Emma Jones
Playful, loyal, and a little headstrong – the Havana cat is considered to be particularly suitable for animal lovers who like to spend a lot of time with their pets. Because Havana needs the closeness and attention of its human. She also prefers the comfort of an apartment to the outdoors. The agile cat does not like being alone at all, which is why keeping two or more cats is recommended.
Havana cat character
The Havana cat is a playful velvet paw. Being quite intelligent as well, most of her kind also learn cat tricks. Training keeps the cat busy and spending time with it, which strengthens the bond. Because the Havana cat is very close to its human and accordingly demands attention. However, the breed is also prone to stubbornness. The confident cat is curious and likes to use its paws to examine interesting objects and get people’s attention.
Havana cat: husbandry and care
Havana cats prefer the warmth and comfort of an apartment, so they don’t necessarily need outdoor spaces. If you keep the house cat purely as an indoor cat, you must keep the Havana occupied and challenged in a manner appropriate to the species. Otherwise, she gets bored and her stubborn head comes up with questionable ideas – for example, to inspect your sofa more closely with her claws. With a little creativity and cat toys, you can offer your cat a variety of activities. There should also be enough space in the apartment for climbing opportunities. Places of retreat are also important. The Havana cat is a social cat and does not like being left alone for long periods of time. Consider getting a second cat as a companion, especially if you travel often.
The Havana cat’s coat is fairly easy to care for: brush it every now and then to keep it shiny. Also, get regular health checks and deworming. In warm months you should give preventive preparations against ticks and fleas to outdoor cats. Because Havana is considered a fairly lively breed, it burns a lot of energy: make sure you eat a balanced diet so that the animals get all the vitamins and minerals.
The colors of the Havana cat
The Havana cat’s smooth, shimmering mahogany fur lies close to the body, and its sheen gives the cats of this breed their noble appearance. Her coat feels very soft and silky and is reminiscent of mink fur. The mahogany tone sometimes turns into a rich chocolate brown or tends towards a reddish-brown. According to the breed standard, Havana cats do not have a pattern.
The History of the Havana Cat
The first reports of the Havana cat date back to the 19th century. In it, however, the appearance of these cats was described as undesirable, since they were regarded as “not blue-eyed Siamese”. In the 1950s, English breeders specifically targeted cats with the color chocolate. For this purpose, chocolate-colored Siamese, Russian Blue cats single-colored black domestic cats, and Seal Siamese were crossed with each other.
Finally, in 1952, a chocolate-brown kitten was born in England and was given the name “Elmtower Bronze Idol”. This cat is now considered the first Havana cat. At this time, the term “Havana Brown” was used for the first time, which refers to the desired color typical of the breed. Exactly where this name came from is controversial: one theory says it goes back to the Havana cigars. Others refer to the Havana rabbit by name, which has the same shade of fur. A contemplated name change to “Chestnut Brown” did not catch on – and so it stayed with “Havana Brown”. In Europe and the USA, the cat breed is simply known as “Havana”.
Breeding now takes place mainly in the United States of America. This is mainly because the FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline) has withdrawn its recognition of the breed.
Initially, Siamese and Russian Blue cats were included in the breeding process, but from 1974 outcrossing was no longer allowed. As a result, the breeding of Havana cats declined sharply in the 1990s. The breed was threatened with extinction. It was only in 1998 that outcrossing with certain colors was allowed again in order to preserve the breed. Havana has remained a rare cat breed to this day.
Distinctive features of the Havana cat
The Havana is surprisingly heavy for its medium size. This is due to her muscles and strength that give her elegance and grace. Along with their coat, bright green eyes are among the breed’s most notable features. Her face is quite striking. Their head is triangular and slightly longer than wide. Their prominent chin has a square shape, which makes the muzzle look rounded. The Havana cat has a visible stop between the eyes. The ears carried upright to give it a watchful expression.