OK, now, if you’re from Cuba or have Cuban ancestry, we don’t want you to get too excited about the Havana Brown cat breed because, despite its name, these little guys aren’t from Cuba. This little guy is actually from England, of all places! But just because this little guy wasn’t once “Castro’s companion” doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be interested in learning more about him; it just means that it won’t make all that much sense if you decide to call them Fidel!
But don’t fret…
In this article, we’re going to talk all about the Havana Brown including:
- Where do they come from
- How they got their name
- What they look like
- What it’s like to own one
- And what health concerns they have
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Havana Brown Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Size: Medium
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Eyes: Oval (emerald green)
Shape of Head: Long and narrow (think Doberman Pinscher)
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Origin of the Havana Brown cat breed
Even though Havana Brown has a habit of an “ancient” look to them, the truth is that this breed isn’t all that old. Can trace the existence of the Havana Brown breed back to the early 1950s when several cat enthusiasts in England purposely decided to try cross-breeding a chocolate-and-seal Siamese with a domestic black shorthair can to create a brown cat with green eyes.
And as you can tell…
From the photo above, they were pretty successful in their attempts. And while “how” these cats were created is well known and well documented, “why” they got the name “Havana Brown” is up for debate. Well, at least the “Havana” part is because it’s pretty apparent why they chose to call them “brown.” Some believe they were called a “Havana” brown because their coloring is reminiscent of a Cuban cigar. In contrast, others think it has something to do with its similarity to a brown rabbit called a Havana Brown.
That said…
Here at IndulgeYourPet, we prefer the “cigar” theory, so if you ask us, we don’t know “nuttin'” about any rabbit called a Havana brown. Either way, shortly after they were created in England, a California breed spotted one and decided to bring them to the United States in 1956, where a successful breeding stock was established to ensure the species would be well represented in the USA.
This “acceptance” in the…
The United States “probably” helped the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) decide to “officially” accept the Havana Brown cat breed as its unique breed just three years after it arrived in the USA in 1959. And while it is true that the breed nearly disappeared by the late 1990s, their numbers have grown steadily since then and are now in the hands of many cat lovers today.
Physical Characteristics
The Havana Brown cat is one of those unique breeds where, while it’s true that there will be some differences between one and another, at their core, all Havana Browns are going to look quite similar to one another. For example, all Havana Brown cats are going to:
- Be about average size, weighing in around 8 to 10 pounds.
- They’re all going to have a shorthaired coat that is going to be a reddish-brown color.
- They will all be lean, strong cats that will “feel” much more significant than they are.
- And they are all going to have strikingly green eyes!
That and what many folks describe as an “uncommon” shaped head is longer than it is wide. Some of them have a bit of a Doberman Pinscher “type” face. This isn’t bad; we’re just saying that the Havana Brown breed doesn’t have the typical “squished” look like most cats.
Temperament and Personality
Right off the back, we must let you know that the Havana Brown cat breed can be demanding. This is because they like to be around people. And by being “around people,e” we mean on your lap, running between your legs, and rubbing against your arm while writing an article about different kinds of cats.
Basically…
If you’re home, they want to be around you. That and they’re very talkative. Now, it’s not like they have an annoying “meow.” If you’re not paying attention to them, chances are they will ask you why not, which is excellent if you like that kind of cat. If not, all this “attention” from your four-legged friend can be overwhelming. So, what “kind” of cat person are you?
“Do you like cats that think you are the center of their universe?”
Or
“Do you prefer cats who don’t care if you exist as long as their food and water bowl are full?”
We should also point out that these little guys are brilliant, and they enjoy a challenge. So, if you decide to adopt one, be sure to provide them with plenty of toys that will challenge their minds and make them think, and they will love you!
Naturally curious…
These little guys won’t get frustrated or give up on learning a new skill or trick. Quite the opposite; These guys will become more focused and determined the more complex the task. They also like going on adventures. So, if you plan on keeping your Havana Brown inside, you better secure all exits tightly because these guys can tend to be rather accomplished escape artists. But if you don’t mind letting them go outside, you better warn everyone cause these guys will check out every corner of the neighborhood!
Potential Health Concerns
A Havana Brown is generally healthy, but there are a few things that they could come to develop. One of the most common things among Havana Browns is the development of:
- Calcium oxalate stones (or kidney stones) in their urinary tract.
- And upper respiratory infections.
These guys are also prone to developing obesity simply because they LOVE to eat and will eat about anything they can get their jaws on. However, there’s no need to get paranoid and allow these health problems to stop you from getting a Havana Brown. We want to ensure that you’re aware of these conditions so that if you decide to adopt a Havana Brown cat, you understand that you’re taking on a great responsibility because you will be responsible for their wellbeing.
Which brings us to…
The last topic we would like to discuss here in our article about the Havana Brown cat breed is the importance of purchasing a pet insurance policy. Now, you may think that you don’t need a pet insurance policy on your new kitten because they are perfectly healthy. Still, one never knows what the future may bring, and all that we can tell you is that veterinarian bills are not “cheap.”
So before…
You automatically dismiss the idea of purchasing a pet insurance policy on any of your animals; we would encourage you to check out our article: Best Pet Insurance Companies so that you can read about some of the advantages and disadvantages of owning such a policy as well as find out how much one might cost.
