Choosing a new pet is a challenging and exciting task, especially when it comes to cats. Breed determines not only their behavior and care, but also their appearance, which is crucial for most future owners. If you've always dreamed of having a pet "tiger," we definitely have something for you.
Toyger
The name of this cat breed comes from the fusion of two English words: "toy" and "tiger." This is highly symbolic, as Toygers truly resemble small tigers: they are predominantly bright orange tabby cats. Their entire body is decorated with vertical stripes of black or rich chocolate. On the paws and tail, the stripes are looped, giving Toygers an even more luxurious and graceful appearance. Combined with their bright green eyes, this coloring appears even more exotic and closely resembles a real tiger.
Bengal cat
The Bengal cat's coat resembles a leopard rather than a tiger. Their entire body is adorned with beautiful tricolor spots, ranging in shades from light brown to deep black. The undercoat is bright red, beige, or silver. Bengals' eyes are typically olive, emerald, or turquoise. This contrast will impress even the most discerning breeder.
Note the tabby coloring.
Wildcat patterns aren't limited to exotic cat breeds. Tabby is the most common pattern, occurring naturally throughout the entire feline family. Domestic cats inherited it from their larger relatives, so even today, after hundreds of years of selective breeding, there are a vast number of tabby variations.
This color comes in:
- ticked - without clearly defined stripes on the body, but with noticeable “freckles” and the letter “M” on the muzzle;
- striped - the animal's fur is decorated with frequent narrow stripes that contrast sharply with the undercoat;
- classic - the stripes can be uneven, intermittent, unclear, and their distribution across the body can also be chaotic;
- spotted - the fur is distinguished by the chaotic arrangement of a large number of small narrow spots;
- Marbled—on the animal's flanks, the stripes appear as delicate streaks, becoming more distinct and contrasting closer to the paws. This variety gets its name from its resemblance to the veins in marble.
At least one tabby pattern is found in many cat breeds. This pattern is most common in the following breeds: Abyssinian, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Singapura, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Ceylon Shorthair, Siberian Shorthair, American Shorthair, and Maine Coon.
If you're determined to have a small pet "tiger," you have every chance of success, as modern catteries produce many tabby breeds. Even with the most discerning taste, you can find a cat with the exact coloring you've always dreamed of.
