Ussuri vs Toyger - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Not much is known about the Ussuri cat but it does seem to be a rare natural cat breed. The cat originates from Russia but is rare even in that country.

A breed standard for this cat was published in the 1990s, but nothing has been heard since and its breed status isn't clear. It does seem that the Ussuri's numbers are dwindling due to interbreeding with local domestic cats. Also, the cat doesn't have a breeding program and it is expected that the cat will just quietly disappear.

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 Ussuri cat can be described as a medium-sized cat that weighs between 3 and 6kg. The ears often have those tufts, similar to that of a lynx. The body of the Ussuri cat is muscular. The neck is firm, the legs medium length and muscular with rounded paws. The tail has a rounded tip. The coat is short and glossy and there is a thick undercoat. It has a mix of spots with lines around the face.There are also line on the legs and the tail is ringed. It definitely lives up to looking like a wild cat.

Temperament

The Ussuri has a wild heritage, and domesticated, they are smart and intelligent. Of course, being on the wild side, they like to hunt and will present you with mice, rats, and birds. They are quite capable of forming strong bonds with their human owners, and tend to gravitate particularly to one member of the family.

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.

Ussuri Cats are very smart cats and they are able to adapt fairly quickly to their surroundings. Think twice before you invest in a Ussuri as they have different needs to your regular domestic cat. These are cats that won't slot easily into indoor life and that is why you need to think carefully before you bring such a cat home as a pet. While they can be affectionate to their human family, they are restless cats, wanting to get away to that wild life they once knew.

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?'

These are strong, robust cats, but even so, for your own peace of mind, a visit to the vet every now and them can be a good thing to make sure everything is aright with your cat. Healthy they may be, but they can still pick up any one of the many common cat diseases there are. With a good diet, plenty of exercise and a caring environment, they can reach 16 years of age or older.

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.

The short coat of Ussuri cats is glossy and close-lying, and a brush once a week will be fine for this cat. Provide your pet with an outside enclosure. These are cats with a wild side, and to ensure you don't get frustrated with him, an enclosure with climbing equipment will be a good idea. Ensure the cat gets plenty of exercise. You will need to invest in interactive toys that encourage this intelligent cat to think things out. Only the very highest quality meat-diet will be good enough for this cat. Ensure he has a constant supply of fresh cool water. In his outside enclosure, you can include a paddling pool, and in the wilds, cats like to paw at water and wade in. Provide your pet with a comfortable sleeping area.

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.