Havana cat

The Havana is descended from the Oriental Shorthair cat. These are fully colored Siamese, which are available in different color variations.

Like all Oriental Shorthair cats, the Havana is descended from the Siamese. In the 1950's a Siamese sealpoint male and a black shorthair cat with Siamese accents mated. One of the boys was a uniform brown tomcat, which his owner liked so much that she continued breeding with him. This is how the Havana breed came about in the years that followed, and it was officially recognized in 1959. In Europe, there was the breed of the British Havana, which continued to be bred with Siamese cats, while American breeders opted for a less oriental form and banned Siamese from breeding. The American form of the Havana cat was then called havana brown. This cat has a rounder face and a shorter nose, the physique is not so slim and elegant.

The Havana is a cat with a long, slender and muscular build. The wedge-shaped head has a short straight nose. This should have a brown or pink mirror. The ears are large with slightly rounded tips. The Havana's eyes are almond-shaped and pale to medium green. The Havana's legs are long and slender, and the paws are small and oval with brown or pink pads. The tail is long and thin, the tip of the tail is pointed. The Havana cat's coat is very short and a deep, even chestnut brown. It shines as if polished, especially when the cat is rubbed with a leather rag.

The Havana is a very spirited and affectionate cat that doesn't like being alone. They would like to follow their humans wherever they go. Havana cats talk a lot with their humans and can also be annoying with their voice when the cat is in heat or when the tomcat is "showing the bride". This is particularly important for the European Havana cat with its Siamese influence. The American version is a bit calmer. Havana cats are very intelligent and playful and tirelessly encourage their human to play. However, like many other cats, Havana cats are also very proud and stubborn.

Due to their short fur, the Havana cat is easy to care for. When it comes to nutrition, it must be taken into account that these animals are very spirited and agile and therefore need very good food if they are to keep their good looks. Various manufacturers now offer food for pedigree cats, but in general a food should always be preferred that contains as few animal and vegetable by-products as possible. Sugar and caramel have no place in good cat food either.

Havana cats are very domesticated and very attached to their people. They are good to keep as indoor cats, but the apartment must be furnished in such a way that the animals can let off steam in it. Plenty of climbing opportunities and elevated berths should also be available. A balcony is good, which is secured with a cat protection net and offers a comfortable place to stay when the weather is nice, where the cat can switch from the sun to the shade as it pleases. Havana cats love a warm spot, and in winter they like to lie next to or on the heater. Above all, it is important that the human takes enough time for his four-legged flatmate and plays and talks with her a lot. A happy and contented Havana cat will accompany its human for many years and will always challenge it to new ideas for play and cuddles.