Havana Brown Cat

The Havana Brown Cat, a Rare Breed | Origin & Playful Personality

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The Havana Brown cat is a gorgeous feline bread.  With its highly intelligent nature, this kitty is sure to capture the hearts of cat lovers everywhere. 

Known for its unique chocolate coloring and affectionate personality, the Havana Brown is a great addition to any family. 

In this article, I’ll explore the fascinating history and attributes of this remarkable and exceedingly rare feline.

Havana Brown origins

The Havana Brown breed originated in England in the 1950s, where it was initially bred from a cross between domestic shorthair and Siamese cats. 

Formerly called the Chestnut Brown Foreign, the breed’s name was changed to Havana Brown in 1958. 

The Cat Fanciers Association recognized the breed in 1959, and since then it has become a popular breed among cat lovers.

Havana Brown physical traits

The first thing you’ll notice about the Havana Brown cat is its unique coloring. Its coat is a rich, warm reddish brown reminiscent of a Havana cigar (hence the name!). Even its whiskers are brown, a trait unique only to the Havana.

The mink-like coat is short, smooth, and glossy. Though not technically hypoallergenic, Havana Brown cats are a good choice for people with allergies as they have little to no shedding. 

Their eyes are large oval and gorgeous jade green color, which adds to the cat’s striking appearance.

Some Havana cats have triangular wedge-shaped heads, a nod to their Siamese cat heritage.

Havana Brown personality & temperament

One of the most remarkable attributes of the Havana Brown cat is its intelligence. Like Siamese, these cats are incredibly smart and can be trained to do tricks, play games like fetch, and even walk on a leash. They love teaser and puzzle toys.

They have high energy levels and love to play, This makes them a great choice for families with children or other pets. Because of their activity levels, Havana Brown cats do best in multi-cat households or in a home where they are the center of attention.

Another notable characteristic of the Havana cat is its affectionate nature. These cats love attention and are known for their love of cuddling and snuggling with their humans. They are social creatures and thrive off interaction with their human.

The flip side to this is that they don’t do well alone for long periods of time and can develop cat separation anxiety.

If you are going out of town and will be away from your Havana Brown for more than a couple of days, consider hiring a professional cat sitter to check in on your cat at least twice a day. Or better, get a house sitter to stay at your home for the duration of your trip.

They are also very vocal and love to communicate with their owners. If you like carrying on long conversations with your cat, then this breed is for you!

havana brown cat
Some Havana Browns have triangular wedge-shaped heads like their Siamese cousins.

Havana Brown health concerns

While gorgeous to look at, Havana Brown coats do need regular grooming and attention. Their short coats require weekly brushing to help keep them shiny and healthy. Regular brushing also helps keep hairballs at bay.

Because of their active nature, Havana Browns need plenty of playtime and stimulation to keep them from getting bored or destructive.

Be sure to set up an enriching and interactive environment in your home. Include plenty of vertical spaces like cat trees and towers for your cat to climb.

Havana Brown breeding

The Havana Brown is a very rare breed with an increasingly shrinking gene pool. There are currently only three Havana Brown cat breeders in the United States registered with the Cat Fanciers Association of America.

The Bombay cat is not related to the Havana Brown. The Bombay is a cross between Burmese cats and black domestic shorthairs.

Havana Brown breed key takeaways

The Havana Brown cat is a rare and remarkable breed that has captured the hearts of cat lovers everywhere. 

From their unusual chocolate coat and intelligence to their affectionate nature, these cats are truly one-of-a-kind. 

If you are considering adding a Havana Brown cat to your family, please do your research and find a reputable breeder. 

You can also look for Havana Brown cats on national pure breed rescues like Raptor Speciality Purebreed Rescue.

Alina Prax
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