an elongated body and long legs. Crossbreeds are distinguished by a proportional physique, a beautiful fur coat with a tabby pattern. The stripes may be clear or blurry, but they are present in 95% of cases.

The character of the crossbreeds is more like the character of the British Shorthair. They are just as prim and calm. Crossbreeds of the second generation resemble only one of the parents.

The Bottom Line

Toygers are bright cats, outwardly similar to tigers, but gentle and modest in nature. These cats always attract attention. Despite their gentle nature, such pets are very curious and active, they love communication, games and all kinds of fun.

The Toyger is easy to maintain due to his natural robust health and unpretentiousness. However, owners need to devote enough time to parenting, caring and communication. It is good if there are other animals in the house – representatives of the breed love company. Toygers have an easygoing personality which makes them suitable for all families.

FAQ 

Article Sources:

1. Patterson, Jonathan. “Toyger Breed.” TICA, 13 Apr. 2020, tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds.
2. “Toyger Breed Development.” The International Cat Association, tica.org/images/Breed-Seminars/tg.pdf.