Toyger Cat: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Toyger cats are medium-sized, tiger-spotted, exceptionally rare short-haired cats. The toyger was developed in the United States in the 1980s and remains one of the newest, most unique-looking cat breeds. Much of the toyger's appeal lies in its wild tiger-like appearance while being a domesticated cat. Unlike the ocicat, which has naturally developed markings, the toyger is a designer breed, similar to the Bengal, the Savannah, and the nearly extinct California spangle. The toyger (a portmanteau of "toy" and "tiger") is a playful, intelligent cat and an optimal choice for big-cat lovers, without the unethical ownership of a wild animal. With time, toyger breeders are hopeful the cats' resemblance to tigers will only grow closer with time. The cat is recognized by The International Cat Association but not the Cat Fancier's Association.

Toyger Cat Characteristics

The toyger cat is a friendly, easygoing cat with an ideal temperament and personality. Toygers make great additions to families with children or pets and are ready to play and offer affection. If you're looking for a below-average amount of commitment to exercising your cat, the toyger's energy level may not be for you. Their intelligence makes them susceptible to boredom, so playtime is essential. Toygers are trainable and can be taught to do tricks.

History of the Toyger Cat

In the 1980s, breeder Judy Sugden (daughter of the original Bengal cat breeder, Jean Mill) worked with mackerel tabbies — cats characterized by their wild stripes and an "M" shaped marking on their foreheads. Sugden noticed that her Bengal cat, Millwood Sharp Shooter, bore round spots on its head instead of the typical "M" shape. The spots sparked the realization that designing a domestic cat closely resembling a tiger was within Sugden's reach. 

Sugden then started a breeding program using two cats: Scrapmetal, a domestic shorthair tabby, and Millwood Rumpled Spotskin, a big-boned Bengal. In 1993, Sugden proceeded to import Jammie Blu, a street cat from Kashmir, India, with the characteristic, unusual spotting between his ears, added him to the breeding pool, and accelerated the program. Pioneering breeders Anthony Hutcherson and Alice McKee joined Sugden's project later that year. The International Cat Association accepted the toyger for registration, and, in 2007, listed it as a championship breed, cementing its eligibility for cat shows.

Toyger Cat Care

The care routine for a toyger is standard for most domestic cats. Due to their friendly demeanor, playtime and grooming should be straightforward for both owner and cat.

Toyger cats are naturally active and require regular exercise. Because of their high trainability, you can train your toyger to walk on a leash and fetch. However, leash-walking isn't a necessity. Toygers are usually active indoors on their own, so independent playtime can be adequate exercise. Even though toygers are shorthaired cats, they still shed plentifully and should be brushed weekly. Tooth brushing, ear cleaning, and regular nail-trimming are essential as well.

Common Health Problems

Toygers are still a relatively rare breed, so understanding of their health problems is limited. However, it's thought that toygers may be at an increased risk for heart murmurs. Be sure to follow a regular check-up schedule, preventative care measures, and immunizations for your toyger.

Appearance

Toygers have a distinctly tiger-like appearance, marked by its broken, vertical orange and black or brown-bordered stripes. 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. Unlike the mackerel stripes or round rosettes of a tabby, a toyger's fur pattern is random. The ideal toyger head bears circular markings, which cannot be found on any other domestic cat breed. Its short, uniquely patterned fur is non-hypoallergenic.

The shape of a toyger's head in profile is described as a "half-hexagon." Toyger cats are long, lean, and muscular but not bulky, with a long, thin tail with a rounded tip. It has round small ears and bright green or blue eyes. Its nose is broad at the base, with the jowl area correspondingly wider. 

Diet and Nutrition

The diet requirements for Toygers are those of any domestic short-haired cat. Obesity can reduce your cat's lifespan, so work with your vet to determine the best diet plan. Provide your toyger with high-quality wet and dry food and access to fresh, clean water. If you want to give your toyger a treat, a small piece of meat is always a good option.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Toyger Cat

You may be able to find a purebred toyger cat through a breeder in your region, but there are under 30 toyger breeders in the world. The average price of buying a toyger cat is $2,000-$3,500. If you would prefer to adopt, you may be able to find a toyger cat at a purebred rescue. Certain states require owners to have a permit for toyger cats because of their relation to Bengal cats, which possess more genetic overlap with wild cats. This may be a consideration in adding a toyger cat to your family.

Types of Toyger Cats

There is only one type of toyger cat. Unlike other cats, there aren't variations in the appearance of toygers, and guaranteeing the tiger-like coat of the cats is of the utmost importance in maintaining the breed's pedigree.

Toyger Cat Overview

Toygers are a rare, beautiful, and well-mannered breed. While you may have difficulty finding a toyger of your own, they make great companions and require a standard level of care.

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you are interested in similar breeds, consider learning about these cats:

• Bengal Cat
• Savannah Cat
• Egyptian Mau

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breeds.