Highlander Cat Breed Information

The Highlander cat is a relatively new breed of feline, with the first litter being born in 2004. These somewhat rare and certainly unique cats are registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) as a certified preliminary new breed.

  1. Origins

    • The origins of the Highlander cat that is on registry today go back to a litter of Highland Lynx kittens that were born in 1995. This litter was the result of breeding a Jungle Curl cat and a Desert Lynx, both wild cat hybrids. Over the years, these cats have been cross-bred with other Curl breeds as well as other Jungle cats to obtain the Highland breed that is registered with TICA today.

    Features

    • The most predominant feature of the Highlander cat is its ears. Highlander kittens are born with straight ears, however, in the first few days after birth their ears begin to curl, giving them a unique feature. The Highlander can be short or long haired and has a large, muscular body. Male Highlander cats can weigh upwards of 20 pounds, while female Highlander cats are typically smaller weighing between 10 to 14 pounds.

    Personality

    • The Highlander cat is known for being very friendly and playful. They are very inquisitive and develop deep bonds with their families.

    Warnings

    • Highlander cats are very strong and intelligent. Toys purchased for your cat should be durable and sturdy to prevent the cat from taking it apart and possibly consuming a part of the toy that could injure it.

    Health Considerations

    • Even though the Highlander cat has ties to wild cat hybrids, they require no special dietary requirements or medical care. Providing routine veterinary checkups and a healthy diet of high quality cat food as you would with any cat breed will suffice.