Description, nature and content of toyger cats
Toyger is one of the rarest and most unique cat breeds. This animal was bred relatively recently, but in a short time it gained self-love and popularity. Exotic appearance and good nature are the main characteristics of the breed.
Origin story
The Toyger breed was bred artificially, in translation from English it means "toy" and "tiger", that is, a toy tiger cub. The homeland of the pet is considered to be the United States, and the idea of creating the breed belongs to D. Sadgen. Despite the fact that Judy had the profession of an architect, she decided to create a separate breed of cat, which would look like a wild beast, but had a domestic character.
The woman crossed a Bengal cat with an Indian kitten that looked like a tiger cub. The work carried out gave a positive result - so cute tabby kittens were born. All the efforts and a lot of time spent brought a toyger into this world, which began to attract the attention of animal lovers and breeders.
Despite the fact that the experiments ended positively, the process of improving the breed continues.
In 2006, the minke whale earned world recognition, participating in many cat exhibitions and show programs, where cats of the best exotic breeds are gathered. In the United States, this animal is quite popular; more than 40 nurseries are concentrated on the territory, which are located in California, Texas, Alaska, Ohio. Toyger is also common in many other countries, and Russia is no exception.
Description
Representatives of the Toyger breed have rather large body sizes.Cats weigh from 3500 to 5000 grams, and cats from 5000 to 7500 grams. With a wild cat, a thoroughbred pet resembles a muscular physique, high shoulders and wide bones. The head of the animal is elongated, wide, and of medium size. The muzzle looks like an inverted heart. The contours of the profile are characterized by clarity and roundness.
On the head of the toy tiger cub there are small ears with rounded tips. The neck is high, thin and muscular. The temples and ears are covered with thick fur, but the tassels are missing. The eyes can be small or medium in size, they are round in shape, and the upper eyelid is slightly drooping. The organs of vision are characterized by deep seating, they are painted with a rich and deep color.
The nose of a thoroughbred pet is characterized by length, muscularity, roundness, it is widened towards the end. Toyger's limbs are strong, have medium length and long fingers. The tail is long, muscular and rounded, usually drooping.
These animals have short hair, in places of patterns it can be longer than usual.
The main feature of the Toyger breed is the presence of unique tabby stripes, which are colored black, brown or yellow-brown. The fur of the animal is not ticked, that is, the stripes are dark in color from the end to the skin. The color of the undercoat is mousy, and the base of the color is monochromatic and lightened. The color contrast is inherent in the cat's fur coat.
The fur pattern of the minke whales is presented in the form of a modified tabby mackerel. The arrangement of the stripes is vertical, they are closed in a ring on the neck, legs and tail. Stripes can be either uneven or braided. Elongated spots may also be present on a cat's fur coat. The pads on the limbs are black, just like the tip of the tail.
Usually, the fur near the eyes is lightened, therefore, the impression of glasses on the muzzle is created.
Toygers, who are provided with optimal living conditions, care and proper nutrition, live about 14-16 years. Interesting features of the breed include the following:
- Toyger is one of the ten most expensive pets in the world, ranking 5th;
- the cat is afraid of a confined space, transportation;
- it is prohibited by law to cross a toyger with a Bengal breed.
Pets of this breed are considered quite rare, but a kitten can be bought in Russia. In our country, there are nurseries where such animals are bred. Such a cat costs from 8,000 to 12,000 rubles. Show-class kittens are much more expensive, they are ready to take part in exhibitions and competitions. When buying a little "tiger cub" you should pay attention to the documents and the state of the cub.
The advantages of this breed include the following:
- cuteness of appearance;
- brightness and unusual color;
- benevolence, affection, poise, lack of aggression;
- high intelligence;
- unpretentiousness, the ability to adapt to any living conditions;
- the possibility of natural and industrial nutrition;
- cleanliness and self-care for your own appearance;
- absence of genetic diseases;
The disadvantages of toygers are the following features:
- a well-developed muscular system can hide obesity;
- cunning and desire to steal food;
- the presence of prohibited foods for feeding cats;
- breeding is possible in a nursery;
- high cost of kittens.
Character traits
People who do not know the history of the origin of the Toyger breed can conclude that, due to the tiger appearance, the cat has an aggressive and bestial character. In fact, this pet is characterized by affection and friendliness. It is unusual for him to be jealous of other living creatures, so the minke quickly finds a common language with other indoor animals, with the exception of rodents.Loneliness has a bad effect on a toyger, so even with a dog it will be more fun for him.
An exotic pet can get along well with children.... There is no need to be afraid that he will offend the child, on the contrary, it will be interesting for the cat to play with the little man. When another animal is stroked in front of the toyger, jealousy and aggression will not arise. The striped will not meow enviously, beg for attention.
The playfulness and sociability of tabby cats allows them to become everyone's favorites. This cute and mischievous creature is quite curious, so she will explore all corners of the rooms. Such a kid should purchase as many toys as possible, otherwise equipment may suffer from his persistence. It is noticed that this pet prefers to equip hiding places in the apartment, so if some thing disappears from the owners, then the fuzzy will most likely be to blame for this.
The toyger's affection for the owner is striking, he loves to accompany him everywhere. Adaptation to a new environment in a creature is quite simple and quick. This pet will be comfortable not only in private houses with large rooms, but also in a small apartment. The pet prefers active and mobile entertainment, so the cat's playing area should be wide.
The best option for a toyger would be to install a special play complex.
Jumping is inherent in this breed of cats, it can easily jump onto a mezzanine or wardrobe. This pet is distinguished by independence and independence, despite being sociable. Despite the need to communicate with a person, a toyger can tolerate loneliness and long separation painlessly. These cats never impose themselves on their owners, they expect attention to themselves. The pet loves to sit on the owner's lap, while expressing delight in purring.
Provided that the animal lives in apartment conditions on a high floor, the owner must secure his presence on the windowsill and balcony. The fact is that this breed does not know the feeling of fear and caution, therefore it can fall out of the window. Toygers are easy to train, they just assimilate new information, as well as prohibitions and permissions. A grown cat should be started to educate, otherwise it can become an arrogant manipulator.
This animal does not know how to take revenge and harbor anger. If the kitten is raised correctly and in a timely manner, then there will be no problems with intentionally attracting attention. According to the owners of toygers, it is clear that this breed is quite affectionate. This animal loves to be in human society and watch TV. The pet meows infrequently, but if a person communicates with him, the cat will definitely answer.
The main character traits of the "toy tiger" are the following:
- peacefulness;
- lifelong playfulness;
- calmness;
- devotion;
- sociability;
- high level of intelligence;
- the opportunity to learn and train;
- curiosity.
During breeding work, toygers developed a lack of track instinct, that is, if the pet is lost, it will not find its way home on its own. Because of this feature of the breed, it is worth paying special attention to the safety of the animal. It is recommended to accustom the toyger to a collar with an address and a bell attached.
Conditions of detention
It is not recommended for the toyer to settle down in the new room on its own. For its normal life, special conditions must be created, so the animal will grow and develop well. Many owners buy or create a play complex for their pet, in which there is a house, a sleeping place, stairs and shelves. "Toy shooting range" must be provided with a plot in which he will sleep, have fun, and also hide if necessary.
It is advisable to provide a special place from which the pet will review the territory. Despite the fact that the animal loves to sleep with its owner, its bed should be placed away from its own. The pet does not tolerate transportation in a cage, since it is a freedom-loving creature.
Being in an enclosed space, a toyger can panic, so you shouldn't be surprised if he screams and gets offended later.
Care
The short fur coat of a toy tiger does not need to be burdened with specific care, frequent bathing. It is worth carrying out hygiene procedures as needed. As a cleanser option, you can use a moisturizing shampoo. In the moulting season, to remove the old undercoat, the animal should be combed out with a special brush for a short-haired creature. You do not need to make any special efforts when combing the fur, since the cat is engaged in this work independently.
It is necessary to take care of your pet's eyes and ears in a standard way. If discharge appears near the visual organs, then they need to be eliminated with a cotton swab moistened with boiled water. Ears should be wiped with a cotton pad dipped in petroleum jelly. At the level of instinct, the animal is engaged in sharpening claws, which are large and sharp.
If you have expensive furniture and flooring, you should install a scratching post for the cat and buy a nail clipper.
The kitten should get used to turning marigolds from early childhood. TOBesides using a scratching post, your pet should do a manicure. Toilet training should also be done as early as possible, without delaying these procedures. When the toyger is 6 weeks old, it will be ready to empty in a specially designated place.
There are no specific recommended procedures in terms of caring for this breed of cats. Representatives of felines carefully lick themselves. The owner should brush his pet's teeth from time to time, examine his ears and periodically clean his fur. To brush your teeth, you can wrap gauze around your finger or use a cotton swab. Some owners buy special brushes for exotic cats.
It is recommended to bathe the animal if its fur is stained. This should be done no more than twice a month. Washing your pet should be gentle, as it may sip on liquid.
Toygers like to take walks in the fresh air, according to experts, you should not limit the animal in this pleasure.
Breeding at home
An inexperienced cat breeder cannot afford to breed this breed of cats. These animals are in the developmental stage, so its signs are rather unstable. That is why, if you want to breed a toy tiger with a domestic cat, it is better to turn to a professional. With an independent procedure, most likely, the signs of a purebred breed will be lost.
When keeping a purebred cat at home, the owner should remember about the frequency of birth of the animal. According to veterinarians, fertilizing a female is worth every 12 months. If the tiger gives birth often, then its body will quickly wear out and will not be able to recover soon. After giving birth, the animal becomes thin, the cat's coat grows dull, she experiences a feeling of weakness and malaise.
Feeding
This breed of cats is unpretentious, but feeding an exotic creature should be approached responsibly. Some cat owners feed their pets with natural homemade products, while others prefer ready-made commercial food. There is no single correct solution in this matter, therefore everyone has the right to make their choice according to their possibilities. If the cat eats only food from bags, then he will not perceive homemade dishes.
When feeding with natural products, the owner will be able to save a little, however, the animal may lack vitamins. Practically everything is possible for the "tiger cub" from products of natural origin. The basis of the toyger's diet should be the following components:
- meat in the form of beef, chicken, offal;
- eggs;
- almost all vegetables;
- cereals in the form of rice and buckwheat;
- dairy products.
Non-recommended toyger products include the following:
- fish, due to the large number of bones;
- milk, as it can cause indigestion;
- salt, as it causes irreparable harm to the kidneys of the animal;
- spices;
- fatty foods and smoked foods.
When treating the "tiger" with a cutlet or sausage, nothing bad will happen, but this is not recommended. When choosing a feeding, it is worth taking into account the preferences of the pet. A cat can eat lean unsalted buckwheat porridge not because he loves this product, but out of hunger. There are some individuals who prefer raw vegetables and fruits. Such food is considered very healthy, because it contains a lot of fiber, which is so beneficial for the stomach and intestines of cats.
Meat products for cats should be lean, never fatty. The meat should be served raw, cut into pieces and scalded in boiling water or boiled. The groats must be boiled in water, and then seasoned with vegetable oil with fresh herbs or stewed vegetables. Once a week, the cat should be treated to the heart of cattle, and the liver is recommended to be excluded from the diet. Fish should not be given often, the best option would be cod, saury, haddock.
Raw fish from the river can harm the animal, it is not recommended to give it.
Once every three days, the toyger should be given yogurt, fermented baked milk or varenets. Kefir can also be introduced into the diet, but it is undesirable to do so, the main thing is that it is fresh, otherwise the animal may experience diarrhea. The owner must ensure that the animal is able to eat the green grass. Some plant pots on purpose so that the cat can eat safe greens.
There are toygers who like sweets, but experts do not recommend giving such products to pets. The owners should know that the representatives of this breed are quite cunning, so it will not be difficult for them to steal a piece of chocolate. Feeding an exotic cat should be done 2 times a day, kittens require more.
The size of servings is influenced by the age of the pet and its physiological characteristics.
A toy tiger cub is not a bad animal, so it is difficult to keep track of its figure. The owner must not forget that overfeeding a toyger can cause it to be overweight. Large weight can lead to malfunction of internal organs and their systems.
A hungry animal immediately betrays itself, it behaves restlessly. The best way out of the situation is to accustom your pet to the regime. The cat will quickly remember the time at which it is fed.
A good option for a pet is also a commercial commercial food, which is made specifically for a short-haired cat. It is worth giving preference to high-quality premium or super-premium products. Dry food prevents the formation of tartar in cats, as it removes the accumulated plaque.
Like any other pet, the toyger is prone to gaining excess weight quickly. Obesity of a pet is not a consequence of overfeeding, but of the fact that the owner gives food to the cat not 2 times a day, but more often, which is unacceptable for this breed. It is worth feeding your pet in the morning and evening. The main thing in nutrition is balance. And also an exotic creature needs trace elements that will support the bone system.
Health
Toyger is a young cat breed, so there is no exact information about the animal's genetic diseases yet.The health of this animal is worth constantly monitoring, it is also important to make regular visits to the doctor. The following signs indicate that a pet is sick:
- poor appetite or refusal to eat;
- drastic weight loss or weight gain;
- lethargic state;
- unreasonable aggression and nervousness;
- redness of the skin, their peeling;
- the appearance of bald patches;
- the presence of discharge from the visual organs, nose;
- high or too low body temperature;
- difficulty urinating;
- the presence of blood in the feces;
- stopping emptying;
- diarrhea and vomiting;
- swelling, redness of the eyelids;
- excessive bulging of the eyeball;
- cloudy lens;
- enlargement of the liver, which is recognized tactilely.
If the owner noticed any of the above symptoms, then he simply must immediately contact the veterinarian.
Defects in appearance among toygers are not common. However, deviations from the standard characteristics can prevent the cat from participating in the show. These criteria include the following:
- there are no testicles, on the one hand - monorchism, on the other - cryptorchidism;
- testicles underdeveloped on one side or both;
- there are no claws;
- multi-finger or missing fingers;
- there are signs of dwarfism;
- the animal is blind or mows;
- the eyelids are rolled inward;
- there is an umbilical hernia;
- there are white spots on the fur coat, which, according to the standard, should not be.
The opinion of experts testifies to the good health of toygers. However, animals have a tendency to some ailments.
- Heart disease. This pet inherited cardiomyopathy from Bengal cats.
- Cataract. If this eye disease is started, the cat may remain blind.
- Obesity... The owner of an exotic creature should be careful about the cat's diet. You should not allow excessive consumption of feed and homemade food.
Usually breeders castrate and neuter the kitten even in the conditions of the cattery. This procedure is based on the removal of the gonads of the animal. The duration of the operation does not take more than 15 minutes. Sterilization is carried out strictly under general anesthesia. If the toyger is not sterilized, then at the age of 9-10 months it should be taken to the veterinarian. After the tests and deworming of the cat, the doctor will carry out the procedure.
Allergic reactions in an animal practically do not occur in the same way as dysbiosis and stomach problems. The domestic tiger cub tolerates vaccination without any problems. Carrying kittens and giving birth are not accompanied by complications. Cubs are usually born healthy, there are often 5 of them in a litter.
Reviews
The Toyger breed is perceived as a luxury item and a status indicator. Not every cat breeder can afford to buy such a beautiful pet. Reviews from the owners of these animals indicate that this cat has a wild appearance and docile nature. The owner of such a pet can be called a real lucky one, since he acquires not only a pet, but also a devoted, obedient, disgraceful friend.
This breed of cats was bred through long-term selection work. Therefore, a toyger pet looks like a little tiger cub, although the color of the fur practically does not coincide with it. This representative of the fauna very affectionate and peaceful, it can sleep on the lap of its owner for a long time. Caring for such a creature is not difficult, but breeding this cat is impossible.
Toyger owners notice that the cat himself knows when he needs to play, and when to rest aside and not interfere with the owner.
Not every feline can boast of such delicacy, patience, and friendliness. The pet enjoys amusing entertainment, active games and bathing. When buying a toyger, you should give preference to a trusted breeder or nursery.Toyger cats are characterized by a special charm, exotic appearance, predatory unusual grace. The animal requires attention and care from the owner, to which it reciprocates.
This cute tiger cub has an interesting manner in communicating with a person - instead of meowing, he is able to publish a quiet clicking. Toyger breed is a great option for people who cannot constantly be at home and fiddle with a pet. The cat should be provided with the correct diet, cleanliness, convenience, conditions in which the animal will feel safe.
A toy tiger cub will be able to win the owner's heart forever and become a member of his family.
For the peculiarities of the Toyger breed, see below.