Here’s our cat expert, Shorty, who’s here to meow out all the secrets of the Highlander Cat Breed:
Meow there, I’m Shorty, the Highlander Cat and, though I’m not immortal, as the actor in the movie, and I can’t wave my tail because I don’t have one, I’m here to impress you with my special skills and appearance.
🐈 Shorty the Highlander
Stick to our guide, to learn interesting things about this new and impressive cat breed.
Temperament & Personality
The Highlander cat’s appearance may be misleading; though it resembles a wild feline, it’s a very playful and friendly cat, who loves human companionship.
It’s an affectionate individual and loves being the center of attention. If you want to win the eternal love of a Highlander cat, make the world go around it.
This cat loves to goof around and play tricks to entertain its audience. Some may think it’s a dog, trapped inside a cat’s body, because of its dog-like attitude.
It is the best choice when searching for the perfect friend for cuddling and fun family time.
Physical Characteristics
The Highlander cat resembles a miniature Lynx. This particular reason is why this cat was bred, for those seeking to bring the wild into their apartment.
It has a large head, with a square muzzle. One of this cat’s particular traits is those curled ears. They curl backward at the tip, ending with tufted hair strands. Its toes are tufted, too.
Another impressive thing about this cat is that it doesn’t have a regular tail like most. Some specimens have a tail that reaches the heel, while others don’t have a tail at all.
The Highlander is categorized as a big cat, weighing 10-20 pounds. Males are larger than females and more muscular and athletic.
This cat’s coat is also distinct: it is two-layered. The inner layer is short and dense, and the outer layer can be either short or long.
The longer fur version is inherited from the Jungle Curl cat, along with the curly ears, while the shorter one is from the Desert Lynx cat.
The breed standard allows three coat patterns: the tawny, spotted, and clouded leopard. These patterns can come in every color, even pure white or silver and solid colored individuals.
Compatibility with Kids & Other Pets
If you plan to adopt such a cat for your family, you’ve made the right choice. The Highlander cat has an affectionate and patient temper toward kids. Affection plus playfulness equals a great companion to keep your kids entertained.
Its tolerant and friendly attitude helps it to adapt quite fine in a household with other animals. It tends to bond to other animals easily, as long as they are friendly and tolerant too. Aggression isn’t a match with the Highlander cat; it responds by ignoring or avoiding it.
Highlander Kittens
In their early days, the Highlander kittens resemble plushy teddy bears. Their ears have rounded, fluffy tips and have a bigger degree of curl than adult cats. These will loosen and become longer as the kitten grows, starting to look like an adult Highlander.
These curly-eared bundles of joy are energy bombs: they love to play and are always searching for entertainment. You’ll need to keep them busy, to not tear down your house.
Their energy level matches their appetite; these kittens need three rich meals daily. We recommend only high-quality cat food, to sustain growth and development. A 3-month-old Highlander kitten weighs between 3 to 5,5 pounds (~1.35 to 2.5kg) and will reach full body development around the age of 3.
They need vitamins and minerals, as specially conceived vitamin formulas for kittens are made to support their rapid growth.
The kitten needs protection from disease, so vaccination and parasite control must begin at 6-8 weeks old. Periodical vet check-ups are a must-do, to ensure the kitten develops properly.
As soon as they arrive at the house, they need to be trained to be groomed and socialized to behave well as adults. A furball like this will spend most of its day sleeping and playing, so it needs toys and enough physical activity to develop well.
Proper care, nutrition, and playtime represent the perfect recipe for a Highlander kitten to prosper and mature harmoniously.
Traits, Training & Social Skills
Intelligence, combined with a curious and playful nature make the Highlander very receptive to various training activities. It enjoys being mentally stimulated by activities that keep its instincts awake, such as puzzles, problem-solving games, and learning tricks.
With proper training and treats, it can easily learn to walk on a leash as well as basic commands such as “sit” and “stay”. It may seem you’re training a dog, instead of a cat.
The Highlander cat masters social skills like no other cat. Its affectionate, friendly, and calm nature makes this cat capable of adapting to anyone around it. It loves being the center of the family, to receive caressing and attention.
Sometimes, it may become too friendly with strangers, which may be problematic if it spends time outdoors.
Playtime & Activities
Unlike many cats, this funny-looking fella’ has a ton of energy and needs a lot of entertainment and exercise. It gets bored easily, so it needs many activities to stay content and busy.
You can try laser pointers, it’ll love the chase and stay fit and sharp, while its natural prey instinct is stimulated.
Have you ever seen a cat going through a cat tunnel? It’s like a kitty rollercoaster, that turns on the cat’s happy buttons.
Another thing this cat will adore is a cat tree with hanging toys and high perches from where it can hang. It will keep it entertained. Just make sure you buy one big enough to fit this big feline.
Grooming Needs
The Highlander coat needs regular brushing at least twice a week, for shorthaired Highlanders. Use a latex glove or brush.
Longhaired Highlanders require the removal of dead hair more often, to prevent coat tangling and matting. The hair from the ringneck, abdomen, and tail is more prone to tangling and knotting. Use a special wire brush or detangling brush or comb and be careful not to cut the cat’s skin.
Shedding is more intense during spring, so a Furminator brush that removes excess hair will do magic.
These cats don’t require bathing, except for cats that roam outdoors. Even then, only in special cases. Brushing should be enough to remove debris and dirt.
The Highlander’s curled ears come with a flaw: its ear canal is narrower than normal, so checkups need to be done every three months, to prevent wax build-up and infections.
If you train your cat, you may brush its teeth regularly. Not all cats like this process, so you don’t have to worry if it won’t let you near its mouth.
Nail trimming should be done at least twice a month, to keep your furniture intact. A sisal-covered board or pole will keep the Highlander’s claws at an optimal length.
Lifespan, Health Issues & Nutrition
The Highlander has a lifespan ranging from 10 to 15 years. With proper care and health monitoring, its lifespan will increase.
The most important aspect when buying a purebred cat is a genetic disease, that requires specific testing.
The Highlander cat is predisposed to heart enlargement, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM.
Those lovely curled ears they have are a genetic defect, and ongoing research has shown that some of these cats may be susceptible to developing joint problems.
Many Highlanders have a condition known as polydactylism or having more toes than usual. This isn’t a life-threatening condition, but more of an esthetical one.
When it comes to nutrition, a big cat like this needs quality nutrients, for good development and health. We recommend super premium cat food, according to the cat’s age and health status.
This active cat needs a high amount of protein and carbohydrates, but moderation is key. The Highlander cat is predisposed to obesity, which can further lead to diabetes. This aggravates heart conditions as well.
Adult cats require two meals daily, and the overall intake is always written on the package, according to the cat’s weight and size.
The Highlander will appreciate both dry and wet food, which also helps keep the feline hydrated.
Fresh water should always be available.
Vocalizations & Body Language
The Highlander cat doesn’t meow too much. It vocalizes more when hungry or happy to see its family.
Things are slightly different with the Highlander when it comes to body language. In normal cats, the ears’ position is a good indicator of the cat’s mood.
This cat’s curly ears won’t be of much help. It would be more helpful to pay attention to the kitty’s eyes. Direct eye contact reveals an alert state, while dilated pupils may indicate fear, overexcitement, or even aggression.
The same goes for the tail. Because it doesn’t have a tail (or a very very short one), it won’t be easy to tell if it’s calm or nervous. A high tail (when it has one) means a confident, relaxed cat.
Cost of Ownership
The Highlander is an expensive cat, because it can only be found in a few catteries around the world. Reputable breeders sell a kitten for approximately $1000. When buying such a kitten, ensure the breeder is registered with the International Cat Association.
Your kitty will require a cat bed, bowls, a carrier, some toys, a scratching post, a cat tree if possible, and other accessories. All of these can cost between $200-$300.
If you don’t want kittens, you should consider neutering, which may cost $350-$400. This is a one-time cost, as well as microchipping, another $50-$60.
Annual vet visits range between $50-$350 and include vaccinations and health monitoring.
Monthly costs include cat food and treats, about $20-$30, and parasite control if it goes outdoors. Every 3-4 months, your Highlander needs deworming, which is about $20-$30.
Adoption & Rescue Options
These cats are rare and hard to find. The probability of finding a Highlander cat in a shelter is extremely low. Instead, you should consider rescue organizations and social media (there are quite a few Facebook groups for this; we’re sure you can find one for your area, with a simple search).
Here, you can find a cat in distress, abandoned or mistreated, ready to come home to you.
This kind of organization will neuter and microchip the cats they put up for adoption, so you won’t have to. These cats are already vaccinated and examined for health issues.
Interesting Facts & Quirks
The Highland cat is the result of crossing two cat breeds, the Desert Lynx cats and Jungle Curls. These two ascendents of the Highlander are interesting: the Desert Lynx cat, the primary ascendent of the Highlander, resembles a bobcat; the Jungle Curls cat, which gives the Highlander’s curled ears, is hard to breed and is considered domestic only after the fourth or fifth generation.
There are two varieties of Highlander cats: the shorthaired Highlander, or HGS, and the Highlander Longhaired, or HG.
Many Highlanders have a birth defect called polydactyly, which means they have more toes than normal.
They can be leash-trained like a dog.
These cats have three coat patterns and come in almost all colors: white, black, grey, silver, brown, ebony, sorrel, fawn, blue, chocolate, lilac, and red. Some individuals may have a solid color without any patterns.
Highlander Cat Names
The Highlander is an unusual cat, so it needs a unique name. You can always be inspired by its appearance or goofy personality.
When thinking of appearance, its size may inspire names such as Hero or Max, for a brave cat; Marbles, Spot or Patches would suit a specially patterned cat; Peaches, Amber, Blanco, Hazel or Goldie, for a unique colored coat; Fluffy, Cotton or Bear, if it’s a longhaired cat.
You should call your cat by name when you feed it. This way, it will learn it faster and associate it with something good.
Whatever name you choose for your cat, be sure it’ll match when it grows old as well.
Breed History & Origin
The Highlander cat is a newly created cat breed. The story behind this cat’s fabulous appearance began in 2004 when the desire to create a unique cat that would bring the wild side into cat lovers’ homes was born.
This breed is the perfect combo between two cat breeds: The Desert Lynx cat, the primary foundation, and the Jungle Curls cat, which was used specifically to add unique curled ears.
The name “Highlander” was chosen in 2005, the same year this cat made it into TICA. It started competing in 2008.
