Toyger vs Colorpoint Shorthair - Breed Comparison

The Toyger is a domestic cat developed from breeding Shorthaired Tabbies to look like a small Tiger.

It has the striped coat of the Tiger. The person to develop the Toyger is Judy Sugden.

The unusual-looking cat has been recognized for registration by the International Cat Association in the 1990s. It was accepted as a full championship breed in 2007.

Today this designer cat is recognized by the ICA but not the Cat Fancier's Association.

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese cat that came about when the Siamese cat was used with the red American Shorthair to bring about new colors.

The actual name is given by the CFA or Cat Fanciers’ Association to refer to pointed cats that have Siamese parents and that have many colors other than the usual 4 Siamese colors which are blue, lilac, seal, and chocolate.

It was in the 1940s and 1950s that cat breeders in the UK and the USA wanted to develop a Siamese cat with red points as opposed to the traditional Siamese colors. It was in 1964 that these red and cream Colorpoint Shorthairs were awarded championship status with the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Today, different cat registries recognize the Colorpoint Shorthair as a separate breed while others see it as a variation of the Siamese.

The Toyger is a medium to large-sized cat that can weigh between 5 and 9kg. As with any cat, with these newer kinds of cats, the size of the cat can vary.

It is a shorthair cat that is quite a bit bigger than your regular cat. The coat of this mixed breed cat has markings similar to that of a tiger - vertical orange striping with rosettes.

The coat of the cat is short and he is a brown mackerel tabby with stripes being a dark brown to black. The eyes of the cat can be a blue, aquamarine, green, or gold.

Temperament:

These cats have a laid back disposition, and will comfortably slot into a busy household.

They are playful and intelligent and can be taught tricks and to walk on the lead.

This cat enjoys the company of people and will get on well with other pets too. People who have owned them say they are the most affectionate and loving cats there are and will enjoy being petted and pampered by their human family.

They get on well in busy households where there are children and other pets. They’re super smart and can be trained with ease.

Unlike many other cat breeds, he seems to also enjoy playing in water.

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a medium-size cat that typically weighs between 2 to 4kg and is nicely muscled. This is a long cat with legs that are long and slender too.

The coat is short and glossy, light-colored with darker extremities. Colors can be Cream Point, Red Point, Cinnamon Point, Seal Point, Blue-, Lilic- and Chocolate Point among others. The cat is well known for its mesmerizing almond-shaped blue eyes.

Temperament:

This sweet agile, athletic cat will be a delight in your home as he is highly intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands but he is also friendly, playful, and loving. They’re social, outgoing cats too and when he’s not amusing himself, he will happily come and lounge about close to where his beloved human companions are.

On the other side of the coin, these cats can also be somewhat nervous and sensitive and they won’t adapt easily to a change in environment and lifestyle. It is why you have to choose your pet carefully and understand that owning a pet is a commitment of some 15 years or so.

Like the Siamese cat, these felines can be very vocal and they let you know when they want your attention.

Toygers are expensive cats and there aren’t many breeders in the world. If you do decide to invest in a Toyger, he will need careful looking after, after all, you've spent a lot of money on him.

Diet is of absolute importance to keep such a cat healthy. The right environment is also important as cats and dogs for that matter too, can become ill and depressed if they find themselves in homes where they are unloved and abused.

Don't get a cat if you aren't prepared to love and care for him. Because the question is then 'why get a cat?'

Choose the wonderful Colorpoint if you want a cat that isn’t cold and independent. With this cat you have one that is more like a companion and looks forward to being around you.

This is a loyal and loving cat who wants to be part of the human family and he wants to be involved in your life.

He suits first-time cat owners, those with children and pets in the home as well as being an excellent pet for seniors – anyone in fact, who is willing to bestow on him the love and affection he craves.

Just like in human beings, obesity can reduce the lifespan of your cat. Make sure you keep your Toyger’s weight under control.

These cats are considered to be fairly healthy. He can be predisposed to some of the same cat conditions that the Bengal and Domestic Shorthair face.

When your Toyger shows any signs of illness, get him to the vet. Some of the common health problems your Toygers might have to contend with include obesity and heart murmurs.

A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound, and is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. When you vet examines your cat, a heart murmur is detected when the vet listens to your cat's heart with a stethoscope. The vet will discuss with you the way forward for your cat.

If you get a Toyger kitten, you will have to make sure he is up to date with his vaccinations. This is part of being a responsible cat owner.

The breeder will have a record of his vaccinations and will hand this over to you.

At 6 – 8 weeks kittens start with their first injections which include vaccinations for distemper, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline calici virus.

When it comes to the health of these beautiful cats, you may well find similar health issues as what affects the Siamese, some of which are asthma or bronchial disease, congenital heart defects and lymphoma among others.

Lymphoma is cancer in the lymphocyte cells. Your cat will be lethargic and you will need to get him to the vet and provide the vet with a medical history of your cat. Lymphoma is believed to be associated with exposure to feline leukemia virus as well as the feline immunodeficiency virus.

Toygers should be brushed weekly and have their nails trimmed regularly. As with all domesticated cats, you should check inside his ears to make sure they don’t become clogged with dirt and wax.

These are smart cats so they will need to be provided with attention in the form of clever games and toys that get him thinking.

Toygers need to be fed much like any other domestic cat. The most important thing to remember when feeding a cat is that they are carnivores and they require meaty food high in protein.

Speak to your vet about the absolute necessity of getting your cat’s diet right. For your convenience, cat food manufacturers have brought out many excellent cat foods that cater to the time of life your cat is in.

Make sure your Toyger has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Rember that your Colorpoint Shorthair is a long, lean, musculac cat and for health purposes, you want to ensure a good diet of the best cat food there is. There are some excellent commercially manufactured cat goods available and it is wise to get to know the ingredients as meat and protein is high on the list. Cats are carnivoes and it is imperative to feed your cat high quality protein. When in any kind of doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food available for your special feline friend.

The short coat requires brushing once a week.

Check your cat over for any unusual lumps. Look at his eyes, check inside his ears for signs of redness and infection and check inside his mouth for signs of bad teeth as this can cause him terrible pain.

Provide a litter box and keep it scrupulously clean.

Have the claws cut.

Have your cat spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted kittens and to also promote better health for your cat.

Provide your cat with a warm bed, food and water bowls, and stimulating toys.