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Toyger cats: Breed profile and information
Toyger overview
Other names: Tiger or Tigger
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Size: 9–13” (height), 20–24” (length) and 10–15 lb
Coat: brown, reddish brown or deep orange, usually with tabby stripes
Eye colour: gold, green or hazel
Temperament: companionable, athletic, quiet and laid back
Origin/native country: United States
Thanks to their wonderful ability to be active and exceptionally affectionate, you get the best of both worlds with a toyger.
This hybrid cat was created by crossing a wildcat species – like a Bengal – with a domestic shorthair cat and because of this, it has many attributes of both of these breeds. For example, along with being brilliantly sociable, including with children and other pets, this larger-than-life breed is also always up for a cuddle.
This designer breed is one of the best cat breeds for hot climates due to its short, dense coat that helps them thrive in hotter weather. It gets its name because it resembles a toy tiger.
Their high energy levels mean that they are an above-average commitment, as they’ll need plenty of enrichment to stay happy and healthy. To find out more and discover whether this is the right fit for your four walls, keep scrolling.
Are toygers hypoallergenic?
Unlike a Balinese or Javanese, a Toyger is not considered to be a hypoallergenic cat breed.
“They produce the same amount of Fel d1 protein as other cat breeds – the trigger for allergy sufferers,” vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan explains.
Unlike the non-shedding cat breeds: “They also shed a moderate amount all year round,” the expert confirms.
What does a toyger eat?
Despite its wild-looking characteristics, a Toyger’s dietary requirements are no different from any other domestic cat.
“They require a good quality complete diet that is rich in meat protein, formulated for their age and lifestyle,” Dr MacMillan says. “As with any breed of cat, it is important to keep your toyger at a healthy body weight as obesity can shorten their lifespan.”
Are toygers rare?
Yes, toygers are considered to be a rare breed.
“They are a recently established breed, which only came about in the 1980’s so numbers of this cat are still low,” explains Dr MacMillan. “There are not many toyger breeders out there so prices for one of these kittens are high.”
How much grooming does a toyger need?
Some cats require more grooming than others. However, toygers are considered to be a low maintenance cat, when it comes to grooming.
“Their short, sleek coat only needs brushing once a week,” Dr MacMillan says. “This will keep their coat looking good by removing any loose fur and preventing mats from forming.”
If you intend on adopting this cat, regular oral care is also recommended with a gentle introduction to teeth brushing from a young age. Unsure on how to do so? Discover how to brush your cat’s teeth according to a vet and the best ways to keep your cat’s mouth clean and healthy.
How much exercise does a toyger need?
Like most cats, a toyger will need atleast 30 minutes of exercise a day.
“They are reasonably active so they would need an owner who can engage and play with them regularly,” Dr MacMillan says.
To help them get all the exercise they need, this is where the best cat toys, like the best interactive cat toys and the best automated cat toys will come in handy. The latter will work especially well in households who aren’t able to spend long periods of time playing. So your toyger can amuse themselves instead.
Toyger health problems
This breed is relatively healthy and doesn’t seem to have any breed specific health issues. Explaining why this might be, Dr MacMillan says this is because the Toyger is the product of domestic short-haired cats with certain desirable markings.
“These crossbreed tabbies have a wider gene pool rather than some of the other pedigree cats out there,” the expert says. “That is not to say that breed-specific concerns won’t develop as time goes on.”
However, some health conditions are common to all cats, including toygers.
“This includes dental disease,” Dr MacMillan says. “Any cat can develop excessive tartar buildup and gum inflammation. Owners should brush their cat’s teeth regularly with cat-safe toothpaste and some may require professional veterinary cleans occasionally.”
Keeping your cat at a healthy body weight is also essential, as overweight or obese cats are more likely to suffer from diabetes, joint disease, and cancer.
“Any breed of cat can develop health complaints like heart murmurs, chronic kidney disease, urinary tract issues, or hyperthyroidism, so it is important to be proactive and get them checked over regularly,” the vet says.
How much does a toyger cost?
The short answer to this question is: a lot! Due to their rarity, toygers are one of the more expensive cat breeds and can set you back up to $5,000! But depending on what breeder you go to and the state you’re in, prices tend to start from $1,500 and work their way up – which is similar to a Bengal cat.
That said, if you can find one of these cuties from a shelter, the adoption rate is usually around $500–1,000.
Should I get a toyger?
Only you can decide the answer to this question.
“Toygers are friendly and easygoing cats, so they would fit in well with most families,” explains Dr MacMillan. “They are also reasonably active so they would need an owner who can engage and play with them regularly.”
Generally healthy, toygers can live for up to 12–15 years, so if you intend to rehome one, you can expect them to become a fully fledged member of the fur family for years to come.
Although they have a wild and exotic look, these cats are usually affectionate. Therefore, with the right socialization and gentle introductions, these feline friends get on well with children and dogs.
Read next: Cat breeds that prefer being outdoors
Dr Rebecca MacMillan
Having graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London as a veterinary surgeon, Rebecca is highly experienced in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
Rebecca writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
