Havana BrownCharacteristics, history, behaviour and care

Solid brown Siamese-type cats existed in Britain and Europe in the late nineteenth century, but they were forgotten when the blue-eyed pointed Siamese became fashionable.

In the early 1950s, a group of British breeders, “The Havana Group” (later “The Chestnut Brown Group”), crossed Siamese carrying the chocolate gene with black cats that carried it too, and got chocolate-brown kittens. A few went to the USA, where breeders kept their distinctive look. CFA registered the breed in 1959 and gave it championship status in 1964.

How the breed developed

• Late nineteenth century – brown Siamese-type cats in Europe.
• Early 1950s – “The Havana Group” creates the breed in Britain.
• Mid-1950s – the first cats reach the USA.
• 1959 – registered by CFA.
• 1964 – championship status at CFA.

• Families who spend a lot of time at home. Wikipedia says it does not do well when left alone for long.
• Homes with a dog. It often becomes the family dog's best friend.
• People who travel. Many owners say it copes easily with journeys.
• Anyone who wants an easy-care cat.

It is a balanced, medium-sized, muscular cat with a body of medium length and no extreme features. Males are larger; German Wikipedia gives an average of 3.5 kg for males and 2.7 kg for females. Neutered cats can put on weight.

General appearance

The head is slightly longer than it is wide, but not wedge-shaped; in profile, the muzzle has a clear stop at the level of the eyes. The ears are fairly large. The eyes are green, the whiskers brown, and the paw pads pink, never black.

The coat must be a warm brown, usually reddish, without visible stripes. Kittens have stripes, but they disappear completely by one year.

Related breeds and how to tell them apart

In Europe, the name “Havana” is also used for the chocolate Oriental Shorthair, which is slimmer. The North American Havana Brown is of a more moderate type. The breed comes from the Siamese.

CFA says it is very intelligent and curious, but not nosy: it wants to know what is in the cupboard, but would rather wait for you to open it than open it itself. It shows affection by touching you with its paw, and it explores new things with its paw too. Some cats are shy and become attached mainly to one member of the family.

French Wikipedia describes it as lively and playful, but fond of home comforts; it likes to “chat” with its owners and always seeks contact.

Socialisation

Wikipedia says it becomes very attached to its family and often becomes the household dog's best friend.

A kitten gets used to new people, noises and other animals most easily in its first months of life.

Habits at home

Like all cats, it sleeps a lot: usually 12–16 hours a day. It is most active early in the morning and in the evening, but partly adapts to the family's routine.

Cats instinctively bury their droppings, so it quickly learns to use a litter tray. It scratches rough surfaces to shed the old outer layer of its claws, so it needs a scratching post or board.

It is moderately active and wants to take part in the family's daily life.

Tips for a balanced life

• Change its toys from time to time, so it does not get bored.
• Play with it in short sessions, several times a day.
• If it goes outside, let it do so in a fenced area or on a balcony with a safety net.

Coat care

Wikipedia says it needs very little grooming: a gentle brushing and a wipe with a damp cloth, once or twice a week.

Common health problems

Wikipedia says no genetic diseases are known to be associated with the breed. It may have gingivitis slightly more often, because of its Siamese ancestors.

Recommended genetic tests

There is no genetic test required for the breed. Regular dental hygiene helps prevent gingivitis.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Cat allergy is caused mainly by the Fel d 1 protein, found in saliva and skin glands; it is behind the allergy in 90% of people who are allergic to cats. Kittens, females and neutered males produce less of it, but still enough to trigger symptoms. No breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Other care

• A check-up at the vet once a year.
• Vaccinations and parasite treatment on the schedule set by the vet.
• Trim the claws if they do not wear down on their own.
• Clean its teeth or give it food that helps keep them clean.

The cat is a carnivore: it needs animal protein. Unlike a dog, it must get vitamin A, arachidonic acid and taurine from its food. Water is very important, because cats usually drink little; several water bowls around the house encourage it to drink.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual for a healthy adult cat. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram. If you also feed wet food, reduce the dry portion.

• Adjust the portion to its weight: neutered cats put on weight easily.
• Weigh it monthly; the ribs should be easy to feel under your fingers.
• Kittens need more calories: Merck recommends 2.5 times the resting energy requirement.

Dangerous foods and substances

Some common household items are dangerous for cats:

• Lilies (and daylilies): they can destroy a cat's kidneys. Even the pollen or the water in the vase is dangerous.
• Paracetamol: extremely toxic to cats, which lack the enzyme that breaks it down. Never give it human medicines.
• Flea spot-ons and collars for dogs containing permethrin: the concentration meant for dogs is dangerous for cats.
• Foods: chocolate, coffee, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins.

Maturity

Females usually reach sexual maturity at 5–10 months, and males at 5–7 months. The age varies from breed to breed.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy in cats lasts 64–67 days, 65 on average. A first litter usually has fewer kittens than later ones. Only healthy cats that match the breed standard are used for breeding.

Blood type

Cats have blood type A, B or AB. Type A is the most common: in a study from England, 87.1% of non-pedigree cats and 54.6% of pedigree cats had type A. This matters for breeding: if the mother is type B and the kittens are type A, the antibodies in her first milk (colostrum) can destroy their red blood cells. The condition is called neonatal isoerythrolysis. That is why breeders test the blood type of both parents.

We found no published data on how common type B is in this breed; the test is done before mating anyway.

Caring for the kittens

Kittens are weaned at 6–7 weeks. They are ready to go to their new home at about 12 weeks, when they can be separated from their mother.

Neutering

Neutering used to be done at 6–9 months, but it is more and more often done before puberty, at around 3–6 months. It prevents unwanted kittens, urine marking in males and the loud “calling” of females in heat. A 2024 study found that neutered cats live one year longer on average. After the operation, the metabolism slows down and appetite increases, so the portion has to be reduced.

How to choose a kitten

• Ask for the pedigree from a recognised cat association (for example, CFA or TICA).
• The kitten leaves its mother at about 12 weeks.
• Look at the mother and at the place where the kittens are raised: it should be clean, with kittens used to people.
• Ask about vaccinations, parasite treatment and the blood type of the parents.

• “Brownie”. The nickname comes from the household spirit of Scottish folklore, who lives close to people and helps them.
• It talks with its paw. It touches people with its paw to show affection.
• Brown whiskers. The standard requires the whiskers to be brown too.
• Stripes that disappear. Kittens have stripes, which disappear completely by one year.

“Brownie”, the Scottish household spirit

Breeders gave it the nickname “Brownie”, after the household spirit of Scottish folklore, who lives close to people and helps them, sometimes playing tricks too.

Why is its coat brown?

It was created from Siamese cats carrying the chocolate gene and black cats that carried it too.

What colour are its eyes?

Bright green.

Can it be left alone?

It does not like it; it is very attached to its family.

Is it hard to groom?

No, gentle brushing 1–2 times a week is enough.