Origin
United States
Lifespan
10–15 years
Weight
3–7 kg
Group
Shorthair
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Brown Mackerel Tabby · Orange with Black Stripes
Toyger
About This Breed
The Toyger is a domestic cat breed created by breeding a striped domestic shorthair with a Bengal cat to resemble a miniature tiger. The name is a portmanteau of 'toy' and 'tiger'. Toygers have distinctive tiger-like striping on a muscular, athletic build. Despite their wild appearance, they have gentle, playful temperaments and make excellent family pets, getting along well with children and other animals.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Toyger
Origin
| Origin | United States |
| Group | Shorthair |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–7 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Colors & Patterns | Brown Mackerel Tabby · Orange with Black Stripes |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Playful · Social · Intelligent · Calm · Affectionate |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Usually sheds relatively little. Low shedding does not mean an animal cannot cause allergies.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Often gets along with children, but an adult should still supervise their time together.
Often gets along with other pets. Introduce them gradually rather than assuming they will be friends.
Health and lifespan
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
Offer places to climb, hide, scratch, and rest. Try different toys to see what your cat enjoys.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
Breed Overview
Imagine a miniature tiger in your home—a playful russet and striped cat pouncing around your living room, his small paws padding across the floor. But rather than being a wild animal, he’s domesticated. In fact, this wild-looking cat is perfectly suited for a cuddly life in an apartment or with kids. Meet the Toyger, a cross between a Bengal and a tabby cat. They’re a relatively new breed, recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1993 and founded by Judy Sugden, daughter of Bengal breed founder Jean Mill.
Care Guide
These tiger look-alikes are medium-size cats, standing 9–13 inches at shoulder height and weighing 7–15 pounds. Beyond their signature stripes, Toygers boast big-boned, athletic builds similar to their wild muses. Their tail is typically held low as they walk, adding an extra wild touch to their stately gait. Compared to the Savannah and Bengal cat breeds, Toygers tend to be much more easygoing, says Helen Baloun, owner of Designer Stripes Toygers, a TICA-registered cattery. While Toygers don’t typically inherit the Bengal cat's knack for leaping to great heights, mischievous antics, or even their chattiness, they did inherit a gene responsible for a striking coat known as Glitter. The shimmering striped cat is people-oriented, Baloun says, either happily playing within sight of their humans or curling up in a lap to cuddle.