Whether your cat is a purebred Toyger or a Toyger mix, learning about their breed can explain a lot about your pet’s personality, habits and overall health.
If you’re a pet parent to a Toyger cat (or want to be), you may be familiar with people comparing them to tigers. And can you blame them? This cat breed is extremely active and has fur colorings and patterns similar to tigers. Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s on-staff veterinarian, shares more fun facts about this breed.
On average, Toyger cats are usually around 18 inches long and weigh between 7 to 15 pounds, Dr. McCullough explains. It typically takes this cat breed between 18 months to 2 years to reach full maturity.
If it wasn’t for the size difference, it could be hard to tell the difference between tigers and Toyger cats. Their fur coloring is similar to tigers’ and is typically brown and orange with a white belly, Dr. McCullough says.
Toyger cats will keep you on your toes. This cat breed requires a lot of exercise and is high-energy and intelligent, Dr. McCullough explains. So if you live in an active household, Toygers would definitely fit right in. They’re also known for being super playful, easy-going and affectionate, she adds.
When it comes to making friends, Toygers are experts. This breed gets along well with other animals and people, including children. However, Dr. McCullough encourages pet parents to teach their children how to properly handle cats, read their body language cues and respect their boundaries.
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What are common health issues for Toyger cats?
“Toygers are a relatively new breed; therefore, their common health issues are still unknown,” Dr. McCullough shares. “It is believed that Toygers may be predisposed to heart murmurs.”
Treating a Toyger’s heart murmur depends on the cause, she adds. For example, if a heart murmur is because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), it can’t be cured but managed with medications instead.
That’s why it’s important to schedule your cat’s first vet visit as soon as you bring them home. “Establish a preventive care schedule with your veterinarian so injuries and illnesses can be detected as early as possible,” Dr. McCullough encourages.
Adopting a Toyger cat
Are you interested in adopting a Toyger, Toyger mix or any pet at all? We think every pet deserves a home and encourage you to check out our shelter partners. And if you have other cats, be sure to read our article about safely introducing new cats to your cats at home.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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