The Toyger is a hybrid cat that is not as well known as other breeds, but that draws attention mainly because of its appearance, which resembles a tiger. What few people know is that the Toyger's breeding process was totally purposeful, and not by "chance" as with other hybrid breeds. Considered one of the most recent domestic animals, the Toyger is very affectionate,smart and full of energy!

How about getting to know this cat better? Toyger breed can surprise you in many ways. To get to know the breed, we have prepared a guide with everything you need to know about the Toyger: price, origin, characteristics and main care for the animal. Just follow below!

What is the origin of the Toyger cat?

Unlike other hybrid cats, such as the Savannah and the Bengal cat, the Toyger does not descend from the direct crossing of a wild animal with a domestic one. In fact, the history of the breed begins in the late 1980s in the United States, when breeder Judy Sugden decided to create a cat breed with the coat pattern that resembles the appearance of a tiger.

To do this, she basically decided to cross Bengal cats with spotted cats - also called tabbies - whose body markings were well-defined and dark, resembling a wild feline. Because it is a breed that descends from the Bengal cat, which is a hybrid cat, many consider the Toyger to also be part of this group of felines.

This is one of the most recent domestic breeds in existence, being recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) only in 2007.

Toyger: the tiger-like cat has other striking physical characteristics

This cat looks like a tiger, but anyone who thinks that the Toyger's characteristics are limited to that is mistaken. To begin with, let's talk about size: this is a medium-sized animal that can weigh between 3 and 7 kg, and the length of its body varies between 50 and 60 cm. That is, it is quite long but it is far from being a big cat like the Maine Coon, for example.

With a well-muscled and strong body, the Toyger also has a slightly rounded head with medium-sized, pointed ears on top. The eyes are vivid and very expressive, while the coat is short, thick and very shiny. The Toyger cat's color pattern is defined by an orange background with vertical stripes.

The Toyger is very active, companionable and has an unusual intelligence

Believe it or not: the tiger-like cat has an extremely affectionate and companionable personality, and is far from reminiscent of a wild animal in its attitudes. Sociable, the Toyger is ideal for different types of families with or without children - as long as the little ones know how to respect the animals' space. It is not so suitable for the elderly, mainly because it is very agitated and curious, but in theis an animal that gets along with all kinds of people (including other pets).

Driven by its natural instincts, the Toyger cat has a considerable level of energy and is always looking for something to do. It likes to explore the most diverse corners of the house and, therefore, environmental enrichment is indispensable to entertain it in its free time. The installation of niches and shelves, for example, is something that is very much appreciated by these felines. In addition,scratchers and other cat toys are also highly recommended for the Toyger's daily life.

Being highly curious, the breed is also very intelligent and perceptive, making it an ideal candidate for those who want to train cats. Yes, that's right: felines are also capable of learning tricks and commands, and the Toyger is a clear example of this. Another point that resembles these animals from dogs is that this kitten can also adapt to walks on a leash - and they like it!enough of that!

It is worth noting that, because it has a sociable and naturally playful personality, the Toyger cat does not enjoy spending a lot of time alone. He can even manage when his owners need to spend time away, but he is not the most independent breed of all. He misses contact with humans and is therefore not very suitable for families who travel a lot or spend a lot of time away from home.

Discover 3 curiosities about the Toyger cat!

1) The name "Toyger" is basically a play on the words "toy" and "tiger", which, translated from English, mean "toy" and "tiger", respectively. That is, it is as if he were a toy tiger because of his small size.

2) The Toyger is a kitten who loves to play with water, unlike most felines.

3) Although it is known as a hybrid cat, the Toyger does not come from crossbreeding with wild animals, but from mixing the Bengal with domestic cats.

Some basic care is needed for the Toyger cat

• Coat: because their hair is short and easy to comb, a weekly brushing is enough to keep the Toyger's coat nice and healthy. This is also a way to avoid the dreaded hairballs!

• Nails: scratchers are indispensable for sharpening the Toyger's claws, but it is still necessary to trim them regularly to prevent them from getting too long and causing discomfort to the animal. It is recommended to cut a cat's nails at least every 15 days.

• Teeth: to avoid diseases - such as tartar in cats - it is important to brush the Toyger's teeth between two and three times a week at least.

• Ears: Like other cat breeds, Toyger breeds should also have their ears checked weekly. Frequent cleaning of the area is one way to prevent infections and inflammations such as otitis in cats.

• Sandbox: don't forget to clean the litter box regularly, otherwise the kitten may end up doing its business in the wrong place. Felines value hygiene and do not like to use a dirty litter box.

What do you need to know about Toyger's health?

There is always the concern that hybrid cats have a more fragile health than others. However, as the Toyger is not exactly a hybrid breed, there are no reports of worrying pathologies in this feline. That is, in practice, the Toyger cat has a very resistant health and does not present genetic predisposition to any specific disease.

The only attention is with the vaccination schedule and dewormers, since, just like any other pet, these animals need to be protected from more dangerous and contagious diseases. Therefore, vaccinations for cats are super important and should be reinforced annually. Frequent veterinary follow-up also plays an important role in taking care of the Toyger cat's health.

Toyger cat: breed price can reach more than R $ 10 thousand

Planning is the right word for those who want to have a Toyger to call their own! As this is one of the rarest cat breeds, its value ends up being higher than that of other domestic cats. So how much does a Toyger cost? Price can vary between R $ 5 thousand to R $ 10 thousand for males; and between R $ 6 thousand to R $ 12 thousand in the case of females. In addition to this difference in values because of the sex of the animal, othersfactors that influence the final price are the coat pattern and whether the kitten has already been vaccinated and/or wormed.

But beware: if you decide to buy a Toyger cat, the price should not be too far below average. Make sure you choose a cattery with good references and carry out site visits to ensure that all animals are well cared for by the breeders.