About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 30-38 cm

Height range  : 23-28cm

Weight range : 3.6-4.5kg

Coat : Short coat|short to medium length|smooth|silky|lustrous|glossy|no undercoat appearance.

Life expectancy years : 8-15

Colors: rich warm brown|chocolate brown|mahogany brown|brown|lilac.

Activitity Level : Moderate

Origin: United States

Similar Breeds : Russian Blue|Oriental Shorthair|Siamese

 

History

Brown cats of Siamese type existed in the United Kingdom and Europe in the late 1800s. After World War II English breeders crossed Siamese with black domestic shorthairs to create a self-brown cat. Cats were exported to the United States where breeders preserved the distinctive look and expanded the gene pool. CFA accepted Havana Brown for registration in 1959 and Championship status in 1964. Hill’s also notes Elmtower Bronze Idol in England in 1952 as an early foundation cat.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Playful

Personality

busy|affectionate|intelligent|gregarious|curious|playful|people-oriented|friendly|adaptable

Needs

Needs human companionship , indoor life , moderate grooming , portion control and interactive attention.

Social Needs

Very people-oriented and affectionate , may bond closely with one person , generally gets along with cats , dogs and children , and likes to involve itself in household activity.

Grooming 

The short silky coat is easy to groom. A soft brush may be used regularly or daily and a fuller rubdown two or three times a month can help maintain gloss. Regular bathing is usually unnecessary unless the cat is being shown.

Nutrition

Nutrition should be controlled so the cat stays slender and muscular and does not become overweight. Good quality complete food and fresh water are important.

 

Breed Standard

The breed standard calls for a medium-sized cat with good muscle tone , a head longer than wide , a pronounced muzzle break and stop at the eyes , large forward-tilted ears , oval green eyes , medium-length body and tail , oval compact paws and a short to medium smooth lustrous coat in an even rich warm brown.

Did you know?

The breed is nicknamed Brownies and is so rare that it could top a list of endangered cat breeds. Havana Browns are also notable for brown whiskers that complement the coat color.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Dental disease, Calcium oxalate urolithiasis, Feline asthma, Obesity, Cancer

 

Symtoms

1. Bad breath , red swollen or bleeding gums , visible tartar , drooling , dropping food , pawing at the mouth and reluctance to have the head touched may occur

1. Straining to urinate , frequent small urinations , urinating outside the litter box , blood in urine and crying in the litter box may occur

1. Coughing , wheezing , rapid or labored breathing , open-mouth breathing or panting may occur and cats may crouch with the neck extended

1. Ribs may be hard to feel , waist may be lost , abdomen may bulge , lethargy , reduced play and poor grooming may occur

1. Signs may vary
2. Weight loss , vomiting , diarrhea , enlarged lymph nodes , skin bumps , poor appetite , hiding and lethargy may occur

Onset of symptoms

 

Dental disease

1. Mild gingivitis may begin as early as 1-2 years
2. Significant dental disease may be present by age 3 without preventive care

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high and it is likely some cats may develop it without proactive care

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis

1. Can occur at any age
2. Often diagnosed at 5-10 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate and the text suggests Siamese ancestry may increase risk

Feline asthma

1. Cornell indicates the average diagnosis is around 4-5 years
2. The text also suggests young to middle-aged onset around 2-8 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low to moderate and Cornell notes asthma affects 1-5 percent of cats overall while breed predisposition is not definitive for Havana Brown

Obesity

1. Can begin after maturity around 1-2 years especially after spay or neuter if calories are not adjusted

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate to high for indoor cats without enrichment and portion control

Cancer

1. Typically may appear in middle-aged to older cats around 8+ years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low and the text suggests only a slight increased risk in some lines

Reasons

Dental disease       

1. Not a chemical deficiency
2. Lack of mechanical abrasion to remove plaque is the issue

 

Feline asthma:

1. Not a deficiency
2. A lack of clean air may act as a major trigger

 

Dental disease       

1. Not a chemical deficiency
2. Lack of mechanical abrasion to remove plaque is the issue

 

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Feline asthma:

1. Not a deficiency
2. A lack of clean air may act as a major trigger

 

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis

1. Water may be lacking because dehydration can concentrate urine
2. The condition is metabolic rather than a simple deficiency

Obesity

1. It is excess calories rather than a deficiency
2. Exercise and portion control may be lacking

Cancer

1. No specific deficiency causes it
2. The text suggests low antioxidant support may leave cells more vulnerable over time

Normally Treament Methods

Dental disease:

  1. 1. Daily tooth brushing , professional cleaning under anesthesia , dental diets or treats and extraction of diseased teeth may help
    2. Cornell indicates scaling , polishing , monitoring and treatment of gingivitis or periodontitis may be needed

 

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis:

  1. 1. Existing stones may need surgical removal
    2. Prevention may focus on wet food , more water intake , therapeutic diet and regular urinalysis

 

Feline asthma

  1. 1. Environmental trigger control may help
    2. Cornell indicates corticosteroids may be used to reduce airway inflammation and bronchodilators may be used with them
    3. Long-term monitoring may be needed because the condition may be progressive

 

Obesity:

  1. 1. Calorie restriction , measured meals , wet food and increased exercise may help

 

Cancer:

  1. 1. Diagnosis may require aspirates , biopsy and imaging
    2. Treatment may depend on type and stage and may include chemotherapy , surgery or radiation. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Dental disease :

  • 1. Streptococcus salivarius oral probiotics can,might be helpful for oral microbiome support.
    2. Ascophyllum nodosum can,might be helpful for plaque control support
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Calcium oxalate urolithiasis

  • 1. Potassium citrate can,might be helpful for raising urine pH under veterinary supervision.
    2. Vitamin B6 pyridoxine can,might be helpful for reducing oxalate production
recommend product

Feline asthma

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for conditional anti-inflammatory support.
    2. Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune modulation support
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Obesity

  • 1. L-Carnitine can,might be helpful for fat metabolism support
recommend product

Cancer

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for inflammation and cachexia support.
    2. Antioxidants can,might be helpful for cellular support.
    3. Turkey Tail Mushroom can,might be helpful only with strict veterinary guidance
recommend product