Discover the Rich Heritage of Havana Brown Cats

Havana Brown Cat Characteristics (Quick Facts)
Size	Medium. Average body.
Intelligence	High.
Exercise Needs	Needs decent exercise.
Ability to Adapt	High. Adjusts quickly.
Shedding	Low shedding.
Average Lifespan	From 10-15 years.
Price	From $600 to $1200.
Weight	From 6-10 lbs.
Playfulness	Ideal playmate.
Social Skills	Good with children & other pets.
Need for Grooming	Once a week.
Health	Excellent. No health issues.
Hypoallergenic?	No.

The Havana Brown Cat is a medium-sized breed with muscular, yet elegant and graceful body.

This breed got its name because of the coat that resembles the color of a fine Havana cigar. However, they don’t have any connection with Cuba. This breed was developed in England.

The deep lustrous brown coat, emerald-green eyes and uniquely shaped head are the features this breed is famous for. The head is slightly longer than its wide and should never have a wedge shape.

This people-oriented and moderately active breed enjoys having company and won’t appreciate being left alone. Besides their pleasant voices, these cats use their paws to communicate with their owners.

This cat likes to follow its owner and will even hitch a ride on the owner’s shoulders. Being highly people-oriented, they aren’t afraid of strangers and get along with children and other pets.

Where Did Havana Brown Cat Breed Originate?

The solid brown cats were known in Europe since the 1980s and were called Swiss Mountain Cats. However, by the 1920s the Siamese Cat Club of Britain decided that cats without blue eyes were no longer desirable. So, the breeders completely lost interest in solid brown cats.

However, in 1950, a group of British cat breeders began working together in the attempt to create a self-brown cat of Foreign Type. They started to selectively breed the Siamese cat that carried a chocolate gene with a black cat that also carried chocolate genes.

Their efforts paid off and they were able to produce chocolate-colored kittens. The Russian Blue and Burmese Cat also played a role in the development of the breed we now know as Havana Brown.

However, the breeders had the best results when crossing Siamese cats with chocolate genes to ordinary black cats with chocolate genes.

The first Havana Browns were exported to the U.S in the 1950s.

And at that point, the breed began to go in two different directions. Thus, in Britain this cat is now considered to be a brown Oriental Shorthair. On the other hand, in the U.S, breeders continued to crossbreed with Chocolate and Seal Point Siamese.

Therefore, American Havana Browns have head and body type that distinguish them from their British cousins.

The Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed in 1964. The Havana Brown is a rare breed, and its genetic diversity is threatened. For this reason, to ensure a wider genetic pool, the breed can be outcrossed to unregistered black and blue shorthaired cats.

Certain colors of Oriental Shorthairs, chocolate and Seal Point Siamese can also be used.

What Does the Havana Brown Cat Look Like?

This is a medium-sized breed with muscular but at the same time elegant appearance. Their head is slightly longer than wide narrowing to a rounded muzzle.

The muzzle has a definitive break on either side of prominent whisker pads.

Surprisingly, the whiskers are also brown and contribute to the overall chocolate feel of this breed. Their oval-shaped eyes are strikingly green. Although any even shade of green is acceptable, the greener the eyes the better.

The ideal Havana Brown should be a cat of medium size and structure. Their long bodies should be muscular and firm, yet elegant and graceful at the same time.

Havana Brown Cat Colors

The muscular yet elegant body of the Havana Brown is covered with a short smooth rich brown coat. The coat comes in only one color, a rich and even shade of brown that is uniformed across the coat.

These cats have brown whiskers that are permitted in the breed’s standard. Kittens and young cats can have a hint of tabby markings, which completely disappear as they mature.

Havana Brown Cat Personality Traits

The Havana Brown is a people-oriented, friendly, and intelligent breed. Therefore, these cats are somewhat like dogs. They also like to follow their owners everywhere and to be involved in everything you do.

Some Havana cats like to jump on their owners’ shoulder. So don’t be surprised if you end up carrying your cat on the shoulder around the house.

Like their Siamese cousins, the Havana Brown is also a talkative breed. However, these cats have softer voices and aren’t so bossy like Siamese cats.

The fun-loving Havana Brown will enjoy playing with feather teaser for hours on end.

This intelligent cat knows how to use its paws and will easily learn how to open drawers and cabinets.

These cats will place their paws on the owner’s legs, in a dog-like fashion, to demand attention. To keep your cat entertained and stimulated get her cat toys.

They will be fully involved in your life, and it will soon become an integral part of your family. Thanks to their outgoing nature, these cats get along with all people, children, and other house pets.

Temperament

The Havana is a people-oriented and charming breed that insists on having the last word on everything. They have a strong desire to spend time with their people, so don’t get a Havana if you are away from home often.

Some of them love napping in their owner’s laps. On the other hand, others will be content lounging on the sofa close to their owner.

These social and friendly cats aren’t afraid of strangers and will enjoy meeting and interacting with guests. The attention-seeking and curious Havana craves companionship and won’t appreciate being left at home alone for longer periods of time.

Havana Brown Cat Behavior

Being such a people-oriented breed, the Havana Brown always needs company.

It can become depressed, destructive or develop separation anxiety if ignored or left alone at home. So, you should reconsider getting a Havana if you plan of leaving your cat alone for a better part of the day.

Luckily you can avoid all these issues by spending quality time with your cat every day.

They seek companionship above everything else and are best suited for people who spend a lot of time at home or families with more pets.

Are Havana Brown Cats Adaptable to New Surroundings?

The Havana Brown is a highly adaptable cat. This breed adjusts well to its owner’s needs if provided with enough attention. With their outgoing and curious nature, these cats react well to strangers, different environments, and new situations.

These moderately active cats like to sprint and then will take a nap in their beds. The Havana Brown needs to be exercised to stay in good shape.

Does It Get Along with Children and Other Pets?

This social and smart breed makes a great addition to loving homes. With their playful nature, these cats are great with children. So go ahead and show your kids how to dangle a wand cat teaser and your Havana will play with them for hours.

Furthermore, his breed can be trained to play fetch and tag. The outgoing Havana Brown is friendly toward other cats and cat-friendly dogs and will prefer to have company.

This is a moderately active breed that seeks human companionship. Get your cat interactive toys to keep her entertained and active.

Since this breed likes to spend better part of the day napping you will need to engage your cat in interactive play. Therefore, spend half an hour every day playing with your cat to keep her in good shape.

Are Havana brown cats hypoallergenic?

No, Havana brown cats are not hypoallergenic. Like all cat breeds, Havana browns produce Fel D1 protein in their saliva and sebaceous glands, which triggers allergic reactions in some people. Though their short, silky coat produces less dander than longhaired cats, allergy sufferers will still react to Havana browns. Regular grooming and bathing may reduce allergens, but there are no truly hypoallergenic cats.

Are Havana brown cats rare?

Yes, the Havana brown is considered a rare cat breed. They were first developed in England in the 1950s by crossing Siamese with black domestic shorthairs. Their striking mahogany brown coats caught attention, but Havana browns never achieved widespread popularity. They are seldom seen outside of cat shows and specialty breeding circles. Limited breeding keeps the worldwide population small, numbering in the low thousands. Their rarity adds to the appeal for cat fanciers.

Do Havana brown cats have any foot or leg problems?

No, Havana brown cats are not prone to any specific foot or leg problems according to breed standards. They should have strong, slender legs and oval-shaped paws. Some minor issues like kneecap dislocation may occasionally occur, but reputable breeding minimizes heritable conditions. Keeping a Havana brown at a healthy weight and providing appropriate exercise prevents stress on joints. Regular vet checkups monitor for any potential developing issues. Overall, Havana browns have a low incidence of inheritable disabilities.

General Health and Potential Risks

Havana Brown is a healthy breed. Therefore, they usually don’t suffer from any serious health issues. However, some cats can develop certain problems.

This doesn’t mean that your cat is going to be sick. However, it is better to be well-informed about any issues before you bring a new cat home.

• Upper Respiratory Infections: Cats can catch a cold that is caused by various bacteria and viruses. Symptoms include sneezing, sniffling, eye discharge, coughing, and lethargy. The treatment depends on the severity of the case and can include rest, meds, or hospitalization.
• Gingivitis: This is the inflammation of the gums that is the first stage of periodontal disease. The symptoms of gingivitis are bad breath, red or swollen gums and presence of the plaque and calculus on surface of the teeth. Regular teeth brushing and proper dental care are the best ways to stop the progress of gingivitis.

Havana Brown Cat Lifespan

The Havana Browns on average live from 9-15 years.

Still, this is a very healthy breed that can live longer with proper care. Make sure to start brushing your cat’s teeth from the young age to prevent the development of periodontal disease.

Grooming Needs

The short and lush brown coat of the Havana Brown is its most notable feature. The coat is easy to maintain and needs to be brushed once a week with a rubber grooming brush.

This way you will remove any loose hair and distribute skin oils through the length of fur. The Havana Brown likes to be handled, so they are especially fond of grooming.

Havana Brown Cat Shedding

The Havana’s chocolate colored coat sheds minimally. While you won’t notice a lot of loose hair around your home, you will need to groom your cat regularly to keep the shedding to the minimum.

This grooming brush with soft rubber bristles will remove any loose hair and fur from the cat’s coat.

It will also provide a gentle massage that the cats will enjoy and look forward to the next grooming session.

Breed Related FAQ

In this section, we answer frequently asked questions about the gorgeous Havana Brown Cat. Read on to learn a more about this friendly and people loving breed!

How Much is Havana Brown Cat Price?

The exact price of Havana Brown depends on several factors, including the breeder, lineage, show quality, and gender. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1200 (2021 price) for a healthy kitten.

How Big Do Havana Brown Cats Get?

Picking up your Havana for the first time can be a surprising experience since these graceful cats weigh more than appear to. Males are generally slightly larger and weigh from 8-10 pounds. Female cats on average weigh from 6-8 pounds.

They have a muscular yet elegant body that needs to be maintained with proper diet. Hence, feed your cat with dry cat food with high protein to keep her at the ideal weight. Additionally, include exercise to prevent obesity and keep your cat healthy.

Are Havana Brown Cats Rare?

Even though Havana Brown came to the U.S in the 1950s, it is considered a rare breed. According to some reports, it is estimated that there are fewer than 1000 Havana Browns in the world.

Are Havana Brown Cats Hypoallergenic?

Although some cat breeds are considered less allergenic, there isn’t such a thing as a completely hypoallergenic cat. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the Havana Brown is among these less allergenic breeds.

So, you may need to rethink getting a Havana if you or one of your family members suffers from allergies.