Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Havana Brown Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Havana Brown cat

The Havana Brown cat is a unique and rare solid-brown cat breed with striking green eyes. Though the breed almost disappeared in the mid-century, deliberate breeding efforts from English breeders revived the Havana Brown in the 1950s, leading to a highly sought-after, rich brown cat. Along with their attractive looks, Havana Brown cats are prized for their sociable and playful personalities that adapt well to most owners and lifestyles.

If you’re considering a Havana Brown cat, here’s everything you need to know before bringing a kitten home.

Breed Overview

Height:

12 – 18 inches

Weight:

6 – 10 pounds

Lifespan:

10 – 15 years

Colors:

Brown, mahogany

Suitable for:

Attentive owners, families, households with other pets

Temperament:

Alert, intelligent, friendly

The Havana Brown cat was developed in England in the 1950s from breeding Siamese and domestic black cats. Despite the reference to the Cuban city in the name, no one knows exactly how the breed became known as the Havana Brown. It could be because of the color, which is a rich brown like Havana tobacco, or because of the shared color of the Havana rabbit.

Havana Brown Cat Characteristics

Energy
+
A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
+
Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
+
Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
+
Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

divider 1 paws

Havana Brown Kittens

Havana Brown 15 week old kittens on a white background
Image Credit: ric Isselee, Shutterstock

The Havana Brown cat is an extremely rare breed. It’s the only all-brown cat breed as a characteristic. There are a limited number of Havana Brown cat breeders, so you may have to search and add yourself to wait lists to get a Havana Brown kitten. The breeding pool is extremely small.

Avoid the temptation to get a kitten from a high-volume breeder. Kitten mills are common, just like puppy mills, and can contribute to health and behavioral problems. Always vet your potential breeders thoroughly to ensure you get a healthy, well-cared-for kitten from a responsible breeder.

divider 3 paws

Temperament & Intelligence of the Havana Brown Cat

Havana Brown cats are alert, people-oriented cats. They love human companionship, so they’re best for households with attentive owners. They like a lot of attention and interaction, though they’re not particularly hyper cats. Whatever excitement is happening in the house, they want to be involved. These are not cats you can leave for long periods to entertain themselves.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The Havana Brown cat is a great choice for families. These cats get along well with children and love being part of the family. However, they are a medium breed, so it’s important to supervise interactions and ensure that your children play appropriately with the cat. It’s easy for a cat to be injured with rough play.

havana brown lying
Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Havana Brown cat is famously social and will get along with other cats and dogs in your home. As with children, it’s crucial that you monitor interactions with larger dog breeds or breeds with a high prey drive that may chase your cat. If you have small animals, such as birds, reptiles, or rodents, it’s important to keep your cat separated. Even though they’re social cats, they still have natural hunting instincts and may stalk or pounce on small animals.

divider 2 cats

Things to Know When Owning a Havana Brown Cat

Like other cat breeds, Havana Browns have specific care needs. Here’s everything you need to know before bringing a Havana Brown cat home:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Havana Browns should have a high-quality diet that’s formulated for cats. Nutritional needs vary for kittens, adults, and senior cats, so choose a formula appropriate for your cat’s life stage. Havanas have a hearty appetite, so it’s important to monitor their food intake to avoid obesity. It’s easy for these cats to overeat and become overweight, which can contribute to health problems like diabetes and heart problems.

Havana brown cat
Image Credit: Joan Wozniak, Shutterstock

Exercise 🐈

Havana Browns aren’t high-energy cats, but they do need some exercise and playtime between naps and lounging. Because of their curiosity, Havana Brown cats can become bored easily and may find ways to entertain themselves, including scratching at your furniture. Make sure to devote some time to play each day to keep your cat entertained and stimulated.

Training 🧶

Havana Browns are intelligent and curious. They aim to please, so training a Havana Brown cat may be easier than some other cat breeds. Make sure to use positive reinforcement training to teach basic obedience rather than aversive methods that may instill fear in your cat. If you have patience, you may be able to train your cat to do tricks or more complex commands, such as walking on a leash and harness, playing fetch, or solving a puzzle toy.

Havana brown cat in a bed
Image Credit: Rashid Valitov, Shutterstock

Grooming ✂️

The Havana has a low-shedding coat and minimal grooming needs. They only need weekly brushing with a soft brush to remove loose hair and prevent mats. Unlike some cat breeds, Havanas enjoy interactions and usually like the bonding experience of grooming. You should also trim your cat’s nails every few weeks or monthly to avoid broken nails. If your cat tolerates it, brush their teeth from a young age to prevent dental disease.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Any cat can have health problems, but the Havana Brown cat has no known health conditions. They may be at risk of conditions that affect a lot of cats, including obesity and dental disease, which you can prevent with regular vet exams and proper diet and grooming.

Minor Conditions
  • No breed-specific conditions
Serious Conditions
  • No breed-specific conditions

Note: the Havana Brown is still susceptible to common cat health conditions. Read about the 9 most common cat illnesses and diseases.

divider 3 paws

Male vs Female

Though some people say there’s a difference between male and female cats, they’re mostly individuals. Male cats tend to be a little larger than females, but the difference is negligible. Spaying or neutering your cat can prevent an array of sex-related behavioral issues, such as roaming, aggression, and excess vocalization. Fixing your cat will also prevent a range of health conditions related to reproductive health.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Havana Brown Cat

1. Havana Brown Cats Used to Go by Another Name

In 19th-century England, solid-brown cats, which were known as self-brown cats, were being exhibited at British cat shows as Swiss Mountain Cats. They resembled Siamese cats, but they had green eyes instead of blue eyes. The Siamese Cat Club issued a proclamation about Siamese cats only having blue eyes, leading to a decline in this breed. In the 1950s, English breeders tried to revive the breed, leading to the Havana Brown.


2. Juvenile Havana Browns Have Unique Markings

The Havana Brown is unique in their totally brown coats. Havana Brown kittens and juveniles may have tabby stripes that show through their coats, but they typically fade as the cat reaches adulthood.


3. The First Havana Brown Came From Accidental Breeding

When breeders tried to produce self-brown kittens, they created Praha Gypka, a self-brown male kitten from a black shorthair and a chocolate-point Siamese. But accidental breeding between a solid black shorthair and a seal-point Siamese produced another self-brown male kitten, Elmtower Bronze Idol, the first Havana Brown registered in England.

divider 1 paws

Final Thoughts

From their curiosity and friendliness to their emerald-green eyes set against a mahogany coat, it’s no wonder that the Havana Brown cat is such a treasured cat breed. These cats are adaptable, low maintenance, and good-natured, making them an ideal fit for many cat owners.


Featured Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

10 British Cat Breeds: An Overview (With Info & Pictures)

The British may be known for their staunch tradition, but they’re also pioneers of progressive breeding techniques that have produced some incredible British...

British Shorthair

How Rare Are Brown Cats? Vet-Verified Cat Genetics

When was the last time you spotted a brown cat? If you answered, “I can’t remember,” or, “Never!” you form part of the...

Havana brown cat

Ragamuffin Cat Breed: Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits

Ragamuffin cats are named for their lovable muffin-like appearance. They are large, muscular, and broad but boast a sweet and agreeable personality. They...

Ragamuffin Cat sitting outside

Brazilian Shorthair Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Brazilian Shorthair Cat is a breed native to Brazil that descended from feral street colonies in the cities. Although they have only...

Brazilian Shorthair Cat Playing on the top of a black car

More related

savannah sitting on cat tree

21 Hybrid Cat Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

Hybrid cat breeds can occur when a domestic cat breeds with another domestic cat or a domestic cat mates with a wildcat. Due...

black sam sawet with yellow eyes

Sam Sawet Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

When cat lovers think of Thailand, they probably jump straight to the Siamese. But few know about the Sam Sawet, a non-colorpoint cousin...

Ocicat standing on a white background

Ocicat Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Ocicat is a medium-sized purebred recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association. The exotic-looking cats are not...

scottish fold siamese mixed cat outdoors

Scottish Fold Siamese Mix: Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits

Scottish Fold Siamese mix cats are not that common, so there is not much known about them. To learn about this designer cat...

Keep reading

My Cat Is Scared of Something I Can’t See: Common Causes & Vet-Approved Advice

It’s a tale as old as time—cats can see ghosts, right? While this is perhaps an ideology stemming from myth and fable, there may be some truth to it. After all, cats are capable of using their senses in ways...

scared cat hiding behind the door

What Causes Sudden Fever in Cats? Our Vet Explains Causes, Signs & FAQ

One of the most frustrating things we face as pet owners is when our furry family members don’t feel well, especially when we don’t know why. Fevers can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat because there often isn’t an...

digital thermometer showing a cat has a fever

Why Don’t Cats Make Eye Contact With Other Cats? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

A cat’s eyes are big and enchanting, but did you know that they’re also incredibly expressive? If you’ve just adopted a cat, you might need time to understand what your pet is trying to say with their eyes. But seasoned...

two cats looking at each other

Why Is My Cat Only Eating Treats and Not Their Food? 4 Likely Reasons

Oh no! Your cat, who used to be such a good eater, is now ignoring their full bowl but won’t stop meowing for treats. What gives? Well, your cat may just be acting like a kid who only wants to...

calico cat having treats

How to Clean Cat Paws: Vet-Approved Step-by-Step Guide

Cats are typically considered naturally clean creatures. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t experience some poor hygiene problems, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. A cat’s feet are vital for its health. After all, they need...

close up of a cat paw

What Do Feral Cats Eat in The Wild? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Feral cats aren’t domesticated, prefer living outdoors, and often avoid human contact. They are normally considered mesopredators in their ecosystems and are most active after dusk. In addition, since they reproduce rapidly and are skilled hunters, conservationists find them devastating...

cat hunting a rat

Cat Fighting Sounds: With Videos & Body Signals (Vet-Verified)

When cats play, it can seem like they’re fighting, but when they’re actually fighting, it can lead to big problems. So, how can you tell the difference, and what does real fighting sound and look like? It’s a lot to...

white-and-grey-shorthaired-cat-angry-hissing-attacking

Congestive Heart Failure in Cats: Vet-Reviewed Facts & When to Euthanize

Being a cat parent comes with many ups and a few unfortunate downs. We do our best to take care of our cats so they can live long and healthy lives, but health conditions can creep up when we least...

a red long-haired tabby cat is being checked up by a vet