Tortoiseshell vs Jaguarundi Curl - Breed Comparison

Found mostly in Central and South America, the Jaguarundi Curl has been bred to look like a wild cat. - the Jaguarundi.

It was in the 1940s that the cat was also found in Florida. It is a result of a crossing between the Hyland Lynx with Munchkins and possibly other short-legged domestic cats.

The Munchkin cat is a medium-sized cat and it also has very short legs – the result of a genetic mutation.

The Tortoiseshell isn’t a cat breed but rather a coat coloring of cats. It just happens that most tortoiseshell cats are females.

Known as Torties, these cats always have a couple of colors such as red and black as well as some fawn.

Tortoiseshell cats with the tabby pattern are referred to as Torbie cats. Tortoiseshell markings appear in many different breeds.

This is a medium-sized, strong, muscular wild cat with short legs, a large head and small ears that are curled and set wide apart.

The eyes are wide-set and are large and expressive. The eyes can be gold, green or even blue.

The cat can weigh anything between 6 and 10kg. They can take up to years to reach their weight. The tail of the cat is long and thick, the body long and muscular.

The short coat is a ticked or a spotted pattern and can come in various colors. In most cats, the coats are tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi. In ideal specimens, coats will be tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi.

Temperament:

Maybe it’s the cat’s wild side but the Jaguarundi Curl cat is a shy, elusive and somewhat solitary cat. In the wild these cats only socialize to mate.

It is, however, a very vocal cat. The cat is also a good climber and swimmer and you will need to invest in climbing equipment.

If your Jaguarundi Curl has more Munchkin in him, you may find him far more sociable and actually seeking out the company of his human family.

Tortoiseshell cats are your regular-sized cats. They can be medium-sized to large and weigh anything between 3 and 7kg.

They come in different colors and patterns. The colors are essentially cream, fawn, black, tan, and orange. Tortoiseshell markings appear in all the different cat breeds.

Because the tortoiseshell cat is a color and not a cat breed as such they can be different sizes and shapes.

Temperament:

Tortoiseshell cats aren't a specific breed, but there are people that believe that just the color of the coat is indicative of the personality – feisty and lively.

People who have owned these cats say they have a sassy temperament and can even be just a wee bit aggressive sometimes with their strong-willed attitude.

The wild Jaguarundi is smallish cat that is a little bit larger than a house cat.

Some people like keeping these mixed-breed, hybrid cats, and they can make good pets, but they do tend to be reclusive. You have to remember that with these cats, part of their genetic makeup is a wild cat, and this just means that you can’t really be sure how they will turn out.

Think twice before you buy a cute little Jaguarunndi Curl kitten. Cat Rescue shelters are seeing a massive escalation in the number of hybrid cats who are just abandoned by their owners.

They wanted a ‘wild-type’ cat and ended up with behavior from the cat that they couldn’t handle. How cruel is that. Its the human's fault, not the cat.

Your Tortoiseshell is a beautiful cat and fondly referred to as a Tortie. It has a coat similar to the coloring of a tortoise, but the temperament of the cat will rely much on your own personality and the lifestyle you provide him with.

They are fairly vocal, but because this cat isn't a breed but rather a coat color, nobody can say precisely how it will turn out in personality.

One thing is sure, if you offer your Tortoiseshell lots of love and care, you can be sure of a wonderful feline friend.

Hybrid cats do have some health issues because of their breeding. Cat owners who choose these cat breeds need to know that they have special needs.

You should speak to your vet about the health of your cat. Domestic cats and wild cats have a different number of chromosomes. These cats wouldn’t normally mate so that when they are crossed during breeding, an abnormal genetic makeup is a result.

Reproductive problems in cats like the Jaguarundi Curl become a common occurrence and stillbirths can be the norm. Often you’ll find that some of the cats are infertile, whether male or female.

You've also got to be aware of vaccines as sometimes they don't work with these hybrid cats. Many times a cat like this is exposed to rabies and you'll find that the vaccine was ineffective.

Your cat's health depends on good food. If your finances allow, choose a high-quality food. Check the label for the feeding guidelines.

Always remember that your cat's age - kittens, adults, and senior cats have different nutritional needs. Sick cats will require a different type of food. Watch your cat's weight because being overweight can bring on a host of illnesses such as diabetes.

A cat has to have access to fresh drinking water every day and night to remain healthy.

Ensuring your feline friend is exercised both mentally and physically is important for good health.

Speak to your vet about the vaccines your cat needs as well as flea prevention.

Be prepared for the new arrival of your cat. Have food and water bowls, warm bedding, toys, litter box, and food all available and waiting.

Your Jaguarundi Curl doesn’t require a specialized diet. You can feed him much the same as your other domestic cats.

The food needs to be high-quality and can be wet or dry food, so long as it makes sure that meat is the top ingredient. Your cat is a carnivore and will require meaty meals to remain healthy. Dietary supplements or vitamins can only do your Jaguarundi Curl good.

You can brush the coat once each week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny.

You want to provide your cat with a litter box and keep it clean too. These hybrid cats don’t easily learn to use the litter box as they should, and they may do their business around your home as opposed to using the litter box.

Get your pet a collar and tag to identify your cat in case he gets away.

Cats are known to be independent but they still need your care and attention. Before you take a Tortoiseshell into your home, prepare for his arrival.

Make sure you have food and drinking bowls ready, a comfortable bed, a stylish cat collar and tag of identification, cat accessories such as a brush, toys, and some top-quality cat food.

If you work all day, maybe it would be a good idea to get 2 cats as some cats can get very lonely during the day, and adding a companion can be an excellent solution for his loneliness.

Always be in touch with the vet if you see that your cat isn’t behaving in his usual way.

Your cat will need to be taken for check-ups and also all the necessary cat vaccinations required to ward off deadly cat illnesses.

Provide your cat with a litter box and make sure you remove the cat feces every day.

Provide your cat with toys. Choose them carefully to keep your cat happy and amused. Buy a scratching post too as all cats want to scratch and you want to save your furniture from your cat using it to scratch on.