Toygers (The Cat That Looks Like A Tiger)

As the name suggests, Toyger cats resemble miniature tigers, with the important difference that they are sweet and friendly to people.

The breed is one of the newer breeds as it was developed in the 1990s from stock that included a street cat that was found in Kashmir in India who looked like a tiger.  The original breeder mixed this cat with one of her beautiful Bengals and the result was the striking looking Toyger.

They are easy-going, fun-loving, and are one cat breed that takes well to leash training.

While these cats were bred to look like tigers, their nature is gentle, calm, loving and nothing like the tigers of the wild.

Characteristics Of The Toyger Cat

They have a coat that is short, soft and plush to the touch.

Their coloring is a brown mackerel tabby-like with a bright orange coat surrounding the markings and a white underside.

Their head has distinctive looking circular markings, unlike the stripes on the body, to resemble the tigers in the wild.

When a Toyger prances through your home, he really looks like a tiger on the prowl.  With their elongated toes and paws that look like a tiger’s, these beauties are unique and of course, very domesticated.

Their legs are shorter than a Bengal but they can move quickly.

Even though they look like a tiger, its personality couldn’t be more different.  While super-intelligent, they are also playful and really friendly.

The typical size for Toygers is 11 to 15 pounds for males and 7 to 11 pounds for females.

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Toyger Cat Personality

Toygers love the water so don’t be alarmed if it hangs out while you are taking a bath or you find them sleeping in your sink.

They are known to be one of the friendliest breeds that get very attached to their family.

Even when they meet new people, they are willing to greet them with a purr and a cuddle.

They are a bit on the needy side in the best of ways, but if you are looking for a cat that does his own thing, The Toyger isn’t that.  He craves human attention.

Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance

If you ignore him, expect some loud meowing.

Because they are very smart and curious, these kitties can learn tricks more readily than most cats.

Want to walk your cat on a leash? The Toygers are game and have a ball while doing it.  They will observe their surroundings and just like a dog, they respond really well to positive reinforcement.

Ever curious, you will find your Toyger cat enjoys exploring all the nooks and crannies of its home. They are also very energetic and will jump to great heights!

Common Health Issues in Toyger Cats

Toygers are sturdy and healthy cats that live an average of 12 to 15 years.

Because they are a relatively newer breed, it will take time before really knowing the type of illness or injuries that are prone to the breed.

However, the Toygers are more prone to a few health problems:

Feline Cardiomyopathy

Feline cardiomyopathy is a term that encompasses four related conditions in which the muscles of the heart become weakened or fail to function properly. In the case of Toygers, there can be a heart murmur.

Left untreated, cardiomyopathy often leads to heart failure and death. The condition is diagnosed based on a veterinarian’s examination for heart murmurs and other cardiac abnormalities.

The treatment for feline cardiomyopathy usually involves the administration of drugs that help to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a disease that is caused by a virus that can infect such organs as the brain, kidneys, and abdomen. Symptoms are non-specific, including lethargy and loss of appetite, which makes peritonitis difficult to diagnose.

Treatment options include drugs and blood transfusions. A vaccine has been developed, but so far it has not proved particularly effective.

Both of these conditions, while usually treatable, are very expensive to treat and are life-long conditions once developed.

Should You Purchase Pet Insurance for Your Toyger Cat?

While Toygers are among the healthier breeds, if your cat develops either of the above diseases, you will be prepared with pet insurance for early and aggressive treatment that can extend your cat’s years and increase the quality of life.

And, even if you are very fortunate and your Toyger kitten doesn’t inherit one of those diseases that are common to the breed, there are many other health conditions that might transpire.

Having a cat that can live up to 15 years old, there invariably will be other health problems that creep up.

Kidney disease is very common among older cats and can be expensive to treat.  And, that is just one illness that can cost up to $15,000, not to mention anything else that might occur.

Pet insurance will help you pay for any health issue for your Toyger as well as the testing that goes with it.

The best pet insurance plans will pay up to 90% of your medical bills as long as you enroll your Toyger kitten in a plan before any pre-existing conditions occur.

Pet insurance plans for cats are very inexpensive and can start as low as $10 a month.   Make sure to insure your cat while he or she is younger before any illness or injury occurs.

Finding The Best Pet Insurance for Your Toyger

When you have a breed like a Toyger, make sure to find a pet insurance provider that covers breed-specific illnesses.  The best plans like Embrace, Healthy Paws and Petplan will certainly cover those illnesses and more.

By having pet insurance, you can have the comfort of knowing that whatever happens to your cat, you have the financial means to take care of him or her for the rest of his or her long life.

If you are looking for a new pet insurance policy or want to explore some other options, our top 8 pet insurance companies for cats is a great place to start!

 

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Cat Breeds

 

We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.

 

Additional Cat Breeds:

 

American Curl Cat, American Wirehair Cat, Arabian Mau Cat, Ashera Cat, Balinese Cat, Burmese Cat, Chartreux Cat, Chausie Cat, Cymric Cat, Domestic Medium Hair Cat 

Himalayan Cat, Japanese Bobtail Cat, Manx Cat, Nebelung Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Orange Tabby Cat, Oriental Cat, Persian Cat, Pixie-Bob Cat, Russian Blue Cat

Scottish Fold Cat, Selkirk Rex Cat, Siamese Cat, Siberian Cat, Singapura Cat, Somali Cat, Thai Cat, Toygers Cat, Turkish Angora Cat, LaPerm Cat, Maine Coon Cat

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