Toyger Cat - Facts, History, and Health Problems

While the Toyger cat breed is relatively healthy, it commonly suffers from heart murmurs and other illnesses. Read on to learn more about this unique breed, including its history and what makes it a desirable house pet.
Quick Facts about Toyger Cats
As one of the newer cat breeds, there’s still so much we don’t know about these beautiful felines. They’re a highly energetic breed that will get along very well with other pets and sometimes children, too.
Other Quick Facts
- This breed was initially known as the ‘’ Californian Toyger’’ as a play between the words toy and tiger due to its uncanny resemblance to real tigers
- Toygers were the result of cross-breeding a domestic striped shorthair with a Bengal to enhance the physical characteristics such as its color and circular head markings, much like that of the Sumatran tiger
- These cats are highly affectionate and will enjoy curling up in their owner’s lap
- The Toyger, otherwise known as ‘’toy tiger cat’’ has a muscular, long body. Males are typically larger, weighing between 10 pounds and 15 pounds, compared to females, who usually weigh around seven to 10 pounds
History
Judy Sugden is responsible for the stunning Toyger cat breed. She wished to create a domestic feline with a strong resemblance to a wild tiger and accomplished this feat by breeding a domestic shorthair with striped markings, with the more widely known Bengal cat.
In 1993, Judy took it a step further by importing a cat from India with distinctive spots between his ears, different from regular tabby markings, all of which contributed to the Toyger breed we know today.
Currently, the Toyger is a champion breed in The International Cat Association, with the potential to grow even further in popularity.
Common Health Problems
While these cats are relatively healthy, some health problems may afflict them at some point.
- Heart Murmur: This refers to an abnormal ‘’whooshing’’ sound heard in-between heartbeats. The condition is the result of turbulent blood flow within the heart. Unfortunately, the Toyger cat commonly suffers from this issue, but most of the time, it turns out to be benign given heart murmurs in cats are quite common
- Peritonitis: The feline Infectious Peritonitis is often a fatal viral disease that invades a cat’s white blood cells. It’s best to provide your pet with regular checkups to avoid this condition
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: While not a very well-known one, this illness affects all breeds and ages. It causes the photoreceptor cells to deteriorate, leading to partial or full blindness
It’s safe to say that Toyger cat health problems aren’t as frequent as with other breeds. However, it’s still vital to bring your feline for regular check-ups to ensure that they are healthy and don’t have any hidden illness.
For moments like this, it’s recommended to review cat insurance plans given the savings they can deliver while ensuring that your pet gets the best care possible.