Toyger Cats 101 : Fun Facts & Myths

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In today’s video, we are going to talk about Toyger Cats, and all the facts and myths surrounding the breed.

The Toyger is one of the newest breeds of cats. It captures the wild tiger-like look effectively while being a completely domesticated cat. Unlike the Ocicat, which has markings that were naturally developed, and has remained the same for centuries, the Toyger is a designer breed, much the same as the Bengal, the Savannah, and the California spangle.

In fact, the Toyger was originally called “California Toyger.” The Toyger name is a portmanteau, of the words “toy” and “tiger.” The comparison of cats to tigers is not a new concept. For many years, tabby cats, particularly red tabbies with the mackerel pattern have been referred to as tiger-striped and one of the most popular names for red tabby cats is Tiger. The developers of the Toyger are hopeful that, eventually, the resemblance to the big tigers will be even closer. It is recognized by The International Cat Association but not the Cat Fancier’s Association.

1. Toyger Cat’s History.

One person is responsible for the initial development of the Toyger in 1980, Judy Sugden., the daughter of Jean Mill, the original breeder of the Bengal cat (a cross between the domestic cat and the Asian leopard cat).

Sugden started a breeding program with two cats, Scrapmetal, a domestic shorthair tabby, and Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, a big-boned Bengal. In 1993, Judy imported Jammie Blu, a street cat from Kashmir, India, that had all spots between his ears, rather than the regular tabby lines.

Joining Judy in 1993, in this pioneering work were Anthony Hutcherson, and Alice McKee. That same year, The International Cat Association also accepted the Toyger for registration only. The Toyger is now listed as a championship breed in the association.

According to Sugden, its body is both larger and longer than a typical cat, in order to sport the bold vertical striping found in the tiger. The typical tabby striping and rosettes are broken up and elongated to better resemble that of the tiger. The vertical orange stripes of this Toyger are narrowly bordered with black or very dark brown, much like that of the Sumatran tiger, a critically endangered species found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. One of Sugden’s main goals in the development of the Toyger, is to help prevent the extinction of big cats by enticing cat aficionados, to pursue Toyger ownership over wild or hybrid species.

The ideal head has circular markings, which cannot be found on any other domestic cat breed. The nose would be broader at the base with the jowl area correspondingly wider. The shape of the head in profile is described as a “half-hexagon. ”

The International Cat Association describes the markings as, “dark markings on a vividly bright orange background, on the outer to top portions of the cat, with a whited ground color on the undersides, and insides, enhanced by the scatter of gold glitter over the top.” Each cat’s markings are distinct.

A Toyger’s personality is laid back, outgoing, friendly to all, and able to get along well with other cats, even dogs, and children. They are intelligent and easy to leash train.

2. Toyger Cat Care.

Toygers should be brushed weekly and have their nails trimmed regularly. As with all domesticated cats, you should keep its ears clean and brush its teeth to prevent dental problems.

Toygers are usually adapt well when introduced to homes with other pets and kids. You will need to play with your Toyger to provide intellectual stimulation, as well as exercise. Toygers are trainable, and you may even be able to train him to walk on a leash. They also love to be a lap cat and will give you lots of affection in return.

As with any cat, it is wise to keep your Toyger as an indoor-only cat, to prevent exposure to infections, fights, predators, and thieves (they are sold at a premium price and considered one of the most expensive breeds).